Open AccessFrom non-covalent binding to irreversible DNA lesions: nile blue and nile red as photosensitizing agents
Author(s) -
Hugo Gattuso,
Vanessa Besancenot,
Stéphanie Grandemange,
Marco Marazzi,
Antonio Monari
Publication year - 2016
Publication title -
scientific reports
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.24
H-Index - 213
ISSN - 2045-2322
DOI - 10.1038/srep28480
Subject(s) - nile red , nile blue , nile delta , fluorescence , dna , sensitization , biophysics , photochemistry , chemistry , spectroscopy , fluorescence spectroscopy , blue light , covalent bond , west nile virus , biochemistry , materials science , biology , optoelectronics , physics , optics , genetics , organic chemistry , ancient history , quantum mechanics , history , virus , immunology
We report a molecular modeling study, coupled with spectroscopy experiments, on the behavior of two well known organic dyes, nile blue and nile red, when interacting with B-DNA. In particular, we evidence the presence of two competitive binding modes, for both drugs. However their subsequent photophysical behavior is different and only nile blue is able to induce DNA photosensitization via an electron transfer mechanism. Most notably, even in the case of nile blue, its sensitization capabilities strongly depend on the environment resulting in a single active binding mode: the minor groove. Fluorescence spectroscopy confirms the presence of competitive interaction modes for both sensitizers, while the sensitization via electron transfer, is possible only in the case of nile blue.