DNA structure has many potential places where endogenous compounds and xenobiotics
can bind. Therefore, xenobiotics bind along the sites of the nucleic acid with the aim of changing its
structure, its Show more
DNA structure has many potential places where endogenous compounds and xenobiotics
can bind. Therefore, xenobiotics bind along the sites of the nucleic acid with the aim of changing its
structure, its genetic message, and, implicitly, its functions. Currently, there are several mechanisms
known to be involved in DNA binding. These mechanisms are covalent and non-covalent interactions.
The covalent interaction or metal base coordination is an irreversible binding and it is represented by
an intra-/interstrand cross-link. The non-covalent interaction is generally a reversible binding and
it is represented by intercalation between DNA base pairs, insertion, major and/or minor groove
binding, and electrostatic interactions with the sugar phosphate DNA backbone. In the present
review, we focus on the types of DNA–metal complex interactions (including some representative
examples) and on presenting the methods currently used to study them. Show less