Spectroscopic Studies of the Interactions Between DNA and Novel Polycyclic Acridine Derivatives

Abstract

Circular and Linear Dichroism, spectrophotometric analysis and quenching of the ethidium-DNA fluorescence complex have been used to study the binding of novel polycyclic acridine derivatives (l)-(3) to DNA. Selected acridine derivatives have been shown to be effective anticancer agents (i.e. m-amsacrine)^{1, 2}. A wide range of new polycyclic acridine derivatives has been designed and synthesised in the anticipation of developing compounds with improved potency and pharmaceutical properties. We have studied the DNA-binding properties of compounds (l)-(3) to address the structure- activity relationship of these new derivatives with their in vitro antitumour activity.