When located in the DNA minor groove, dimeric bisbenzimidazoles DB(n) effectively inhibited in vitro the Dnmt3a catalytic domain (IC(50) 5--77 mu mu M). The lowest IC(50) value was observed for compound DB(11) with an 11-unit methylene linker joining the bisbenzimidazole fragments. Increased time of incubation of DNA with DB(n) as well as the presence of AT-clusters in DNA enhances the inhibitory effect.