Optical Properties of DNA-Lipid Complexes Intercalated with Various Spiropyran Compounds

Abstract

Photochromic behaviors of DNA-lipid membranes which were intercalated with various spiropyran compounds (Sp) were investigated in terms of color changes and fluorescence emission. The photochromic behaviors of the membranes were greatly dependent on the structures of the spiropyran compounds. Each spyroxazin showed a rapid photochromic change due to irradiating UV light. The photochromic effect of the membrane also was influenced by the kind of lipids, presumably owing to a steric effect that interferes with structural changes of spiropyrans.