The design of new molecular "light switches" for DNA

Two novel ruthenium(II) complexes, [Ru(pztp)2(phen)](ClO4)2 and [Ru(pztp)2(bpy)] (ClO4)2, have been synthesized and characterized by UV/Vis and 1H NMR spectroscopies and mass spectrometry. The MeCN solutions of both complexes display fluorescence that was found to be highly sensitive to the presence and concentration of water. The complexes behave like a "light switch" for DNA in that they do not luminesce in water but were "turned on" in the presence of DNA and show emission enhancement with the increase of DNA concentration. Their DNA binding behavior was also studied by absorption spectroscopy and viscosity measurements, which suggest that the DNA-complex interaction involves intercalation of the metal-bound pztp ligand into the base pairs of duplex DNA.

Effects of metal ions on simultaneous production of glucose oxidase and catalase by Aspergillus niger

The effects of various metal ions on the simultaneous production of glucose oxidase and catalase by Aspergillus niger were investigated. Calcium carbonate induced synthesis of both enzymes. The induction of calcium carbonate was accompanied by a metabolic shift from the glycolytic pathway (EMP, Embden-Meyerhof-Parnas) to direct oxidation of glucose by glucose oxidase. The time course of the biosynthesis of both enzymes is reported. The logistic model was in good agreement with the experimental growth results. The production of both enzymes was growth-associated. Finally, a model of growth and product formation was also proposed.

DNA-binding and photocleavage studies of cobalt(III) polypyridyl complexes:

Two complexes of [Co(phen)2IP]3+ (IP=imidazo[4,5-f][l,10]phenanthroline) and [Co(phen)2PIP]3+ (PIP=2-phenylimidazo[4,5-f][1,10]phenanthroline) have been synthesized and characterized by UV/VIS, IR, EA and mass spectra. The binding of the two complexes with calf thymus DNA has been investigated by absorption spectroscopy, cyclic voltammetry, viscosity measurements and DNA cleavage assay. The spectroscopic studies together with cyclic voltammetry and viscosity experiments support that both of the complexes bind to CT DNA by intercalation via IP or PIP into the base pairs of DNA. [Co(phen)2PIP]3+ binds more avidly to CT DNA than [Co(phen)2IP]3+, which is consistent with the extended planar and pi system of PIP. Noticeably, the two complexes have been found to be efficient photosensitisers for strand scissions in plasmid DNA.

Synthesis, characterization and DNA binding of ruthenium(II) complexes containing the atatp ligand

Acenaphtheno[1,2-b]-1,4,8,9-tetraazatriphenylene (atatp) and its complexes [Ru(L)2atatp](ClO4)2 x nH2O (L = 2,2'-bipyridine (bpy), n=2 (1); 1,10-phenanthroline (phen), n=2 (2); and 2,9-dimethyl-1,10-phenanthroline (dmp), n=1 (3)) have been synthesized and characterized by elemental analyses and 1H NMR. The spectral and electrochemical properties of these complexes are also examined. Complexes 1 and 2 display bright luminescence in acetonitrile but very weak luminescence in water solution. However, complex 3 is not luminescent in either solvent. The interaction of the complexes with calf thymus DNA (CT-DNA) has been studied by absorption, emission and viscosity measurements. The intrinsic binding constants of complexes 1 and 2 are 7.6 x 10(4) and 8.8 x 10(4) M(-1) respectively. The relatively low affinities of complexes 1 and 2 with DNA may arise from the atatp ligand, indicating that the size and shape of the intercalated ligand have a marked effect on the strength of interaction. Complexes 1 and 2 bind with CT-DNA in an intercalative mode but complex 3 in a non-intercalative one, showing that changing the ancillary ligand affects not only the binding magnitude, but also the binding mode of the interaction.

Enantiomeric ruthenium(II) complexes binding to DNA: binding modes and enantioselectivity

A series of enantiomerically pure polypyridyl ruthenium(II) complexes, delta- and lambda-[Ru(bpy)2 (HPIP)](PF6)2 (delta-1 and lambda-1; bpy=2,2'-bipyridine, HPIP = 2-(2-hydroxyphenyl)imidazo[4,5-f][1,10]phenanthroline), delta and lambda-[Ru(bpy)2(HNAIP)](PF6)2 (delta-2 and lambda-2; HNAIP = 2-(2-hydroxy-1-naphthyl)imidazo[4,5-f][1,10]phenanthroline), delta- and lambda-[Ru(bpy)2 (HNOIP)](PF6)2 (delta-3 and lambda-3; HNOIP = 2-(2-hydroxy-5-nitrophenyl)imidazo[4,5-f][1,10]phenanthroline), and delta- and lambda-[Ru(bpy)2(DPPZ)](PF6)2 (delta-4 and lambda-4; DPPZ= dipyridophenazine), have been synthesized. Binding behavior of these chiral complexes to calf thymus DNA (CT-DNA) has been investigated by electronic absorption, steady-state emission, and circular dichroism spectroscopies, as well as by viscosity measurements and equilibrium dialysis binding studies. Several points came from the results. (1) The DNA-binding properties were distinctly different for the [Ru(bpy)2L]2+ (L=HPIP, HNAIP, HNOIP) series of ruthenium(II) complexes, which indicates that the photophysical behavior of the complexes on binding to DNA can be modulated through ligand design. (2) Different binding rates of individual enantiomers of complexes 1 and 4 to DNA were observed through dialysis experiments. The lambda enantiomer bound more rapidly than the lambda enantiomer and their different intercalative binding geometries were suggested to be responsible. (3) Both delta-2 and lambda-2 bound weakly to CT-DNA; delta-2 may bind through a partial intercalation mode, whereas lambda-2 may bind in the DNA groove. (4) There was no noticeable enantioselectivity for complexes 1, 3, and 4 on binding to CT-DNA. Both of their enantiomers can intercalate into DNA base pairs. It is noted that delta-3 and lambda-3 exhibited almost identical spectral changes on addition of CT-DNA, and a similar binding manner of the isomers to the double helix was proposed.

Synthesis of glucose oxidase and catalase by Aspergillus niger in resting cell culture system

The synthesis of glucose oxidase and catalase by Aspergillus niger was investigated using a resting cell culture system without growth being established. Calcium carbonate induced the synthesis of both enzymes and calcium chloride inhibited it. The optimal pH for the biosynthesis of glucose oxidase and catalase was 6.0 and 5.7, respectively. The effects of other bivalent cations, reductive compounds and metabolic products on enzyme synthesis were also tested. The biosynthesis of glucose oxidase and catalase was promoted by MnCO3, thioglycolic acid, pyroracemic acid and gluconic acid.

Synthesis, characterization and the effect of ligand planarity of [Ru(bpy)2L]2+ on DNA binding affinity

Two structurally related ligands (L) 4,5,9,18-tetraazaphenanthreno[9,10-b] triphenylene (taptp) and 2,3-diphenyl-1,4,8,9-tetraazatriphenylene (dptatp), and their related complexes of [Ru(bpy)2L]2+ have been synthesized and characterized by elemental analyses, 1H NMR and mass spectra. Their electrochemical properties were also examined. Both complexes emit intense luminescence in organic solvent but are quenched in water to different extents. The interactions of the complexes with calf thymus DNA have been investigated by viscosity, absorption, emission and circular dichroism spectra. The intrinsic binding constants of [Ru(bpy)2(taptp)]2+ and [Ru(bpy)2(dptatp)]2+ are 1.7 x 10(5) and 3.8 x 10(4) M-1, respectively. All data indicate that both complexes bind enantioselectively to double-stranded calf thymus DNA via the intercalative mode, with stronger affinity for the fully planar ligand complex of [Ru(bpy)2(taptp)]2+.