Intercalation

In biochemistry, intercalation (from the Latin intercalare = to insert) refers to a special interaction between small molecules and DNA. The small molecule moves into the space between two neighboring base pairs of the DNA double helix. As a result, the geometry of the DNA strand is distorted at these points (see illustration). This disrupts transcription and consequently also replication. The intercalation is attributed to this effect for the chemotherapeutic effect of antibiotics or cytostatics such as actinomycin or anthracyclines (e.g. doxorubicin, daunorubicin).

1. Graefe KH et al. non-selective cytotoxic chemotherapeutics (cytostatics) In: Graefe KH et al (Eds) Pharmacology and Toxicology. Georg Thieme Publisher Stuttgart S 672-673