Synthesis, DNA binding and antiviral activity of distamycin analogues containing different heterocyclic moieties.

A series of novel distamycin analogues possessing an additional benzene or heterocyclic ring have been synthesised and tested for selective DNA binding properties and antiviral activity. Inhibition of herpes virus in cell culture appears to be related to AT base pair specificity. Some of the new compounds are also more potent than the parent distamycin against Moloney sarcoma virus.