Stereochemistry modulates the stability of reduced interstrand cross-links arising from R- and S-[alpha]-C[H.sub.3]-[gamma]-OH-1,[N.sup.2]-propano-2'-deoxyguanosine in the 5'-CpG-3' DNA sequence

The solution structures of 5'-Cp-[N.sup.2]-dG-3'-R-([alpha])-C[H.sub.3]-propyl-5'-Cp-[N.sup.2]-dG-3' and 5'-Cp-[N.sup.2]-dG-3'-S-([alpha])-C[H.sub.3]-propyl-5'-Cp-[N.sup.2]-dG-3' interstrand DNA cross-links in the 5'-CpG-3' sequence were determined. The two cross-links displayed apparent differences in the conformation of the interstrand three-carbon cross-link.