Testosterone and its dimers alter DNA and tRNA morphology

The morphology of DNA and tRNA were altered by conjugation with testosterone and its aliphatic and aromatic dimers. Structural models showed that testosterone and its dimers bind DNA and tRNA via several nucleobases with DNA forming more stable conjugates than tRNA. The loading efficacies were 30–50% for these steroid-nucleic acid adducts. Transmission electron microscopy showed major changes in DNA and tRNA morphology upon testosterone conjugation with an increase in the diameter of DNA and tRNA aggregates, indicating encapsulation of testosterone by nucleic acids.