Electrochemical cleavage of DNA in the presence of copper-sulfosalicylic acid complex

Electrochemical cleavage of DNA in the presence of copper-sulfosalicylic acid [Cu(ssal)(2)(2+)] complex was studied. The cleavage was observed in a certain potential region where redox cycling of Cu(ssal)(2)(2+)/Cu(ssal)(2)(+) took place. Cu(ssal)(2)(2+) complex mediate generation of reactive oxygen species from O(2) by the Fenton reaction, these radicals are capable of damaging DNA. The cleaved DNA fragments were separated by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). The experimental results indicated that the method for electrochemical cleavage of DNA by Cu(ssal)(2)(2+) complex was simple and efficient.     

Influence of several factors on potential-modulated DNA cleavage by the Cu(en)2 and Cu(EDTA) complexes

Potential-modulated DNA cleavage in the presence of copper–ethylenediamine (en) and –ethylenediamine tetraacetic acid (EDTA) complexes was investigated at a gold electrode in a thin layer cell. DNA can be efficiently cleaved through production of active oxygen species at −0.50 V (vs. Ag/AgCl/KCl(sat)) by reducing Cu(en)₂²⁺ to Cu(en)₂⁺ or Cu(EDTA)²⁻ to Cu(EDTA)³⁻. The extent of DNA cleavage increased as the working potential was shifted more negative and the electrolysis time was increased in air-saturated solution. When a small flow of O₂ was passed through the solution during electrolysis, the extent of DNA cleavage was dramatically enhanced. In the absence of Cu(en)₂²⁺ or Cu(EDTA)²⁻ complex, slight DNA cleavage was observed at a more negative working potential due to the reduction of oxygen at the electrode. This observation suggests that potential-modulated DNA cleavage was caused mainly by electrochemical reduction of the Cu(en)₂²⁺ or Cu(EDTA)²⁻ complex in the presence of oxygen. The cleaved DNA fragments were separated by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). The experimental results proved that this method of potential-modulated DNA cleavage by Cu(en)₂²⁺ and Cu(EDTA)²⁻ complexes is simple, mild and highly efficient.     

Synthesis, spectroscopic and electrochemical studies of N,N-bis[(E)-2-thienylmethylidene]-1,8-naphthalenediamine and its Cu(II) complex: DNA cleavage and generation of superoxide anion

A novel tetradentate Cu(II) complex of the type, [CuL](NO(3))(2) was synthesized by the interaction of Schiff base ligand, N,N-bis[(E)-2-thienylmethylidene]-1,8-naphthalenediamine, L obtained by the condensation of thiophene-2-carboxaldehyde and 1,8-diaminonaphthalene. The formation of Schiff base ligand, L and its Cu(II) complex was confirmed on the basis of results of elemental analyses, mass, FT-IR, (1)H and (13)C{(1)H} NMR spectral studies. UV-Vis, EPR and magnetic susceptibility data support a square planar environment around Cu(II) ion. However, molar conductance values confirmed 1:2 electrolytic nature for the Cu(II) complex. The electrochemical studies of Cu(II) complex was carried out by using cyclic voltammetry which revealed the complex to exhibit quasi reversible process. The biological activity of Cu(II) complex such as ability to bind DNA and DNA cleavage were studied where the Cu(II) complex was shown to cause considerable DNA cleavage and also generated reactive oxygen species such as superoxide anion. Since it is known that various anticancer drugs act through induction of oxidative stress that is mediated by reactive oxygen species, our results suggest a putative role of Cu(II) complex similar to various anticancer drugs.     

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.     

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.     

Ternary copper complexes for photocleavage of DNA by red light: direct evidence for sulfur-to-copper charge transfer and d-d band involvement

A new class of ternary copper(II) complexes of formulation [Cu(L(n)B](ClO(4)) (1-4), where HL(n) is a NSO-donor Schiff base (HL(1), HL(2)) and B is a NN-donor heterocyclic base viz. 1,10-phenanthroline (phen) and 2,9-dimethyl-1,10-phenanthroline (dmp), are prepared, structurally characterized, and their DNA binding and photocleavage activities studied in the presence of red light. Ternary complex [Cu(L(3))(phen)](ClO(4)) (5) containing an ONO-donor Schiff base and a binary complex [Cu(L(2))(2)] (6) are also prepared and structurally characterized for mechanistic investigations of the DNA cleavage reactions. While 1-4 have a square pyramidal (4 + 1) CuN(3)OS coordination geometry with the Schiff base bonded at the equatorial sites, 5 has a square pyramidal (4 + 1) geometry with CuN(3)O(2) coordination with the alcoholic oxygen at the axial site, and 6 has a square planar trans-CuN(2)O(2) geometry. Binding of the complexes 1-4 to calf thymus DNA shows the relative order: phen > dmp. Mechanistic investigations using distamycin reveal minor groove binding for the complexes. The phen complexes containing the Schiff base with a thiomethyl or thiophenyl moiety show red light induced photocleavage. The dmp complexes are essentially photonuclease inactive. Complexes 5 and 6 are cleavage inactive under similar photolytic conditions. A 10 microM solution of 1 displays a 72% cleavage of SC DNA (0.5 microg) on an exposure of 30 min using a 603 nm Nd:YAG pulsed laser (60 mJ/P) in Tris-HCl buffer (pH 7.2). Significant cleavage of 1 is also observed at 694 nm using a Ruby laser. Complex 1 is cleavage inactive under argon or nitrogen atmosphere. It shows a more enhanced cleavage in pure oxygen than in air. Enhancement of cleavage in D(2)O and inhibition with sodium azide addition indicate the possibility of the formation of singlet oxygen as a reactive intermediate leading to DNA cleavage. The d-d band excitation with red light shows significant enhancement of cleavage yield. The results indicate that the phen ligand is necessary for DNA binding of the complex. Both the sulfur-to-copper charge transfer band and copper d-d band excitations helped the DNA cleavage. While the absorption of a red photon induces a metal d-d transition, excitation at shorter visible wavelengths leads to the sulfur-to-copper charge transfer band excitation at the initial step of photocleavage. The excitation energy is subsequently transferred to ground state oxygen molecules to produce singlet oxygen that cleaves the DNA.     

Two new ternary complexes of copper(II) with tetracycline or doxycycline and 1,10-phenanthroline and their potential as antitumoral: cytotoxicity and DNA cleavage

This paper reports on the synthesis and characterization of two new ternary copper(II) complexes: [Cu(doxycycline)(1,10-phenanthroline)(H(2)O)(ClO(4))](ClO(4)) (1) and [Cu(tetracycline)(1,10-phenanthroline)(H(2)O)(ClO(4))](ClO(4)) (2). These compounds exhibit a distorted tetragonal geometry around copper, which is coordinated to two bidentate ligands, 1,10-phenanthroline and tetracycline or doxycyline, a water molecule, and a perchlorate ion weakly bonded in the axial positions. In both compounds, copper(II) binds to tetracyclines via the oxygen of the hydroxyl group and oxygen of the amide group at ring A and to 1,10-phenanthroline via its two heterocyclic nitrogens. We have evaluated the binding of the new complexes to DNA, their capacity to cleave it, their cytotoxic activity, and uptake in tumoral cells. The complexes bind to DNA preferentially by the major groove, and then cleave its strands by an oxidative mechanism involving the generation of ROS. The cleavage of DNA was inhibited by radical inhibitors and/or trappers such as superoxide dismutase, DMSO, and the copper(I) chelator bathocuproine. The enzyme T4 DNA ligase was not able to relegate the products of DNA cleavage, which indicates that the cleavage does not occur via a hydrolytic mechanism. Both complexes present an expressive plasmid DNA cleavage activity generating single- and double-strand breaks, under mild reaction conditions, and even in the absence of any additional oxidant or reducing agent. In the same experimental conditions, [Cu(phen)(2)](2+) is approximately 100-fold less active than our complexes. These complexes are among the most potent DNA cleavage agents reported so far. Both complexes inhibit the growth of K562 cells with the IC(50) values of 1.93 and 2.59 μmol L(-1) for compounds 1 and 2, respectively. The complexes are more active than the free ligands, and their cytotoxic activity correlates with intracellular copper concentration and the number of Cu-DNA adducts formed inside cells.     

Structure, cytotoxicity, and DNA-cleavage properties of the complex [Cu(II)(pbt)Br2

The reactions of the ligand 2-(2-pyridyl)benzthiazole (pbt) with CuBr 2 and ZnCl 2 in acetonitrile produce the complexes [Cu(pbt)Br 2] ( 1) and [Zn(pbt)Cl 2] ( 3), respectively. When complex 1 is dissolved in DMF, complex 2 is obtained as light-green crystals. The reaction of pbt with CuBr 2 in DMF also yields the complex [Cu(pbt)Br 2(dmf)] ( 2) (dmf = dimethylformamide). Complexes 1- 3 were characterized by X-ray crystallography. Complexes 1 and 3 have distorted tetrahedral coordination environments, and complex 2 is constituted of two slightly different copper centers, both exhibiting distorted trigonal bipyramidal geometries. Complexes 1 and 2 cleave phiX174 phage DNA, both in the presence and the absence of reductant. The free ligand pbt does not show any DNA-cleaving abilities. The poor solubility of complex 3 makes it not applicable for biological tests. The occurrence of DNA breaks in the presence of various radical scavengers suggests that no diffusible radicals are involved in the DNA cleavage by complex 1, as none of the scavengers inhibit the cleavage reaction. The DNA-cleavage products are not religated with the enzyme T4 DNA ligase, which is an additional proof that the cleavage is nonhydrolytic. Most probably the cleaving reaction involves reactive oxygen species, which could not be trapped, leading to an oxidative mechanism. An easy oxidation of Cu (II)(pbt)Br 2 to Cu (III) in DMF and the reduction of the same to Cu (I), under similar electrochemical conditions may lead to the in situ activation of molecular oxygen, resulting in the formation of metal solvated nondiffusible radicals able to prompt the oxidative cleavage of DNA. Complex 1 and the pure ligand exhibit remarkable cytotoxic effects against the cancer cell lines L1210 and A2780 and also against the corresponding cisplatin-resistant mutants of these cell lines.     

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.     

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.     

外源铜增强天然铜锌超氧化物歧化酶断裂DNA的活性

铜锌超氧化物歧化酶（CuZnSOD）作为一种抗氧化酶, 最重要的功能是催化超氧阴离子歧化为过氧化氢和氧气。然而最近研究发现CuZnSOD具有过氧化物酶活性,能导致核酸、蛋白质和细胞膜的损伤。本工作采用光谱学和酶学方法研究外源Cu(Ⅱ)与CuZnSOD之间的相互作用,以及H₂O₂存在下外源Cu(Ⅱ)对 CuZnSOD断裂DNA活性的增强效应。比较CuZnSOD + nCu(Ⅱ) (n=0, 1, 2, 4, 6, 8)和单独Cu(Ⅱ)分别断裂DNA的活性,表明外源Cu(Ⅱ)的加入可显著增强CuZnSOD断裂DNA的活性。相对酶活力和稳态动力学的测定证实了这种增强效应。pH依赖性实验表明断裂DNA的最适pH范围为pH3.6-5.6和pH9.0-10,在不同的pH区域CuZnSOD + nCu(Ⅱ)断裂DNA途径可能不同。     

Oxidative DNA cleavage promoted by multinuclear copper complexes: activity dependence on the complex structure

Polynuclear copper complexes with two or three Cu(BPA) (BPA, bis(2-pyridylmethyl)amine) motifs, [Cu2(mTPXA)Cl4]3 H2O (1), [Cu2(pTPXA)Cl4]3 H2O (2), [Cu3(HPTAB)Cl5]Cl3 H2O (3) (mTPXA = N,N,N',N'-tetra-(2-pyridylmethyl)-m-xylylene diamine; pTPXA = N,N, N',N'-tetra-(2-pyridylmethyl)-p-xylylenediamine; HPTAB = N,N,N',N',N',N'-hexakis(2-pyridylmethyl)-1,3,5-tris-(aminomethyl)benzene) have been synthesized and characterized. The crystal structures of compounds 2 and 3 showed each Cu(BPA) motif had a 4+1 square-pyramidal coordination environment with one chloride occupying the apical position and three N atoms from the same BPA moiety together with another Cl atom forming the basal plane. Fluorescence and circular dichroism (CD) spectroscopy studies indicated that the DNA binding followed an order of 3>2>1 in the compounds. These complexes cleave plasmid pUC19 DNA by using an oxidative mechanism with mercaptopropionic acid (MPA) as the reductant under aerobic conditions. Dinuclear Cu2+ complexes 1 and 2 showed much higher cleavage efficiency than their mononuclear analogue [Cu(bpa)Cl2] at the same [Cu2+] concentration, suggesting a synergistic effect of the Cu2+ centers. Moreover, the meta-dicopper centers in complex 1 facilitated the formation of linear DNA. Interestingly, the additional copper center to the meta-dicopper motif in complex 3 decreased the cleavage efficacy of meta-dicopper motif in complex 1, although it is able to cleave DNA to the linear form at higher [Cu2+] concentrations. Therefore, the higher DNA binding ability of complex 3 did not lead to higher cleavage efficiency. These findings have been correlated to the DNA binding mode and the ability of the Cu2+ complexes to activate oxygen (O2). This work is a good example of the rational design of multinuclear Cu2+ artificial nuclease and the activity of which can be manipulated by the geometry and the number of metal centers.     

A mixed‐ligand copper(II) complex that inhibits growth and induces apoptosis by DNA targeting in human epithelial cervical cancer cells

A new mixed‐ligand copper(II) complex, [Cu(L)(phen)]⋅MeOH (L = 4‐chloro‐2‐[(2‐hydroxyphenyl)iminomethyl]phenol), was synthesized. It belongs to the orthorhombic crystal system and Cu(II) is five‐coordinated in a seriously distorted square pyramidal geometry. DNA binding experiments confirmed an intercalative mode of interaction of the complex with calf thymus DNA. In a DNA cleavage experiment with the complex, as hydrogen peroxide was involved, oxidative DNA cleavage occurred and double‐stranded breaks even appeared at certain concentration. The strong interaction with bovine serum albumin suggested that the complex might be transported by protein. The complex exhibited more significant cytotoxicity in HeLa cells (IC₅₀ = 0.46 ± 0.01 μM) for 48 h, compared with cisplatin (10.61 ± 0.86 μM). This work indicated that the complex could induce apoptosis in a dose‐dependent manner and was associated with cell cycle arrest to some extent. Being consistent with the results of DNA cleavage experiment, comet assay indicated that the complex induced severe DNA fragmentation. The results showed the production of reactive oxygen species increased with increasing concentration of the complex. The complex was suggested to be capable of promoting HeLa cell apoptosis through an oxidative DNA damage pathway.     

Photosensitizer in a molecular bowl: steric protection enhancing the photonuclease activity of copper(II) scorpionates

Steric encumbrance caused by the tripodal ligand in the ternary tris(3-phenylpyrazolyl)borate copper(II) heterocyclic base complexes [Cu(B)(Tp(Ph))](ClO(4)) (B = dipyridoquinoxaline, dipyridophenazine) leads to efficient cleavage of supercoiled DNA to its relaxed form upon exposure to red light at 632.8 and 694 nm as a result of protection of the photosensitizer in the molecular bowl of the {Cu(Tp(Ph))} moiety, which generates singlet oxygen as the reactive species in a type-II process.     

DNA strand cleavage near a CC mismatch directed by a metalloinsertor

Reagents for recognition and efficient cleavage of mismatched DNA without photoactivation were designed. They contain a combination of a mismatch-directing metalloinsertor, [Rh(bpy)2(chrysi)]3+ (bpy=2,2'-bipyridyl, chrysi=5,6-chrysenequinone diimine), and an oxidative cleavage functionality, [Cu(phen)2]+ (Cu). Both unconjugated (Rh+Cu) and conjugated (Rh-Cu) frameworks of the Rh insertor and Cu were prepared. Compared to Cu, both constructs Rh+Cu and Rh-Cu exhibit efficient site-specific DNA scission only with mismatched DNA, confirmed by experiments with 32P-labeled oligonucleotides. Furthermore, these studies indicate that DNA cleavage occurs near the mismatch in the minor groove and on both strands. Interestingly, the order of reactivity of the three systems with a CC mismatch is Rh+Cu>Rh-Cu>Cu. Rh binding appears to direct Cu reactivity with or without tethering. These results illustrate advantages and disadvantages in bifunctional conjugation.     

Influence of stereochemistry and redox potentials on the single- and double-strand DNA cleavage efficiency of Cu(II) and Ni(II) Lys-Gly-His-derived ATCUN metallopeptides

The DNA cleavage chemistry of a series of metallopeptides based on the amino-terminal Cu and Ni (ATCUN) binding motif of proteins has been studied. Specifically, the impact of the positioning of charged Lys side chains and their stereochemistry on metal reduction potentials and DNA cleavage reactivity have been quantitatively evaluated. Both Cu and Ni metallopeptides show a general increase in reactivity toward DNA with an increasing number of Lys residues, while a corresponding decrease in complex reduction potential reflects the enhanced sigma-donor character of the Lys side chain relative to that of Gly. Placement of Lys at the first position in the tripeptide ligand sequence resulted in a greater increase in DNA cleavage reactivity, relative to placement at the second position, while a switch from an l-Lys to a d-Lys typically resulted in enhanced reactivity, as well as perturbations of reduction potential. In the case of Cu peptides, reactivity was enhanced with both increasing positive charge density on the peptide and stabilization of the Cu3+ state. However, for Ni peptides, while the general trends are the same, the correlation with redox behavior was less pronounced. Most likely these differences in specific trends for the Cu and Ni complexes reflect the distinct coordination preferences for Cu3+/2+ and Ni3+/2+ oxidation states, and the consequent distinct positioning of metal-associated reactive oxygen species, as well as the orientation of the DNA-associated complex. Thus, the amino acid composition and stereochemistry of ATCUN metallopeptides can tune the intrinsic reactivities of these systems (their ability to promote formation and activity of metal-associated ROS) as well as their overall structural features, and both of these aspects appear to influence their reactivity and efficiency of DNA strand scission.     

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.     

A simple copper(II)-L-histidine system for efficient hydrolytic cleavage of DNA

Copper(II)-L-histidine complexes effectively promote the cleavage of plasmid DNA and dideoxynucleotide dApdA at physiological pH and temperature. Studies of the mechanism of plasmid DNA cleavage by added radical scavengers, using rigorously anaerobic experiments, analyses for malondialdehyde-like products, religation assays, and HPLC analyses, indicate that DNA cleavage mediated by Cu(L-His) occurs via a hydrolytic path. The hydrolytic cleavage rate constants at 37 degrees C are estimated to be 0.76 h-1 for the decrease of form I and 0.25 h-1 for the increase of form III. The phosphoimager picture reveals that Cu(L-His) cleaves DNA with a certain sequence specificity (preferentially at 5'-GT-3'). The dinucleotide hydrolysis shows, with [Cu(L-His)] = 0.8 mM, rate enhancement factors of > 10(8). Interestingly, histidine-metal ion interactions (with Cu(II), Ni(II), Zn(II), etc.) have been used for various applications, e.g., protein purification, cross-linking, and targeting proteins to lipid bilayers. Our findings may provide the basis for developing new applications and new ways to design more effective and useful catalysts for DNA cleavage. Cu(L-His) is one of only a few well-defined metal complexes demonstrated to hydrolytically cleave dideoxynucleotides and DNA.     

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.