Study of acridine - DNA biopolymer interactions

Acridine molecules elicit their mutagenicity and carcinogenicity through interaction with the basic genetic material, DNA. The biological activities of 9-amino-[N-(2-dimethylamino) ethyl] acridine-4-carboxamide are attributed to its effect on nucleic acid synthesis, which is accomplished by virtue of its ability to bind to DNA and interfere with functions of DNA. In view of this, stacking and in-plane intermolecular interactions between nucleic acid base pairs and of 9-amino-[N-(2-dimethylamino) ethyl] acridine-4-carboxamide drug have been evaluated using quantum mechanical methods. Binding patterns, relative stability of various drug-base pair complexes and preferred binding sites, etc. have been discussed. (c) 2006 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.