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The molecular structure of the DNA A-tract dodecamer d(CGCAAATTTGCG) complexed with the drug Hoechst 33258 has been determined by X-ray diffraction analysis. The Hoechst molecule binds in the DNA minor groove covering the sequence AATTT of the central A-tract, with the piperazine group close to one of the GC regions. The drug molecule makes two three-centered hydrogen bonds from the nitrogen atoms of the benzimidazole rings to the N3 and O2 atoms of the DNA bases. Although a high propeller twist is observed in the A-tract, only one unsymmetrical three-centered hydrogen bond is present in the DNA major groove. The structure is compared with other minor-groove-binding drug complexes and the influence of these drugs on DNA A-tracts is discussed.
Vega et al. (Wed,) studied this question.
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