How does DNA intercalation work?

How does DNA intercalation work?

Intercalating agents are hydrophobic heterocyclic ring molecules that resemble the ring structure of base pairs, and include ethidium bromide, acridine orange, and actinomycin D. Insertion of these agents distorts the DNA double helix, thereby interfering with DNA replication, transcription, and repair.

What is intercalation in mutation?

Intercalating agents are another type of chemical mutagen. They tend to be flat, planar molecules like benzo[a]pyrene, a component of wood and tobacco smoke, and induce mutations by inserting between the stacked bases at the center of the DNA helix.

Is DNA intercalation reversible?

DNA intercalation represents an invasive, yet reversible, mode of DNA-ligand binding. It shows clusters of two different types of ligands.

What is intercalation in developmental biology?

Intercalation. During intercalation, two or more rows of cells move between one another, creating an array of cells that is longer (in one or more dimensions) but thinner. The overall change in shape of the tissue results from cell rearrangement. Intercalation can be a powerful means of expanding a tissue sheet.

What is DNA groove binding?

Minor Groove Binders or MGBs are crescent-shaped molecules that selectively bind non-covalently to the minor groove of DNA, a shallow furrow in the DNA helix. Binding to DNA with specific sequences usually takes place by a combination of directed hydrogen bonding to base pair edges.

What does the process of intercalation involve?

Intercalation process involves (1) an electrochemical reaction at the interface between the electrode (host) and electrolyte, (2) subsequent diffusion of lithium ions (guest) away from the interface, accompanied by simultaneous charge transport, and (3) volume change as a result of lithium-ion intercalation.

Why are intercalating agents bad?

A substance that inserts itself into the DNA structure of a cell and binds to the DNA. This causes DNA damage. In cancer treatment, DNA intercalating agents may kill cancer cells by damaging their DNA and stopping them from dividing.

What are groove binders?

What is Emboly in biology?

Emboly is the formation of a gastrula from a blastula by invagination of the germ layers. During emboly, migration of the three germ layers i.e., ectoderm, mesoderm and endoderm occurs in the blastocoel.

author

Back to Top