Binding of actinomycin D to DNA revealed by DNase I footprinting

AbstractWe have analyzed the specificity of the actinomycin D—DNA interaction. The ‘footprint’ method has been used in this investigation. It is shown that: (i) The presence of dinucleotide GC or GG is required for binding of a single drug molecule. (ii) The strong binding sites are encoded by tetranucleotide XGCY; where X ≠ G and Y ≠ C in accordance with RNA elongation hindrance sites [1]. (iii) There is a positive cooperativity in binding of actinomycin D with DNA