A series of bifunctional ligands has been developed as prototype DNA-binding combilexins using a DNA template-directed approach. These novel agents contain a 1,3-diaryltriazene linker moiety, present in the established DNA minor groove-binder berenil [1,3-bis(4'-amidinophenyl)-triazene], which is attached to an intercalating acridine chromophore by a functionalized thiazole residue. This 9-arylacridine is predicted to confer rotational freedom to the hybrid molecule and thus facilitate bifunctional interaction with double-stranded DNA through a combination of 'classical' intercalation and minor groove-binding processes. The noncovalent DNA-binding properties of these acridine-triazene combilexins, together with the component molecular fragments, have been examined by fluorescence quenching and thermal denaturation studies with calf thymus DNA and two oligonucleotides, [poly(dA-dT)]2 and [poly(dG-dC)]2. In addition, the binding behaviors of these acridine compounds are compared to those of proflavine (3,6-diaminoacridine) and its 9-phenyl derivative. The results indicate that the hybrid agents (i) are more DNA-affinic than either molecular component, (ii) retain the AT-preferential binding properties of the parent difunctionalized 1,3-diaryltriazene residues, despite weak GC-preferential behavior associated with the acridine chromophore, and (iii) have a reduced binding affinity at pH 7 that reflects the protonation status of the acridine. In contrast, the more basic proflavines show much greater binding affinity and a marked preference for GC-rich DNA sequences. In vitro cytotoxicity data with L1210 mouse leukemia and A2780 human colon cancer cell lines show that the conjugate molecules are approximately 10-40-fold more potent than the acridine or triazene subunits and have activities that compare favorably with those of other reported synthetic combilexins. Intercalative binding modes with a model d(GATACGATAC).d(GTATCGTATC) target duplex have been investigated using molecular modeling techniques. These studies provide a rational basis for the binding properties and suggest that the prototype combilexins can bind in a bimodal manner that induces little distortion of the host DNA duplex. Energy-minimized models for the possible dual interactions are discussed.