A technique for lead discovery vs RNA targetsutilizing mass spectrometry (MS) screening methods is described. The structure−activity relationships (SAR) derivedfrom assaying weak binding motifs allows the pharmacophoresdiscovered to be elaborated via “SAR by MS” to higher affinityligands. Application of this strategy to a subdomain of the 23SrRNA afforded a new class of compounds with functionalactivity.
