Perylene diimides with different side chains are selective in inducing different G-quadruplex DNA structures and in inhibiting telomerase.

Four N,N'-disubstituted perylene diimides, having different side chains, have been studied for their ability in inducing G-quadruplex DNA structures. We found that electrostatic interactions between ligands side chains and DNA grooves play a main role not only in the amount of G-quadruplex formed, but also in selecting its topology. Moreover, such compounds show also a different ability to inhibit telomerase. The correlation of these findings suggests the intriguing possibility that different G-quadruplex structures could differently inhibit the enzyme.