Synthesis,Characterization, Covalent Binding,and Degree of Unwinding of Platinum(II) Bipyridine Complexes

The complexes [Pt(3′′‐clpbpy)Cl₂] ( 1 ) [3′′‐clpbpy = 4‐(3′′‐chlorophenyl)‐6‐phenyl‐2, 2′‐bipyridine], [Pt(4′′‐clpbpy)Cl₂] ( 2 ) [4′′‐clpbpy = 4‐(4′′‐chlorophenyl)‐6‐phenyl‐2, 2′‐bipyridine], [Pt(3′′‐brpbpy)Cl₂] ( 3 ) [3′′‐brpbpy = 4‐(3′′‐bromophenyl)‐6‐phenyl‐2, 2′‐bipyridine], and [Pt(4′′‐brpbpy)Cl₂] ( 4 ) [4′′‐brpbpy = 4‐(4′′‐bromophenyl)‐6‐phenyl‐2, 2′‐bipyridine] were synthesized and characterized. The binding of the complexes with herring sperm DNA (HS DNA) was investigated by absorption titration and viscosity measurements. It was found that the complexes have ability of interaction with DNA by covalent mode. The intrinsic binding constant K_b of the complexes with HS DNA is 8.76 × 10⁴ ( 1 ), 9.89 ×10⁴ ( 2 ), 1.52 × 10⁵ ( 3 ), and 2.31 × 10⁵ ( 4 ) M^–1. The slight depression in relative specific viscosity was observed, which also attributes to covalent binding of complexes with DNA bases. Gel electrophoresis assay demonstrated the ability of the complexes to unwind negatively supercoiled pUC19 plasmid by 14° ( 1 ), 13° ( 2 ), 13° ( 3 ), and 11° ( 4 ). The in vitro cytotoxic property of the synthesized metal complexes was also carried out against brine shrimp bioassay.     

DNA/BSA‐binding property and in vitro anticancer activity of a new dicopper(II) complex with N‐(2‐hydroxy‐5‐nitrophenyl)‐N′‐[3‐(diethylamino)propyl]oxamide as bridging ligand: Synthesis and crystal structure

A new oxamido‐bridged dicopper(II) complex formulated as [Cu₂(ndpox)(bpy)(CH₃OH)₂]‐ (ClO₄), where H₃ndpox is N‐(2‐hydroxy‐5‐nitrophenyl)‐N′‐[3‐(diethylamino)propyl]oxamide; and bpy represents 2,2′‐bipyridine, was synthesized and structurally characterized using X‐ray single‐crystal diffraction and other methods. In the molecule, the endo‐ and the exo‐copper(II) ions bridged by the cis ‐ndpox³⁻ ligand are in {N₃O₂} and {N₂O₃} square‐ pyramidal environments, respectively. There is a three‐dimensional hydrogen bonding network dominated by O‐H···O and C‐H···O interactions in the crystal. The reactivity toward DNA/protein bovine serum albumin (BSA) revealed that the complex could interact with herring sperm DNA (HS‐DNA) through the intercalation mode, and effectively quench the intrinsic fluorescence of BSA via a static process. Cytotoxicity studies suggest that the complex displays selective cancer cell antiproliferative activity. The present investigation confirmed that the combined effects of both electron‐withdrawing and hydrophobic groups on the bridging ligand in the dicopper(II) complex systems can increase DNA/BSA‐binding ability and in vitro anticancer activity.     

Temperature dependent product distribution in photolysis of o-alkylphenacyl benzoates

Temperature effect on photochemical reactions of ortho-alkylphenacyl benzoates, one of the recently developed photoremovable protecting groups (PPG), giving indanones (IN) and benzocyclobutenols (CB) was examined. As temperature was lowered, CB was formed preferentially over IN and the amount of IN increased as temperature was elevated. Arrhenius plot of ln(IN/CB) versus 1/T gave a straight line from which Ea_IN–Ea_CB and A_IN/A_CB were obtained. The least sterically hindered 2-methylphenacyl benzoate (1) gave the highest Ea_IN–Ea_CB and A_IN/A_CB among the ortho-alkylphenacyl benzoates tested in this research including 2,4,6-trimethylphenacyl benzoate (2) and 2,4,6-triisopropylphenacyl benzoate (3).     

7‐Iodo‐5‐aza‐7‐deazaguanine ribonucleoside: crystal structure,physical properties,base‐pair stability and functionalization

The positional change of nitrogen‐7 of the RNA constituent guanosine to the bridgehead position‐5 leads to the base‐modified nucleoside 5‐aza‐7‐deazaguanosine. Contrary to guanosine, this molecule cannot form Hoogsteen base pairs and the Watson–Crick proton donor site N3—H becomes a proton‐acceptor site. This causes changes in nucleobase recognition in nucleic acids and has been used to construct stable `all‐purine' DNA and DNA with silver‐mediated base pairs. The present work reports the single‐crystal X‐ray structure of 7‐iodo‐5‐aza‐7‐deazaguanosine, C<sub>10</sub>H<sub>12</sub>IN<sub>5</sub>O<sub>5</sub> ( 1 ). The iodinated nucleoside shows an anti conformation at the glycosylic bond and an N conformation (O4′‐endo) for the ribose moiety, with an antiperiplanar orientation of the 5′‐hydroxy group. Crystal packing is controlled by interactions between nucleobase and sugar moieties. The 7‐iodo substituent forms a contact to oxygen‐2′ of the ribose moiety. Self‐pairing of the nucleobases does not take place. A Hirshfeld surface analysis of 1 highlights the contacts of the nucleobase and sugar moiety (O—H…O and N—H…O). The concept of pK‐value differences to evaluate base‐pair stability was applied to purine–purine base pairing and stable base pairs were predicted for the construction of `all‐purine' RNA. Furthermore, the 7‐iodo substituent of 1 was functionalized with benzofuran to detect motional constraints by fluorescence spectroscopy.     

Initial DNA Interactions of the Binuclear Threading Intercalator Λ,Λ‐[μ‐bidppz(bipy)4Ru2]4+: An NMR Study with [d(CGCGAATTCGCG)]2

Binuclear polypyridine ruthenium compounds have been shown to slowly intercalate into DNA, following a fast initial binding on the DNA surface. For these compounds, intercalation requires threading of a bulky substituent, containing one Ru^II, through the DNA base‐pair stack, and the accompanying DNA duplex distortions are much more severe than with intercalation of mononuclear compounds. Structural understanding of the process of intercalation may greatly gain from a characterisation of the initial interactions between binuclear Ru^II compounds and DNA. We report a structural NMR study on the binuclear Ru^II intercalator Λ,Λ‐B (Λ,Λ‐[μ‐bidppz(bipy)₄Ru₂]⁴⁺; bidppz=11,11′‐bis(dipyrido[3,2‐a:2′,3′‐c]phenazinyl, bipy = 2,2′‐bipyridine) mixed with the palindromic DNA [d(CGCGAATTCGCG)]₂. Threading of Λ,Λ‐B depends on the presence and length of AT stretches in the DNA. Therefore, the latter was selected to promote initial binding, but due to the short stretch of AT base pairs, final intercalation is prevented. Structural calculations provide a model for the interaction: Λ,Λ‐B is trapped in a well‐defined surface‐bound state consisting of an eccentric minor‐groove binding. Most of the interaction enthalpy originates from electrostatic and van der Waals contacts, whereas intermolecular hydrogen bonds may help to define a unique position of Λ,Λ‐B. Molecular dynamics simulations show that this minor‐groove binding mode is stable on a nanosecond scale. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first structural study by NMR spectroscopy on a binuclear Ru compound bound to DNA. In the calculated structure, one of the positively charged Ru²⁺ moieties is near the central AATT region; this is favourable in view of potential intercalation as observed by optical methods for DNA with longer AT stretches. Circular dichroism (CD) spectroscopy suggests that a similar binding geometry is formed in mixtures of Λ,Λ‐B with natural calf thymus DNA. The present minor‐groove binding mode is proposed to represent the initial surface interactions of binuclear Ru^II compounds prior to intercalation into AT‐rich DNA.     

Three new mixed‐ligand copper(II) complexes containing glycyl‐l‐valine and N,N‐aromatic heterocyclic compounds: Synthesis,characterization, DNA interaction,cytotoxicity and antimicrobial activity

Three novel copper(II) complexes, [Cu(Gly‐l ‐Val)(HPBM)(H₂O)]·ClO₄·H₂O ( 1 ), [Cu(Gly‐l ‐Val)(TBZ)(H₂O)]·ClO₄ ( 2 ) and [Cu(Gly‐l ‐Val)(PBO)(H₂O)]·ClO₄ ( 3 ) (Gly‐l ‐Val = glycyl‐l ‐valine anion, HPBM = 5‐methyl‐2‐(2′‐pyridyl)benzimidazole, TBZ = 2‐(4′‐thiazolyl)benzimidazole, PBO = 2‐(2′‐pyridyl)benzoxazole), have been prepared and characterized with elemental analyses, conductivity measurements as well as various spectroscopic techniques. The interactions of these copper complexes with calf thymus DNA were explored using UV–visible, fluorescence, circular dichroism, thermal denaturation, viscosity and docking analyses methods. The experimental results showed that all three complexes could bind to DNA via an intercalative mode. Moreover, the cytotoxic effects were evaluated using the MTT method, and the antimicrobial activity of these complexes was tested against Bacillus subtilis, Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. The results showed that the activities are consistent with their DNA binding abilities, following the order of 1 > 2 > 3 .     

碳链长度对芳香异羟肟酸二烃基锡配合物与5’-AMP或DNA相互作用的影响

选择体外筛选活性强的Bu₂Sn(4-FC₆H₄C(O)NHO)₂和活性弱的有机锡化合物Me₂Sn(4-FC₆H₄C(O)NHO)₂为模型,利用高分辨¹H NMR和³¹P NMR 技术比较研究这两个有代表性的有机锡化合物与DNA的基本组成单元5’-AMP在不同时间、不同条件下的作用模式并用紫外法进一步研究其与DNA的相互作用。结果显示,具有不同碳链的有机锡化合物与5’-AMP相互作用明显不同,含较长碳链的Bu₂Sn(4-FC₆H₄C(O)NHO)₂与5’-AMP的作用明显强于Me₂Sn(4-FC₆H₄C(O)NHO)₂,Me₂Sn(4-FC₆H₄C(O)NHO)₂分子可能只与5’-AMP的磷酸骨架静电结合,与整个分子作用较弱,而含丁基的Bu₂Sn(4-FC₆H₄C(O)NHO)₂可能除了与磷酸骨架静电结合,也与疏水碱基具有超分子相互作用而更有利于与5’-AMP稳定结合。Bu₂Sn(4-FC₆H₄C(O)NHO)₂的长链有机配体在与DNA的作用模式上发挥了重要作用。     

Synthesis,Characterization, and DNA‐Binding Properties of the Chiral Ruthenium(II) Complexes Δ‐ and Λ‐[Ru(bpy)2(dmppd)]2+ (dmppd = 10,12‐Dimethylpteridino[6,7‐f] [1,10]phenanthroline‐11,13(10H,12H)‐dione; bpy = 2,2′‐Bipyridine)

Two novel chiral ruthenium(II) complexes, Δ‐[Ru(bpy)₂(dmppd)]²⁺ and Λ‐[Ru(bpy)₂(dmppd)]²⁺ (dmppd = 10,12‐dimethylpteridino[6,7‐f] [1,10]phenanthroline‐11,13(10H,12H)‐dione, bpy = 2,2′‐bipyridine), were synthesized and characterized by elemental analysis, ¹H‐NMR and ES‐MS. The DNA‐binding behaviors of both complexes were studied by UV/VIS absorption titration, competitive binding experiments, viscosity measurements, thermal DNA denaturation, and circular‐dichroism spectra. The results indicate that both chiral complexes bind to calf‐thymus DNA in an intercalative mode, and the Δ enantiomer shows larger DNA affinity than the Λ enantiomer does. Theoretical‐calculation studies for the DNA‐binding behaviors of these complexes were carried out by the density‐functional‐theory method. The mechanism involved in the regulating and controlling of the DNA‐binding abilities of the complexes was further explored by the comparative studies of [Ru(bpy)₂(dmppd)]²⁺ and of its parent complex [Ru(bpy)₂(ppd)]²⁺ (ppd = pteridino[6,7‐f] [1,10]phenanthroline‐11,13 (10H,12H)‐dione).     

Reversal of a Single Base‐Pair Step Controls Guanine Photo‐Oxidation by an Intercalating Ruthenium(II) Dipyridophenazine Complex

Small changes in DNA sequence can often have major biological effects. Here the rates and yields of guanine photo‐oxidation by Λ‐[Ru(TAP)₂(dppz)]²⁺ have been compared in 5′‐{CCGG AT CCGG}₂ and 5′‐{CCGG TA CCGG}₂ using pico/nanosecond transient visible and time‐resolved IR (TRIR) spectroscopy. The inefficiency of electron transfer in the TA sequence is consistent with the 5′‐TA‐3′ versus 5′‐AT‐3′ binding preference predicted by X‐ray crystallography. The TRIR spectra also reveal the differences in binding sites in the two oligonucleotides.     

Molecular Recognition and Visual Detection of G‐Quadruplexes by a Dicarbocyanine Dye

The interactions of a dicarbocyanine dye 3,3′‐diethylthiadicarbocyanine, DiSC₂(5) , with DNA G‐quadruplexes were studied by means of a combination of various spectroscopic techniques. Aggregation of excess dye as a result of its positive charge is promoted by the presence of the polyanionic quadruplex structure. Specific high‐affinity binding to the parallel quadruplex of the MYC promoter sequence involves stacking of DiSC₂(5) on the external G‐tetrads; the 5′‐terminal tetrad is the favored binding site. Significant energy transfer between DNA and the dye in the UV spectral region is observed upon DiSC₂(5) binding. The transfer efficiency strongly depends on the DNA secondary structure as well as on the G‐quadruplex topology. These photophysical features enable the selective detection of DNA quadruplexes through sensitized DiSC₂(5) fluorescence in the visible region.     

Experimental and Theoretical Studies on DNA‐Binding and Spectral Properties of ‘Light Switch’ Complexes [Ru(L)2(ppn)]2+ (L=2,2′‐Bipyridine and 1,10‐Phenanthroline; ppn=Pteridino[6,7‐f] [1,10]phenanthroline‐11,13‐diamine)

The ligand pteridino[6,7‐f] [1,10]phenanthroline‐11,13‐diamine (ppn) and its Ru^II complexes [Ru(bpy)₂(ppn)]²⁺ ( 1 ; bpy=2,2′‐bipyridine) and [Ru(phen)₂(ppn)]²⁺ ( 2 ; phen=1,10‐phenanthroline) were synthesized and characterized by elemental analysis, electrospray MS, ¹H‐NMR, and cyclic voltammetry. The DNA‐binding behaviors of 1 and 2 were studied by spectroscopic and viscosity measurements. The results indicate that both complexes strongly bind to calf‐thymus DNA in an intercalative mode, with DNA‐binding constants K_b of (1.7±0.4)?10⁶ M ^?1 and (2.6±0.2)?10⁶ M ^?1, respectively. The complexes 1 and 2 exhibit excellent DNA‐‘light switch’ performances, i.e., they do not (or extremely weakly) show luminescence in aqueous solution at room temperature but are strongly luminescent in the presence of DNA. In particular, the experimental results suggest that the ancillary ligands bpy and phen not only have a significant effect on the DNA‐binding affinities of 1 and 2 but also have a certain effect on their spectral properties. [Ru(phen)₂(ppn)]²⁺( 2 ) might be developed into a very prospective DNA‐‘light switch’ complex. To explain the DNA‐binding and spectral properties of 1 and 2 , theoretical calculations were also carried out applying the DFT/TDDFT method.     

Synthesis,characterization, DNA binding,apoptosis and molecular docking of three Mn(II), Zn(II) and Cu(II) complexes with terpyridine‐based carboxylic acid

A series of novel cytotoxic compounds, [Mn(cpt)₂], [Zn(tpt)(H₂O)₂]?DMA?2(H₂O) and [Cu(tpt)]?DMA (cpt = 4′‐(4‐carboxyphenyl)‐2,2′:6′,2″‐terpyridine, tpt = 4‐(2,4,6‐tricarboxylphenyl)‐2,2′:6′,2″‐terpyridine, DMA = (CH₃)₂NH), were isolated and characterized. The structures of these complexes were characterized using single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction. The mode and extent of binding between fish sperm DNA and the complexes were investigated using fluorescence spectroscopy and molecular docking. These results indicate the ability of the complexes to bind to DNA with different binding affinities. The binding of the Zn(II) complex with DNA is stronger than that of the corresponding Cu(II) analogue, which is expected due to the z* effect and geometry. The ability of these complexes to cleave pBR322 plasmid DNA was demonstrated using gel electrophoresis assay, showing that the complexes have effective DNA cleavage activity. In addition, the cytotoxic effects of these complexes were examined on HeLa cells (human cervix epithelia carcinoma cells) in vitro. The three complexes exhibit different cytotoxic effects and decent cancer cell inhibitory rate. This means that the structures and type of metal have a great influence on the activity of these novel complexes.     

Synthesis,crystal structures and DNA/human serum albumin binding of ternary Cu(II) complexes containing amino acids and 6‐(pyrazin‐2‐yl)‐1,3,5‐triazine‐2,4‐diamino

Two water‐soluble 6‐(pyrazin‐2‐yl)‐1,3,5‐triazine‐2,4‐diamino (pzta)‐based Cu(II) complexes, namely [Cu(l ‐Val)(pzta)(H₂O)]ClO₄ ( 1 ) and [Cu(l ‐Thr)(pzta)(H₂O)]ClO₄ ( 2 ) (l ‐Val: l ‐valinate; l ‐Thr: l ‐threoninate), were synthesized and characterized using elemental analyses, molar conductance measurements, spectroscopic methods and single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction. The results indicated that the molecular structures of the complexes are five‐coordinated and show a distorted square‐pyramidal geometry, in which the central copper ions are coordinated to N,N atoms of pzta and N,O atoms of amino acids. The interactions of the complexes with DNA were investigated using electronic absorption, competitive fluorescence titration, circular dichroism and viscosity measurements. These studies confirmed that the complexes bind to DNA through a groove binding mode with certain affinities (K_b = 4.71 × 10³ and 1.98 × 10³ M^?1 for 1 and 2 , respectively). The human serum albumin (HSA) binding properties of the complexes were also evaluated using fluorescence and synchronous fluorescence spectroscopies, indicating that the complexes could quench the intrinsic fluorescence of HSA in a static quenching process. The relevant thermodynamic parameters revealed the involvement of van der Waals forces and hydrogen bonds in the formation of complex–HSA systems. Finally, molecular docking technology was also used to further verify the interactions of the complexes with DNA/HSA.     

Synthesis,crystal structure and docking studies of tetracyclic 10‐iodo‐1,2‐dihydroisoquinolino[2,1‐b][1,2,4]benzothiadiazine 12,12‐dioxide and its precursors

The title compound, 10‐iodo‐1,2‐dihydroisoquinolino[2,1‐b][1,2,4]benzothiadiazine 12,12‐dioxide, C₁₅H₁₁IN₂O₂S ( 8 ), was synthesized via the metal‐free intramolecular N‐iodosuccinimide (NIS)‐mediated radical oxidative sp³‐C—H aminative cyclization of 2‐(2′‐aminobenzenesulfonyl)‐1,3,4‐trihydroisoquinoline, C₁₅H₁₆N₂O₂S ( 7 ). The amino adduct 7 was prepared via a two‐step reaction, starting from the condensation of 2‐nitrobenzenesulfonyl chloride ( 4 ) with 1,2,3,4‐tetrahydroisoquinoline ( 5 ), to afford 2‐(2′‐nitrobenzenesulfonyl)‐1,3,4‐trihydroisoquinoline, C₁₅H₁₄N₂O₄S ( 6 ), in 82% yield. The catalytic hydrogenation of 6 with hydrogen gas, in the presence of 10% palladium‐on‐charcoal catalyst, furnished 7 . Products 6 – 8 were characterized by their melting points, IR and NMR (¹H and ¹³C) spectroscopy, and single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction. The three compounds crystallized in the monoclinic space group, with 7 exhibiting classical intramolecular hydrogen bonds of 2.16 and 2.26 Å. All three crystal structures exhibit centrosymmetric pairs of intermolecular C—H…π(ring) and/or π–π stacking interactions. The docking studies of molecules 6 , 7 and 8 with deoxyribonucleic acid (PDB id: 1ZEW ) revealed minor‐groove binding behaviours without intercalation, with 7 presenting the most favourable global energy of the three molecules. Nonetheless, molecule 8 interacted strongly with the DNA macromolecule, with an attractive van der Waals energy of ?15.53 kcal mol^?1.     

2‐Amino‐5‐iodopyridinium bromide hemihydrate and 2‐amino‐5‐iodopyridinium chloride monohydrate

The hydrobromide and hydrochloride salts of 2‐amino‐5‐iodopyridine were prepared from aqueous solutions. The hydrobromide salt, C₅H₆IN₂⁺·Br⁻·0.5H₂O, crystallizes as a hemihydrate, and exhibits hydrogen bonding and π‐stacking which stabilize the crystal structure. The hydrochloride salt, C₅H₆IN₂⁺·Cl⁻·H₂O·0.375HCl, crystallized as the hydrate and exhibits similar hydrogen bonding and π‐stacking in the lattice. The most interesting feature of the hydrochloride salt is the presence of an additional fractional HCl molecule which introduces disorder in the location of the water molecule. The additional proton from the fractional HCl molecule is accounted for by the presence of a partial hydronium ion on one of the water sites.     

Honeycomb‐like Ordered Assembly of DNA Induced by Flexible Binuclear Ruthenium(II)–Polypyridyl Complexes

A series of binuclear ruthenium(II)–polypyridyl complexes of the type [Ru₂(N‐N)₄(BPIMBp)]⁴⁺, in which N‐N is 2,2′‐bipyridine (bpy; 1 ), 1,10‐phenanthroline (phen; 2 ), dipyrido[3,2‐d:2′,3‐f] quinoxaline (dpq; 3 ), dipyrido[3,2‐a:2′,3′‐c] phenanzine (dppz; 4 ), and 1,4′‐bis[(2‐pyridin‐2‐yl)‐1H‐imidazol‐1‐yl)methyl]‐1,1′‐biphenyl (BPIMBp) is a bridging ligand, have been synthesized and characterized. These complexes are charged (4+) cations and flexible due to the ?CH₂ group of the bridging ligand and possess terminal ligands with variable intercalative abilities. The interaction of complexes 1 – 4 with calf thymus DNA (CT‐DNA) was explored by using UV/Vis absorption spectroscopy, steady‐state emission, emission quenching with K₄[Fe(CN)₆], ethidium bromide displacement assay, Hoechst displacement assay, and viscosity measurements and revealed a groove‐binding mode for all the complexes through a spacer and an intercalative mode for complexes 3 and 4 . A decrease in the viscosity of DNA revealed bending and coiling of DNA, an initial step toward aggregation. Interestingly, a distinctive honeycomb‐like ordered assembly of the DNA–complex species was visualized by fluorescence microscopy in the solution state. The use of SEM and AFM confirmed the disordered self‐organization of the DNA–complex adduct on evaporation of the solvent. The small orderly nanosized DNA aggregates were confirmed by means of circular dichroism, dynamic light scattering (DLS), and TEM. These complexes are moderately cytotoxic against three different cell lines, namely, MCF‐7, HeLa, and HL‐60.     

Synthesis,characterization and biological activities of two novel orthopalladated complexes: Interactions with DNA and bovine serum albumin,antitumour activity and molecular docking studies

[Pd(L₁)(C,N)]CF₃SO₃ and [Pd(L₂)(C,N)]CF₃SO₃ (L₁ = 2,2′ ‐bipyridine, L₂ = 1,10‐phenanthroline and C,N = benzylamine) novel orthopalladated complexes have been synthesized and characterized using various techniques. The binding of the complexes with native calf thymus DNA (CT‐DNA) was monitored using UV–visible absorption spectrophotometry, fluorescence spectroscopy and thermal denaturation studies. Our results indicate that these complexes can strongly bind to CT‐DNA via partial intercalative mode. In addition, fluorescence spectrometry of bovine serum albumin (BSA) with the complexes shows that the fluorescence quenching mechanism of BSA is a static process. The results of site‐competitive replacement experiments with specific site markers clearly indicate that the complexes bind to site I of BSA. Notably, the complexes exhibit significant in vitro cytotoxicity against two human cancer cell lines (Jurkat and MCF‐7) with IC₅₀ values varying from 37 to 53 μM. Finally, a molecular docking experiment effectively proves the binding of the Pd(II) complexes to DNA and BSA.     

Two Distinct Thermal Stabilities of DNA and Enzymatic Activities of DNase I in a Multistep Assembly with Carbazole Ligands: Different Binding Characteristics for Duplex and Quadruplex DNA

A partially hydrophobic carbazole ligand ((Im⁺)₂Cz: 2,2′‐(9‐ethyl‐9 H‐carbazole‐3,6‐diyl)bis(ethyne‐2,1‐diyl)bis(1,3‐dimethyl‐1 H‐imidazol‐3‐ium)) adopts two different binding states (binding states I and II) in its interactions with calf‐thymus (ct‐) DNA. Two distinct binding states were identified by biphasic UV/Vis and circular dichroism (CD) spectral changes during the titration of DNA into the carbazole ligand. At low concentrations of ct‐DNA, (Im⁺)₂Cz binds to nearly every part of ct‐DNA (binding state I). By contrast, an increased concentration of ct‐DNA results in a switch in the DNA‐binding state, so that the ligands are bound per five DNA base pairs. Similarly, a monocationic carbazole ligand (Im⁺Cz: 2‐((6‐bromo‐9‐ethyl‐9 H‐carbazol‐3‐yl)ethynyl)‐1,3‐dimethyl‐1 H‐imidazol‐3‐ium) also shows biphasic UV/Vis spectral changes during the titration of ct‐DNA into Im⁺Cz, which suggests two different binding states of the Im⁺Cz ligand with ct‐DNA. The stepwise equilibrium of the ligand–DNA‐complex formation is capable of switching the thermal stability of ct‐DNA, as well as the enzymatic activity of deoxyribonuclease (DNase I). In binding state I, the (Im⁺)₂Cz ligands interact with nearly every base pair in ct‐DNA and stabilize the double‐helix structure, which results in a larger increase in the melting temperature of the ct‐DNA than that observed with binding state II. On the other hand, the (Im⁺)₂Cz ligand significantly reduces the enzymatic activity of DNase I in binding state I, although the enzymatic activity is recovered once the binding state of the ligand–DNA complex is changed to binding state II. The (Im⁺)₂Cz ligand was also employed as a binder for G‐quadruplex DNA. In contrast to the stepwise complex formation between (Im⁺)₂Cz and ct‐DNA, (Im⁺)₂Cz shows a monotonous UV/Vis spectral response during the titration of G‐quadruplex DNA into (Im⁺)₂Cz, which suggests a single binding state for (Im⁺)₂Cz with G‐quadruplex DNA.     

DNA fastening and scission actions of Cu(II), Co(II), Ni(II) and Zn(II) complexes: synthesis,spectral characterization and cytotoxic study

A heterocyclic compound, 2‐(aminomethyl)benzimidazole dihydrohydrochloride, was treated with nitrobenzaldehyde to form a Schiff base that was made to react with divalent metals. A co‐ligand, either 1,10‐phenanthroline or 2,2′‐bipyridine, was added to this mixture to obtain metal chelators of type [ML(co‐L)₂]Cl₂. They were in 1:1:2 stoichiometry ratio, which was characterized by various spectroscopic techniques that suggested an octahedral geometry around the central metal ions. These complexes were investigated for their binding affinities with calf thymus (CT) DNA, using various techniques, such as UV–Vis, viscosity, cyclic voltammetry (CV), etc. The binding interaction studies revealed intercalation as the possible binding mode of the complexes with the CT DNA. In addition, these complexes were screened for their antimicrobial potential and DNA denaturing tendencies using gel electrophoretic assay. The antimicrobial screening investigation showed that the complexes behaved as better antimicrobial agents than the ligand, especially, complex 5 shows exceptional activity even in the electrophoretic assay along with the antimicrobial efficacy. Moreover, complex 5 was able to denature the plasmid DNA better than the other compounds. All the compounds were screened for cytotoxic efficacy, and the IC₅₀ values suggest that the compounds possess cytotoxic activity to some extent that is almost the same as the activity of cisplatin.