Synthesis and properties of a symmetric dimeric bisbenzimidazole, a DNA-specific ligand

Dimeric bisbenzimidazole DB(5) fluorescing in the blue spectral area (lambda(em) 476 nm) within the DNA complex was synthesized. DB(5) is bound by a double-strand DNA and can differentially stain human and plant (flax) chromosomes. According to preliminary data, it provides considerably more intensely contrasting chromosome staining than DAPI and Hoechst 33258 dyes. It was also found that DB(5) is an in vitro inhibitor of HIV-1 integrase in the reaction of 3'-processing. The English version of the paper: Russian Journal of Bioorganic Chemistry, 2008, vol. 34, no. 2; see also http://www.maik.ru.