DNA Mimics that Inhibit DNA–Protein Interactions May Lead to Novel Therapeutics

Scientists from the CNRS, Inserm, and Bordeaux University say they have developed an artificial sequence mimicking the surface features of DNA for the first time. This molecule is able to inhibit the activity of several DNA-binding enzymes, including HIV integrase, which is used by HIV to insert its genome into that of its host cell. The study (“ Single Helically Folded Aromatic Oligoamides That Mimic the Charge Surface of Double-Stranded B-DNA ”) is published in  Natu