Interaction of triethanolamine with high molecular DNA and its influence on formation of surfactant—DNA complexes

Abstract

Effect of triethanolamine (TEA) on high molecular calf thymus DNA in aqueous solution was studied by fluorescent spectroscopy and viscometry. It was shown that TEA prevents the interaction of the fluorescent dye DAPI with phosphate groups, but does not affect binding of the dye to the minor groove of DNA. The presence of TEA in solution does not induce any changes in the secondary structure of DNA. We estimated the decrease of the volume of DNA molecular coil in solution, which is induced by TEA. The destruction of DNA—surfactant complexes formed in solution was observed after the addition of TEA. Refs 12. Figs 3.