Intercalation of ethidium bromide into a triple-stranded oligonucleotide

  • Jean louis Mergny
  • , David Collier
  • , Michel Rougée
  • , Thérèse Montenay-garestier
  • , Claude Hélène

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

We have examined the ability of a cationic planar chromophore, ethidium bromide, to intercalate into a short, defined triple helix. Using UV absorption, fluorescence spectroscopy and a gel retardation assay we demonstrate that ethidium bromide is able to bind to a triple helix with a lower affinity than to the corresponding duplex. Energy transfer from base triplets to ethidium shows that ethidium is intercalated into the triple helix. The spectroscopic characteristics of ethidium intercalated into a triplex are similar to those observed for Intercalation into duplex DNA.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)1521-1526
Number of pages6
JournalNucleic Acids Research
Volume19
Issue number7
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 11 Apr 1991
Externally publishedYes

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