Aurine tricarboxylic acid, a poent metal-chelating inhibitor of NF kappa B-DNA binding

The metal-interaction of aurine tricarboxylic acid (ATA) and its inhibitory effect on the DNA binding of NF kappa B were studied. Chemical speciation and spectroscopic studies have shown the strong interaction of ATA with met al ions present in the biological systems. EPR, FTIR and electronic spectra l studies indicated the square planar structure of the metal-binding carbox ylic and hydroxyl groups of ATA indicating the ground state B-2(Ig). Electr ophoretic mobility shift assay using NF kappa B and P-32 labeled DNA has sh own that ATA was inhibitory against the DNA-NF kappa B binding at 30 mu M. This activity was the strongest among the metal-chelating inhibitors of NF kappa B-DNA binding reported so far. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rig hts reserved.