Sequence specific recognition of ligand-DNA complexes studied by NMR

The last few years have represented an accelerated accumulation in detailed information about ligand-DNA interactions. A collected view of literature information is essential for advancing our understanding of the principles of ligand-DNA recognition, utilizing this valuable information for construc tion of a modeling database, and eventually the rational design of DNA-bind ing ligands possessing desired properties. This review is concentrated on s tructure-based information on ligand-oligodeoxyribonucleotide (DON) complex es published since 1995, especially focusing on the results obtained from N MR structure elucidation. The discussionsemphasize the sequence specific re cognition of novel binding motifs or binding modules of ligand molecules ra ther than specific atomic details. A comprehensive list of DNA binding liga nds are discussed in the text and are also summarized in a table. The DNA s equences that are recognized by specific ligand molecules as studied by NMR are annotated in a figure to provide a clear view of target selection. Thi s review also briefly describes NMR methods for characterization and struct ure elucidation of ligand-DNA complexes.