wrwyrggrywrw is a single-chain functional analog of the Holliday junction-binding homodimer, (wrwycr)2

► wrwyrggrywrw inhibits RecG- and RuvABC- mediated processing of Holliday junctions in vitro. ► wrwyrggrywrw causes DNA damage and loss of membrane potential in E. coli in vivo. ► wrwyrggrywrw is a potent antimicrobial with minimum inhibitory concentrations in the low μg/mL range. ► wrwyrggrywrw has minimal toxicity to eukaryotic cell types at the concentrations necessary to inhibit bacterial growth.