Deoxyribonucleic acid duplex (DNA duplex) (DNA)

The DNA duplex, or double-stranded deoxyribonucleic acid, is the fundamental molecule of heredity, consisting of two polynucleotide chains coiled around each other to form a double helix (National Human Genome Research Institute, 2023). It functions as the primary storage site for genetic instructions necessary for the development, survival, and reproduction of all known living organisms and many viruses. In the context of therapeutics, the DNA duplex is a major target for cytotoxic chemotherapy, where agents disrupt the integrity of the helix to halt the proliferation of malignant cells (StatPearls, 2023). Drugs interact with the DNA duplex through various mechanisms, including intercalation between base pairs, covalent bonding to form adducts, or binding within the major and minor grooves (PubChem, 2024). While highly effective in treating various cancers and certain infections, targeting the DNA duplex carries significant risks of genotoxicity and secondary cancers due to its presence in healthy cells (National Cancer Institute, 2022). Additionally, the presence of antibodies against the DNA duplex is a hallmark biomarker for autoimmune conditions such as systemic lupus erythematosus (Mayo Clinic, 2023).

Other names

Double-stranded DNAdsDNAB-DNAWatson-Crick DNAGenetic material

Drugs targeting the DNA duplex typically act through covalent cross-linking (alkylation), non-covalent insertion between base pairs (intercalation), or induction of strand breaks via oxidative stress, ultimately leading to the inhibition of replication and transcription and the induction of apoptosis (StatPearls, 2023; PubChem, 2024).