AN IN VITRO INVESTIGATION OF THE INTERACTION OF GENOMIC DNA WITH SOME COPPER COMPOUNDS

Abstract

UV-absorbance spectrophotometry and agarose gel electrophoresis techniques were employed to investigate the interaction of genomic DNA with some copper compounds (CuSO4, CuCO3, and CuCl2) at the concentrations; 1000 μM, 500 μM, 250 μM, 125 μM, and 62.5 μM. When the UV-spectrophotometry data were examined within the wavelength range of 220-320 nm, the hyperchromic effect of CuCl2 was evaluated to be proportional to its concentrations. Within the wavelength range, the copper compounds produced their strongest hyperchromic effect on the DNA at 1000 μM. According to the agarose gel electrophoresis findings, the copper compounds investigated decreased DNA band intensity as their concentrations increased. It was observed that the most significant decrease in band intensity was caused by CuCl2 at 1000 µM. Also, no cleavage in the genomic DNA was caused by the copper compounds within the concentration range of this study (62.5-1000 μM). Consequently, the copper compounds bind to DNA, most probably by non-intercalative mode. Thus, they could have the potential to be used in the development of new therapeutic agents. Thence, conducting further studies on the interaction of the copper compounds with DNA, their possible DNA uncoiling activities, and also the investigation of these compounds in cancer cell lines will provide useful results.