Teaching photosensitizers a new trick: red light-triggered G-quadruplex alkylation by ligand co-localization.

Chem Commun (Camb)

Organic and Biomimetic Research Group, Faculty of Sciences, University of Ghent Campus Sterre, Krijgslaan 281, Building S4, B-9000 Gent, Belgium.

Published: January 2021

We propose a bimolecular approach for G-quadruplex alkylation, using a pro-reactive furan-containing ligand, activated by red-light irradiation of a proximate G4-binding photosensitizer. G4- over dsDNA alkylation can be achieved selectively and proves high-yielding at low ligand excess. HPLC and modelling studies allowed identifying potential residues involved in the alkylation.

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http://dx.doi.org/10.1039/d0cc06030eDOI Listing

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