METHYL GREEN - A DNA MAJOR-GROOVE BINDING-DRUG

Interaction and binding geometries of complexes of Methyl green with poly(dA-dT)2, poly(dA) . poly(dT), and triplex poly(dA) . 2poly(dT) complexes have been studied by linear dichroism. For both of the complexes with double helical DNAs, the z symmetry axis of Methyl green is found to be approximately parallel to the DNA bases while the x symmetry axis lies at 40-44-degrees relative to the local DNA helix axis, in agreement with a groove binding mode. However, in contrast to minor-groove binders (such as DAPI and Hoechst 33258) Methyl green is found to be excluded from binding to the triple helical poly(dA) . 2poly(dT) in which the major groove is filled by the third strand. While most so far studied groove-binding dyes bind in the minor groove of DNA, Methyl green thus appears to be an exception.