重离子束对酵母细胞的失活与突变

双倍体酵母细胞Ｄ７经单核能为１１．４ＭｅＶ／ｕ的Ａｎ和Ｕ离子辐照后,测定了细胞随剂量的存活率和突变率。获得细胞对Ａｕ和Ｕ离子的失活截面分别为２．５４μｍ２和１．９２μｍ２。在存活率为３７％的条件下,Ａｕ、Ｕ离子的ＲＢＥ分别为０．２８和０．１９。在突变实验中,研究了ＤＮＡ断链后的重组与倒位,它们对Ａｕ和Ｕ离子的截面为：８．３×１０－２μｍ２［σｍ－ｒｅｃ（Ａｕ）］,９．５×１０－５μｍ２［σｍ－ｒｅｃ（Ｕ）］和６．１×１０－４μｍ２［σｍ－ｒｅｖ（Ａｕ）］和３．８×１０－５μｍ２［σｍ－ｒｅｖ（Ｕ）］．最后,对所获结果进行了讨论。     

低氧对肺动脉内皮细胞PDGF—B链释放及平滑肌细胞生长的影响

应用蛋白ｄｏｔｂｌｏｔ技术检测了低氧内皮细胞条件培养液（ＨＥＣＣＭ）和常氧内皮细胞条件培养液（ＮＥＣＣＭ）内ＰＤＧＦ相对含量,并利用［３Ｈ］－ＴｄＲ掺入法和流式细胞术观察了ＨＥＣＣＭ和ＮＥＣＣＭ及加入特异ＰＤＧＦ抗体对肺动脉平滑肌细胞（ＰＡＳＭＣ）生长的影响。结果表明,ＨＥＣＣＭ中的ＰＤＧＦ含量明显高于ＮＥＣＣＭ;ＨＥＣＣＭ能明显增强ＰＡＳＭＣ内ＤＮＡ合成,促进ＰＡＳＭＣ从Ｇｏ／Ｇ１期进入Ｓ期;当预先加入ＰＤＧＦ－Ｂ链抗体时,则会明显地抑制ＨＥＣＣＭ对ＰＡＳＭＣ的ＤＮＡ合成,阻止ＰＡＳＭＣ从Ｇｏ／Ｇ１期进入Ｓ期。结果提示,低氧时ＰＡＳＭＣ增殖与肺动脉内皮细胞分泌释放ＰＤＧＦ增加有关     

丙型肝炎病毒非结构区NS4b基因片段的克隆和表达

采用聚合酶链反应（ＰＣＲ）技术和ＤＮＡ体外重组方法,克隆出５７９ｂｐ的丙型肝炎病毒（ＨＣＶ）ＮＳ４ｂ基因片段,插入到原核高效表达载体ｐＥＴ－２８ａ中,构建重组质粒ｐＥＴ／ＮＳ４ｂ,转化大肠杆菌ＢＬ２１（ＤＥ３）菌株,经ＩＰＴＧ诱导培养后,获得了目的蛋白的高效表达。ＳＤＳ－ＰＡＧＥ分析显示在３０ｋＤ处有一条表达的目的蛋白区带。通过固定化金属配体亲和层析（ＩＭＡＣ）纯化目的的蛋白,ＥＬＥＳＡ检测结果表     

有序差异显示:一种基因表达谱系统比较法

系统研究具有同一基因组的各种细胞群之间基因的差异表达谱十分重要。目前,研究基因差异表达的技术大致有ｍＲＮＡ差异显示［１］、ＲＤＡ［３］、ＳＳＨ［４、５］和ｃＤＮＡ阵列［６］等。近几年,还发展了一些研究基因差异表达谱系统的技术,如ＲＬＣＳ（ｒｅｓｔｒｉｃｔｉｏｎｌａｎｄ－ｍａｒｋｃＤＮＡｓｃａｎｎｉｎｇ）［８］、ＧＥＦ（ｇｅｎｅｅｘｐｒｅｓ－ｓｉｏｎｆｉｎｇｅｒｐｒｉｎｔｉｎｇ）［２］和ＲＮＡ指纹法［９］等。然而,这些技术或较为复杂,或灵敏度偏低。本文拟介绍一种有效的基因表达谱系统比较法——有序差…     

短杆菌肽S与脂膜结合前后的H／D交换动力学的研究

短杆菌肽Ｓ（ＧＳ）是一个十肽分子（环－（Ｌ－Ｖａｌ－Ｌ－Ｏｒｎ－Ｌ－Ｌｅｕ－Ｄ－Ｐｈｅ－Ｌ－Ｐｒｏ）２）,是由两个β转角和两个β片层结构所构成［１］。ＧＳ的功能是通过破坏葛兰氏阴性菌的膜结构来完成其抗菌活性。迄今为止,人们对ＧＳ与膜结合特点的研究结果还不一致。Ｄａｔｅｍａｎ等人利用２Ｈ－ＮＭＲ,３１Ｐ－ＮＭＲ和ＤＳＣ等技术研究了ＧＳ与ＤＰＰＣ多层脂膜的相互作用,指出肽仅仅作用于膜表面［２］;而Ｈｉｇａｓｈｉｊｉｍａ等［３］及张凤立等用２Ｄ－ＮＭＲ的研究结果［４］表明,ＧＳ的疏水部分应插入膜内。蛋白质及多肽的Ｈ／Ｄ交换动力学受其分子内氢键,分子空间结构的致密度及其周边环境如膜环境［５］的影响。我们利用衰减全反射红外光谱（ＡＴＲ－ＦＴＩＲ）对与脂膜结合前后的短杆菌肽Ｓ的Ｈ／Ｄ交换动力学进行了研究,实验结果提示ＧＳ插入了脂膜双层。     

4α－PDD、PMA对去甲肾上腺素促进大鼠腹腔巨噬细胞Ⅰa抗原表达的影响

本文采用Ｃａ~２＋指示剂的分光光谱法测定巨噬细胞（Ｍφ）内Ｃａ~２＋浓度（［Ｃａ~２＋］ｉ）、ＡＰＡＡＰ桥联酶标法检测Ｍφ膜上Ⅰａ抗原的表达,研究肌醇磷脂代谢中第二信使分子甘油二酯（ＤＧ）在去甲肾上腺素（ＮＥ）促进ＭφⅠａ表达效应中的作用,以进一步探讨ＮＥ效应的跨膜信息传递机制。结果表明：蛋白激酶Ｃ（ＰＫＣ）抑制剂４αＰＤＤ（２５μｇ／ｍｌ）虽不影响ＮＥ（１０￣－８ｍｏｌ／Ｌ）升高Ｍφ［Ｃａ￣２＋］ｉ的效应,却显著减弱了ＮＥ促进ＭφⅠａ抗原表达的效应;而ＰＫＣ激动剂ＰＭＡ（１０ｎｍｏｌ／Ｌ）本身促进ＭφⅠａ抗原表达的作用不明显,也不能进一步增强ＮＥ促进ＭφⅠａ抗原表达的效应。结果提示：ＤＧ激活的ＰＫＣ系统也参与了ＮＥ促进ＭφⅠａ抗原表达的信息传递过程,并与另一第二信使分子肌醇－１,４,５－三磷酸（ＩＰ＿３）介导的Ｃａ￣２＋途径协同发挥作用。     

叶绿体类囊体膜脂－膜蛋白的相互作用

叶绿体类囊体膜脂－膜蛋白的相互作用陈志强,许春辉,匡廷云（中国科学院植物研究所,北京１０００４４）ＴＨＥＬＩＰＩＤ－ＰＲＯＴＥＩＮＩＮＴＥＲＡＣＴＩＯＮＩＮＣＨＬＯＲＯＰＬＡＳＴＴＨＹＬＡＫＯＩＤＭＥＭＤＲＡＮＥ￥ＣｈｅｎＺｈｉ－ｑｉａｎｇ;ＸｕＣｈ...     

昆虫谷胱甘肽S-转移酶分离纯化的新方法

谷胱甘肽Ｓ－转移酶（ｇｌｕｔａｔｈｉｏｎｅＳ－ｔｒａｎｓｆｅｒａｓｅｓ,ＧＳＴ）是一类具有多种生理功能的同功酶．从蜡螟幼虫（Ｇａｌｅｒｉａｍｅｌｏｎｅｌａ）的提取液中分离纯化谷胱甘肽Ｓ－转移酶的基本方法如下：首先将冷冻的蜡螟幼虫在磷酸缓冲液中匀桨,经１００００ｇ和１０００００ｇ分级离心;取上清液通过ＱＡＥ－ＳｅｐｈａｄｅｘＡ－２５离子交换柱层析除去部分色素和杂蛋白;然后采用谷胱甘肽－琼脂糖凝胶亲和层析（ＧＳＨ－ＱＴ４）,四溴酚酞二磺酸盐－琼脂糖凝胶亲和层析（ＢＳＰ－ＱＴ４）,铜离子－琼脂糖凝胶螯合层析（Ｃｕ２＋－ＱＴ４）及ＰＢＥ９４－Ｓｅｐｈａｒｏｓｅ（ＰＢＥ９４）聚焦层析等层析技术进一步分离纯化．将上述方法获得的色谱峰以ＣＤＮＢ和ＤＣＮＢ为底物检测生物活性．具有生物活性部分的蛋白质,通过ＳＤＳ－ＰＡＧＥ测定其分子量．实验结果表明,采用ＧＳＨ－ＱＴ４亲和层析法获得的活性峰,在ＳＤＳ－ＰＡＧＥ图谱上呈现出两条带,分子量为２４ｋＤ,２４．５ｋＤ左右;Ｃｕ２＋－ＱＴ６螯合层析法分离的活性峰,呈现出一条带,分子量为２４ｋＤ左右;ＰＢＥ９４－聚焦层析法分离获得三个活性峰：第一色谱峰,呈现出一条带,分子量为２３ｋＤ左右     

高效毛细管电泳在DNA序列分析中的应用

高效毛细管电泳在ＤＮＡ序列分析中的应用种康（兰州大学化学系,兰州７３００００）ＡＰＰＬＩＣＡＴＩＯＮＯＦＨＩＧＨ－ＰＥＲＦＯＲＭＡＮＣＥＣＡＰＩＬＬＡＲＹＥＬＥＣＴＣＴＯＲＨＯＲＥＳＩＳＯＮＤＮＡＳＥＱＵＥＮＣＩＮＧ￥ＣｈｏｎｇＫａｎｇ（Ｄｅｐａｒｔ...     

Epstein—Barr病毒反义LMP1基因对鼻咽癌细胞CNE2株生长的抑制

将０．６ｋｂＬＭＰ１前段基因反向插入逆转录病毒载体（ｐＺＩＰ）中,构建成ｐＺＩＰ－反义ＬＭＰ１载体,再转入ＰＡ３１７包装细胞中,用Ｇ４１８筛选性克隆,获得产生１．７×１０＾５（ＣＦＵ／ｍｌ）反杂交实验证实ｐＺＩＰ－反义ＬＭＰ１载体基车整合到ＣＮＥ２细胞的ＤＮＡ中,并且有载体基因ＲＮＡ的表达,观察反义ＬＭＰ１基罟对ＣＮ＃２细胞生长的影响,发现反义ＬＭＰ１基因可降低细胞生长速度,减弱ＣＮＥ２细胞在这果     

Interaction of meso-tetra(N-hydroxyethylpyridyl)porphyrins with DNA. Effect of position of peripheral groups

The interaction of meso-tetra(4-N-oxyethylpyridyl)porphyrin and its 3-N-substituted analogue with DNA was studied by UV spectrophotometry and circular dichroism methods. It was shown that the position of the side group on the pyridyl ring substantially affects the mechanism of interaction with DNA. 4-N-oxyethylpyridyl porphyrins more preferably intercalate into the DNA structure but worse realize the external binding than 3N-porphyrins.     

Interaction of metallopyrazoliumylporphyrins with calf thymus DNA.

The interaction of transition metal complexes of cationic porphyrins bearing five membered rings, meso-tetrakis(1,2-dimethylpyrazolium-4-yl)porphyrin (MPzP, M=Mn(III), Ni(II), Cu(II) or Zn(II)), with calf thymus DNA (ctDNA) has been studied. Metalloporphyrins NiPzP and CuPzP are intercalated into the 5'GC3' step of ctDNA. MnPzP is bound edge-on at the 5'TA3' step of the minor groove of ctDNA, while ZnPzP is bound face-on at the 5'TA3' step of the major groove of ctDNA. The binding constants of the metalloporphyrins to ctDNA range from 1.05x10(5) to 2.66x10(6) M(-1) and are comparable to those of other reported cationic porphyrins. The binding process of the metallopyrazoliumylporphyrins to ctDNA is endothermic and entropically driven. These results have revealed that the kind of central metal ions of metalloporphyrins influences the binding characteristics of the porphyrin to DNA.     

Interactions of meso-tetra-(4-N-oxyethylpyridyl) porphyrin, its 3-N analog and their metallocomplexes with duplex DNA

Interactions of meso-tetra-(4-N-oxyethylpyridyl) porphyrin (TOEPyP(4)), its 3-N analog (TOEPyP(3)) and their Co, Cu, Ni, Zn metallocomplexes with duplex DNA have been investigated by uv/visible absorbance and circular dichrosim spectroscopies. Results reveal the interactions of these complexes with duplex DNA are of two types. (1) External binding of duplex DNA by metalloporphyrins containing Zn and Co, and (2) Binding of duplex DNA both externally and internally (by intercalation) by porphyrins not containing metals, and metalloporphyrins containing Cu and Ni. Results indicate that (4N-oxyethylpyridyl) porphyrins intercalate more preferably in the structure of duplex DNA and have weaker external binding than 3N-porphyrins.     

The stability of DNA-porphyrin complexes in the presence of Mn(II) ions

The complex formation of porphyrins with DNA leads to changes of stability of DNA. In the present study we investigated binding properties and the thermodynamic parameters of a water-soluble, cationic planar Cu(II)-containing meso-tetrakis(4-N-butyl-pyridiniumyl)porphyrin [CuTButPyP4] and nonplanar Co(II)-containing meso-tetrakis(4-N-butyl-pyridiniumyl)porphyrin [CoButPyP4] with calf thymus DNA in the presence of divalent manganese ions. For displaying the changes of thermodynamic parameters (T_m and ΔT) the melting curves of DNA-porphyrin complexes in the presence of Mn²⁺ ions have been obtained. The enthalpy (ΔH) of helix-coil transition has been also evaluated. It was shown that the binding of ions to DNA proceeds in two stages depending on the manganese/DNA phosphates molar ratio [Mn]/[P]. At the first stage (0.001 < [Mn]/[P] < 1), the interaction of manganese ions with DNA phosphates occurs, causing an additional screening of their negative charge and the stabilization of the double helix. As a result, the best conditions for intercalation of CuTButPyP4 or of peripheral rings of CoButPyP4 occur. The significant increase of T_m, but less changes of ΔT were observed. At the second stage (1 < [Mn]/[P] < 4), the ions interact with both the phosphates and the nitrogen bases of DNA. At this stage, it is possible for the manganese ion to coordinate simultaneously to the oxygen atom of the phosphate and the neighboring base of DNA. At a higher [Mn]/[P] ratio, the destabilization of the double helix begins, and partial breakage of the hydrogen bonds between the nitrogen bases occurs. Respectively the destabilization of DNA in the presence of both porphyrins takes place.     

Vibrational and electronic circular dichroism study of the interactions of cationic porphyrins with (dG-dC)10 and (dA-dT)10

The interactions of two different porphyrins, without axial ligands-5,10,15,20-tetrakis(1-methylpyridinium-4-yl)porphyrin-Cu(II) tetrachloride (Cu(II)TMPyP) and with bulky meso substituents-5,10,15,20-tetrakis(N,N,N-trimethylanilinium-4-yl)porphyrin tetrachloride (TMAP), with (dG-dC)10 and (dA-dT)10 were studied by combination of vibrational circular dichroism (VCD) and electronic circular dichroism (ECD) spectroscopy at different [oligonucleotide]/[porphyrin] ratios, where [oligonucleotide] and [porphyrin] are the concentrations of oligonucleotide per base-pair and porphyrin, respectively. The combination of VCD and ECD spectroscopy enables us to identify the types of interactions, and to specify the sites of interactions: The intercalative binding mode of Cu(II)TMPyP with (dG-dC)(10), which has been well described, was characterized by a new VCD "marker" and it was shown that the interaction of Cu(II)TMPyP with (dA-dT)10 via external binding to the phosphate backbone and major groove binding caused transition from the B to the non-B conformer. TMAP interacted with the major groove of (dG-dC)10, was semi-intercalated into (dA-dT)10, and caused significant variation in the structure of both oligonucleotides at the higher concentration of porphyrin. The spectroscopic techniques used in this study revealed that porphyrin binding with AT sequences caused substantial variation of the DNA structure. It was shown that VCD spectroscopy is an effective tool for the conformational studies of nucleic acid-porphyrin complexes in solution.     

Binding of meso-tetrakis(N-methylpyridiniumyl)porphyrin isomers to DNA: quantitative comparison of the influence of charge distribution and copper(II) derivatization

Factors influencing the binding of tetracationic porphyrin derivatives to DNA have been comprehensively evaluated by equilibrium dialysis, stopped-flow kinetics, etc., for mesotetrakis (4-N-methylpyridiniumyl)porphyrin [TMpyP (4)]. Technical difficulties have previously precluded a comprehensive study of metalloporphyrins. Since electrostatic interactions with the DNA and metal derivatization of the porphyrins have important consequences, we have investigated in greater detail two isomers of TMpyP (4) (meso-tetrakis(3-N-methylpyridiniumyl)porphyrin, [TMpyP (3)] and meso-tetrakis(2-N-methylpyridiniumyl)porphyrin [TMpyP (2)]) in which the position of the charged centers has been varied. A comprehensive study of the Cu(II) derivatives, e.g., CuTMpyP (4), was possible since the difficulties encountered previously with Ni(II) compounds were not a problem with Cu(II) porphyrins [J. A. Strickland, L. G. Marzilli, M. K. Gay, and W. D. Wilson (1988) Biochemistry 27, 8870-8878]. At 25 degrees C, the apparent equilibrium constants [Kobs] decreased with increasing [Na+] for all porphyrins. The Kobs values were comparable for TMpyP (4) and TMpyP (3) binding to either polyd(G-C).polyd(G-C) [poly[d(G-C)2]] or poly[d(A-T)].poly[d(A-T)] [poly[d(A-T)2]]. For the copper(II) porphyrins, the Kobs values were about fivefold greater. The Kobs value for CuTMpyP (2) binding to poly[d(G-C)2] was too small to measure under typical salt conditions; however, Kobs for binding to poly[d(A-T)2] was about two orders of magnitude smaller than those found for CuTMpyP (4) or CuTMpyP (3). Application of the condensation theory for polyelectrolytes suggests about three charge interactions when CuTMpyP (4), CuTMpyP (3), and TMpyP (3) bind to poly[d(G-C)2] or poly[d(A-T)2], a result comparable to that reported for TMpyP (4). At 20 degrees C and 0.115 M [Na+], incorporation of copper decreased the rates of dissociation from poly[d(A-T)2] by a 100-fold compared to those reported for TMpyP (4) but had little effect on the rates of dissociation from poly[d(G-C)2]. Also, movement of the H3CN+ group from the fourth to the third position of the pyridinium ring enhanced the rates of dissociation from poly[d(A-T)2] but decreased the rates of dissociation from poly[d(G-C)2]. From polyelectrolyte theory, the [Na+] dependence of the dissociation rates from poly[d(G-C)2] is consistent with intercalative binding, while that for poly[d(A-T)2] is consistent with an outside binding model. For calf thymus [CT] DNA at 20 degrees C, a greater decrease in the AT than in the GC imino 1H-nmr signal was observed upon addition of CuTMpyP (2), suggesting selective outside binding to the AT regions.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)     

Interactions of Meso-tetra-(4-N-oxyethylpyridyl) Porphyrin,Its 3-N Analog and Their Metallocomplexes with Duplex DNA

Abstract

Interactions of meso-tetra-(4-N-oxyethylpyridyl) porphyrin (TOEPyP(4)), its 3-N analog (TOEPyP(3)) and their Co, Cu, Ni, Zn metallocomplexes with duplex DNA have been investigated by uv/visible absorbance and circular dichrosim spectroscopies. Results reveal the interactions of these complexes with duplex DNA are of two types. (1) External binding of duplex DNA by metalloporphyrins containing Zn and Co, and (2) Binding of duplex DNA both externally and internally (by intercalation) by porphyrins not containing metals, and metalloporphyrins containing Cu and Ni. Results indicate that (4N-oxyethylpyridyl) porphyrins intercalate more preferably in the structure of duplex DNA and have weaker external binding than 3N-porphyrins.     

Interactions of porphyrins with nucleic acids

The interactions of nucleic acids with water-soluble porphyrins and metalloporphyrins have been investigated by stopped-flow and temperature-jump techniques. Both natural DNA (calf thymus) and synthetic homopolymers [poly(dG-dC) and poly(dA-dT)] have been employed. The porphyrins studied belong to the tetrakis(4-N-methylpyridyl)porphine (H2TMpyP-4) series and can be divided into two groups: (i) those which have no axial ligands when bound to nucleic acids [e.g., Ni(II), Cu(II), and the nonmetallic derivatives] and (ii) those which maintain axial ligands upon binding [e.g., Mn(III), Fe(III), Co(III), and Zn(II) derivatives]. The reaction of both axially and nonaxially liganded porphyrins at AT sites is too rapid to be measured by the kinetic methods utilized, whereas at GC sites the interaction of the nonaxially liganded porphyrins is in the millisecond time range and can be monitored by both stopped-flow and temperature-jump techniques. These results corroborate previous static studies, utilizing visible spectroscopy and circular dichroism, which indicate that the formation of an intercalated complex occurs only at GC base pair sites with porphyrins which do not possess axial ligands. With all the porphyrins investigated, the complexes formed at AT sites are envisioned as being of an "external" type involving some degree of overlap between the porphyrin and the bases of the duplex. In relaxation experiments of poly-(dG-dC) with H2TMpyP-4, a large, reproducible effect is observed which can be analyzed as a single exponential. Rate constants for association and dissociation of the H2TMpyP-4/poly(dG-dC) complex are 3.7 X 10(5) M-1 s-1 and 1.8 s-1, respectively. Relaxation studies of mixtures of poly(dA-dT) and poly(dG-dC) with H2TMpyP-4 indicate that the transfer of the porphyrin from one homopolymer to another occurs via a mechanism involving dissociation rather than direct transfer.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Interaction of cationic porphyrins with DNA: importance of the number and position of the charges and minimum structural requirements for intercalation

Thirty-three porphyrins or metalloporphyrins corresponding to the general formula [meso-[N-methyl-4(or 3 or 2)-pyridiniumyl]n(aryl)4-nporphyrin]M (M = H2, CuII, or ClFeIII), with n = 2-4, have been synthesized and characterized by UV-visible and 1H NMR spectroscopy and mass spectrometry. These porphyrins differ not only in the number (2-4) and position of their cationic charges but also in the steric requirements to reach even temporarily a completely planar geometry. In particular, they contain 0, 1, 2, 3, or 4 meso-aryl substituents not able to rotate. Interaction of these porphyrins or metalloporphyrins with calf thymus DNA has been studied and their apparent affinity binding constants have been determined by use of a competition method with ethidium bromide which was applicable not only for all the free base porphyrins but also for their copper(II) or iron(III) complexes. Whatever their mode of binding may be, their apparent affinity binding constants were relatively high (Kapp between 1.2 x 10(7) and 5 x 10(4) M-1 under our conditions), and a linear decrease of log Kapp with the number of porphyrin charges was observed. Studies of porphyrin-DNA interactions by UV and fluorescence spectroscopy, viscosimetry, and fluorescence energy transfer experiments showed that not only the tetracationic meso-tetrakis[N-methyl-4(or 3)-pyridiniumyl]porphyrins, which both involved four freely rotating meso-aryl groups, but also the corresponding tri- and dicationic porphyrins were able to intercalate into calf thymus DNA. Moreover, the cis dicationic meso-bis(N-methyl-2-pyridiniumyl)diphenylporphyrin, which involved only two freely rotating meso-aryl groups in a cis position, was also able to intercalate. The other meso-(N-methyl-2-pyridiniumyl)n(phenyl)4-nporphyrins, which involved either zero, one, or two trans freely rotating meso-aryl groups, could not intercalate into DNA. These results show that only half of the porphyrin ring is necessary for intercalation to occur.     

DNA binding and intercalation by novel porphyrins: role of charge and substituents probed by DNase I footprinting and topoisomerase I unwinding

Porphyrins carrying four charged sidechains, e.g., meso-tetrakis[4-N-methylpyridiniumyl]- and meso-tetrakis[4-N-(2-hydroxyethyl)pyridiniumyl]-porphyrin, bound and intercalated similarly into DNA as measured by helix stabilization and DNA unwinding studies in the presence of DNA topoisomerase I. Despite their different bulky sidechains, these complexes gave essentially identical DNase I footprinting patterns. In contrast, tetrasubstituted porphyrins carrying three phenyl rings and a single positively charged pyridiniumyl sidechain did not intercalate and exhibited little affinity for DNA. Thus, the presence of charged sidechains on the porphyrin rather than their identity appears to be critical for efficient DNA intercalation. The results are discussed in regard to current models for the porphyrin-DNA intercalation complex.