Intercalation (chemistry)
From Biocrawler, the free encyclopedia.
Intercalation is a term used in host-guest chemistry for the reversible inclusion of a molecule (or group) between two other molecules (or groups). The host molecules usually comprise some form of periodic network.
DNA intercalation
A large class of molecules intercalates into DNA - in the space between two adjacent base pairs. These molecules are mostly polycyclic, aromatic, and planar, and therefore often make good nucleic acid stains. Intensively studied DNA intercalators include ethidium, proflavin, daunomycin, doxorubicin, and thalidomide.
In order for an intercalator to fit between base pairs, they must separate by over 3 angstroms, inducing local structural changes to the DNA strand like unwinding of the double helix and a lengthening of the DNA strand. Intercalation often inhibits transciption and replication processes, making intercalators potent mutagens.pl:interkalacja (chemia)
