Relevance of DNA - Small Molecule Interactions |Containing the
blueprint for every function and structure of life, DNA plays an
essential role in most fields of the biosciences. Because of
this reason, detailed knowledge of compounds that interact with
DNA is of great importance. For instance, small DNA binding
molecules including intercalators and minor / major groove
binders can cause changes in the geometry of double-helical DNA
domains. Such changes can affect the dynamics of transcriptional
regulation and the activity of nucleases. To name an example,
the minor groove binder Netropsin is a potent inhibitor of
bacterial DNA gyrases with a broad range of activity, including
the notorious nosocomial pathogen Pseudomonas aeruginosa.|
Hence, small DNA binding molecules can represent candidate
compounds with antibiotic or tumor-repressing activity.
Elucidating the microscopic structural changes caused by small
molecules can thus help to select candidate molecules as well as
shed light on functional mechanisms.