The design of new molecular "light switches" for DNA

Binding properties of ruthenium(II) complexes [Ru(phen)2(7-R-dppz)]2+ (R = methyl or bromine) toward poly(U)•poly(A) RNA duplex

Two Ru(II) complexes containing different substituents, [Ru(phen)₂(7-CH₃-dppz)]²⁺ (Ru1) and [Ru(phen)₂(7-Br-dppz)]²⁺ (Ru2), have been synthesized in this study. The binding properties of Ru1 and Ru2 with the duplex RNA poly(U)•poly(A) (where "•" denotes the Watson - Crick base pairing) have been researched by biophysical techniques and viscosity measurements. Analysis of spectral titrations and viscosity measurements indicate that Ru1 and Ru2 bind to the duplex via intercalative, and the binding affinity of Ru1 with the duplex is remarkably higher than that of Ru2. Furthermore, fluorescence emission spectra demonstrates that although complexes Ru1 and Ru2 can act as molecular "light switches" for the duplex RNA, alters in fluorescence emission of Ru1 and Ru2 are prominent differences, and the effectiveness of Ru1 is more remarkable compared with that of Ru2. The melting experiments suggest that the duplex RNA stabilizing effects of Ru1 and Ru2 differ from each other, among them, complex Ru1 can obviously enhance the stability of the duplex RNA, while Ru2 has only a slightly stabilizing effect for the duplex RNA, indicating that Ru1 preferentially binds to RNA duplex over Ru2. The obtained results indicate that subtle modifications of the intercalative ligand of Ru(II) polypyridyl complex with either methyl or bromide group have a significant effect on the duplex-binding discrimination.

Pyrene-based fluorescent Ru(II)-arene complexes for significant biological applications: catalytic potential, DNA/protein binding, two photon cell imaging and in vitro cytotoxicity

Ruthenium complexes are being studied extensively as anticancer drugs following the inclusion of NAMI-A and KP1019 in phase II clinical trials for the treatment of metastatic phase and primary tumors. Herein, we designed and synthesized four organometallic Ru(II)-arene complexes [Ru(η⁶-p-cymene)(L)Cl] (1), [Ru(η⁶-benzene)(L)Cl] (2), [Ru(η⁶-p-cymene)(L)N₃] (3) and [Ru(η⁶-benzene)(L)N₃] (4) [HL = (E)-N'-(pyren-1-ylmethylene)thiopene-2-carbohydrazide] that have anticancer, antimetastatic and two-photon cell imaging abilities. Moreover, in the transfer hydrogenation of NADH to NAD⁺, these compounds also display good catalytic activity. All the complexes, 1-4, are well characterized by spectroscopic techniques (NMR, mass, FTIR, UV-vis and fluorescence). The single crystal X-ray diffraction technique proved that the ligand L coordinates through an N,O-bidentate chelating fashion in the solid-state structures of complexes 1 and 2. The stability study of the complexes was performed through UV-visible spectroscopy. The cytotoxicities of all the complexes were screened through MTT assay and the results revealed that the complexes have potential anticancer activity against various cancerous cells (HeLa, MCF7 and A431). Studies with spectroscopic techniques revealed that complexes 1-4 exhibit strong interactions with biological molecules i.e. proteins (HSA and BSA) and CT-DNA. The density functional theory (DFT-D) method has been employed in the present study to know the interaction between DNA and complexes by calculating the HOMO and LUMO energy. A plausible mechanism for NADH oxidation has also been explored and the DFT calculations are found to be in accord with the experimental observation. Furthermore, we have investigated intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation capabilities in the MCF7 breast cancer cell line. The Hoechst/PI dual staining method confirmed the apoptosis mode of cell death. Meanwhile, complexes 1-4 show capabilities to prevent the metastasis phase of cancer cells by inhibiting cell migration.

Spectroscopic, SOD, anticancer, antimicrobial, molecular docking and DNA binding properties of bioactive VO(IV), Cu(II), Zn(II), Co(II), Mn(II) and Ni(II) complexes obtained from 3-(2-hydroxy-3-methoxybenzylidene)pentane-2,4-dione

Novel macrocyclic Schiff base complexes [[ML]X; where M = Cu(II), Co(II), Ni(II), Zn(II), Mn(II) and VO(IV)^; L = macrocyclic ligand; X = Cl₂ and SO₄^2-] have been synthesized and characterized by microanalytical, ¹H, ¹³C NMR, IR, Mass, UV-Vis, EPR spectral studies, as well as conductivity data. All the complexes exhibit square-planar geometry except vanadium complex. Magnetic susceptibility measurements and high conductance data reveal the monomeric and electrolytic nature of the complexes. Electronic absorption, cyclic voltammetry, viscosity measurements have been carried out on the interaction of the complexes with DNA. The results suggest that the complexes bind to DNA by intercalation via the aromatic ring of the macrocycle into the base pairs of DNA. Using gel electrophoresis experiment in the presence and absence of oxidant (H₂O₂) the nuclease cleavage activity of the complexes has been performed on plasmid DNA. The results demonstrate that most of the complexes have promising superoxide dismutase (SOD)-mimetic activity. The in vitro cytotoxicity of ligand and its complexes has also been evaluated against human breast and colon carcinoma cells. Binding interactions and energies of ligand and its metal complexes [ML]²⁺ (M = VO(IV), Mn(II), Co(II), Ni(II), Cu(II), Zn(II)) against the receptors EGFR and HER2 are performed using the Auto dock module. Consequently, it is found that the ligand is strong inhibitor for EGFR and HER2 while [VOL]SO₄ is good inhibitor for EGFR and [ZnL]Cl₂ is moderate inhibitor for HER2. The antimicrobial activity of the ligand and its complexes against bacteria Salmonella typhi, Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli and Bacillus subtilis and fungi Aspergillus niger, Aspergillus flavus, Candida Albicans and Rhizoctonia bataicola. The complexes have higher activities than the macrocyclic free Schiff base. Interaction of [VOL]SO₄ to the binding sites of target protein EGFR (PDB ID: 4HJ0). Research HighlightsMacrocyclic Schiff base and its metal complexes were synthesized.Complexes bind to DNA by intercalation via the aromatic ring of the macrocycle into the base pairs of DNA.Vanadyl complex is a good inhibitor for EGFR.The complexes of copper, zinc and vanadium show efficient antitumor activity.Copper and vanadium complexes have superior antimicrobial activity than the standards.

Synthesis and Experimental-Computational Characterization of a Copper/Vanadium Compound with Potential Anticancer Activity

Cancer represents a major worldwide public health problem. While significant advances in different fronts are being made to combat the disease, the development of new metal-based drugs with cytotoxic capabilities is of high relevance. This work presents a heterobimetallic molecule comprising two moieties with a structure similar to Casiopeina II-gly. One of them has a cyclotetravanadate anion that functions as an inorganic bridge coordinating two Cu (II) atoms resulting in a hexanuclear [Cu(phen)(Gly)-µ2-V4O12-Cu(phen)(Gly)]2− complex, which is counterbalanced by two isolated [Cu(phen)(Gly)(H2O)]1+ cations. Ten water molecules arranged in two sets of five-member chains also play an essential role in the 3D supramolecular structure of the compound. The molecule was designed to provide Cu and V, two metals with proven anticancer capabilities in the same molecular structure. The compound was synthesized and characterized by elemental analysis; visible, FTIR, and Raman spectroscopies; 51V Nuclear Magnetic Resonance; cyclic voltammetry; and monocrystalline X-ray diffraction. The structural, spectroscopic, and electronic properties of the compound were calculated through the density functional theory (DFT) using the Minnesota functional M06-2X and the Def2TZVP/LANL2TZ(f) basis sets with an effective core potential (ECP) for metals. Noncovalent interactions were analyzed using a natural population analysis (NPA) and Hirshfeld surfaces. The compound upon dissociation provides two metals that can interact with important biological targets in a variety of cancer cell models.

Cyclo-tetravanadate bridged copper complexes as potential double bullet pro-metallodrugs for cancer treatment

Over the last decade, copper and vanadium complexes have shown promising properties for the treatment of several types of cancer. In particular, Casiopeinas®, a group of copper-based complexes, has received specific attention, and their mechanism of action has been extensively studied since their structure is simple and their synthesis may be affordable. Similarly, vanadium-containing compounds in the form of complexes and simple polyoxovanadates have also been studied as antitumor agents. Here, potential prodrugs that would release the two metals, V and Cu, in usable form to act in conjunction against cancer cells are reported. The new series of Casiopeinas-like compounds are bridged by a cyclotetravanadate ion with the generic formula [Cu(N,N')(AA)]₂•(V₄O₁₂), where (N,N') represent 1,10-phenanthroline and 2,2'-bipyridine, and (AA) are aminoacidate ions (Lysine and Ornithine). The compounds were characterized by elemental analysis, single-crystal X-ray diffraction and Visible, FTIR, and Raman spectroscopies, as well as ⁵¹V NMR, EPR, and Thermogravimetric Analysis. Additionally, theoretical calculations based on the Density Functional Theory (DFT) were carried out to model the compounds. Optimized structures, theoretical IR, and Raman spectra were also obtained, as well as docking analysis to test DNA interactions with the casiopeina-like complexes. The compounds may act as prodrugs by providing acting molecules that have showed potential pharmacological properties for the treatment of several types of cancer.

Syntheses, crystal structures, DNA binding, DNA cleavage and DFT study of Co(iii) complexes involving azo-appended Schiff base ligands

Herein, we have reported three new Co(iii) complexes involving azo-appended Schiff base ligands.

Two Metal–Organic Coordination Polymers Based on Polypyridyl Ligands: Crystal Structures and Inhibition of Human Spinal Tumour Cells

In this work, two new metal–organic coordination polymers [Co2.5(dtp)2(H2O)5](NO3)(H2O)2 (1, H2dtp = 4′-(3,5-dicarboxyphenyl)-2,2′:6′,2″-terpyridine) [Ni(dpt)](H2O)3 (2, H2dpt = 4′-(3,5-dicarboxyphenyl)-4,2′:6′,4″- terpyridine) have been successfully prepared by reaction of metal ions with two similar carboxylic-pyridinyl ligands with different arrangement of N atoms of terpyridines under solvothermal conditions. Powder X-ray diffraction, elemental analysis, and single-crystal X-ray diffraction techniques were used to probe the structures of the as-prepared complexes. The CoII-based complex 1 exhibits a finite molecular structure and 2 displays a 3D porous framework with a 1D channel. Furthermore, the in vitro anticancer activity of complexes 1 and 2 was evaluated via the MTT (3-[4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl]-2,5-diphenyl tetrazolium bromide) assay against U-266, MM1S, and RPMI-8226 human spinal tumour cells.

Studies on Copper and Aβ1-16-Induced Conformational Changes in CAG/CTG Trinucleotide Repeats Sequence

DNA conformation and stability are critical for the normal cell functions, which control many cellular processes in life, such as replication, transcription, DNA repair, etc. The accumulation of amyloid-β peptide (Aβ) and Copper (Cu) are the etiological factors for neurodegenerative diseases and hypothesized that they can cause DNA instability. In the current investigation, we studied copper and Aβ_1-16 induced conformation and stability changes in CAG/CTG sequences and found alterations from B-DNA to altered B-conformation. Further, the interaction of the copper and Aβ_1-16 with CAG/CTG sequences was studied by molecular docking modeling and results indicated that the interaction of copper and Aβ_1-16 was through the hydrogen bond formation between adenine, guanine, and cytocine. This study illustrates the role of the copper and Aβ_1-16 in modulating the DNA conformation and stability.

Intercalation of a Zn(II) complex containing ciprofloxacin drug between DNA base pairs

In this study, an attempt has been made to study the interaction of a Zn(II) complex containing an antibiotic drug, ciprofloxacin, with calf thymus DNA using spectroscopic methods. It was found that Zn(II) complex could bind with DNA via intercalation mode as evidenced by: hyperchromism in UV-Vis spectrum; these spectral characteristics suggest that the Zn(II) complex interacts with DNA most likely through a mode that involves a stacking interaction between the aromatic chromophore and the base pairs of DNA. DNA binding constant (K_b = 1.4 × 10⁴ M^-1) from spectrophotometric studies of the interaction of Zn(II) complex with DNA is comparable to those of some DNA intercalative polypyridyl Ru(II) complexes 1.0 -4.8 × 10⁴ M^-1. CD study showed stabilization of the right-handed B form of DNA in the presence of Zn(II) complex as observed for the classical intercalator methylene blue. Thermodynamic parameters (ΔH < 0 and ΔS < 0) indicated that hydrogen bond and Van der Waals play main roles in this binding prose. Competitive fluorimetric studies with methylene blue (MB) dye have shown that Zn(II) complex exhibits the ability of this complex to displace with DNA-MB, indicating that it binds to DNA in strong competition with MB for the intercalation.

Non-enolisable Knoevenagel condensate appended Schiff bases-metal (II) complexes: Spectral characteristics, DNA-binding and nuclease activities

New Schiff base complexes [Cu(L¹)Cl] (1), [Ni(L¹)Cl] (2), [Zn(L¹)Cl] (3), and [Fe(L²)H₂OCl] (4) {L¹=(4E)-3-(2-hydroxybenzylidene)-4-(2-hydroxyphenylimino)pentan-2-one, L²=2,2'-(1E,1'E)-(3-(2-hydroxybenzylidene)-pentane-2,4-diylidene)bis(azan-1-yl-1 idene)diphenol} have been synthesized and characterized by elemental analysis, UV-Vis, IR, FAB-mass, EPR, spectral studies and electrochemical studies, the ligands L¹ &L² were characterized by ¹H and ¹³C NMR spectra. Complex 1 show a visible spectral d-d band near 600nm and display cyclic voltammetric quasireversible response for the Cu(II)/Cu(I) couple vs Ag/AgCl in DMSO. The EPR spectrum of 1 show g_‖>g_⊥ suggesting a square planar geometry around copper with d_x²_-y² as the ground state. The mass spectral results have confirmed the proposed structure for complexes 1-4. DNA binding properties of these complexes 1-4 have been investigated by absorption titrations, cyclic voltammetric studies and circular dichroism studies. On titration with DNA, the complexes 1-4 show hypochromism at the MLCT band (13-31%) with a red shift of 1-8nm in the electronic spectrum and positive shift of voltammetric E_1/2 in the CV studies are in favour of intercalative binding. CD spectra of 1 showed an increase in molar ellipticity (θ₂₇₈) of the positive band with a minor red shift indicating the transition of B-form of DNA to A like form. DNA cleavage studies of complexes 1 and 4 with pUC18 DNA were studied by gel electrophoresis and complex 4 cleaves supercoiled pUC18 DNA in an oxidative manner in the presence of H₂O₂ and on photo irradiation at 312nm.

DNA-binding, topoisomerases I and II inhibition and in vitro cytotoxicity of ruthenium(II) polypyridyl complexes: [Ru(dppz)2L](2+) (L=dppz-11-CO2Me and dppz)

Two ruthenium(II) polypyridyl complexes, [Ru(dppz)2dppz-11-CO2Me](ClO4)2 (Ru1) and [Ru(dppz)3](ClO4)2 (Ru2), have been synthesized and characterized. The spectral characteristics of Ru1 and Ru2 were investigated by fluorescence spectroscopy and revealed that both complexes were sensitive to solvent polarity. The binding properties of the two complexes towards calf-thymus DNA (CT-DNA) have been investigated by different spectrophotometric methods and viscosity measurements, indicating that both complexes bind to CT-DNA by means of intercalation, but with different binding affinities. Topoisomerase inhibition and DNA strand passage assay demonstrates that the two complexes are dual inhibitors of topoisomerases I and IIa. On the other hand, the cytotoxicity of both complexes has been evaluated by MTT assays and Giemsa staining experiments. The main results reveal that the ester functional group has a significant effect on the DNA-binding affinities and topoisomerases inhibition effects of Ru1 and Ru2, and further advance our knowledge on the DNA-binding and topoisomerase inhibition by Ru(II) complexes.

An investigation on new ruthenium(II) hydrazone complexes as anticancer agents and their interaction with biomolecules

A new set of ruthenium(II) hydrazone complexes [Ru(H)(CO)(PPh3)2(L)] (1) and [RuCl2(DMSO)2(HL)] (2), with triphenyl phosphine or DMSO as co-ligands was synthesized by reacting benzoyl pyridine furoic acid hydrazone (HL) with [Ru(H)(Cl)(CO)(PPh3)3] and [RuCl2(DMSO)4]. The single crystal X-ray data of complexes 1 and 2 revealed an octahedral geometry around the ruthenium ion in which the hydrazone is coordinated through ON and NN atoms in complexes 1 and 2 respectively. The interaction of the compounds with calf thymus DNA (CT-DNA) has been estimated by absorption and emission titration methods which indicated that the ligand and the complexes interacted with CT-DNA through intercalation. In addition, the DNA cleavage ability of these newly synthesized ruthenium complexes assessed by an agarose gel electrophoresis method demonstrated that complex 2 has a higher DNA cleavage activity than that of complex 1. The binding properties of the free ligand and its complexes with bovine serum albumin (BSA) protein have been investigated using UV-visible, fluorescence and synchronous fluorescence spectroscopic methods which indicated the stronger binding nature of the ruthenium complexes to BSA than the free hydrazone ligand. Furthermore, the cytotoxicity of the compounds examined in vitro on a human cervical cancer cell line (HeLa) and a normal mouse embryonic fibroblasts cell line (NIH 3T3) revealed that complex 2 exhibited a superior cytotoxicity than complex 1 to the cancer cells but was less toxic to the normal mouse embryonic fibroblasts under identical conditions.

Key role of ancillary ligands in imparting blue shift in electroluminescence wavelength in ruthenium polypyridyl light-emitting diodes

Ancillary ligand substitution proves to be an effective way to produce the blue shift of electroluminescence peak wavelength.

The effects of linear assembly of two carbazole groups on acid-base and DNA-binding properties of a ruthenium(II) complex

A novel Ru(II) complex of [Ru(bpy)2(Hbcpip)](ClO4)2 {where bpy=2,2-bipyridine, Hbcpip=2-(4-(9H-3,9'-bicarbazol-9-yl)phenyl)-1H-imidazo[4,5-f][1,10]phenanthroline} is synthesized and characterized. Calf-thymus DNA-binding properties of the complex were studied by UV-vis absorption and luminescence titrations, steady-state emission quenching by [Fe(CN)6](4-), DNA competitive binding with ethidium bromide, thermal denaturation and DNA viscosity measurements. The results indicate that the complex partially intercalated into the DNA with a binding constant of (5.5±1.4)×10(5) M(-1) in buffered 50 mM NaCl. The acid-base properties of the complex were also studied by UV-visible and luminescence spectrophotometric pH titrations, and ground- and excited-state acidity ionization constant values were derived.

DNA-binding and photocleavage studies of ruthenium(II) complexes containing asymmetric intercalative ligand

A novel asymmetric ligand 2-(pyridine-2-yl)-1-H-imidazo[4,5-i]dibenzo[2,3-a:2',3'-c]phenazine (pidbp) and its ruthenium complexes [Ru(L)(2)(pidbp)](2+) (L=bpy (2, 2'- bipyridine), phen (1, 10 - phenanthroline)), have been synthesized and characterized by elemental analysis, ES-MS, (1)H NMR. Various methods support the conclusion that both Ru(II) complexes can intercalate into DNA base pairs. Complex [Ru(bpy)(2)(pidbp)](2+)4 exhibits its DNA "molecular light switch" properties. Furthermore, the two complexes are efficient DNA-photocleavers under irradiation at 365 nm, and complex 5 exhibits a stronger DNA-photocleavage efficiency than complex 4. The mechanism of DNA cleavage is an oxidative process by generating singlet oxygen.

A Ru(II) complex with 2-(4-(methylsulfonyl)phenyl)-1H-imidazo[4,5-f][1,10]phenanthroline: synthesis, characterization, and acid-base and DNA-binding properties

A new Ru(II) complex of [Ru(bpy)2(Hmspip)]Cl2 {in which bpy=2,2'-bipyridine, Hmspip=2-(4-(methylsulfonyl)phenyl)-1H-imidazo[4,5-f][1,10]phenanthroline} have been synthesized and characterized. The ground- and excited-state acid-base properties of [Ru(bpy)2(Hmspip)]Cl2 and its parent complex of [Ru(bpy)2(Hpip)]Cl2 {Hpip=2-phenyl-1H-imidazo[4,5-f][1,10]phenanthroline} have been studied by UV-visible (UV-vis) and emission spectrophotometric pH titrations. [Ru(bpy)2(Hmspip)]Cl2 acts as a calf thymus DNA intercalators with a binding constant of 4.0×10(5) M(-1) in buffered 50 mM NaCl, as evidenced by UV-vis and luminescence titrations, steady-state emission quenching by [Fe(CN)6]4-, DNA competitive binding with ethidium bromide, reverse salt titrations and viscosity measurements.