Lexitropsin

Lexitropsins are members of a family of semi-synthetic DNA-binding ligands.^[1] They are structural analogs of the natural antibiotics netropsin and distamycin. Antibiotics of this group can bind in the minor groove of DNA with different sequence-selectivity.^[2][3] Lexitropsins form a complexes with DNA with stoichiometry 1:1 and 2:1. Based on the 2:1 complexes were obtained ligands with high sequence-selectivity.^[4] This property is due to their selectivity towards AT-rich regions.^[5]

Synthetic carbocyclic analogues synthesised by Drozdowska et. al^[6]

Structures of semi-synthetic lexitropsin analogues ^{[citation needed]}

Recently, carbocyclic derivatives based on pentamidine were shown to exhibit in vivo antiproliferative effects on human breast cancer cells, possibly because of their ability to inhibit topoisomerase activity.^[7][5][8]

See also

• Hoechst 33258
• Pentamidine
• DNA binding ligand
• Single-strand binding protein
• Comparison of nucleic acid simulation software