Recognition of a G-C base pair by α-N7-deoxyinosine within the pyrimidine-purine-pyrimidine DNA triple helical motif

The α-nucleoside 7-(2′-deoxy-α-D-ribofuranosyl)hypoxanthine, incorporated into an otherwise β-configured oligodeoxynucleotide that is designed to bind to a DNA duplex in the parallel motif, recognizes selectively and efficiently a G-C base pair, presumably via monodentate α-H7·G-C base-triple formation.