Synthesis of reactive derivatives of nucleic acids and their application for the study of structure and functions of biopolymers

The data on the synthesis of reactive derivatives of nucleic acids and their application for the study of structure and functions of biopolymers are generalised. The main types of derivatives (photoactivated reagents containing arylazido, halogen, thio groups), psoralen and its derivatives, platinum-containing derivatives as well as nucleic acid analogues containing substituted internucleotide pyrophosphate or acyl phosphate groups, are presented, The mechanisms of interaction of these compounds with proteins and nucleic acids are considered. Thc prospects of application of reactive derivatives of nucleic acids in various systems in viva are discussed.