Effect of platinum N7-binding to deoxyguanosine and deoxyadenosine on the H8 and H2 chemical shifts. A quantitative analysis

Amino acid-linked platinum(II) compounds: non-canonical nucleoside preferences and influence on glycosidic bond stabilities

Abstract

Nucleobases serve as ideal targets where drugs bind and exert their anticancer activities. Cisplatin (cisPt) preferentially coordinates to 2′-deoxyguanosine (dGuo) residues within DNA. The dGuo adducts that are formed alter the DNA structure, contributing to inhibition of function and ultimately cancer cell death. Despite its success as an anticancer drug, cisPt has a number of drawbacks that reduce its efficacy, including repair of adducts and drug resistance. Some approaches to overcome this problem involve development of compounds that coordinate to other purine nucleobases, including those found in RNA. In this work, amino acid-linked platinum(II) (AAPt) compounds of alanine and ornithine (AlaPt and OrnPt, respectively) were studied. Their reactivity preferences for DNA and RNA purine nucleosides (i.e., 2′-deoxyadenosine (dAdo), adenosine (Ado), dGuo, and guanosine (Guo)) were determined. The chosen compounds form predominantly monofunctional adducts by reacting at the N1, N3, or N7 positions of purine nucleobases. In addition, features of AAPt compounds that impact the glycosidic bond stability of Ado residues were explored. The glycosidic bond cleavage is activated differentially for AlaPt-Ado and OrnPt-Ado isomers. Formation of unique adducts at non-canonical residues and subsequent destabilization of the glycosidic bonds are important features that could circumvent platinum-based drug resistance.

Graphic abstract

Electronic supplementary material

The online version of this article (10.1007/s00775-019-01693-y) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

The challenge of deciphering linkage isomers in mixtures of oligomeric complexes derived from 9-methyladenine and trans-(NH3)2Pt(II) units

Metal coordination to N9-substituted adenines, such as the model nucleobase 9-methyladenine (9MeA), under neutral or weakly acidic pH conditions in water preferably occurs at N1 and/or N7. This leads, not only to mononuclear linkage isomers with N1 or N7 binding, but also to species that involve both N1 and N7 metal binding in the form of dinuclear or oligomeric species. Application of a trans-(NH3)2Pt(II) unit and restriction of metal coordination to the N1 and N7 sites and the size of the oligomer to four metal entities generates over 50 possible isomers, which display different feasible connectivities. Slowly interconverting rotamers are not included in this number. Based on (1)H NMR spectroscopic analysis, a qualitative assessment of the spectroscopic features of N1,N7-bridged species was attempted. By studying the solution behavior of selected isolated and structurally characterized compounds, such as trans-[PtCl(9MeA-N7)(NH3)2]ClO4⋅2H2O or trans,trans-[{PtCl(NH3)2}2(9MeA-N1,N7)][ClO4]2⋅H2O, and also by application of a 9MeA complex with an (NH3)3Pt(II) entity at N7, [Pt(9MeA-N7)(NH3)3][NO3]2, which blocks further cross-link formation at the N7 site, basic NMR spectroscopic signatures of N1,N7-bridged Pt(II) complexes were identified. Among others, the trinuclear complex trans-[Pt(NH3)2{μ-(N1-9MeA-N7)Pt(NH3)3}2][ClO4]6⋅2H2O was crystallized and its rotational isomerism in aqueous solution was studied by NMR spectroscopy and DFT calculations. Interestingly, simultaneous Pt(II) coordination to N1 and N7 acidifies the exocyclic amino group of the two 9MeA ligands sufficiently to permit replacement of one proton each by a bridging heterometal ion, Hg(II) or Cu(II), under mild conditions in water.

The chiral potential of phenanthriplatin and its influence on guanine binding

The monofunctional platinum complex cis-[Pt(NH3)2Cl(Am)](+), also known as phenanthriplatin, where Am is the N-heterocyclic base phenanthridine, has promising anticancer activity. Unlike bifunctional compounds such as cisplatin, phenanthriplatin can form only one covalent bond to DNA. Another distinguishing feature is that phenanthriplatin is chiral. Rotation about the Pt-N bond of the phenanthridine ligand racemizes the complex, and the question arises as to whether this process is sufficiently slow under physiological conditions to impact its DNA-binding properties. Here we present the results of NMR spectroscopic, X-ray crystallographic, molecular dynamics, and density functional theoretical investigations of diastereomeric phenanthriplatin analogs in order to probe the internal dynamics of phenanthriplatin. These results reveal that phenanthriplatin rapidly racemizes under physiological conditions. The information also facilitated the interpretation of the NMR spectra of small molecule models of phenanthriplatin-platinated DNA. These studies indicate, inter alia, that one diastereomeric form of the complexes cis-[Pt(NH3)2(Am)(R-Gua)](2+), where R-Gua is 9-methyl- or 9-ethylguanine, is preferred over the other, the origin of which stems from an intramolecular interaction between the carbonyl oxygen of the platinated guanine base and a cis-coordinated ammine. The relevance of this finding to the DNA-damaging properties of phenanthriplatin and its biological activity is discussed.

Synthesis, Characterization, and Interaction with Biomolecules of Platinum(II) Complexes with Shikimic Acid-Based Ligands

Starting from the active ingredient shikimic acid (SA) of traditional Chinese medicine and NH₂(CH₂)_nOH, (n = 2–6), we have synthesized a series of new water-soluble Pt(II) complexes PtL^a–eCl₂, where L^a–e are chelating diamine ligands with carbon chain covalently attached to SA (L^a–e = SA-NH(CH₂)_nNHCH₂CH₂NH₂; L^a, n = 2; L^b, n = 3; L^c, n = 4; L^d, n = 5; L^e, n = 6). The results of the elemental analysis, LC-MS, capillary electrophoresis, and ¹H, ¹³C NMR indicated that there was only one product (isomer) formed under the present experimental conditions, in which the coordinate mode of PtL^a–eCl₂ was two-amine bidentate. Their in vitro cytotoxic activities were evaluated by MTT method, where these compounds only exhibited low cytotoxicity towards BEL7404, which should correlate their low lipophilicity. The interactions of the five Pt(II) complexes with DNA were investigated by agarose gel electrophoresis, which suggests that the Pt(II) complexes could induce DNA alteration. We also studied the interactions of the Pt(II) complexes with 5′-GMP with ESI-MS and ¹H NMR and found that PtL^bCl₂, PtL^cCl₂, and PtL^dCl₂ could react with 5′-GMP to form mono-GMP and bis-GMP adducts. Furthermore, the cell-cycle analysis revealed that PtL^bCl₂, PtL^cCl₂ cause cell G₂-phase arrest after incubation for 72 h. Overall, these water-soluble Pt(II) complexes interact with DNA mainly through covalent binding, which blocks the DNA synthesis and replication and thus induces cytotoxicity that weakens as the length of carbon chain increases.

Chimeric platinum-polyamines and DNA binding. Kinetics of DNA interstrand cross-link formation by dinuclear platinum complexes with polyamine linkers

The first observation of a polyamine-DNA interaction using 2D [(1)H, (15)N] HSQC NMR spectroscopy allows study of the role of the linker in polynuclear platinum-DNA interactions and a novel "anchoring" of the polyamine by Pt-DNA bond formation allows examination of the details of conformational B → Z transitions induced by the polyamine. The kinetics and mechanism of the stepwise formation of 5'-5' 1,4-GG interstrand cross-links (IXLs) by fully (15)N-labeled [{trans-PtCl((15)NH(3))(2)}(2){μ-((15)NH(2)(CH(2))(6)(15)NH(2)(CH(2))(6)(15)NH(2))}](3+) (1,1/t,t-6,6, 1) and [{trans-PtCl((15)NH(3))(2)}(2){μ-((15)NH(2)(CH(2))(6)(15)NH(2)(CH(2))(2)(15)NH(2)(CH(2))(6)(15)NH(2))}](4+) (1,1/t,t-6,2,6, 1') with the self-complementary oligonucleotide 5'-{d(ATATGTACATAT)(2)} (duplex I) are compared to the analogous reaction with 1,0,1/t,t,t (BBR3464) under identical conditions (pH 5.4, 298 K). Initial electrostatic interactions with the DNA are delocalized and followed by aquation to form the monoaqua monochloro species. The rate constant for monofunctional adduct formation, k(MF), for 1 (0.87 M(-1) s(-1)) is 3.5 fold higher than for 1,0,1/t,t,t (0.25 M(-1) s(-1); the value could not be calculated for 1' due to peak overlap). The evidence suggests that several conformers of the bifunctional adduct form, whereas for 1,0,1/t,t,t only two discrete conformers were observed. The combined effect of the conformers observed for 1 and 1' may play a crucial role in the increased potency of these novel complexes compared to 1,0,1/t,t,t. Treated as a single final product, the rate of formation of the 5'-5' 1,4-GG IXL, k(CH), for 1 (k(CH) = 4.37 × 10(-5) s(-1)) is similar to that of 1,0,1/t,t,t, whereas the value for 1' is marginally higher (k(CH) = 5.4 × 10(-5) s(-1)).

Factors affecting DNA-DNA interstrand cross-links in the antiparallel 3'-3' sense: a comparison with the 5'-5' directional isomer

Reported herein is a study of the unusual 3'-3' 1,4-GG interstrand cross-link (IXL) formation in duplex DNA by a series of polynuclear platinum anticancer complexes. To examine the effect of possible preassociation through charge and hydrogen-bonding effects the closely related compounds [{trans-PtCl(NH(3))(2)}(2)(mu-trans-Pt(NH(3))(2){NH(2)(CH(2))(6)NH(2)}(2))](4+) (BBR3464, 1), [{trans-PtCl(NH(3))(2)}(2)(mu-NH(2)(CH(2))(6)NH(2))](2+) (BBR3005, 2), [{trans-PtCl(NH(3))(2)}(2)(mu-H(2)N(CH(2))(3)NH(2)(CH(2))(4))](3+) (BBR3571, 3) and [{trans-PtCl(NH(3))(2)}(2){mu-H(2)N(CH(2))(3)-N(COCF(3))(CH(2))(4)}](2+) (BBR3571-COCF(3), 4) were studied. Two different molecular biology approaches were used to investigate the effect of DNA template upon IXL formation in synthetic 20-base-pair duplexes. In the "hybridisation directed" method the monofunctionally adducted top strands were hybridised with their complementary 5'-end labelled strands; after 24 h the efficiency of interstrand cross-linking in the 5'-5' direction was slightly higher than in the 3'-3' direction. The second method involved "postsynthetic modification" of the intact duplex; significantly less cross-linking was observed, but again a slight preference for the 5'-5' duplex was present. 2D [(1)H, (15)N] HSQC NMR spectroscopy studies of the reaction of [(15)N]-1 with the sequence 5'-d{TATACATGTATA}(2) allowed direct comparison of the stepwise formation of the 3'-3' IXL with the previously studied 5'-5' IXL on the analogous sequence 5'-d(ATATGTACATAT)(2). Whereas the preassociation and aquation steps were similar, differences were evident at the monofunctional binding step. The reaction did not yield a single distinct 3'-3' 1,4-GG IXL, but numerous cross-linked adducts formed. Similar results were found for the reaction with the dinuclear [(15)N]-2. Molecular dynamics simulations for the 3'-3' IXLs formed by both 1 and 2 showed a highly distorted structure with evident fraying of the end base pairs and considerable widening of the minor groove.

Head-to-head right-handed cross-links of the antitumor-active bis(mu-N,N'-di-p-tolylformamidinato)dirhodium(II,II) unit with the dinucleotides d(GpA) and d(ApG)

Reactions of cis-[Rh(2)(DTolF)(2)(NCCH(3))(6)](BF(4))(2) with the dinucleotides d(GpA) and d(ApG) proceed to form [Rh(2)(DTolF)(2){d(GpA)}] and [Rh(2)(DTolF)(2){d(ApG)}], respectively, with bridging purine bases spanning the Rh-Rh unit in the equatorial positions. Both dirhodium adducts exhibit head-to-head (HH) arrangement of the bases, as indicated by the presence of H8/H8 NOE cross-peaks in the 2D ROESY NMR spectra. The guanine bases bind to the dirhodium core at positions N7 and O6, a conclusion that is supported by the absence of N7 protonation at low pH values and the notable increase in the acidity of the guanine N1H sites (pK(a) approximately 7.4 in 4:1 CD(3)CN/D(2)O), inferred from the pH-dependence titrations of the guanine H8 proton resonances. In both dirhodium adducts, the adenine bases coordinate to the metal atoms through N6 and N7, which induces stabilization of the rare imino tautomer of the bases with a concomitant substantial decrease in the basicity of the N1H adenine sites (pK(a) approximately 7.0-7.1 in 4:1 CD(3)CN/D(2)O), as compared to the imino form of free adenosine. The presence of the adenine bases in the rare imino form is further corroborated by the observation of DQF-COSY H2/N1H and ROE N1H/N6H cross-peaks in the 2D NMR spectra of [Rh(2)(DTolF)(2){d(GpA)}] and [Rh(2)(DTolF)(2){d(ApG)}] in CD(3)CN at -38 degrees C. The 2D NMR spectroscopic data and the molecular modeling results suggest the presence of right-handed variants, HH1R, in solution for both adducts (HH1R refers to the relative base canting and the direction of propagation of the phosphodiester backbone with respect to the 5' base). Complete characterization of [Rh(2)(DTolF)(2){d(GpA)}] and [Rh(2)(DTolF)(2){d(ApG)}] by 2D NMR spectroscopy and molecular modeling supports anti-orientation of the sugar residues for both adducts about the glycosyl bonds as well as N- and S-type conformations for the 5'- and 3'-deoxyribose residues, respectively.

Synthesis of 17beta-estradiol-platinum(II) hybrid molecules showing cytotoxic activity on breast cancer cell lines

The synthesis of a series of 17beta-estradiol-platinum(II) hybrid molecules is reported. The hybrids are made of a PEG linking chain of various length and a 2-(2'-aminoethyl)pyridine ligand. They are prepared from estrone in five chemical steps with an overall yield of 22%. The length of the PEG chain does not influence the solubility of the compounds as it remains relatively constant throughout the series. MTT assays showed that the derivative with the longest PEG chain showed the best activity against breast cancer cell lines (MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231). Molecular modeling study rationalized the results.

Unprecedented head-to-head right-handed cross-links between the antitumor bis(mu-N,N'-di-p-tolylformamidinate) dirhodium(II,II) core and the dinucleotide d(ApA) with the adenine bases in the rare imino form

Reactions of the anticancer active compound cis-[Rh2(DTolF)2(CH3CN)6](BF4)2 with 9-ethyladenine (9-EtAdeH) or the dinucleotide d(ApA) proceed with bridging adenine bases in the rare imino form (A*), spanning the Rh-Rh bond at equatorial positions via N7/N6. The inflection points for the pH-dependent H2 and H8 NMR resonance curves of cis-[Rh2(DTolF)2(9-EtAdeH)2](BF4)2 correspond to N1H deprotonation of the metal-stabilized rare imino tautomer, which takes place at pKa approximately 7.5 in CD3CN-d3, a considerably reduced value as compared to that of the imino form of 9-EtAdeH. Similarly, coordination of the metal atoms to the N7/N6 adenine sites in Rh2(DTolF)2{d(ApA)} induces formation of the rare imino tautomer of the bases with a concomitant substantial decrease in the basicity of the N1H sites (pKa approximately 7.0 in CD3CN-d3), as compared to the imino form of the free dinucleotide. The presence of the adenine bases in the rare imino form, due to bidentate metalation of the N6/N7 sites, is further corroborated by DQF-COSY H2/N1H and ROE N1H/N6H cross-peaks in the 2D NMR spectra of Rh2(DTolF)2{d(ApA)} in CD3CN-d3 at -38 degrees C. Due to the N7/N6 bridging mode of the adenine bases in Rh2(DTolF)2{d(ApA)}, only the anti orientation of the imino tautomer is possible. The imino form A* of adenine in DNA may result in AT-->CG transversions or AT-->GC transitions, which can eventually lead to lethal mutations. The HH arrangement of the bases in Rh2(DTolF)2{d(ApA)} is indicated by the H8/H8 NOE cross-peaks in the 2D ROESY NMR spectrum, whereas the formamidinate bridging groups dictate the presence of one right-handed conformer HH1R in solution. Complete characterization of Rh2(DTolF)2{d(ApA)} by 2D NMR spectroscopy and molecular modeling supports the presence of the HH1R conformer, anti orientation of both sugar residues about the glycosyl bonds, and N-type conformation for the 5'-A base.

A pyrazolato-bridged dinuclear platinum(II) complex induces only minor distortions upon DNA-binding

The cytotoxic, pyrazolato-bridged dinuclear platinum(II) complex [(cis-{Pt(NH3)2})2(mu-OH)(mu-pz)]2+ (pz=pyrazolate) has been found to cross-link two adjacent guanines of a double-stranded DNA decamer without destabilizing the duplex and without changing the directionality of the helix axis. A 1H NMR study of the oligonucleotide d(CTCTG*G*TCTC)-d(GAGACCAGAG), cross-linked at the two G* guanines by [(cis-{Pt(NH3)2})2(mu-pz)]3+, and molecular dynamics simulations of the explicitly solvated duplex were performed to characterize the structural details of the adduct. The dinuclear platinum cross-link unwinds the helix by approximately 15 degrees , that is, to a similar extent as the widely used antitumor drug cisplatin, but, in contrast to the latter, induces no significant bend in the helix axis. The Watson-Crick base-pairing remains intact, and the melting temperature of the duplex is unaffected by the cross-link. The helical twist is considerably reduced between the two platinated bases, as becomes manifest in an unusually short sequential H1'-H1' distance. This unwinding also affects the sugar ring of the guanosine in the 3'-position to the cross-link, which presents an N<-->S equilibrium. This is the first cytotoxic platinum complex that has been successfully designed by envisioning the structural consequences of its binding to DNA.

Head-to-head cross-linked adduct between the antitumor unit bis(mu-N,N'-di-p-tolylformamidinato)dirhodium(II,II) and the DNA fragment d(GpG)

Reactions of the compound cis-[Rh2(DTolF)2(CH3CN)6](BF4)2, a formamidinate derivative of the class of antitumor compounds [Rh2(O2CR)4] (R=Me, Et, Pr), with 9-ethylguanine (9-EtGuaH) or the dinucleotide d(GpG) proceed by substitution of the acetonitrile groups, with the guanine bases spanning the Rh--Rh bond, in a bridging fashion, through sites N7/O6. In the case of 9-EtGuaH, both head-to-head (HH) and head-to-tail (HT) isomers are formed, whereas with the tethered bases in d(GpG), only one right-handed conformer HH1R [Rh2(DTolF)2{d(GpG)}] is present in solution. For both cis-[Rh2(DTolF)2(9-EtGuaH)2](BF4)2 and [Rh2(DTolF)2{d(GpG)}], the absence of N7 protonation at low pH and the substantial decrease of the pKa values for N1-H deprotonation, support N7/O6 binding of the bases to the dirhodium core. The N7/O6 binding of the bases is further corroborated by the downfield shift by Deltadelta approximately 4.0 ppm of the 13C NMR resonances for the C6 nuclei as compared to the corresponding resonances of the free ligands. The HH arrangement of the guanine bases in [Rh2(DTolF)2{d(GpG)}] is indicated by the intense H8/H8 ROE cross-peaks in the 2D ROESY NMR spectrum. Complete characterization of the [Rh2(DTolF)2{d(GpG)}] conformer by 2D NMR spectroscopy supports anti-orientation and N (C3'-endo) conformation for both deoxyribose residues. The N-pucker for the 5'-G base is universal in such cross-links, but it is very unusual for platinum and unprecedented for dirhodium HH cross-linked adducts to have both deoxyribose residues in the N-type conformation. The bulk, the nonlabile character, and the electron-donating ability of the formamidinate bridging groups spanning the dirhodium core affect the nature of the preferred dirhodium DNA adducts. Molecular modeling studies performed on [Rh2(DTolF)2{d(GpG)}] corroborate the structural features obtained by NMR spectroscopy.

Synthesis of 17β-estradiol-linked platinum(II) complexes and their cytocidal activity on estrogen-dependent and -independent breast tumor cells

The synthesis of two new highly potent 17beta-estradiol-linked platinum(II) complexes is described. The new molecules are linked at position 16 of the steroid nucleus with an alkyl chain. They are made from estrone in nine chemical steps with an overall yield exceeding 10%. The biological activity of these compounds was evaluated in vitro on estrogen dependent and independent (ER(+) and ER(-)) human breast tumor cell lines: MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231. The novel compounds prove to be highly cytotoxic against breast cancer cell lines. The most cytotoxic derivative shows high affinity for the estrogen receptor alpha.

Biological evaluation of novel estrogen-platinum(II) hybrid molecules on uterine and ovarian cancers—molecular modeling studies

We have recently reported the synthesis of a series of original 17beta-estradiol-linked platinum(II) hybrid molecules. The biological activity of these compounds was evaluated in vitro on estrogen dependent and independent (ER(+) and ER(-)) human uterine and ovarian cancers. The hybrid molecules present higher affinity than that of 17beta-estradiol for the estrogen receptor alpha (ERalpha). The cytotoxicity and the affinity of the hybrid molecules are explained using molecular modeling analysis. This study further confirms that the derivatives made of a 2-(2'-aminoethyl)pyridine ligand displayed superior activity against the cell lines particularly when the connecting arm is 8-10 carbon atoms long. Molecular modeling shows that a long side chain can facilitate the access of the platinum(II) moiety to DNA. The novel compounds also prove to be moderately cytotoxic against platinum resistant endometrial and ovarian cancer cell lines.

Synthesis of 17β-estradiol platinum(II) complexes: biological evaluation on breast cancer cell lines

The synthesis of a novel series of 17beta-estradiol-linked platinum(II) complexes is described. The new molecules are linked with an alkyl chain at position 16alpha of the steroid nucleus and bear a 16beta-hydroxymethyl side chain. They are made from estrone in five chemical steps with an overall yield exceeding 28%. The biological activity of these compounds was evaluated in vitro on estrogen dependent and independent (ER+ and ER-) human breast cancers. The derivatives incorporating a 2-(2'-aminoethyl)pyridine ligand displayed good activity against the cell lines particularly when the connecting arm is 10 carbon atoms long.

Unprecedented head-to-head conformers of d(GpG) bound to the antitumor active compound tetrakis (mu-carboxylato)dirhodium(II,II)

The N7/O6 equatorial binding interactions of the antitumor active complex Rh(2)(OAc)(4)(H(2)O)(2) (OAc(-) = CH(3)CO(2)(-)) with the DNA fragment d(GpG) have been unambiguously determined by NMR spectroscopy. Previous X-ray crystallographic determinations of the head-to-head (HH) and head-to-tail (HT) adducts of dirhodium tetraacetate with 9-ethylguanine (9-EtGH) revealed unprecedented bridging N7/O6 guanine nucleobases that span the Rh-Rh bond. The absence of N7 protonation at low pH and the notable increase in the acidity of N1-H (pK(a) approximately 5.7 as compared to 8.5 for N7 only bound platinum adducts), suggested by the pH dependence titrations of the purine H8 (1)H NMR resonances for Rh(2)(OAc)(2)(9-EtG)(2) and Rh(2)(OAc)(2-)[d(GpG)],are consistent with bidentate N7/O6 binding of the guanine nucleobases. The pK(a) values estimated for N1-H (de)protonation, from the pH dependence studies of the C6 and C2 (13)C NMR resonances for the Rh(2)(OAc)(2)(9-EtG)(2) isomers, concur with those derived from the H8 (1)H NMR resonance titrations. Comparison of the (13)C NMR resonances of C6 and C2 for the dirhodium adducts Rh(2)(OAc)(2)(9-EtG)(2) and Rh(2)(OAc)(2)[d(GpG)] with the corresponding resonances of the unbound ligands [at pH 7.0 for 9-EtGH and pH 8.0 for d(GpG)], shows substantial downfield shifts of Deltadelta approximately 11.0 and 6.0 ppm for C6 and C2, respectively; the latter shifts reflect the effect of O6 binding to the dirhodium centers and the ensuing enhancement in the acidity of N1-H. Intense H8/H8 ROE cross-peaks in the 2D ROESY NMR spectrum of Rh(2)(OAc)(2)[d(GpG)] indicate head-to-head arrangement of the guanine bases. The Rh(2)(OAc)(2)[d(GpG)] adduct exhibits two major right-handed conformers, HH1 R and HH2 R, with HH1 R being three times more abundant than the unusual HH2 R. Complete characterization of both adducts revealed repuckering of the 5'-G sugar rings to C3'-endo (N-type), retention of C2'-endo (S-type) conformation for the 3'-G sugar rings, and anti orientation with respect to the glycosyl bonds. The structural features obtained for Rh(2)(OAc)(2))[d(GpG)] by means of NMR spectroscopy are very similar to those for cis-[Pt(NH(3))(2))[d(GpG)]] and corroborate molecular modeling studies.

Platinum(II)-based coordination compounds as nucleic acid labeling reagents: synthesis, reactivity, and applications in hybridization assays

The synthesis, characterization, and molecular interactions of platinum(II) coordination compounds, which contain a distal nonradioactive reporter molecule, with mono- and polynucleotides are described. A [Pt(II)(en)(NH(2)(CH(2))(6)NH-tBoc)Cl](NO(3)) (en=ethylenediamine) entity has been coupled, after removal of the tBoc group, to a number of hapten and fluorophore molecules through succinimide derivatives. The influence of the various tethered reporter groups within these complexes on the reactivity towards guanosine 5'-monophosphate (5'-GMP), as a model for polynucleotide sequences, was investigated to shed light on the use of these reagents in hybridization assays. Reactivity turned out to be strongly dictated by the chemical nature of the distal reporter molecule present. At pH 7.0 the sequence of reactivity is cationic approximately aromatic (stacking) > neutral > anionic; there is approximately an order of magnitude difference between the fastest reacting complex (k=10.2 x 10(-2) M(-1) s(-1)) and the slowest reacting complex (k=0.93 x 10(-2) M(-1) s(-1)) under these conditions. Platination of an oligodeoxynucleotide (30-mer), dsDNA, or an RNA transcript, shows that a Pt/nucleotide ratio between 1:10 and 1:20 (established by using flameless atomic absorption spectroscopy) results in probes with excellent hybridization characteristics. In terms of applicability and detection limits these platinated nucleic acid probes perform equally well compared to conventionally generated nucleic acid probes, that is, through enzymatic incorporation of covalently labeled nucleotide triphosphates. Applications of these reagents to in situ hybridization assays and gene expression profiling on microarrays illustrate the potential of these monofunctional binding platinum triamine compounds.

Investigations into the interactions between DNA and conformationally constrained pyridylamineplatinum(II) analogues of AMD473

The syntheses of [PtCl(2)(amp)] (amp = 2-pyridylmethylamine) and enantiomerically pure [PtCl(2)(R-pea)] and [PtCl(2)(S-pea)] (pea = 1-(2-pyridyl)ethylamine) and the crystal structure of [PtCl(2)(R-pea)] are reported. The reactions of [PtCl(2)(amp)] and of the enantiomers of [PtCl(2)(pea)] with d(GpG) and with a 52-base-pair oligonucleotide were investigated. Each of the reactions with d(GpG) resulted in the formation of three platinated bifunctional d(GpG) species in a ratio of 1:2:1. These species were shown to be a pair of isomers, one of which exists as a pair of slowly interconverting rotamers that can be separated by HPLC but reequilibrate after 5 days at 37 degrees C. The pyridyl moieties of the pyridylalkylamine ligands are constrained to lie in the coordination plane, and as a consequence, the rotation about the Pt-N7 bond of the adjacent guanine is highly restricted. 2D NMR investigations were carried out on the isomer of [Ptd(GpG)(amp)] that did not form separable rotamers and identified it as the isomer having the pyridine adjacent to the 5'-guanine of the d(GpG). The reaction of each of the three [PtCl(2)(py-R)] complexes (py-R = amp or pea) with a 52-base-pair oligonucleotide resulted in the formation of the same three bifunctional d(GpG) adducts in approximately the same ratios as the reactions with d(GpG), indicating that negligible stereoselectivity results from interactions between the complexes and duplex DNA.

Intrinsic acid-base properties of purine derivatives in aqueous solution and comparison of the acidifying effects of platinum(II) coordinated to N1 or N7: acidifying effects are reciprocal and the proton "outruns" divalent metal ions

The effect of Pt(2+) coordination, in particular of (dien)Pt(2+) or cis-(NH(3))(2)Pt(2+), on the acid-base properties of the purine ligands 9-ethylguanine (9EtG), 9-methylhypoxanthine (9MeHx), inosine (Ino), 9-methyladenine (9MeA), and N6',N6',N9-trimethyladenine (TriMeA) is quantitatively evaluated. The corresponding acidity constants of the complexes are calculated by curve-fitting procedures using previously published (1)H NMR shift data which had been measured in aqueous solution (D(2)O) in dependence on pH (pD). Comparison of the pK(a) values of the ligands with those of the Pt(2+) complexes reveals the expected behavior for the (N7)-platinated complexes; i.e., the (N1)H(0/+) sites are acidified due to charge repulsion. However, Pt(2+) coordination at (N1)(-)(/0) sites leads to an (already previously observed) apparent increase in the basicity of the N7 sites for the guanine, hypoxanthine, and adenine residues; this is also the case if Pt(2+) is bound to N3. Coordination of Pt(2+) to both the (N1)(-) and N7 sites of 9EtG results apparently in an enhanced basicity of N3 if compared with the release of the proton from the (N3)H(+) site in H(2)(9EtG)(2+). For the former cases in aqueous solution (H(2)O) it is now proven for a comprehensive set of data (seven examples), by taking into account the intrinsic basicities of the various N7 sites via micro acidity constants, that the acidifications are reciprocal and identical. This means Pt(2+) coordinated to (N1)(-)(/0) sites in guanine, hypoxanthine, or adenine residues acidifies the (N7)H(+) unit to the same extent as (N7)-coordinated Pt(2+) acidifies the (N1)H(0/+) site. In other words, the apparently increased basicity of N7 upon Pt(2+) coordination at (N1)(-)(/0) sites disappears if the micro acidity constants of the appropriate isocharged tautomers of the ligand are properly taken into account. It is further proven, on the basis of the evaluations of the nucleotide analogue 9-[2-(phosphonomethoxy)ethyl]adenine (PMEA), that these given conclusions are also valid for nucleotides. In addition, it is shown that the mentioned apparent basicity increase, which results from the use of macro acidity constants, has its origin in the fact that the proton-metal ion (Pt(2+)) interaction (the extent of which depends on the kind of metal ion involved) is less pronounced than the proton-proton interaction. Finally, the proven reciprocal behavior will now allow one to determine micro acidity constants of ligands by studying complexes formed with kinetically inert metal ions. A further result of interest is the proof that the competition of Pt(2+) (or Pd(2+)) with the proton for the (N1)(-) and N7 binding sites of inosinate results in the isomer where the metal ion is at N7 with the proton relegated to (N1)(-); this isomer is favored by a factor of about 2000 compared with the one having the metal ion at (N1)(-) and the proton at N7.

(Aminoethanol)dichloroplatinum(II) complexes: influence of the hydroxyethyl moiety on 5'-GMP and DNA binding, intramolecular stability, the partition coefficient and anticancer activity

The influence of tethered hydroxyl groups on the binding behavior of the three (aminoethanol)dichloroplatinum complexes, dichloro(N,N'-bis(2-hydroxyethyl)ethylenediamine)-platinum(II) (1), dichloro(N-(2-hydroxyethyl)ethylenediamine)platinum(II) (2) and cis-dichlorobis(2-hydroxyethylamine)platinum(II) (3) towards 5'-GMP and DNA was investigated by 1H NMR and r(b) measurements, respectively. At pH 7.2, the sequence of reactivity with 5'-GMP is 1>2>>3. Complex 3 reacts very slowly with 5'-GMP and DNA and the amount and lifetime of the intermediate 5'-GMP monoadduct are much larger than for 1 and 2. At pH 5.5, the reaction of 3 with 5'-GMP is markedly accelerated and very small amounts of monoadduct are observed, indicating a pH-dependent ability of the pendant hydroxyl group to interact with the platinum moiety. In addition, the effect of the hydroxyethyl functionality on octanol/water partitioning and in vitro anticancer activity was studied. No correlation between lipophilicity and anticancer activity was detected. Furthermore, the lipophilicity and anticancer activity could not be directly correlated to 5'-GMP or DNA binding activity.

Model of the Second Most Abundant Cisplatin-DNA Cross-Link: X-ray Crystal Structure and Conformational Analysis of cis-[(NH(3))(2)Pt(9-MeA-N7)(9-EtGH-N7)](NO(3)).2H(2)O (9-MeA = 9-Methyladenine; 9-EtGH = 9-Ethylguanine)

A model compound of the second most abundant DNA adduct of the antitumor agent cisplatin has been synthesized and structurally and spectroscopically characterized and its conformational behavior examined: cis-[(NH(3))(2)Pt(9-MeA-N7)(9-EtGH-N7)](NO(3))(2).2H(2)O (9-MeA = 9-methyladenine; 9-EtGH = 9-ethylguanine) crystallizes in the monoclinic system, space group P2(1)/n (No. 14) with a = 7.931(2), b = 11.035(3), c = 26.757(6) Å, beta = 94.94(2) degrees, and Z = 4. The two purine bases adopt a head-to-head orientation, with NH(2) of 9-MeA and CO of 9-EtGH being at the same side of the Pt coordination plane. A theoretical conformational analysis of the complex cis-[(NH(3))(2)Pt(Ade)(Gua)](2+) (Ade = adenine; Gua = guanine) based on molecular mechanics calculations of the nonbonded energy has revealed four minimum-energy zones similar to those derived previously for cis-[(NH(3))(2)Pt(Gua)(2)](2+) (Kozelka; et al. Eur. J. Biochem. 1992, 205, 895). This conformational analysis has allowed, together with the calculation of chemical shifts due to ring effects, the attribution of the two conformers observed for cis-[(NH(3))(2)Pt{d(ApG)}](+) by Dijt et al. (Eur. J. Biochem. 1989, 179, 344) to the two head-to-head conformational zones. The orientation of the two nucleobases in the crystal structure of cis-[(NH(3))(2)Pt(9-MeA)(9-EtGH)](2+) corresponds, according to our analysis, roughly to that preferentially assumed by the minor rotamer of cis-[(NH(3))(2)Pt{d(ApG)}](+).