DNA recognition by the first tail-to-tail linked distamycin-like oligopeptide dimersDedicated to the memory of Dr D. Ranganathan.

Abstract

Sequence-specific bidentate binding to double-stranded (ds)-DNA by ‘tail-to-tail’ linked dimeric distamycin analogues is described; compared to their monomeric analogues, these dimers exhibit greater affinity and longer binding site size and open up a novel avenue in the design of minor groove binders that overcome the phasing problem.