Benzoindoloquinolines interact with DNA tetraplexes and inhibit telomerase

Telomeric G-rich single-stranded DNA can adopt a G-tetraplex structure which has been shown to inhibit telomerase activity. We have examined benzoindoloquinolines derivatives for their ability to stabilize an intramolecular G-quadruplex, The increase in T-m value of the G-quadruplex was associated with telomerase inhibition in vitro. (C) 2002 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.