Duplex DNA (None commonly used)

Duplex DNA (double-stranded DNA) refers to the canonical double helix structure formed by two complementary antiparallel strands of deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA), stabilized by hydrogen bonds between purine and pyrimidine bases (A with T, G with C)[2][4][5][8][10]. This fundamental architecture encodes genetic information, serves as the template for replication and transcription, and is essential for heredity and cellular function. The most common form in biological systems is B-form DNA, a right-handed helix with about 10.5 base pairs per turn, but variations such as A-DNA and Z-DNA exist under specific conditions[1][3][5]. While many therapeutic drugs and environmental agents interact with duplex DNA, it is not considered a "therapeutic target" in the traditional sense (i.e., not a protein, enzyme, or classical receptor), but rather a molecular substrate affected by drugs, toxins, and mutagens[5][6]. The term "duplex DNA" is accurate but represents a nucleic acid structure, not a classic drug target; thus, selecting this as a therapeutic target is generally incorrect for structure-activity relationship or drug discovery databases.

Other names

Double-stranded DNADNA double helixdsDNA

Intercalation between base pairs, disrupting DNA structure and function - Alkylation leading to DNA cross-linking or strand breaks - Inhibition of enzymes (such as topoisomerases or polymerases) interacting with duplex DNA - Chain termination during DNA synthesis (by nucleotide analogs)