Selective recognition of HIV RNA by dinuclear metallic ligands

ABSTRACT We describe the development of dinuclear metallic ligands to target specific HIV RNA structures. Two series of dipyridinyl-N bridged dinuclear metal complexes were synthesized in moderate to good yields and their binding activities toward TAR and RRE RNA were studied both experimentally and theoretically. The docking calculation elucidated some structure features in dimetallic complexes that can affect TAR RNA-binding properties.