Mitoxantrone and Analogues Bind and Stabilize i-Motif Forming DNA Sequences

YesThere are hundreds of ligands which can interact with G-quadruplex DNA, yet very few which target i-motif. To appreciate an understanding between the dynamics between these structures and how they can be affected by intervention with small molecule ligands, more i-motif binding compounds are required. Herein we describe how the drug mitoxantrone can bind, induce folding of and stabilise i-motif forming DNA sequences, even at physiological pH. Additionally, mitoxantrone was found to bind i-motif forming sequences preferentially over double helical DNA. We also describe the stabilisation properties of analogues of mitoxantrone. This offers a new family of ligands with potential for use in experiments into the structure and function of i-motif forming DNA sequences

Hexagon-on-cube versus cube-on-cube epitaxy: The case of ZnSe(111) on SrTiO3(001)

International audienceThe structure of ZnSe epilayers grown by molecular-beam epitaxy on SrTiO3 001 substrates has been studied using electron diffraction, x-ray diffraction, and electron microscopy. ZnSe, like certain other zincblende semiconductors, grows epitaxially along the 111 direction, contrary to what is expected from considerations on lattice registry and mismatch. First-principles calculations based on density-functional theory show that this peculiar epitaxy results from the subtle balance between strain and interface bonding during the growth of the first layer