Methods for the treatment of cardiac hypertrophy are described. Additionally, the presently disclosed subject matter relates to the use of small molecule compounds for the inhibition of Human antigen R (HuR)-mRNA interaction, and more particularly for the reduction nuclear factor of activated T cells (NFAT) transcriptional activity. Novel methods of screening for small molecule compounds for inhibition of RNA binding proteins interaction with their target RNA (such as HuR-mRNA interactions) or for inhibition of DNA binding proteins to their target DNA are also described.