Size-specific ligands for RNA hairpin loops

The targeting of one mRNA in the transcriptome requires small molecules that bind with substantial affinity and specificity. As such, compounds with specificity for individual RNA secondary structural motifs could be useful for targeting RNA. Described herein is the synthesis of a combinatorial library of 105 dimers of deoxystreptamine and the subsequent identification of compounds with specificity for specific RNA hairpin loop sizes, including tetraloops and octaloops. Such compounds will be useful for the perturbation of RNA function in vivo.