MOLECULAR RECOGNITION OF NADP(H) AND ATP BY MACROCYCLIC POLYAMINES BEARING ACRIDINE GROUPS

The macrocyclic polyamine-based receptor BA bearing two acridine units makes use of combined electrostatic and stacking interactions for the binding of nucleotide polyphosphates and for the recognition of ATP a nd of NADPH (k(a) > 3 . 10(8) M), with a high selectivity for NADPH vs . NADP (ca. 10(3)) and NAD(H) (> 10(6)). The binding properties of thi s receptor towards a variety of substrates led to its in vitro applica tion as a fluorescent probe for ATP. BA also interacts strongly with n ucleic acids as shown by spectrophotometric, spectrofluorimetic, and e lectrophoretic mobility methods.