DNA Sequence-Specific Ligands. XIX. Synthesis, Spectral Properties, Virological and Biochemical Studies of Fluorescent Dimeric Trisbenzimidazoles DB<sub>3</sub>(<i>n</i>)

Abstract

In this work, we synthesized and characterized the properties of a series of new fluorescent narrow-groove ligands DB3(n). DB3(n) compounds based on dimeric trisbenzimidazoles have the ability to bind to the AT regions of DNA. The synthesis of DB3(n), trisbenzimidazole fragments of which are linked by oligomethylene linkers of different lengths (n = 1, 5, 9), is based on the condensation of monomeric trisbenzimidazole MB3 with α,ω-alkyldicarboxylic acids. DB3(n) proved to be effective inhibitors of the catalytic activity of HIV-1 integrase at submicromolar concentrations (0.20–0.30 µM). DB3(n) was found to inhibit the catalytic activity of DNA topoisomerase I at low micromolar concentrations.