Synopsis
A collection of useful molecular techniques to illuminate and explore the interaction of drugs and ligands with DNA. These easily reproducible methods involve sequence recognition properties, as well as the physical approaches for measuring both the strength of interaction and the mode of drug binding to DNA. The interactions are also examined from a cellular perspective and for their usefulness in the design of new therapeutic agents. The powerful techniques detailed here will be particularly useful in elucidating the action of existing therapeutic agents, as well as in the design of new anti-cancer drugs with improved action and reduced toxicity.
Thomas M. Guenthner
This book describes numerous protocols and techniques for the analysis and quantization of drug-DNA interactions. It is intended to serve as a reference for scientists interested in measuring the degree to which drugs interact with chromosomal DNA. Numerous analytical techniques are described, and the book should be of value to researchers in this field. The book has 18 chapters, compiled by 33 international experts. The techniques are current and well described. The references are up-to-date, and the illustrations are helpful and of excellent quality. To members of a rather limited audience, this book should provide a very valuable technical resource. It must be mentioned that most of the techniques deal with "weak" drug-DNA interactions such as intercalation, or ionic or hydrophobic interactions. The interaction of DNA with alkylating agents or other covalently binding compounds is treated in only one section. The editor's intent seems to be to provide an extensive treatment of methods for measuring drug-DNA intercalation, essentially omitting those methods dealing with interaction of alkylating agents. This approach does not necessarily detract from the book, rather, it sharpens its focus. However, this approach also limits the audience somewhat. The book will be very valuable to those investigating drug-DNA intercalations. It will not be valuable to those interested in covalent drug-DNA interactions.