Date of Award

12-16-2020

Degree Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Science (MS)

Department

Chemistry

First Advisor

Gregory M. K Poon

Second Advisor

W. David Wilson

Third Advisor

Jenny J. Yang

Fourth Advisor

Donald Hamelberg

Abstract

Target recognition by DNA-binding ligands, such as drugs, occurs in an aqueous environment, in which water (near unit mole fraction, ~55 M) dominates every solute. A quantitative account of how water molecules are disposed in DNA/ligand binding is indispensable for understanding the driving forces that confer high-affinity and selectivity. We are investigating the DNA sequence selectivity of a model DNA minor groove-binding heterocyclic diamidine, DB1976, which shows therapeutic activity in acute myeloid leukemia, systemic fibroses, and obesity-related liver disorders in vivo. The DNA minor groove is richly populated with water molecules. Studies based on explicit-solvent MD simulation have shown distinct DNA dynamics upon drug-DNA complexes. We have cooperated the role of hydration and conformational dynamics in contributing to drug selectivity. Moving forward, our goal is to evaluate the structure-hydration relationships of designed diamidines to site-specific and nonspecific DNA as part of their biophysical characterization as potential therapeutic agents.

DOI

https://doi.org/10.57709/20511045

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