In vitro study of damaging effects of 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid on DNA structure by spectroscopic and voltammetric techniques.

2,4-Dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D) is a genotoxic organochlorinated herbicide, and its interaction with DNA was studied by UV/Vis, fluorescence, circular dichroism viscosity measurements, and alternative current voltammetry techniques. Using these analyses, the binding constant of 2,4-D to DNA has been calculated by two different techniques. The binding constant of 2,4-D to DNA calculated by fluorescence and circular dichroism spectra was found to be 3.5 x 10(3) M(-1) and 5.02 x 10(3) M(-1), respectively. Analyses of fluorescence spectra, viscosity measurements, and alternative current voltammetry interactions indicated that 2,4-D is a groove binder of DNA. Ethidium bromide displacement studies revealed that 2,4-D does not have any effect on ethidium bromide-bound DNA, which is indicative of groove binding.