Interaction of polymyxin B with ds-DNA, and determination of DNA or polymyxin B via resonance Rayleigh scattering and resonance non-linear scattering spectra

Assays were developed for DNA or polymyxin B (PMB) based on enhanced resonance Rayleigh scattering (RRS) and resonance nonlinear scattering (including second order scattering and frequency doubling scattering) that result from the interaction of PMB with DNA. A minor-groove binding mechanism is suggested from the results obtained with RRS and from absorption and circular dichroism spectroscopy. The types of interaction and reasons of RRS enhancement are discussed. Linear relationships do exist over a wide range between the intensity of enhanced scattering and the concentrations of either DNA or PMB. When ctDNA is used as a probe to determine PMB, the detection limit (3 σ) is 9.8 ng mL-1. When PMB is used as a probe to determine DNA, the detection limit (3 σ) is in the range from 3.8 to 9.0 ng mL-1. (author)