Ferrocene-conjugated L-tryptophan copper(II) complexes of phenanthroline bases showing DNA photocleavage activity and cytotoxicity

Ferrocene-conjugated L-tryptophan (L-Trp) reduced Schiff base (Fc-TrpH) copper(II) complexes [Cu(Fc-Trp)(L)](ClO(4)) of phenanthroline bases (L), viz. 2,2'-bipyridine (bpy in 1), 1,10-phenanthroline (phen in 2), dipyrido[3,2-d:2',3'-f]quinoxaline (dpq in 3), and dipyrido[3,2-a:2',3'-c]phenazine (dppz in 4), were prepared and characterized and their photocytotoxicity studied. Cationic reduced Schiff base (Ph-TrpH) complexes [Cu(Ph-Trp)(L)(H(2)O)](ClO(4)) (L = phen in 5; dppz in 6) having the ferrocenyl moiety replaced by a phenyl group and the Zn(II) analogue (7) of complex 4 were prepared and used as control species. The crystal structures of 1 and 5 with respective square-planar CuN(3)O and square-pyramidal CuN(3)O(2) coordination geometry show significantly different core structures. Complexes 1-4 exhibit a Cu(II)-Cu(I) redox couple near -0.1 V and the Fc(+)-Fc couple at ~0.5 V vs SCE in DMF-0.1 M [Bu(n)(4)N](ClO(4)) (Fc = ferrocenyl moiety). The complexes display a copper(II)-based d-d band near 600 nm and a Fc-centered band at ~450 nm in DMF-Tris-HCl buffer. The complexes are efficient binders to calf thymus DNA. They are synthetic chemical nucleases in the presence of thiol or H(2)O(2), forming hydroxyl radicals. The photoactive complexes are cleavers of pUC19 DNA in visible light, forming hydroxyl radicals. Complexes 2-6 show photocytotoxicity in HeLa cancer cells, giving IC(50) values of 4.7, 10.2, 1.3, 4.8, and 4.3 μM, respectively, in visible light with the appearance of apoptotic bodies. The complexes also show photocytotoxicity in MCF-7 cancer cells. Nuclear chromatin cleavage has been observed with acridine orange/ethidium bromide (AO/EB) dual staining with complex 4 in visible light. The complexes induce caspase-independent apoptosis in the HeLa cells.     

Bis(dipyridophenazine)copper(II) complex as major groove directing synthetic hydrolase

The copper(II) complex [Cu(dppz)(2)Cl]Cl () has been prepared, structurally characterized and its DNA binding and cleavage properties studied (dppz, dipyridophenazine). Crystal structure of 1xdppzxH(2)O shows the presence of the monocationic copper(II) complex containing two dppz ligands and one chloride in the five coordinate structure. While one bidentate chelating dppz ligand occupies the basal plane, the other dppz ligand shows an axial/equatorial mode of bonding. The chloride ligand binds at the basal plane. The complex crystallizes with dppz and water as lattice molecules. The dppz moieties in the metal-bound and free forms are involved in pi-pi stacking interactions. The one-electron paramagnetic complex shows a visible spectral d-d band at 707 nm in DMF and displays quasireversible cyclic voltammetric response for the Cu(II)/Cu(I) couple near 0.1 V vs. SCE in DMF-0.1 M TBAP. The complex which is an avid binder to calf thymus DNA giving a binding constant (K(b)) value of 2.0 x 10(4) M(-1) in DMF-Tris buffer, cleaves supercoiled pUC19 DNA in an oxidative manner in the presence of mercaptopropionic acid (MPA) as a reducing agent or on photo irradiation at 312 nm. Control experiments show major groove binding and DNA cleavage via the formation of hydroxyl radical in the presence of MPA and by singlet oxygen in the photocleavage reaction. The complex exhibits significant hydrolytic cleavage of DNA in the dark in the absence of any additives at a rate of approximately 3.0 h(-1). The hydrolytic nature of the DNA cleavage is evidenced from the T4 ligase experiments converting the nicked circular form to its original supercoiled form quantitatively. Complex presents a rare example of copper-based major groove directing efficient synthetic hydrolase.     

Efficient plasmid DNA cleavage by a mononuclear copper(II) complex

The Cu(II) complex of the ligand all-cis-2,4,6-triamino-1,3,5-trihydroxycyclohexane (TACI) is a very efficient catalyst of the cleavage of plasmid DNA in the absence of any added cofactor. The maximum rate of degradation of the supercoiled plasmid DNA form, obtained at pH 8.1 and 37 degrees C, in the presence of 48 microM TACI.Cu(II), is 2.3 x 10(-3) s(-1), corresponding to a half-life time of only 5 min for the cleavage of form I (supercoiled) to form II (relaxed circular). The dependence of the rate of plasmid DNA cleavage from the TACI.Cu(II) complex concentration follows an unusual and very narrow bell-like profile, which suggests an high DNA affinity of the complexes but also a great tendency to form unreactive dimers. The reactivity of the TACI.Cu(II) complexes is not affected by the presence of several scavengers for reactive oxygen species or when measured under anaerobic conditions. Moreover, no degradation of the radical reporter Rhodamine B is observed in the presence of such complexes. These results are consistent with the operation of a prevailing hydrolytic pathway under the normal conditions used, although the failure to obtain enzymatic religation of the linearized DNA does not allow one to rule out the occurrence of a nonhydrolytic oxygen-independent cleavage. A concurrent oxidative mechanism becomes competitive upon addition of reductants or in the presence of high levels of molecular oxygen: under such conditions, in fact, a remarkable increase in the rate of DNA cleavage is observed.     

Potential-modulated DNA cleavage by (N-salicylideneglycinato)copper(II) complex.

The interaction of aqua (N-salicylideneglycinato)copper(II) (Cu(salgly)2+) complex with calf thymus DNA has been investigated by cyclic voltammetry. Potential-modulated DNA cleavage in the presence of Cu(salgly)2+ complex was performed at a gold electrode in a thin layer cell. DNA can be efficiently cleaved by electrochemically reducing Cu(salgly)2+ complex to Cu(salgly)+ complex at -0.7 V (vs. Ag/AgCl). When the solution was aerated with a small flow of O2 during electrolysis, the extent of DNA cleavage was dramatically enhanced, and hydroxyl radical scavengers inhibited DNA cleavage. These results suggested that O2 and hydroxyl radical were involved in potential-modulated DNA cleavage reaction. The percentage of DNA cleavage was enhanced as the working potential was shifted to more negative values and the electrolysis time was increased. It was also dependent on the ratio of Cu(salgly)2+ complex to DNA concentration. The cleaved DNA fragments were separated by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). The experimental results indicated that the method for potential-modulated DNA cleavage by Cu(salgly)2+ complex was simple and efficient.     

Metal-assisted red light-induced efficient DNA cleavage by dipyridoquinoxaline-copper(II) complex

Complete cleavage of double stranded pUC19 DNA by the complex [Cu(dpq)2(H2O)](ClO4)2 (dpq, dipyridoquinoxaline) has been observed on irradiation at 694 nm from a pulsed ruby laser, assisted by the metal d-band transition as well as the quinoxaline triplet states in the absence of any external additives.     

A wine red copper(II) complex of a tetradentate nitrogen donor showing two-electron oxidation. Generation of a copper(II)-phosphine bond

Using the 1 : 2 condensate of benzil and 2-hydrazinopyridine as the ligand LH₂ (H: dissociable NH proton), the red complex Cu(LH₂)(ClO₄)₂ (1) was synthesized. The ligand also afforded the orange [Zn(LH₂)(OH₂)₂](ClO₄)₂ (2). The X-ray crystal structures of the ligand, 1 and 2 have been determined. The metals in 1 and 2 have octahedral N₄O₂ environments. 1 is paramagnetic with μ_eff of one unpaired electron (1.63 μ_B and displays an axial EPR spectrum in the solid state with <g> = 2.07, characteristic of a (d_x2_?y2)¹ ground state (g_|| > g_⊥; A_|| = 16 mT). In cyclic voltammetry, 1 displays a two-electron oxidation around 0.9 V versus NHE. The two-electron oxidized (coulometrically) solution of 1 (golden yellow) gives an EPR spectrum with <g> = 2.17 and g_|| < g_⊥. The reaction of PPh₃ with 1 yields the orange complex [Cu(LH₂)(PPh₃)](ClO₄)₂ (4). With the assumed chemical formula, the effective magnetization of 4 corresponds to one electron. Its EPR spectrum in the solid state is isotropic with g = 2.07. This g value yields a theoretical μ_eff of 1.80 μ_B at 298 K from Curie’s law, which matches very well with the experimental value of 1.89 μ_B at room temperature. Since single crystals of 4 could not be obtained, DFT calculations at the UBP86/6–311G(2d,p) level have been carried out and indicate that the cation in 4 is square pyramidal with the phosphine at the apex. The ease of the oxidation of the metal in 1 leads to the stabilization of the rare Cu(II)-P bond in 4.     

Metal-based netropsin mimics showing AT-selective DNA binding and DNA cleavage activity at red light

Copper(II) bis-arginate [Cu(l-arg)2](NO3)2 (1) and [Cu(l-arg)(phen)Cl]Cl (2) as mimics of the minor-groove-binding natural antibiotic netropsin show preferential binding to the AT-rich region of double-stranded DNA. The complexes with a d-d band near 600 nm display oxidative DNA cleavage activity on photoirradiation at UV-A light of 365 nm and at red light of 647.1 nm (Ar-Kr laser) in a metal-assisted photoexcitation process forming singlet oxygen (1O2) species in a type-2 pathway.     

八羟基喹啉铜(Ⅱ)配合物的DNA结合和切割活性及与牛血清白蛋白相互作用（英文）

利用紫外吸收光谱、荧光光谱、圆二色光谱(CD)和琼脂糖凝胶电泳等手段研究了八羟基喹啉铜(Ⅱ)配合物Cu[8-OHQ]2与DNA和蛋白质的相互作用.实验结果表明,在生理条件下,Cu[8-OHQ]2能通过插入方式较强的与CT-DNA结合,诱导DNA构象的改变.其本征结合常数Kb为1.15(±0.01)×105 L/mol,表观结合常数Kapp为4.21×106 L/mol.再者,琼脂糖凝胶电泳实验表明,在生理条件和抗坏血酸(Vc)存在情况下,Cu[8-OHQ]2能有效地将超螺旋pBR322质粒DNA切割成缺刻和线性,甚至降解为小的片断.机理研究表明扩散的·OH,H2O2和1 O2都不是在切割过程中起作用的活性氧物种(ROS);copper-oxo中间体可能是此切割过程中主要的活性氧物种.另外,Cu[8-OHQ]2也能以适中的结合力与牛血清白蛋白(BSA)结合而猝灭BSA内源荧光,猝灭机理为静态猝灭.所有这些结果表明Cu[8-OHQ]2具有作为潜在化疗试剂的生物活性.     

Visible light-induced nuclease activity of a ternary mono-phenanthroline copper(II) complex containing L-methionine as a photosensitizer

Ternary copper(II) complex, structurally characterized as [Cu(phen)(met)(MeOH)](ClO4) (1) by X-ray crystallography, has 1,10-phenanthroline (phen) as an intercalator/binder to supercoiled pUC19 DNA and L-methionine (met) as a photosensitizer, and the complex displays efficient photonuclease activity on irradiation with UV (312 nm) or visible (436, 532 nm) light through a mechanistic pathway involving singlet oxygen.     

DNA binding,DNA cleavage,and cellular imaging of a copper(II) complex based on curcumin

Binding property between CT-DNA and a Cu(II) complex, namely CuL₂, where HL = 1,7-bis(4-butoxy-3-methoxyphenyl)hepta-1,6-diene-3,5-dione, was determined by UV–Vis absorption, fluorescence spectroscopy, and viscosity measurements. The results showed that the binding of the complex with CT-DNA was through the intercalative mode and the binding constant (K_b) value was found to be 3.82 × 10⁴ M. DNA cleavage studies showed that CuL₂ exhibited effective cleavage activity on pBR322 plasmid DNA in absence of external agents. Additionally, cellular imaging studies also indicated that CuL₂ has a higher toxicity to MCF-7 cell lines compared with its corresponding ligand HL.     

Metal-assisted red light-induced DNA cleavage by ternary L-methionine copper(II) complexes of planar heterocyclic bases

Ternary copper(II) complexes [Cu(l-met)B(Solv)](ClO4) (1-4), where B is a N,N-donor heterocyclic base like 2,2'-bipyridine (bpy, 1), 1,10-phenanthroline (phen, 2), dipyrido[3,2-d:2',3'-f]quinoxaline (dpq, 3) and dipyrido[3,2-a:2'],3'-c]phenazene (dppz, 4), are prepared and their DNA binding and photo-induced DNA cleavage activity studied (L-Hmet =L-methionine). Complex 2, structurally characterized by X-ray crystallography, shows a square pyramidal (4 + 1) coordination geometry in which the N,O-donor L-methionine and N,N-donor heterocyclic base bind at the basal plane and a solvent molecule is coordinated at the axial site. The complexes display a d-d band at approximately 600 nm in DMF and exhibit a cyclic voltammetric response due to the Cu(II)/Cu(I) couple near -0.1 V in DMF-Tris-HCl buffer. The complexes display significant binding propensity to the calf thymus DNA in the order: 4(dppz) > 3(dpq) > 2(phen> 1(bpy). Control cleavage experiments using pUC19 supercoiled DNA and distamycin suggest major groove binding for the dppz and minor groove binding for the other complexes. Complexes 2-4 show efficient DNA cleavage activity on UV (365 nm) or red light (632.8 nm) irradiation via a mechanistic pathway involving formation of singlet oxygen as the reactive species. The DNA cleavage activity of the dpq complex is found to be significantly more than its dppz and phen analogues.     

Hydrolytic cleavage of DNA by a ruthenium(II) polypyridyl complex

The complex [Ru(bpy)2(BPG)]Cl2 (1) containing hydrogen-bond donor (N-H atoms) and acceptor (O atoms) groups mediates hydrolytic cleavage of plasmid pBR322 DNA in an enzyme-like manner. The kinetic aspects of DNA cleavage under pseudo- and true-Michaelis-Menten conditions are detailed.     

Efficient visible light induced nuclease activity of a ternary mono-1,10-phenanthroline copper(II) complex containing 2-(methylthio)ethylsalicylaldimine

Ternary Schiff base copper(II) complex [CuL(phen)](ClO(4)), where HL is 2-(methylthio)ethylsalicylaldimine and phen is 1,10-phenanthroline, has been prepared and structurally characterized by X-ray crystallography. The complex shows a CuN(3)OS coordination in a square-pyramidal (4 + 1) geometry with the sulfur as an equatorial ligand. The complex is an avid binder to double-stranded DNA in the minor groove and exhibits both photonuclease and chemical nuclease activity. When exposed to UV light of 312 nm (96 W) or visible light of 532 nm (125 W) under aerobic conditions, the complex causes significant cleavage of supercoiled pUC19 DNA in the absence of any externally added reducing agent or H(2)O(2).     

Designing molecules for PDT: red light-induced DNA cleavage on disulfide bond activation in a dicopper(II) complex

The binuclear copper(II) complex [Cu)(RSSR)2](1), where RSSR is a dianionic Schiff base derived from 2-(thioethyl)salicylaldimine having a disulfide bond is prepared, structurally characterized by X-ray crystallography and its photo-induced DNA cleavage activity studied. The Schiff base ligand H2RSSR is also structurally characterized. The crystal structure of shows the discrete dimeric nature of the complex with each metal showing square-planar geometry with a CuN2O2 coordination (Cu...Cu, 5.011(1)A). The tetradentate Schiff base RSSR acts as a linker of two copper centers. The sulfur atoms in the disulfide unit do not show any apparent interaction with the metal ion. Complex 1, which is cleavage inactive in the dark in the presence of reducing agents, shows significant cleavage of supercoiled pUC19 DNA on exposure to UV light of 312 nm or visible light of different wavelengths under aerobic conditions, in the absence of any additives. DNA cleavage data from control experiments reveal involvement of the disulfide unit as a photosensitizer undergoing photo-induced S-S bond cleavage on exposure to UV light and the resulting species activates molecular oxygen to form singlet oxygen (1O2) that causes DNA cleavage following a type-II process. Photo-induced DNA cleavage by 1 on red-light exposure using a CW laser of 632.8 nm or a pulsed ruby laser of 694 nm is proposed to involve sulfide radicals in a type-I process and hydroxyl radicals as the reactive species.     

Synthesis,characterization, DNA binding and cleavage properties of a ternary copper(II) Schiff base complex

A ternary coordination complex 2Cu(C₁₄H₈NO₃Cl)(C₁₂H₈N₂)·3CH₃OH of a Schiff base (C₁₄H₈NO₃Cl: 4-chloroanthranilic acid–salicylaldehyde) was synthesized from 4-chloroanthranilic acid, salicylaldehyde, copper acetate and 1,10-phenanthroline and characterized by physicochemical and spectroscopic methods. X-ray crystallography shows that the copper atom is five coordinated by the imine nitrogen, two nitrogen atoms from 1,10-phenanthroline, the hydroxyl oxygen and the carboxylate oxygen atom. The interaction of the complex with calf-thymus DNA was investigated by UV absorption spectroscopy, fluorescence emission spectroscopy and viscosity. In addition, the cleavage reaction with pBR322 supercoiled plasmid DNA was investigated. The complex binds to DNA and also exhibits significant DNA cleavage activity.     

Synthesis,DNA binding and oxidative cleavage studies of an asymmetric tridentate copper(II) complex

An asymmetric tridentate Cu^II complex, [Cu(ptp)Cl₂] (ptp = 3-(1,10-phenanthrolin-2-yl)-as-triazino[5,6-f]-phenanthrene), has been synthesized and characterized by elemental analysis, FAB-MS, i.r. and u.v.–vis. spectra. The DNA binding behavior of the complex has been examined by fluorescence quenching, cyclic voltammetric and viscosity measurements. The results suggest that [Cu(ptp)Cl₂] binds to DNA in the intercalative mode. This complex is also found to produce cleavage of pBR 322 DNA in the presence of reducing agents such as ascorbate/H₂O₂, and the hydroxyl radical (OH^•) is suggested to be the reactive species responsible for the cleavage.     

Supramolecular assembly and DNA cleavage activity of a nickel(II) complex

A new mononuclear nickel(II) complex, [NiL₂] (HL = ((2-(5-fluoro-2-hydroxybenzyl)(2-(imidazole-2-yl)ethyl))imine), has been synthesized and characterized by IR, UV–vis and X-ray diffraction technique. The X-ray crystal structure of the complex shows that the coordination environment around Ni(II) ion is an approximate octahedron. Each molecule connects with four adjacent neighbors through strong hydrogen bonding interactions (N–H···O, d(N–O) = 2.687 Å and ∠N–H···O = 158.3(1)°), forming a supramolecular network. The interaction of the complex with DNA was monitored using agarose gel electrophoresis. The results show that the complex has DNA cleavage activity. The cyclic voltammogram shows one pair of anodic and cathodic peaks with E_1/2 = ?1.06 V, assigned to the Ni(II)/Ni(I) couple.     

Intramolecular nucleophilic activation promoting efficient hydrolytic cleavage of DNA by (aqua)bis(dipyridoquinoxaline)copper(II) complex

The axial aqua bound copper(II) complex [Cu(dpq)2(H2O)](ClO4)2, having a planar NN-donor heterocyclic base dipyridoquinoxaline (dpq) as the DNA minor groove binder, shows efficient hydrolytic cleavage of supercoiled DNA in the dark and in the absence of any external reagents, as evidenced from T4 ligase experiments, with a rate of 5.58 +/- 0.4 h(-1) and a rate enhancement of 1.55 x 10(8).     

Synthesis,magnetic properties,DNA binding and cleavage activity of a new oxalato bridged copper(II) complex

A novel oxalato‐bridged copper(II) complex has been prepared and structurally characterized: [Cu(bpa)(μ‐C₂O₄)].H₂O (bpa = bis(2‐pyridylmethyl) amine). In the complex, the copper ion is linked in an unusual μ_1,2,3‐C₂O₄^2? bridging mode, generating one‐dimensional zigzag chain disposition. Variable‐temperature magnetic susceptibility studies (2–300 K) reveal a weak ferromagnetic coupling, J = 0.63 cm^?1, between the copper ions. The interaction of the complex with CT‐DNA has been studied using UV–visible absorption and emission spectral methods, and the binding constant of the complex with CT‐DNA is K_app = 9 × 10⁴ m ^?1, which indicates that the interaction of the complex with DNA is a moderate intercalative mode. Furthermore, the complex cleaves supercoiled plasmid DNA efficiently in the presence of hydrogen peroxide. The mechanistic investigations suggest that the hydroxyl radical and singlet oxygen are involved in the DNA degradation. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.