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Among the most intensively studied classes of small molecules (molecular weight
< 650) in biomedical research are small molecules that non-covalently bind to DNA/RNA,
and another intensively studied class is nucleobase derivatives. Both classes have been intensively
elaborated in many books and reviews. However, conjugates consisting of DNA/RNA
binder covalently linked to nucleobase are much less studied and have not been reviewed in
the last two decades. Therefore, this review summarized reports on the design of classical
DNA/RNA binder – nucleobase conjugates, as well as data about their interactions with various
DNA or RNA targets, and even in some cases protein targets are involved. According to
these data, the most important structural aspects of selective or even specific recognition between
small molecule and target are proposed, and where possible related biochemical and
biomedical aspects were discussed. The general conclusion is that this, rather new class of
molecules showed an amazing set of recognition tools for numerous DNA or RNA targets in
the last two decades, as well as few intriguing in vitro and in vivo selectivities. Several lead
research lines show promising advancements toward either novel, highly selective markers or
bioactive, potentially druggable molecules.
Identification of a New Class of Small Molecules That Efficiently Reactivate Latent Epstein–Barr Virus
