Bis-4-aminoquinolines: novel triple-helix DNA intercalators and antagonists of immunostimulatory CpG-oligodeoxynucleotides

Abstract Six dimeric 2-(2-naphthyl)quinolin-4-amines with a linker between the amino groups and eight dimeric 2-(4-anilino)quinolin-4-amines linked between the anilino groups were synthesized and evaluated for their interaction with duplex/triplex DNA's and as antagonists of immunostimulatory oligodeoxynucleotides with a CpG-motif (CpG-ODN). The most powerful triple-helix DNA intercalator known to date, with high affinity toward T·A·T triplets and triplex/duplex selectivity, was found. The potent antagonism of immunostimulatory CpG-ODN by several bis-4-aminoquinolines is not related to their DNA interactions.