Sodium-23 NMR spin-lattice relaxation rate studies of mono- and bis-intercalation in DNA.

23Na spin-lattice relaxation rate (1/T1 = R1) measurements have been used to study the intercalation of a series of 9-aminoacridine derivatives in DNA. The 23Na relaxation rate is strongly dependent upon the amount of intercalator added to a sodium DNA solution. The results are analyzed by a combined use of the ion condensation theory and the quadrupolar relaxation theory of polyelectrolyte solutions. This interpretation shows that the major effect in lowering the relaxation rate by intercalation is not due to the release of sodium ions but is caused by a substantial decrease in the relaxation rate Rb for the remaining bound sodium ions. Likewise, titration of NaDNA solutions with MgCl2 shows that condensation of Mg2+ on the DNA double helix reduces Rb. A good agreement between experiment and theory is found if the average lengthening following intercalation of a 9-aminoacridine moiety is assumed to be approximately 2.7 A. The distinction between mono- and bis-intercalation is clearly indicated by the results. The two bis-intercalating drugs examined are found to bis-intercalate only up to r less than or equal to 0.02. For r greater than 0.02 the drugs apparently mono-intercalate.