Gene expression changes in tumor xenografts by Py-Im polyamides

Abstract

Many human diseases are caused by dysregulated gene expression. Py-Im polyamides are synthetic mols. programmed to read the minor groove of the DNA double helix by a set of simple chem. principles. Hairpin oligomers achieve affinities and specificities comparable to transcription factors, alter the structure of the DNA and disrupt protein-DNA interactions. Recent investigations demonstrate that cell permeable hairpin Py-Im polyamides possess favorable pharmacokinetics and controllable toxicity in mice. Current research efforts are focused on understanding how these mols. modulate gene expression pathways in both cell culture and xenograft tumor models.