Sequence-selective carbohydrate-DNA interaction: dimeric and monomeric forms of the calicheamicin oligosaccharide interfere with transcription factor function

The synthetic oligosaccharide moiety of the antibiotic calicheamicin and the head-to-head dimer of this oligosaccharide, were examined if they can prevent transcription factor function. These carbohydrates were discovered to prevent the binding of transcription factors to DNA depending on the sequence. The can also inhibit transcription by polymerase II in vitro. The dimer is a stronger inhibitor than the monomer.