In addition to the bifunctional adducts (cross-linkages), that furocoumarins on radiation at 365 nm form in DNA, monofunctional adducts also proved able to inhibit the nucleic acid synthesis in Ehrlich ascites tumor cells.

BACKGROUND: DT diaphorase (DTD; NAD(P)H:quinone oxidoreductase; EC 1.6.99.2) catalyses the two electron reduction of quinones, thus preventing redox cycling and consequently quinone dependent production of reactive oxygen species. In rat and mouse, a wide range of chemicals including polyaromatic hydrocarbons, azo dyes and quinones induces DTD. Bifunctional compounds, such as beta-naphthoflavon...

The structure-pharmacological activity relationships generally accepted for antitumor platinum compounds stressed the necessity for the cis-[PtX(2)(amine)(2)] structure while the trans-[PtX(2)(amine)(2)] structure was considered inactive. However, more recently, several trans-platinum complexes have been identified which are potently toxic, antitumor-active and demonstrate activity distinct fro...

The Asp-derived amino acid pathway has been studied during the early stages of development in two maize genotypes, Io and F2, differing in germination efficiency and post-germination growth. In both genotypes expression of Ask2 (monofunctional Asp-kinase-2), Akh1 and Akh2 (bifunctional Asp-kinase-homo-Ser dehydrogenase-1 and 2), increased throughout germination and post-germination growth, sugg...

In this study, we present the work on the physicochemical interaction between the anti-cancer alkaloidberberine (BRB) and DNA with the purpose of designing drugs that interact more with DNA. Molecularmodeling on the complex formed between berberine and DNA presented that this complex was undeniablyfully able of participating in the formation of a stable intercalation site. Besides, the molecula...

Double-stranded oligonucleotides with +1 interstrand zipper arrangements of intercalator-functionalized nucleotides are energetically activated for recognition of mixed-sequence double-stranded DNA. Incorporation of nonyl (C9) bulges at specific positions of these probes, results in more highly affine (>5-fold), faster (>4-fold) and more persistent dsDNA recognition relative to conventional Inv...

The combination of (i) the light-harvesting nature and excited-state redox reactivity of a cationic DNA intercalator, (ii) a conjugated Ag(+)-binding crown ether, and (iii) the stabilizing effect of DNA on AgNPs in one integral ternary complex enables the mild photoinduced formation of Ag nanoparticles.

The dehydroquinate synthase (DHQ synthase) functional domain from the pentafunctional AROM protein of Aspergillus nidulans has previously been overproduced in Escherichia coli [van den Hombergh, Moore, Charles and Hawkins (1992) Biochem J. 284, 861-867]. We now report the purification of this domain to homogeneity and subsequent characterization. The monofunctional DHQ synthase was found to ret...

Arabidopsis plants possess a composite AtLKR/SDH locus encoding two different polypeptides involved in lysine catabolism: a bifunctional lysine-ketoglutarate reductase/saccharopine dehydrogenase (LKR/SDH) enzyme and a monofunctional SDH enzyme. To unravel the physiological significance of these two enzymes, we analyzed their subcellular localization and detailed biochemical properties. Sucrose ...