Footprinting studies on the sequence-selective binding of pentamidine to DNA.

The sequence-selective binding of pentamidine, an antimicrobial aromatic diamidine, has been investigated by footprinting studies on two different DNA fragments using DNase I, micrococcal nuclease and hydroxyl radical as probes. Each probe reveals drug-induced protection from cleavage in AT-rich regions. The best binding sites consist of at least 5 consecutive AT base pairs. Three or less AT pairs do not constitute a pentamidine binding site.