Oxovanadium ions bind transfer RNA at multiple sites.

Oxovanadium compounds exert preventive effects against chemical carcinogenesis in animals and form complexes with DNA and RNA in vivo. This study was designed to examine the interaction of transfer RNA (tRNA) with VO(2+) and VO₃⁻ ions in aqueous solution at physiological pH, with constant a tRNA concentration of 12.5 mM and different vanadium/RNA (P) (P = phosphate) molar ratios (r) of 1:60 to 1:2.

DNase I - DNA interaction alters DNA and protein conformations.

Human DNase I is an endonuclease that catalyzes the hydrolysis of double-stranded DNA predominantly by a single-stranded nicking mechanism under physiological conditions in the presence of divalent Mg and Ca cations. It binds to the minor groove and the backbone phosphate group and has no contact with the major groove of the right-handed DNA duplex. The aim of this study was to examine the effects of DNase I - DNA complexation on DNA and protein conformations.

Conformational analysis of Na,K-ATPase in drug-protein complexes.

This review reports the effects of several drugs such as AZT (anti-AIDS), cis-Pt (antitumor), aspirin (anti-inflammatory) and vitamin C (antioxidant) on the stability and conformation of Na,K-ATPase in vitro. Drug-enzyme binding was found to be via H-bonding to the polypeptide CO and C-N groups with two binding constants K(1(AZT))=5.30 (+/-2.

Protein unfolding in drug-RNase complexes.

Bovine pancreatic ribonuclease A (RNase A) catalyzes the cleavage of P-O5' bonds in RNA on the 3' side of pyrimidine to form cyclic 2', 5'-phosphates. It has several high affinity binding sites that make it possible target for many organic and inorganic molecules. Ligand binding to RNase A can alter protein secondary structure and its catalytic activity.

An overview of DNA and RNA bindings to antioxidant flavonoids.

In this report we are examining how the antioxidant flavonoids can prevent DNA damage and what mechanism of action is involved in the process. Flavonoids are strong antioxidants that prevent DNA damage. The anticancer and antiviral activities of these natural products are implicated in their mechanism of actions.