The interaction of proanthocyanidins with DNA molecules studied by atomic force microscopy and spectroscopic method

Jingchao Li; Congcong Sun; Yamei Lin; Hongxin Zhi; Yujie Fu; Zhiguo Liu

doi:10.1016/j.ultramic.2021.113393

The interaction of proanthocyanidins with DNA molecules studied by atomic force microscopy and spectroscopic method

Ultramicroscopy. 2021 Nov:230:113393. doi: 10.1016/j.ultramic.2021.113393. Epub 2021 Sep 26.

Authors

Jingchao Li¹, Congcong Sun¹, Yamei Lin¹, Hongxin Zhi¹, Yujie Fu¹, Zhiguo Liu²

Affiliations

¹ Key Laboratory of Forest Plant Ecology, Ministry of Education, Northeast Forestry University, Harbin 150040, People's Republic of China; College of Chemistry, Chemical Engineering and Resource Utilization, Northeast Forestry University, Harbin 150040, People's Republic of China; Engineering Research Center of Forest Bio-preparation, Ministry of Education, Northeast Forestry University, Harbin 150040, People's Republic of China.
² Key Laboratory of Forest Plant Ecology, Ministry of Education, Northeast Forestry University, Harbin 150040, People's Republic of China; College of Chemistry, Chemical Engineering and Resource Utilization, Northeast Forestry University, Harbin 150040, People's Republic of China; Engineering Research Center of Forest Bio-preparation, Ministry of Education, Northeast Forestry University, Harbin 150040, People's Republic of China. Electronic address: zguoliu@nefu.edu.cn.

PMID: 34607224
DOI: 10.1016/j.ultramic.2021.113393

Abstract

The interactions of the naturally available botanicals with DNA molecules have received considerable attention owing to the potential to develop for medicinal agents. In this study, the interaction of proanthocyanidins with DNA molecules was studied by atomic force microscopy (AFM) and spectroscopic method. The AFM observation indicated that proanthocyanidins induced DNA molecules from double helix chains to the thick rope and toroids. The heights of the formed DNA structures are more than eight times than that of DNA double helix. Spectroscopic measurement results revealed that proanthocyanidins intercalated between the base pairs of DNA in the intercalative binding mode, which resulted in unwinding the DNA helix, twisting the DNA strands and finally transforming into the supercoiled DNA structures. All these results implied that DNA molecule is an important interaction target of proanthocyanidins, and the formed compact DNA structures have biological significance on the gene expression and regulation.

Keywords: DNA; Proanthocyanidins; Supercoil; Toroid.

Publication types

Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

DNA / chemistry
DNA, Superhelical
Microscopy, Atomic Force / methods
Proanthocyanidins* / pharmacology
Spectrum Analysis

Substances

DNA, Superhelical
Proanthocyanidins
DNA