Development of a high-contrast fluorescent ligand that targets G-quadruplexes by introducing a triazole rotor onto the dibenzoquinoxaline scaffold

Abstract

In this study, we developed a potential dual-function ligand targeting G-quadruplexes (G4s) by introducing a triazole rotor onto the dibenzoquinoxaline scaffold. This ligand not only had potential in high-contrast imaging of G4s either in vitro or in cellulo, but also proved to inhibit cancer cell growth as well as migration possibly through a G4-mediated action of mechanism. Altogether, this ligand had possibility to develop into a theranostic agent for cancer diagnosis and therapy in the future.