Light-controlled DNA binding of bisbenzamidines

摘要

Caging of the amidinium moieties of two representative bisbenzami-dine DNA binders with suitable photoresponsbe protecting groups suppresses their DNA-binding, which can then be fully recovered upon irradiation with UV light that removes the caging groups, regenerating the parent compounds. Moreover, a caged aza-pentamidine (©la) is inert against Candida albicans, but displays a potent growth inhibitory activity after irradiation with UV light.