The composition of the ligands around the iron centers in Fe(II) and Fe(III)-DNA complexes has been investigated by X-ray Absorption Near Edge Structure (XANES) spectroscopy at the Fe-K-edge. the spectra are compared to the models FePO4 and Fe(dadipy)(2), each one bearing only one of the ligands expected in the Fe-DNA interaction, namely oxygen (from phosphate groups, H2O or bases) and nitrogen (from bases), respectively. the spectrum of Fe(II)-DNA exhibits a higher pre-edge peak and a more prominent shoulder at 7145 eV than Fe(III)-DNA. These spectral features indicate a distortion associated with the the presence of nitrogen in the first coordination sphere Fe(II)-DNA. These spectral features indicate a distortion associated with the presence of nitrogen in the first coordenation sphere of Fe(II)DNA. Similarities between Fe(III)-DNA and FePO4 are consistent with the possibility that only oxygen atoms are coordinated to the Fe(III) center.UNIFESP, CEDEME, Escola Paulista Med, BR-04023090 São Paulo, BrazilUSP, IQ, Dept Bioquim, BR-05508900 São Paulo, BrazilLab Nacl Luz Sincrotron, BR-13083970 Campinas, SP, BrazilUNIFESP, CEDEME, Escola Paulista Med, BR-04023090 São Paulo, BrazilWeb of Scienc
