Lexitropsin
The name lexitropsins describes a group of DNA-binding molecules that are analogs of the antibiotics netropsin and distamycin are and can bind in the minor groove of a DNA duplex.
Properties
Some lexitropsins have antibacterial properties. Lexitropsins based on sequence- specific DNA - alkylating agents were produced. The alkylating agents partially possess anti - tumor effects. Therefore, a use of lexitropsins was examined as chemotherapeutic agents.
Depending on the structure of the Lexitropsins different DNA sequences are bound. They bind to a range of four to six nucleotides. Some lexitropsins bind as a dimer to the minor groove of its DNA target sequence in a head -to-tail orientation, ie bind two lexitropsins per double stranded target sequence.