title: [Advances in the chemical and biological studies of polyamides].
abstract: Polyamides, containing N-methylpyrrole (Py) and N-methyl-imidazole (Im) amino acids, are synthetic oligomers programmed to read the DNA double helix in the minor groove with high affinities and sequence specificities resulting in modulation of gene expression. They are cell permeable, stable and have no cytotoxicity, which provide a promising tool of gene regulation. We describe here recent advances in the field of DNA binding polyamides, including pairing rules, specifities and affinities to DNA, synthesis methods, cellular and nuclear uptake properties, gene regulation and effectiveness in vivo. The potential problems and difficulties in future research are also discussed.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacology, College of Pharmacy, Second Military Medical University, Shanghai 200433, China.
authors.forename: Shao-Long
authors.initials: SL
authors.lastname: Zhu
authors.forename: Ping-Hui
authors.initials: PH
authors.lastname: Gao
authors.forename: Peng
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Li
authors.forename: Yuan-Ying
authors.initials: YY
authors.lastname: Jiang
authors.forename: Da-Zhi
authors.initials: DZ
authors.lastname: Zhang
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D020029:Base Pairing; D004247:DNA / Q000737:chemistry / Q000235:genetics; D018983:DNA Footprinting; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation / Q000187:drug effects*; D007093:Imidazoles / Q000138:chemical synthesis / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism / Q000494:pharmacology; D009757:Nylons / Q000138:chemical synthesis / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism / Q000494:pharmacology; D011758:Pyrroles / Q000138:chemical synthesis / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism / Q000494:pharmacology
chemical_list: D007093:Imidazoles; D009757:Nylons; D011758:Pyrroles; D004247:DNA; C096654:N-methylpyrrole; C018100:1-methylimidazole