Molecular structure of the A-tract DNA dodecamer d(CGCAAATTTGCG) complexed with the minor groove binding drug netropsin.

The molecular structure of the complex between the minor groove binding drug netropsin and the dodecamer d(CGCAAATTTGCG) has been solved and refined by X-ray diffraction analysis to an R-factor of 19.8% and 2.2-A resolution. The drug lies in the narrow minor groove of the B-DNA fragment, covering five of the six A.T base pairs (from A5.T20 to T9.A16). The long six A.T base pair tract allows the drug to bind in a position that optimizes its contacts with the DNA, establishing hydrogen bonds with O2 of thymines and N3 of adenines. The DNA molecule shows a high propeller twist only at the A6.T19 step of the A-tract. Two three-centered hydrogen bonds are observed in the major groove at half of the A-tract.