ESTIMATION OF AN INDEX OF HYDROPHOBICITY OF DNA INTERIOR USING 5-METHOXYPSORALEN AS A FLUORESCENT PROBE |
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| Authors: | Masako Sasaki Isao Nakasato Hiroyuki Sugiura Hitoshi Fujita Toshibumi Sakata |
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| Institution: | Institute of Research and Development, Tokai University, Hiratsuka, Kanagawa 259-12;Department of Electro-Photo-Optics, Faculty of Engineering, Tokai University;Department of Molecular Biology, Tokai University School of Medicine, Isehara, Kanagawa 259-11, Japan |
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| Abstract: | The index of hydrophobicity of DNA interior was estimated by measuring fluorescence spectra of psoralen derivatives associated with DNA. The environment around 5-MOP associated with DNA was as hydrophobic (Dk = 34) as methanol, suggesting that the molecules reside at the space between the base-pairs in B-form DNA. This is also true for 8-MOP. Thus, planar and aromatic molecules of 5- and 8-MOP are more stable in the interior of DNA than in aqueous medium due to hydrophobic affinity. |
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