Small molecule transcription factor mimic.

Youngjoo Kwon, Hans-Dieter Arndt, Qian Mao, Yongmun Choi, Yoshinori Kawazoe, Peter B Dervan, Motonari Uesugi

The Verna and Marrs McLean Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas 77030, USA.

Journal of the American Chemical Society 2004 Dec 15

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Regulation of gene expression by transcription factors touches many aspects of eukaryotic biology, and its systematic, external control by organic molecules represents a challenge in chemistry. Here we report the design of a completely organic, nonpeptidic compound that mimics a transcription factor. The design takes advantage of the specific DNA-binding affinity of a hairpin polyamide molecule and the ability of wrenchnolol to bind to the Sur-2 subunit of human mediator complex. The hybrid compound of these two molecules activates transcription of a reporter gene in vitro in a promoter-dependent manner through simultaneous contacts with DNA and Sur-2. Our results indicate that it is possible to generate a transcription factor out of nonpeptidic components.

Citation

Youngjoo Kwon, Hans-Dieter Arndt, Qian Mao, Yongmun Choi, Yoshinori Kawazoe, Peter B Dervan, Motonari Uesugi. Small molecule transcription factor mimic. Journal of the American Chemical Society. 2004 Dec 15;126(49):15940-1