Molecular recognition of NADP(H) and ATP by macrocyclic polyamines bearing acridine groups

The macrocyclic polyamine-based receptor BA bearing two acridine units makes use of combined electrostatic and stacking interactions for the binding of nucleotide polyphosphates and for the recognition of ATP and of NADPH (k(a) > 3 . 10(8) M), with a high selectivity for NADPH vs. NADP (ca. 10(3)) and NAD(H) (> 10(6)). The binding properties of this receptor towards a variety of substrates led to its in vitro application as a fluorescent probe for ATP. BA also interacts strongly with nucleic acids as shown by spectrophotometric, spectrofluorimetic, and electrophoretic mobility methods.