A. Weseluchabirczynska et K. Nakamoto, STUDY OF THE INTERACTION OF THE ANTIMALARIAL DRUG CINCHONINE WITH NUCLEIC-ACIDS BY RAMAN-SPECTROSCOPY, Journal of Raman spectroscopy, 27(12), 1996, pp. 915-919
Resonance Raman and Raman spectra were obtained for cinchonine (C19H22
N2O), which belongs to the group of four most important, biologically
active alkaloids of Cinchona tree bark. The UV resonance Raman and Ram
an spectra of cinchonine mixed with poly(dA-dT)(2), poly(dG-dC)(2) and
calf thymus DNA were also measured. A new cinchonine band of wavenumb
er 1374 cm(-1) (a constituent peak of the band of wavenumber 1369 cm(-
1)) was observed as a characteristic feature of cinchonine-DNA interac
tion, The shift of the PO2- stretching vibration of DNA towards lower
wavenumbers indicates coulombic interactions with cinchonine. These ob
servations suggest that the cinchonine cation is bonded to the minor g
roove with the quinoline part protruding into the major groove of DNA.