The Effect of Chemical Structure on the DNA Binding Behavior of Tricyclic Heteroaromatic Ligands

It is well-known that small organic ligands can bind to the double-stranded nucleic acids by three modes, i.e.s grooving binding, intercalation, and electrostatic binding. Usually, intercalation of the ligands into the double helix involves the insertion of a planar atomatic cation into base stack of the helix, while groove binding of small molecules is pertaining to the docking of thin ribbon-like molecules in the minor groove of the helix. In both cases, electrostatic and hydrophobic interactions can afford additional stabilization for the binding.