Structural and sequence-dependent aspects of drug intercalation into nucleic acids.

Information gained from X-ray crystallographic studies on drug-nucleic acid complexes is described, with emphasis on the intercalation process. Relevant data from NMR experiments are examined in order to highlight similarities and differences between solution and solid-state structures. Theoretical analyses of intercalation complexes are also discussed and evaluated, with respect to the structural methods, with special reference being made to nucleic acid conformation and positions of drug molecules in the binding sites.