Separation of single‐base sequential isomers of single‐stranded DNA by capillary electrophoresis and its application in the discrimination of single‐base DNA mutations

Separation of single‐base substitution sequential DNA isomers remains one of the most challenging tasks in DNA separation by capillary electrophoresis. We developed a simple, versatile capillary electrophoresis technique for the separation of single‐base sequential isomers of DNA having the same chain length. This technique is based on charge differences resulting from the different protonation (acid dissociation) properties of the four DNA bases. A mixture of 13 single‐base sequential isomers of 12‐mer single‐stranded DNA was separated by using an electrophoretic buffer solution containing 20 mM phosphoric acid (pH 2.0) and 8 M urea. We demonstrated that our method could separate all possible mutation patterns under identical experimental conditions. In addition, application of our method to the separation of the polymerase chain reaction product of a 68‐mer gene fragment and its single‐base isomers indicates that in combination with the appropriate genomic DNA extraction techniques, the method can detect single‐base gene mutations.     

Selection of aptamers by systematic evolution of ligands by exponential enrichment: addressing the polymerase chain reaction issue

Aptamers are DNA oligonucleotides capable of binding different classes of targets with high affinity and selectivity. They are particularly attractive as affinity probes in multiplexed quantitative analysis of proteins. Aptamers are typically selected from large libraries of random DNA sequences in a general approach termed systematic evolution of ligands by exponential enrichment (SELEX). SELEX involves repetitive rounds of two processes: (i) partitioning of aptamers from non-aptamers by an affinity method and (ii) amplification of aptamers by the polymerase chain reaction (PCR). New partitioning methods, which are characterized by exceptionally high efficiency of partitioning, have been recently introduced. For the overall SELEX procedure to be efficient, the high efficiency of new partitioning methods has to be matched by high efficiency of PCR. Here we present the first detailed study of PCR amplification of random DNA libraries used in aptamer selection. With capillary electrophoresis as an analytical tool, we found fundamental differences between PCR amplification of homogeneous DNA templates and that of large libraries of random DNA sequences. Product formation for a homogeneous DNA template proceeds until primers are exhausted. For a random DNA library as a template, product accumulation stops when PCR primers are still in excess of the products. The products then rapidly convert to by-products and virtually disappear after only 5 additional cycles of PCR. The yield of the products decreases with the increasing length of DNA molecules in the library. We also proved that the initial number of DNA molecules in PCR mixture has no effect on the by-products formation. While the increase of the Taq DNA polymerase concentration in PCR mixture selectively increases the yield of PCR products. Our findings suggest that standard procedures of PCR amplification of homogeneous DNA samples cannot be transferred to PCR amplification of random DNA libraries: to ensure efficient SELEX, PCR has to be optimized for the amplification of random DNA libraries.     

蛋白质的微芯片电泳分离及其与脱氧核糖核酸迁移规律的比较

在自制的聚二甲基硅氧烷(PDMS)微芯片上,使用十二烷基磺酸钠(SDS)无胶筛分电泳分离体系(10 g/L的羟乙基纤维素(HEC), 1 g/L的SDS, 40 mmol/L磷酸盐缓冲溶液,pH 7.0),采用在线自校正激光诱导荧光检测方法,在6.4 min内高效分离了异硫氰酸荧光素(FITC)衍生的6种蛋白质标准样品,连续6次电泳所得迁移时间的相对标准偏差(RSD)均小于10%。用自主建立的脱氧核糖核酸(DNA)定量分离模型对蛋白质迁移数据进行拟合,发现SDS-蛋白质复合物迁移规律与DNA相似,但迁移淌度与相对分子质量及电场强度之间的线性关系明显变差,可见原DNA分离模型要扩展到蛋白质范围必须对一些参数进行校正。     

Fabrication of core-shell structured nanoparticle layer substrate for excitation of localized surface plasmon resonance and its optical response for DNA in aqueous conditions

LSPR from nanostructured noble metals such as gold and silver offers great potential for biosensing applications. In this study, a core-shell structured nanoparticle layer substrate was fabricated and the localized surface plasmon resonance (LSPR) optical characteristics were investigated for DNA in aqueous conditions. Factors such as DNA length dependence, concentration dependence, and the monitoring of DNA aspects (ssDNA or dsDNA) were measured. Different lengths and concentrations of DNA solutions were introduced onto the surface of the substrate and the changes in the LSPR optical characteristics were measured. In addition, to monitor the changes in LSPR optical characteristics for different DNA aspects, a DNA solutions denatured by means of heat or alkali were introduced onto the surface, after which optical characterization of the core-shell structured nanoparticle substrate was carried out. With this core-shell structured nanoparticle layer for the excitation of LSPR, the dependence upon specific DNA conditions (length, concentration, and aspect) could be monitored. In particular, the core-shell structured nanoparticle layer substrate could detect DNA of length 100-5000 bp and 400-bp DNA at a concentration of 4.08 ng mL⁻¹ (1 × 10⁷ DNA molecules mL⁻¹). Furthermore, the changes in LSPR optical characteristics with DNA aspect could be monitored. Thus, LSPR-based optical detection using a core-shell structured nanoparticle layer substrate can be used to determine the kinetics of biomolecular interactions in a wide range of practical applications such as medicine, drug delivery, and food control.     

Ruthenium(II) complexes of aroylhydrazones: structural,electrochemical and electrostatic interactions with DNA

Four Ru(II) complexes with tridentate ligands viz. (4-hydroxy-N′-(pyridin-2-yl-ethylene) benzohydrazide [Ru(L¹)(PPh₃)₂(Cl)] (1), N′-(pyridin-2-yl-methylene) nicotinohydrazide [Ru(L²)(PPh₃)₂(Cl)] (2), N′-(1H-imidazol-2-yl-methylene)-4-hydroxybenzohydrazide [Ru(L³)(PPh₃)₂(Cl)] (3), and N′-(1H-imidazol-2-yl-methylene) nicotinohydrazide [Ru(L⁴)(PPh₃)₂(Cl)] (4) have been synthesized and characterized. The methoxy-derivative of L³H (abbreviated as L³H*) exists in E configuration with torsional angle of 179.4° around C₇-N₈-N₉-C₁₀ linkage. Single crystal structures of acetonitrile coordinated ruthenium complexes of 1 and 3 having compositins as [Ru(L¹)(PPh₃)₂(CH₃CN)]Cl (1a) and [Ru(L³)(PPh₃)₂(CH₃CN)]Cl (3a) revealed coordination of tridentate ligands with significantly distorted octahedral geometry constructed by imine nitrogen, heterocyclic nitrogen, and enolate amide oxygen, forming a cis-planar ring with trans-placement of two PPh₃ groups and a coordinated acetonitrile. Ligands (L¹H-L⁴H) and their ruthenium complexes (1–4) are characterized by ¹H, ¹³C, ³¹P NMR, and IR spectral analysis. Ru(II) complexes have reversible to quasi-reversible redox behavior having Ru(II)/Ru(III) oxidation potentials in the range of 0.40–0.71 V. The DNA binding constants determined by absorption spectral titrations with Herring Sperm DNA (HS-DNA) reveal that L⁴H and 1 interact more strongly than other ligands and Ru(II) complexes. Complexes 1–3 exhibit DNA cleaving activity possibly due to strong electrostatic interactions while 4 displays intercalation.     

The application and comparison of several chemometric methods of excitation-emission matrix spectra in studying the interactions of metal complexes with DNA

The interactions of fs DNA and two metal complexes [Cu(phen)SO₄]·2H₂O and [Ni(phen)SO₄]·2H₂O were explored by several chemometric methods, including parallel factor (PARAFAC), singular value decomposition-least squares (SVD-LS), and singular value decomposition-nonnegative least squares (SVD-NNLS) of excitation-emission matrix spectra (EEMs). The applications of SVD-LS and SVD-NNLS in this domain have been discussed. Rayleigh scatter part is avoided by ordered zero and reconstructed by linear interpolation. The importance of avoiding Rayleigh scatter has also been discussed. All the three methods do well in qualitative analysis. SVD-LS does best in present small changes of ethidium bromide (EB). In order to get accurate results, PARAFAC and SVD-NNLS can be utilized together in quantitative analysis. All the three chemometric methods indicate that the DNA binding modes of [Cu(phen)SO₄]·2H₂O are hydrogen bond effect and intercalation, while intercalation is the only DNA binding mode for [Ni(phen)SO₄]·2H₂O. These results are verified by the electronic absorption and emission fluorescence spectra. Just like PARAFAC, both SVD-LS and SVD-NNLS are proven to be convenient and convincing in studying the interactions between nucleic acids and complexes.     

Determination of enoxacin and ofloxacin by capillary electrophoresis with electrochemiluminescence detection in biofluids and drugs and its application to pharmacokinetics

A novel and sensitive method for the simultaneous determination of enoxacin and ofloxacin has been established using capillary electrophoresis (CE) coupled with electrochemiluminescence (ECL) detection based on the ECL enhancement of tri(2,2‐bipyridyl)ruthenium(II). The conditions for sample solvent type, CE separation and ECL detection were investigated systematically. The analytes were well separated and detected within 7 min. The limits of detection (S/N = 3) of enoxacin and ofloxacin are 9.0 × 10^?9 and 1.6 × 10^?8 mol/L, respectively. The precisions (RSD%) of intraday and interday are less than 2.1 and 4.0%, respectively. The limits of quantitation (S/N = 10) of enoxacin and ofloxacin are 3.2 × 10^?7 and 5.4 × 10^?7 mol/L in human urine samples and 4.1 × 10^?7 and 6.9 × 10^?7 mol/L in human serum samples, respectively. The recoveries of enoxacin and ofloxacin at different concentration levels in human urine, serum and eye drop samples are between 94.0 and 106.7%. The proposed method was successfully applied to the determination of the enoxacin and ofloxacin in human urine, serum and eye drop samples and the monitoring of pharmacokinetics of ofloxacin in human body. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Synthesis,crystal structures and characterization of late first row transition metal complexes derived from thiosemicarbazone hub: DNA binding/cleavage studies

Air‐ and moisture‐stable coordination compounds of late first row transition metals, i.e. Co(III), Ni(II), Cu(II) and Zn(II), derived from the ligand (E)‐4‐(4‐chlorophenyl)‐1‐(1‐hydroxypropan‐2‐ylidene)thiosemicarbazide were prepared and successfully characterized using various spectro‐analytical techniques. The molecular structures of the ligand LH and complexes C1 and C2 were determined using single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction. The complexes C1 and C2 are stabilized by weak intermolecular CH???π stacking interactions: C1 between phenyl rings (C2–H21???C2) with a contact distance of 2.855 Å and C2 between phenyl ring and thione sulfur (C13???S1) with a contact distance of 3.366(6) Å. Complex C3 is found to be electrochemically active in the working potential range, showing a quasi‐reversible redox process. The interactions of all the compounds with calf thymus DNA were comprehensively investigated using electronic absorption spectroscopy, viscosity and thermal denaturation studies. Cleavage studies of Escherichia coli DNA were monitored using agarose gel electrophoresis. The results show that LH and complex C4 bind to calf thymus DNA through partial intercalation, while remaining complexes bind electrostatically. Further, C1, C2 and C4 complexes show better cleavage potential towards E. coli DNA. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

毛细管电泳-电化学检测法测定黄芪及其制剂中的活性成分

采用毛细管电泳-电化学检测法(CE-ED)对中药黄芪的主要活性成分芦丁、阿魏酸、香草酸、绿原酸、槲皮素和咖啡酸进行了分离和测定。分别考察了工作电极电位、运行缓冲液的pH值和浓度、分离电压和进样时间等实验参数对实验结果的影响。在优化的实验条件下,以直径300 μm的碳圆盘电极为工作电极,检测电位为+0.95 V(相对于饱和甘汞电极),在10 mmol/L硼酸盐(pH 8.2)的运行缓冲溶液中,上述6种活性成分能在17 min内实现很好的基线分离,被测物浓度与峰电流在3个数量级范围呈良好的线性关系,检出限(S/N=3)范围为78～110 μg/L。在不同的加标水平下,6种活性成分的平均回收率为96.0%～103.0%,相对标准偏差为1.9%～3.6%(n=3)。该方法样品处理简单,无需预富集,已应用于实际样品的分析,并获得了令人满意的结果。     

Phosphoester binding,DNA binding,DNA cleavage and in vitro cytotoxicity studies of simple heteroleptic copper(II) complexes with bidentate ligands

Abstract

Two mononuclear heteroleptic copper complexes, [Cu(±trans-dach)(bpy)](ClO₄)₂ 1a and [Cu(±trans-dach)(phen)](ClO₄)₂ 2a [dach?=?1,2-diaminocyclohexane, bpy?=?2,2′-bipyridine and phen?=?1,10-phenanthroline], were synthesized and analyzed by CHN analysis, electronic absorption, FT-IR spectroscopy, EPR, and SXRD. The molecular structures of 1a and 2a showed octahedral geometry around Cu(II). Both complexes interacted with phosphoesters and DNA. Their binding affinities with diphenylphosphate, di n-butylphosphate, trimethylphosphate, and triphenylphosphate were studied by UV–vis spectroscopy. For understanding the stereochemical role of dach ligand toward DNA interaction, enantiopure DACH complexes [Cu(R,R-trans-dach(bpy)](ClO₄)₂ 1b, [Cu(S,S-trans-dach)(bpy)](ClO₄)₂ 1c, [Cu(cis-dach)(bpy)](ClO₄)₂ 1d, [Cu(R,R-trans-dach)(phen)](ClO₄)₂ 2b, [Cu(S,S-trans-dach)(phen)](ClO₄)₂ 2c, and [Cu(cis-dach)(phen)](ClO₄)₂ 2d were synthesized and analyzed. All complexes interacted with calf thymus-DNA (CT-DNA) as studied by UV–vis spectroscopy. The nature of binding to CT-DNA was groove/electrostatic as supported by circular dichroism, cyclic voltammetry, and docking studies. Complexes were able to cleave plasmid DNA at 12.5 µM (1a–d) and 6 µM (2a–d), where 2d showed 64% Form II and 36% Form III. The in vitro cytotoxic studies of two different cancer cell lines showed inhibition with low IC₅₀ value in comparison to reference control (cisplatin). These complexes are efficient in inducing apoptosis in cancer cells, making them viable for potent anticancer activity.     

Analysis of drug interactions with serum proteins and related binding agents by affinity capillary electrophoresis: A review

Biomolecules such as serum proteins can interact with drugs in the body and influence their pharmaceutical effects. Specific and precise methods that analyze these interactions are critical for drug development or monitoring and for diagnostic purposes. Affinity capillary electrophoresis (ACE) is one technique that can be used to examine the binding between drugs and serum proteins, or other agents found in serum or blood. This article will review the basic principles of ACE, along with related affinity-based capillary electrophoresis (CE) methods, and examine recent developments that have occurred in this field as related to the characterization of drug–protein interactions. An overview will be given of the various formats that can be used in ACE and CE for such work, including the relative advantages or weaknesses of each approach. Various applications of ACE and affinity-based CE methods for the analysis of drug interactions with serum proteins and other binding agents will also be presented. Applications of ACE and related techniques that will be discussed include drug interaction studies with serum agents, chiral drug separations employing serum proteins, and the use of CE in hybrid methods to characterize drug binding with serum proteins.     

Dicoumarol complexes of Cu(II), Fe(II) and Fe(III): preparation,characterization, in‐vitro antibacterial and DNA binding activity

3‐3′‐Benzylidenebis[4‐hydroxycoumarin] or 4‐nitro,3‐3′‐benzylidenebis[4‐hydroxycoumarin] or 4‐methoxy,3‐3′‐benzylidenebis[4‐hydroxycoumarin] and their complexes with Cu(II), Fe(II) and Fe(III) were synthesized and characterized using ¹H‐NMR, ¹³C‐NMR, IR spectra, electronic spectra, magnetic measurements and elemental analyses. The ligands, metal salts, complexes, control and standard drug were tested for their in‐vitro antibacterial activity against Bacillus cereus, Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, Bacillus subtilis, Salmonella typhi, and Serratia marcescens. The metal complexes exhibit good activity against bacterial strains compared with parental compounds and moderate compared with the standard drug (ciprofloxacin). In‐vitro DNA‐binding activity was carried out using agarose gel electrophoresis. The synthesized compounds show effective DNA‐binding activity. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Development of new chiral ligand exchange capillary electrophoresis system with amino acid ionic liquids ligands and its application in studying the kinetics of l-amino acid oxidase

New kinds of amino acid ionic liquids (AAILs) with pyridinium as cations and l-lysine (l-Lys) as anion have been developed as the available chiral ligands coordinated with Zn(II) in chiral ligand-exchange capillary electrophoresis (CLE-CE). Four kinds of AAILs, including [1-ethylpyridinium][l-lysine], 1-butylpyridinium][l-lysine], [1-hexylpyridinium][l-lysine] and 1-[octylpyridinium][l-lysine], were successfully synthesized and characterized by nuclear magnetic resonance and mass spectrometry. Compared with other AAILs, the best chiral separation of Dns-d, l-amino acids could be achieved when [1-ethylpyridinium][l-lysine] was chosen as the chiral ligand. It has been found that after investigating the influence of key factors on the separation efficiency, such as pH of buffer solution, the ratio of Zn(II) to ligand and complex concentration, eight pairs of Dns-d, l-AAs enantiomers could be baseline separated and three pairs were partly separated under the optimum conditions. The proposed CLE-CE method also exhibited favorable quantitative analysis property of Dns-d, l-Met with good linearity (r² = 0.998) and favorable repeatability (RSD ≤ 1.5%). Furthermore, the CLE-CE system was applied in investigating the kinetic contents of l-amino acid oxidase, which implied that the proposed system has the potential in studying the enzymatic reaction mechanism.     

Simultaneous chiral separation of leucovorin and its major metabolite 5-methyl-tetrahydrofolate by capillary electrophoresis using cyclodextrins as chiral selectors: Estimation of the formation constant and mobility of the solute-cyclodextrin complexes

Summary Capillary electrophoresis with an electrolyte containing cyclodextrin was investigated for the simultaneous separation of the diastereoisomers of 6R,S-leucovorin and its active metabolite 6R,S-5-methyl-tetrahydrofolate. , and -cyclodextrin separated the diastereoisomers of 5-methyl-tetrahydrofolate, while only -cyclodextrin was found to be effective for the chiral separation of leucovorin. The effect of -cyclodextrin concentration was investigated, and subsequently a curve-fitting analysis for the quantitative estimation of the binding constants was attempted. The binding constants were found to be very small, in the range 2–4 M^–1. Although the interaction between -cyclodextrin and the tetrahydrofolates is weak, the high efficiency of capillary electrophoresis and the use of high concentrations of -cyclodextrin allow baseline chiral separation of the diastereoisomers of leucovorin and 5-methyl-tetrahydrofolate. Changes in temperature exert differing effects on the separations of leucovorin and 5-methyl-tetrahydrofolate; higher temperatures improved the separation of leucovorin diastereoisomers but reduced the resolution of 5-methyl-tetrahydrofolate diastereoisomers. The effects of urea and buffer salt concentrations and of buffer pH were also investigated. Capillary electrophoresis with -cyclodextrin was used to analyse plasma samples spiked with clinically-relevant levels of leucovorin and 5-methyl-tetrahydrofolate. Resolution of these compounds in ultrafiltered plasma was demonstrated, but detection sensitivity was not adequate for the routine use of this method for the determination of leucovorin and 5-methyl-tetrahydrofolate in plasma. In addition, a simple technique to reverse the elution order of ionic stereoisomers was demonstrated. By adding a cationic surfactant into the buffer and reversing the separation potential, the elution order of the diastereoisomers of leucovorin and 5-methyl-tetrahydrofolate was reversed.     

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.     

Continuous capillary electrophoresis with flow injection and its application for determination of Ephedrine and Pseudo-ephedrine in Chinese medicinal preparations

This article presents a new, simple and rapid continuous separation method by combination of flow injection with capillary electrophoresis designed for the analysis of basic traditional Chinese medicines. The device was produced using commercial capillary and components readily available in analytical laboratory. In double-T configuration, the designed horizontal separation channel was 25 microm i.d. x 146 mm length (an effective separation length of 93 mm) quartz capillary, with two vertical elicitation arms produced from 0.5 mm i.d. pump tubing. The capillary was embedded in a 40 x 20 x 3 mm organic glass base. Using the double-T configuration, continuous introduction of a series of samples was achieved. More than 3.00 resolution for ephedrine and pseudo-ephedrine were obtained using 100 mm borate buffer (pH 9.80) within 8 min in 25 microm separation channel with an electrical field strength of 137 V/cm (UV detection at 215 nm). The linear calibration range was 50-1500 microg/mL (ephedrine, r = 0.9982; pseudo-ephedrine, r = 0.9990) for both analytes. The limits of detection were 2.65 micro g/mL for ephedrine and 2.92 microg/mL for pseudo-ephedrine. In this device, the contents of ephedrine and pseudo-ephedrine in five Chinese medicinal preparations were determined with RSDs (n = 5) in range 1.16-4.51% and recoveries in range 90.4-114.6%.     

Capillary electrophoresis-mass spectrometry of intact basic proteins using Polybrene-dextran sulfate-Polybrene-coated capillaries: System optimization and performance

A capillary electrophoresis-mass spectrometry (CE-MS) method using sheath liquid electrospray ionization interfacing was studied and optimized for the analysis of intact basic proteins. To prevent protein adsorption, capillaries with a noncovalent positively charged coating were utilized. Capillaries were coated by subsequent rinsing with solutions of Polybrene, dextran sulfate and Polybrene. The coating proved to be fully compatible with MS detection, causing no background signals and ionization suppression. The composition of the sheath liquid and BGE was optimized using the model proteins α-chymotrypsinogen A, ribonuclease A, lysozyme and cytochrome c. A sheath liquid of isopropanol-water-acetic acid (75:25:0.1, v/v/v) at 2 μL min⁻¹ resulted in optimal signal intensities for most proteins, but caused dissociation of the heme group of cytochrome c. Optimum protein responses were obtained with a BGE of 50 mM acetic acid (pH 3.0), which allowed a baseline separation of the test protein mixture. Several minor impurities present in the mixture could be detected and provisionally identified using accurate mass and a protein modification database. The selectivity of the CE-MS system was investigated by the analysis of acetylated lysozyme. Eight highly related species, identified as non-acetylated lysozyme and lysozyme acetylated in various degrees, could be distinguished. The CE-MS system showed good reproducibility yielding interday (three weeks period) RSDs for migration time and peak area within 2% and 10%, respectively. With the CE-MS system, determination coefficients (R²) for protein concentration and peak area were higher than 0.996, whereas detection limits were between 11 and 19 nM.     

Synthesis and physico-chemical studies on complexes of 1,2-diaminophenyl-N,N′-bis-(2-pyridinecarboxaldimine), (L): A spectroscopic approach on binding studies of DNA with the copper complex

The Schiff base ligand, 1,2-diaminophenyl-N,N′-bis-(2-pyridinecarboxaldimine), (L) has been synthesized by the reaction of o-phenylenediamine and 2-pyridinecarboxaldehyde, and a series of mononuclear complexes of the type [ML(NO₃)₂] [M = Co(II), Ni(II), Cu(II) and Zn(II)] has also been synthesized. The formation of the Schiff base ligand (L) and its complexes have been envisaged from IR, ¹H and ¹³C NMR studies. The absorption band observed in the electronic spectra and magnetic moment values confirm an octahedral environment around the metal ion. The molar conductivity measurements confirm the non-ionic character of these complexes. Fluorescence and UV–Vis absorption studies performed on the Cu(II) complex revealed a significant binding ability to DNA.