Oxidative DNA cleavage by Cu(II) complexes of 1,10-phenanthroline-5,6-dione

A dimeric dichloro-bridged copper(II) complex [Cu₂(pdon)₂Cl₄] · 2DMF (1) and two mononuclear copper(II) complexes [Cu(pdon)(DMSO)Cl₂] · DMSO · H₂O (2) and [Cu(pdon)₃] · (ClO₄)₂ · 2.25CH₃CN · 6H₂O (3) (pdon = 1,10-phenanthroline-5,6-dione) have been synthesized and characterized. Variable-temperature magnetic susceptibility studies indicate the existence of weak anti-ferromagnetic coupling in the binuclear complex. The interaction of these complexes with CT-DNA (calf thymus DNA) has been studied using absorption and emission spectral methods. The apparent binding constants (K _app) for 1, 2 and 3 are 5.20 × 10⁵, 2.68 × 10⁵ and 7.05 × 10⁵ M^?1, respectively, showing moderate intercalative binding modes. All of these complexes cleave plasmid DNA to nicked DNA in a sequential manner as the concentration or reaction time is increased. The cleavage mechanism between the complex and plasmid DNA is likely to involve singlet oxygen ¹O₂ and ?OH as reactive oxygen species.     

Hydrolytic cleavage of DNA by quercetin manganese(II) complexes

Quercetin manganese(II) complexes were investigated focusing on its DNA hydrolytic activity. The complexes successfully promote the cleavage of plasmid DNA, producing single and double DNA strand breaks. The amount of conversion of supercoiled form (SC) of plasmid DNA to the nicked circular form (NC) depends on the concentration of the complex as well as the duration of incubation of the complexes with DNA. The maximum rate of conversion of the supercoiled form to the nicked circular form at pH 7.2 in the presence of 100 μM of the complexes is found to be 1.32 × 10⁻⁴ s⁻¹. The hydrolytic cleavage of DNA by the complexes was supported by the evidence from free radical quenching, thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances (TBARS) assay and T4 ligase ligation.     

Synthesis,crystal structure,DNA binding,and oxidative cleavage activity of copper(II)-bipyridyl complexes containing tetraalkylammonium groups

Two copper(II) complexes of disubstituted 2,2′-bipyridine (bpy = 2, 2′-bipyridine) with tetraalkylammonium groups, [Cu(L¹)₂Br](ClO₄)₅·2H₂O (1) and [Cu(L²)₂Br](ClO₄)₅·H₂O (2) (L¹ = [4, 4′-(Et₃NCH₂)₂-bpy]²⁺, L² = [4, 4′-((n-Bu)₃NCH₂)₂-bpy]²⁺), have been synthesized and characterized. X-ray crystallographic study of 1 indicates that Cu(II) is a distorted trigonal bipyramidal or square pyramid. DNA binding of both complexes was studied by UV spectroscopic titration. In the presence of reducing reagents, the cleavage of plasmid pBR322 DNA mediated by both complexes was investigated and efficient oxidative cleavage of DNA was observed. Mechanistic study with reactive oxygen scavengers indicates that hydrogen peroxide and singlet oxygen participate in DNA cleavage.     

Studies of copper (Ⅱ) complexes as catalysts for the hydrolysis of DNA

Hydrolysis of DNA is an important enzymatic reaction , but it is exceedingly difficult to mimic in the laboratory because of the stability of hydrolysis of DNA. In this paper, the cleavage activity of complexes formed between Cu(Ⅱ) and four different amino acid or amino acid methyl ester on DNA is studied by gel elec-trophoresis. It is found that DNA could be cleaved by Cu(Ⅱ)-L-His and Cu(Ⅱ)-L-His methyl ester complexes and the efficiency of cleavage is largely dependent on the metal ion-to-ligand ratio. Further experiments show that the cleavage of DNA mediated by Cu(Ⅱ)-L-His complexes occurs via a hydrolytic mechanism and the active chemical species that affects DNA cleavage is proposed to be MI2H and ML2H22 .     

Copper(II) complexes of acylhydrazones: synthesis,characterization and DNA interaction

Two new acylhydrazone copper(II) complexes of 4‐hydroxy‐N′‐[(1E)‐1‐(4‐methylphenyl)ethylidene]benzohydrazide (HL¹) and 4 ethyl [4‐({(2E)‐2‐[1‐(4‐methylphenyl)ethylidene]hydrazinyl}carbonyl)phenoxy]acetate (HL²) have been synthesized and characterized. The structures of both acylhydrazone and copper(II) complexes were identified by elemental analysis, infrared spectra, UV–visible electronic absorption spectra, magnetic susceptibility measurements, TGA and powder X‐ray diffraction. DNA binding and DNA cleavage activities of the synthesized copper complexes were examined by using UV‐visible titration and agarose gel electrophoresis, respectively. The effect of complex concentration on the DNA cleavage reactions in the absence and presence of H₂O₂ was also investigated. The results indicate that all the complexes bind slightly to calf thymus DNA and cleavage pBR322 DNA. The mechanistic studies demonstrate that a hydrogen peroxide‐derived species and singlet oxygen (¹O₂) are the active oxidative species for DNA cleavage. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Binary and ternary complexes of Cd(II) involving triethylenetetramine and selected amino acids and DNA units

The formation equilibria of the binary complex of cadmium(II) with triethylenetetramine (Trien) and of ternary complexes Cd(Trien)L, where L refers to amino acids, DNA constituents and related compounds have been investigated. Cd(II) was found to form a highly stable complex with Trien. The acid-base equilibria of Cd(Trien)²⁺ were characterized. Ternary complexes of amino acids and DNA constituents are formed through stepwise mechanism, whereby Trien binds to Cd(II), followed by interaction with ligand (L), whereas thiol-containing ligands form ternary complexes through a simultaneous mechanism. The formation constants of the complexes were determined at 25 °C and , = 0.1M NaNO₃. The participation of different ligand functional groups in the complex-formation was examined.     

Mixed ligand Cu(II) complexes containing o-vanillin-l-tryptophan Schiff base and heterocyclic nitrogen bases: synthesis,structural characterization,and biological properties

[Cu(L)] (1) and mixed ligand copper(II) complexes [Cu(L)(A)] (2 and 3), where L is the Schiff base derived from o-vanillin and l-tryptophan and A is pyridine (2) and imidazole (3), were synthesized and characterized using conventional and spectral techniques. 2 was structurally characterized using single crystal X-ray crystallography showing that Cu(II) is coordinated through N₂O₂ donors in a square plane. The EPR spectra of the complexes in frozen solution support a square-based structure. Electrochemical behavior of the complexes has been studied by cyclic voltammetry. The DNA-binding properties of L and 1–3 with calf thymus DNA were investigated by spectral and kinetic methods. For all the complexes, the maximum value of binding constant (0.38 × 10⁶) was achieved with 3 by spectroscopic titration. The ability of compounds to break pUC19 DNA was checked by gel electrophoresis. The ligand and copper complexes exert cytotoxicity against MCF-7 cell line.     

New anthracene based Schiff base ligands appended Cu(II) complexes: Theoretical study,DNA binding and cleavage activities

New anthracene based Schiff base ligands L ¹ and H( L ² ), their Cu(II) complexes [Cu( L ¹ )Cl₂] ( 1 ) and [Cu( L ² )Cl] ( 2 ) , (where L ¹  = N¹,N²‐bis(anthracene‐9‐methylene)benzene‐1,2‐diamine, L ²  = (2Z,4E)‐4‐(2‐(anthracen‐9‐ylmethyleneamino)phenylimino)pent‐2‐en‐2‐ol) have been prepared and characterized by elemental analysis, NMR, FAB‐mass, EPR, FT‐IR, UV–Vis and cyclic voltammetry. The electronic structures and geometrical parameters of complexes 1 and 2 were analyzed by the theoretical B3LYP/DFT method. The interaction of these complexes 1 and 2 with CT‐DNA has been explored by using absorption, cyclic voltammetric and CD spectral studies. From the electronic absorption spectral studies, it was found that the DNA binding constants of complexes 1 and 2 are 8.7 × 10³ and 7.0 × 10⁴ M^?1, respectively. From electrochemical studies, the ratio of DNA binding constants K₊/K₂₊ for 2 has been estimated to be >1. The high binding constant values, K₊/K₂₊ ratios more than unity and positive shift of voltammetric E_1/2 value on titration with DNA for complex 2 suggest that they bind more avidly with DNA than complex 1 . The inability to affect the conformational changes of DNA in the CD spectrum is the definite evidences of electrostatic binding by the complex 1 . It can be assumed that it is the bulky anthracene unit which sterically inhibits these complexes 1 and 2 from intercalation and thereby remains in the groove or electrostatic. The complex 2 hardly cleaves supercoiled pUC18 plasmid DNA in the presence of hydrogen peroxide. The results suggest that complex 2 bind to DNA through minor groove binding.     

Synthesis and characterization of Cu(II) complexes of pyrazine-2,3-dicarboxylicacid

Four copper(II) coordination polymers, {[Cu(pz(COO)₂)(H₂O)]₄·HBr}_n (1), {[Cu(pz(COO)₂)(NH₃)₂]·H₂O}_n (2), {[Cu₃H₂(pz(COO)₂)₄(H₂O)₃]·2H₂O}_n (3) and {[Cu₂(pz(COO)₂)₂(NH₃)₂(H₂O)₃][Cu(pz(COO)₂)(NH₃)(H₂O)₂][Cu(pz(COO)₂)(NH₃)(H₂O)]·2H₂O}_n (4) were synthesized using pyrazine-2,3-dicarboxylic acid, CuBr₂, 2-(2-aminoethylamino)ethanol/triethanol amine/ammonia in a methanol:water (1:1) solution, and the mixed ligand complexes were characterized by spectroscopic methods, thermal and elemental analysis, and magnetic susceptibility. Complexes 2 and 4 were also characterized by means of single crystal X-ray crystallography. The characterizations show that the complexes have polynuclear molecular structures, except for complex 2, and all of the complex structures form polymeric chains. Complex 4 has a pseudo-merohedral twin structure.     

Cu(II), Ni(II), Zn(II) and Fe(III) complexes containing a N2O2 donor ligand: Synthesis, characterization, DNA cleavage studies and crystal structure of [Cu(HL)Cl]

A polydentate ligand, H₂L “[1-(5-isopropyl-2-methyl phenoxy)-3-(N-2-hydroxy benzyl-N-((pyridine-2-yl)amino) propan-2-ol]”, containing a N₂O₂ donor moiety was synthesized by refluxing 2-((5-isopropyl-2-methylphenoxy)methyl)oxirane and HBPA (N-(2-hydroxybenzyl)-N-(2-pyridylmethyl)amine). This synthesized ligand was used for the preparation of complexes with different metal ions, viz. [Cu(HL)Cl] (1), [Ni(HL)Cl] (2), [Zn(HL)Cl] (3) and [Fe(HL)Cl₂] (4). The ligand and metal complexes were characterized by ¹H NMR, mass, ESI-MS, elemental analysis, IR, UV-Vis and electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectroscopy. The crystal structure for one of the complexes, [Cu(HL)Cl], was solved from the X-ray crystallography data. The structure of the complex, based on the trigonality index tau, suggests an intermediate geometry between square pyramidal (sp) and trigonal bipyramidal (tb). Both the ligand and the metal complexes show oxidative cleavage of plasmid DNA (pBR322) without addition of any exogenous agent, even at a concentration of 5 μM. The binding constants for these compounds were found to be in the range 5.33-0.065 × 10⁵ M⁻¹.     

Synthesis, characterization, DNA binding and cleavage studies of chiral Ru(II) salen complexes

Interaction of chiral Ru(II) salen complexes (S)-1 and (R)-1 with Calf Thymus DNA (CT-DNA) was studied by absorption spectroscopy, competitive binding study, viscosity measurements, CD measurements, thermal denaturation study and cleavage studies by agarose gel electrophoresis. The DNA binding affinity of (S)-1 (6.25 × 10³ M⁻¹) was found to be greater than (R)-1 (3.0 × 10³ M⁻¹). The antimicrobial studies of these complexes on five different gram (+)/(−) bacteria and three different fungal organisms showed selective inhibition of the growth of gram (+) bacteria and were not affective against gram (−) and fungal organisms. Further, the (S)-1 enantiomer inhibited the growth of organisms to a greater extent as compared to (R)-1 enantiomer.     

Heterocyclic substituted thiosemicarbazones and their Cu(II) complexes: Synthesis,characterization and studies of substituent effects on coordination and DNA binding

By reacting thiosemicarbazides substituted on the aminic nitrogen with 5-formyluracil, several new 5-formyluracil thiosemicarbazones (H₃ut) derivatives were synthesised and characterized. These ligands, treated with copper chloride and nitrate, afforded two different kinds of compounds. In the complexes derived from copper chloride the metal atom is pentacoordinated, being surrounded by the neutral ligand binding through SNO donor atoms and by two chlorines, while the nitrate derivatives consist of monocations and nitrate anions. The copper coordination (4 + 2) involves the SNO ligand atoms, two water oxygens and an oxygen atom of a monodentate nitrate group. On varying the substituents on the thiosemicarbazidic moiety, remarkable modifications of the coordination geometry are not observed for the complexes with the same counterion. For all the compounds, interactions with DNA (calf thymus) were studied using UV–Vis spectroscopy; the nuclease activity was verified on plasmid DNA pBR 322 by electrophoresis.     

Self-activated DNA cleavage of a water-soluble mononuclear Cu(II) complex with polyquinolinyl ligand

The synthesis and characterization of a water-soluble mononuclear Cu(II) complex, [CuLCl₂]·2CH₃CH₂OH, where L = bis(2-quinolinyl methyl)benzyl-amine has been reported. L is a tridentate polyquinolinyl ligand, coordinated to Cu(II) via NNN donors. The central copper ion of 1 has N₃Cl₂ donor set in a distorted trigonal-bipyramidal geometry. The dimer existing in the solid state resulted from hydrogen bonds and π–π accumulation between two mononuclear units. The interaction of 1 with CT-DNA has been explored by absorption and emission titration methods, revealing partial intercalation between 1 and CT-DNA. Moreover, 1 could make pBR322 plasmid DNA cleaved by a self-activated oxidative process; hydroxyl radical and singlet oxygen may be the main reactive oxygen species species in the process. Complex 1 may quench the intrinsic fluorescence of bovine serum albumin in a static quenching process, which has been investigated by UV–visible and fluorescence spectroscopic methods. 1 also demonstrates potent cytotoxity against Hela cells with IC₅₀ value of 2.84 μM, which shows it to be a potential candidate as an anticancer metal-based drug.     

Synthesis, structural and magnetic properties of diphenoxo-bridged binuclear mixed-ligand Cu(II) complexes

The copper(II) complexes [Cu₂(phen)₂(HL¹)₂] (ClO₄)₂ (1) and [Cu₂(phen)₂(HL²)₂] (ClO₄)₂ (2) synthesized from two potentially tridentate ligands N-(2-hydroxybenzyl) propanolamine (H₂L¹) and N-(5-methyl-2-hydroxybenzyl) propanolamine (H₂L²) have centrosymmetric bis(μ₂-phenoxo)-bridged dicopper(II) structures. Variable temperature magnetic measurements have revealed the existence of relatively weak antiferromagnetic interactions (1: 2J=−212.5, 2: 2J=−337.0 cm⁻¹) with respect to the bridging angles (1: θ=101.47(18)°, 2: θ=102.79(12)°). The results suggest that the distortion index of the Cu(II) atoms (1: τ=0.73, 2: τ=0.53) may be the major factor governing the spin coupling between the copper(II) centers of these diphenoxo-bridged binuclear complexes. The coordination moieties of complex 1 are connected into a 1D linear structure via intermolecular hydrogen bonds between alkoxyl, amine, and perchlorate groups.     

Oxidative DNA cleavage by copper ternary complexes of 1,10-phenanthroline and ethylenediamine-sulfonamide derivatives

Ternary copper(II) complexes (1–3) of 1,10-phenanthroline and ethylenediamine-R-sulfonamide derivatives (R = benzene, toluene and naphthalene rings) have been synthesized and characterized with the aid of X-ray diffraction and spectroscopic and electrochemical techniques. The crystal structures of the complexes show that the coordination polyhedron around copper(II) is distorted square planar. Both 1,10-phenanthroline and ethylenediamine-R-sulfonamide act as bidentate ligands. The three structures are stabilized by π–π stacking interactions. The interaction of the complexes with calf thymus DNA has been investigated by thermal denaturation studies which indicated that DNA was stabilized in the presence of the compounds. The increase in DNA stability induced by the complexes follows the order: 3 > 2 > 1. All three complexes were found to be very efficient agents of plasmid DNA cleavage in the presence of ascorbate as reducing agent. Mechanistic studies of the DNA cleavage process performed with radical scavengers show that the reactive oxygen species involved in the DNA damage are the hydroxyl radical, singlet oxygen-like species, the superoxide* and hydrogen peroxide.     

Oxidative and hydrolytic DNA cleavage by Cu(II) complexes of salicylidene tyrosine schiff base and 1,10 phenanthroline/bipyridine

Ternary Cu(II) complexes [Cu(II)(saltyr)(B)] (1,2), (saltyr = salicylidene tyrosine, B = 1,10 phenanthroline (1) or 2,2′ bipyridine (2)) were synthesized and characterized by various techniques. The complexes exhibit square pyramidal (CuN₃O₂) geometry. CT-DNA binding studies revealed that the complexes show good binding propensity (K_b = 3.47 × 10⁴ M⁻¹ and 3.01 × 10⁴ M⁻¹ for 1 and 2, respectively). The role of these complexes in the oxidative and hydrolytic DNA cleavage was studied. The catalytic ability of 1 and 2 follows the order: 1 > 2. The rate constants for the hydrolysis of phosphodiester bond were determined as 2.80 h⁻¹ and 2.11 h⁻¹ for 1 and 2, respectively. It amounts to (0.58-0.77) × 10⁸ fold rate enhancement compared to non-catalyzed DNA cleavage, which is significant.     

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.     

Studies on DNA binding behavior of biologically active Cu(II) complexes of Schiff bases containing acyl pyrazolones and 2-ethanolamine

Pyrazolone derivatives (Z)-4-((2-hydroxyethylimino)(p-tolyl)methyl)-3-methyl-1-phenyl-1H-pyrazol-5(4H)-one [PMP-EA] (1), (Z)-1-(3-chlorophenyl)-4-((2-hydroxyethylimino)(p-tolyl)methyl)-3-methyl-1H-pyrazol-5(4H)-one [MCPMP-EA] (2), and (Z)-4-((2-hydroxyethylimino)(p-tolyl)methyl)-3-methyl-1-p-tolyl-1H-pyrazol-5(4H)-one [PTPMP-EA] (3) have been synthesized and characterized. The molecular geometry of 2 has been determined by single-crystal X-ray study. These ligands exist in amine-one tautomeric form in the solid state. Three copper(II) complexes, [Cu(PMP-EA)(H₂O)₂] (4), [Cu(MCPMP-EA)(H₂O)₂] (5), and [Cu(PTPMP-EA)(H₂O)₂] (6), respectively, have been synthesized using these ligands and characterized by microanalytical data, molar conductivity, IR, UV–Visible, FAB-Mass, magnetic measurement, TG-DTA studies, and ESR spectral studies; Cu(II) is five-coordinated with [ML(H₂O)₂] composition. The interaction of the complexes with CT-DNA (calfthymus) was investigated using different methods. The results suggest that the copper complexes bind to DNA via intercalation and can quench the fluorescence intensity of EB bound to DNA.