Cover Image, Volume 107, Issue 12

DNA interactions with drugs are often examined in ordinary buffers where the DNA molecule is fully dispersed in solution – far from the state it is found in cells. Rocha et al. add bovine serum albumin (BSA) to mimic two conditions in the intracellular environment: the condensed state of DNA, and the abundance of charged macromolecules. When the anticancer drug doxorubicin is added to DNA already condensed by BSA, doxorubicin intercalates and unfolds the DNA condensates. However, if the drug is first intercalated in dispersed DNA, it hinders DNA condensation upon addition of BSA. The results may help our understanding the action of drugs inside prokaryote cells. (DOI: 10.1002/bip.23071)
Source: Biopolymers - Category: Biochemistry Tags: COVER IMAGE Source Type: research