Chemical and photochemical probing of DNA complexes

Abstract

An overview of the chemical and photochemical probes which over the past ten years have been used in studies of DNA/ligand complexes and of non‐B‐form DNA conformation is presented with emphasis on the chemical reactions of the probes with DNA and on their present ‘use‐profile’. The chemical probes include: dimethyl sulfate, ethyl nitroso urea, diethyl pyrocarbonate, osmium tetroxide, permanganate, aldehydes, methidiumpropyl‐EDTA‐Fell (MPE), phenanthroline metal complexes and EDTA/FeII. The photochemical probes that have been used include: psoralens, UVB, acridines and uranyl salts. The biological systems analysed by use of these probes are reviewed by tabulation. Copyright © 1990 Heyden & Son Ltd.