Drug binding to DNA: Observation of the drug-DNA hydrogen-bond-stretching modes of netropsin bound to DNA via raman spectroscopy

Abstract

Raman scattering and normal mode calculations have been used to study the low frequency vibrations of NaDNA, netropsin, and the NaDNA-netropsin complex. Vibrational modes at about 60 and 180cm-1 are observed from the DNA-netropsin complex but not from either pure DNA or pure netropsin. Theoretical calculations show that these are stretching modes of the hydrogen bonds connecting netropsin to DNA. Identification of these modes in this and other systems may facilitate the study of biomolecule-ligand binding dynamics.