On demonstrating DNA intercalation

Considerable attention has focused on new DNA-binding -modifying agents, from natural products to wholly designs, as probes of DNA structure and as potential chemotherapeutic agents. The application of molecules necessitates a precise understanding of the details of the agents' mode of interaction with target molecule, double-helical DNA. DNA binding tend to interact noncovalently with the host molecule two general modes: (i) in a groove-bound fashion stabilized by a mixture of hydrophobic, electrostatic, hydrogen-bonding interactions and (ii) through intercalative association in which a planar, heteroaromatic moiety slides between the DNA base pairs. , however, only a fraction of known DNA-interactive agents have been structurally characterized to detail in noncovalent complexes with DNA.