DNA base pair (bp)

A **DNA base pair** is a fundamental structural unit of double-stranded nucleic acids, consisting of two complementary nitrogenous bases bound together by hydrogen bonds. In DNA, the canonical pairs are adenine with thymine (A-T) and guanine with cytosine (G-C). These specific interactions—known as Watson–Crick base pairing—are essential for the formation and stability of the DNA double helix. The sequence of these pairs encodes genetic information and enables accurate replication during cell division. Base pairs also play a critical role in transcription (copying DNA into RNA) and translation (decoding RNA into proteins), as well as in maintaining genome integrity[1][2][3][4][5][6][7][8]. **Note:** "DNA base pairs" is not considered a therapeutic target such as a receptor, enzyme, transporter, or similar molecule; rather it refers to a structural feature common to all nucleic acids. Therefore, it is not an actionable drug target nor does it have direct interacting drugs or mechanisms of action relevant for pharmacology[1][2]. If you are seeking information on specific enzymes that interact with or modify DNA at the level of its bases—such as polymerases or topoisomerases—those would be more appropriate targets for structured drug discovery data.

Other names

base pairbpWatson-Crick base pairnucleotide pair