Temporary Electrostatic Impairment of DNA Recognition: Light‐Driven DNA Binding of Peptide Dimers

Sequence‐Specific DNA Recognition with Designed Peptides

“…In 2012 our own group reported a different approach to obtaining light‐activated DNA‐binding peptides . Considering that the formation of thermodynamically stable GCN4/DNA complexes relies on nonspecific electrostatic interactions between positively charged basic residues in the GCN4 basic region and the negatively charged DNA phosphate backbone, we envisaged that introducing repulsive interactions with short polyanionic tails should suppress the DNA interaction.…”

Metal-catalyzed uncaging of DNA-binding agents in living cells

“…1 In addition to the search for better sequence selectivity, 2 there is also an increased focus on the external control of the DNA binding of these molecules, so that they can be activated when and where required at will. 3 In this context, we have recently described a photo-uncaging strategy for controlling the non-covalent DNA interaction of DNA-binding agents, such as those shown in the Fig. 1.…”

Light‐Controlled Cellular Internalization and Cytotoxicity of Nucleic Acid‐Binding Agents: Studies in Vitro and in Zebrafish Embryos

“…7 One strategy to face this challenge consists of transforming known nucleic acid binders into non-active prodrugs that can be selectively activated in a spatio-temporal manner. In this context, it has been demonstrated that appropriate derivatization of DNA-binding agents with labile appendages allows to regulate their oligonucleotide binding properties with external inputs, such as light, 8 or chemical stimuli. 9 …”