Abstract: The invention relates to an assay for identifying an agent that modulates the interaction of a mRNA with a target protein, e.g. HuR and to organic compounds of formula I wherein R1, R2 and R3 are as defined above and their use, e.g. as an inhibitor on the complex-formation of an ARE-containing mRNA and a target protein.

Abstract: The present invention provides compounds of formula (I) wherein X and Y represent CH, CH2 or a divalent or trivalent heteroatom under the proviso that X and Y are not simultaneously CH or CH2; m and o represent independently of each other 0 or 1, with the proviso that if m is 0 then the dotted line between Y and the neighboring C atom represents a bond and Y is CH or a trivalent heteroatom, if m is 1 then the dotted line between Y and the neighboring C atom is absent and Y is CH2 or a divalent heteroatom, if o is 0 then the dotted line between X and the neighboring C atom represents a bond and X is CH or a trivalent heteroatom, if o is 1 then the dotted line between X and the neighboring C atom is absent and X is CH2 or a divalent heteroatom; A represents (CH3CR4)p and Q represents (CR9R10)n; n and p represent independently of each other 0 or 1; R6, R7, R13 and R14 denote independently of each other hydrogen, halogen, (C1-4)alkyl, (C1-4)alkylSO2, SO3H, carboxy, (C1-4)alkoxy carbonyl, (C1-4)alkoxy, OH or NR15R