Cellular DNA and chromatin (DNA/Chromatin)

Cellular DNA and chromatin represent the fundamental repository of genetic information and the structural framework for its organization within the nucleus. DNA consists of two polynucleotide chains forming a double helix, while chromatin is the complex of DNA and proteins (primarily histones) that packages the genome into a compact, organized structure. As a therapeutic target, DNA is primarily utilized in oncology, where cytotoxic agents like alkylators and intercalators disrupt the integrity of the genetic code to halt the proliferation of malignant cells (National Cancer Institute, 2023). Beyond direct DNA damage, the dynamic state of chromatin—regulated by epigenetic modifications such as acetylation and methylation—is a critical target for modern therapies aiming to reprogram gene expression patterns in cancer and other diseases (Nature Reviews Drug Discovery, 2021). However, because these targets are essential for the survival of all dividing cells, drugs hitting DNA and chromatin often exhibit significant side effects, including bone marrow suppression and the risk of inducing secondary cancers (StatPearls, 2023).

Other names

Deoxyribonucleic acidGenomic DNAChromatin fiberNucleosome complexNuclear DNA

Drugs targeting DNA and chromatin typically act through covalent DNA alkylation, intercalation between base pairs, induction of DNA strand breaks, or inhibition of topoisomerases and chromatin-modifying enzymes to disrupt replication and transcription, ultimately triggering apoptosis in rapidly dividing cells.