title: Recognition in the minor groove of double-stranded DNA by microgonotropens.
abstract: Microgonotropens consist of a minor groove binding moiety functionalized with alkylamine side chains which are protonated and positively charged at neutral pH and capable of forming electrostatic bonds with the negatively charged phosphodiester backbone of DNA. We have investigated the interactions between microgonotropens and double-stranded DNA by a combination of fluorescence, ultraviolet, and nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy. Our work reveals why microgonotropens are such potent inhibitors of the binding of transcription factors to their DNA binding sites.
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemistry, University of California, Santa Barbara, California 93106, USA.
authors.forename: Alexander L
authors.initials: AL
authors.lastname: Satz
authors.forename: Thomas C
authors.initials: TC
authors.lastname: Bruice
mesh_terms: D001483:Base Sequence; D001562:Benzimidazoles / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism; D001665:Binding Sites; D004247:DNA / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism*; D004214:Distamycins / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism*; D006860:Hydrogen Bonding; D015394:Molecular Structure; D011758:Pyrroles / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism; D014157:Transcription Factors / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors
chemical_list: D001562:Benzimidazoles; D004214:Distamycins; D011758:Pyrroles; D014157:Transcription Factors; D004247:DNA