Abstract
We have investigated the minor groove binders netropsin (Nt) and related lexitropsins for possible interactions with parallel-stranded DNA (ps-DNA). The fluorescence emission spectra and their temperature dependence between 4°C and 30°C led to two conclusions: (i) The specific ligand Nt induces a conversion of the ps-DNA to an antiparallel-stranded DNA (aps-DNA) with mismatched base pairs, a reaction which is much less pronounced for the imidazole-containing analogs, (ii) The more weakly binding imidazole-bearing netropsin-analogs may bind to ps-DNA.