Synthesis and Molecular Modeling Studies of Fullerene-Trimethoxyindole-Oligonucleotide Conjugates as Possible Probes for Studying Photochemical Reactions in DNA Triple Helices

The synthesis of novel functionalized fullerene derivatives containing DNA minor groove binders is reported. In order to construct sequence-specific probes for DNA photomodification, the compounds were attached to a triple helix forming oligonucleotide, and the formation of triplexes was monitored. The triplex formation was demonstrated, but the presence of fullerene moieties gives rise to a high degree of instability. Molecular modeling studies on these supramolecular structures provided useful information for the current study and for future developments.