Molecular interactions between benzimide trichloride (Hoechst 33258) and DNA in dimethyl sulfoxide aqueous solutions, according to spectroscopy data

Interaction between benzimide (Hoechst 33258, H33258) and calf thymus DNA in aqueous dimethyl sulfoxide is investigated by means of UV-Vis and fluorescence spectroscopy at a constant ratio (r) of the number of H33258 molecules and DNA base pairs. Melting curves of the DNA-H33258 complex are obtained from the temperature dependences of the normalized optical density and fluorescence intensity, and the melting temperatures of the complex are determined. It is shown that adding dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) lowers the complex's melting temperature. It is concluded that a long wavelength shift of the fluorescence spectra occurs when the temperature is raised.