Homodinuclear (Pt,Pt) and heterodinuclear (Ru,Pt) metal compounds as DNA-protein cross-linking agents: potential suicide DNA lesions

Synthesis, characterization, interactions with 9-MeG and cytotoxic activity of heterobimetallic RuII-PtII complexes bridged with 2, 2'-bipyrimidine

The complexes [(η⁶-bz)Ru(bpm)Cl]PF₆, (1)PF₆, [(η⁶-bz)ClRu(μ-bpm)PtCl₂]PF₆, (2)PF₆, [(η⁶-cym)ClRu(μ-bpm)PtCl₂]PF₆, (3)PF₆, [(η⁶-cym)ClRu(μ-bpm)PdCl₂]PF₆, (4)PF₆, [Pt(bpm)(cbdca)], (5) and [(η⁶-cym)ClRu(μ-bpm)Pt(cbdca)]PF₆, (6)PF₆, (bz = benzene, bpm = 2,2'-bipyrimidine, cym = p-cymene, cbdcaH₂ = 1,1-cyclobutanedicarboxylic acid),were synthesized and characterized by means of ¹H NMR and high-resolution ESI mass spectrometry. The complexes were transformed to the corresponding chloride salts to become soluble in aqueous media, and to be studied regarding their biological properties. However, while the heterobimetallic complexes (3)Cl and (6)Cl were almost stable, (2)Cl and (4)Cl were decomposed. The interaction of 9-MeG (9-MeG = 9-methylguanine) with (3)Cl and (6)Cl revealed that it coordinates only to the platinum center through N7. Decomposition of the heterobimetallic complexes takes place after the coordination of 9-MeG, mainly forming the complex [Pt(bpm)(9-MeG-N7)Cl]⁺. Notably, the cytotoxic activity of (6)Cl in cancer cells was found to be moderate when compared to cisplatin, but higher in comparison with its corresponding monomers.

A ruthenium-platinum metal complex that binds to sarcin ricin loop RNA and lowers mRNA expression

IT127 is a dinuclear transition metal complex that contains a Pt(ii) and a Ru(iii) metal center. We have shown that IT127 is significantly more effective in binding the 29-base sarcin ricin loop (SRL) RNA in comparison to Cisplatin, a hallmark anticancer agent. Binding site analysis shows that IT127 prefers purine bases and the GAGA tetraloop region of SRL RNA. Our results with a dihydrofolate reductase (DHFR) model system reveal that IT127 binding to mRNA reduces translation of DHFR enzyme and that the Ru(iii) and Pt(ii) centers in IT127 appear to work in a synergistic manner.

Mass spectrometry evidence for cisplatin as a protein cross-linking reagent

Cisplatin is a potent anticancer drug, which functions by cross-linking adjacent DNA guanine residues. However within 1 day of injection, 65-98% of the platinum in the blood plasma is protein-bound. It is generally accepted that cisplatin binds to methionine and histidine residues, but what is often underappreciated is that platinum from cisplatin has a 2+ charge and can form up to four bonds. Thus, it has the potential to function as a cross-linker. In this report, the cross-linking ability of cisplatin is demonstrated by Fourier transform ion cyclotron resonance (FTICR) mass spectrometry (MS) with the use of standard peptides, the 16.8 kDa protein calmodulin (CaM), but was unsuccessful for the 64 kDa protein hemoglobin. The high resolution and mass accuracy of FTICR MS along with the high degree of fragmentation of large peptides afforded by collisionally activated dissociation (CAD) and electron capture dissociation (ECD) are shown to be a valuable means of characterizing cross-linking sites. Cisplatin is different from current cross-linking reagents by targeting new functional groups, thioethers, and imidazoles groups, which provides complementarity with existing cross-linkers. In addition, platinum(II) inherently has two positive charges which enhance the detection of cross-linked products. Higher charge states not only promote the detection of cross-linking products with less purification but result in more comprehensive MS/MS fragmentation and can assist in the assignment of modification sites. Moreover, the unique isotopic pattern of platinum flags cross-linking products and modification sites by mass spectrometry.

Zinc finger proteins as templates for metal ion exchange and ligand reactivity. Chemical and biological consequences

Zinc finger reactions with inorganic ions and coordination compounds are as diverse as the zinc fingers themselves. Use of metal ions such as Co(2+) and Cd(2+) has given structural, thermodynamic and kinetic information on zinc fingers and zinc-finger-DNA/RNA interactions. It is a general truism that alteration of the coordination sphere in the finger environment will disrupt the recognition with DNA/RNA and this has implications for mechanism of toxicity and carcinogenesis of metal ions. Structural zinc fingers are susceptible to electrophilic attack and the recognition that the coordination sphere of inorganic compounds may be modulated for control of electrophilic attack on zinc fingers raises the possibility of systematic studies of zinc fingers as drug targets using inorganic chemistry. Some inorganic compounds such as those of As(III) and Au(I) may exert their biological effects through inactivation of zinc fingers and novel approaches to specifically attack the zinc-bound ligands using Co(III)-Schiff bases and Platinum(II)-Nucleobase compounds have been proposed. The genomic importance of zinc fingers suggests that the "coordination chemistry" of zinc fingers themselves is ripe for exploration to design new targets for medicinal inorganic chemistry.

Vitamin E succinate enhances steatotic liver energy status and prevents oxidative damage following ischemia/reperfusion

We have previously shown that treatment of steatotic livers with vitamin E succinate decreases liver injury and increases survival after ischemia/reperfusion (I/R). It is now understood that compromised energy status is associated with increased injury following liver ischemia in the setting of hepatic steatosis at least partially as a result of increased reactive oxygen species (ROS) and induction of mitochondrial uncoupling protein-2 (UCP2). Given the association between ROS, mitochondrial function, and UCP2, it was our goal to determine whether the protective effects of vitamin E succinate were associated with decreased ROS injury, down-regulation of UCP2, or improvement of ATP levels following I/R. To test this, leptin deficient (ob/ob) mice with steatotic livers that had received other 50 IU of vitamin E succinate supplement per day or control chow for 7 days were subjected to total hepatic ischemia (15 minutes) followed by reperfusion. We measured liver expressions of ATP, glutathione (GSH), and UCP2 as well as mitochondrial DNA damage. Vitamin E treatment decreased hepatic UCP2 expression and increased ATP and GSH levels prior to I/R. These levels were maintained at 1 hour after I/R. At 24 hours, while hepatic UCP2 expression, ATP, and GSH levels were similar to those of mice not receiving vitamin E, mitochondrial DNA damage was blocked. These results revealed that vitamin E succinate decreased hepatic UCP2 expression, reduced oxidative stress, and improved mitochondrial function in mice with steatotic livers before and after I/R, identifying mechanisms of protection in this setting.

Exploring damage recognition models in prokaryotic nucleotide excision repair with a benzo[a]pyrene-derived lesion in UvrB

The UvrB protein is a central unit for damage recognition in the prokaryotic nucleotide excision repair system, which excises bulky DNA lesions. We have utilized molecular modeling and MD simulations based on crystal structures, mutagenesis, and fluorescence data, to model the 10R-(+)-cis-anti-B[a]P-N2-dG lesion, derived from the tumorigenic (+)-anti-B[a]PDE metabolite of benzo[a]pyrene, at different locations on the inner and outer strand in UvrB. Our results suggest that this lesion is accommodated on the inner strand where it might translocate through the tunnel created by the beta-hairpin and UvrB domain 1B and ultimately could be housed in the pocket behind the beta-hairpin prior to excision by UvrC. Lesions that vary in size and shape may be stopped at the gate to the tunnel, within the tunnel, or in the pocket when UvrC initiates excision. Common features of beta-hairpin intrusion between the two DNA strands and nucleotide flipping manifested in structures of prokaryotic and eukaryotic NER lesion recognition proteins are consistent with common recognition mechanisms, based on lesion-induced local thermodynamic distortion/destabilization and nucleotide flipping.

Tuning heavy metal compounds for anti-tumor activity: is diversity the key to ruthenium’s success?

This review aims to bring the reader up to date with the more recent ruthenium compounds that have been synthesized and tested for their cytotoxicity. The chemistry of these transition metal complexes will be introduced and the basic principles that govern their common behavior outlined. The recent history of established compounds within this field will be presented alongside those that now represent the cutting-edge. The inherent variety within this class of compounds will lead the reader to appreciate their diversity and pose questions as to their similarities aside from the presence of a shared metal ion. This review aims to discuss and contextualize the state-of-the-art research within the context of the speculative advancement of this developing field. There is an evident need to specify the molecular and cellular targets of these drug molecules in order to ultimately elucidate their mode or modes of action. The evidence presented herein suggests that new avenues of research require novel analytical probes and methods for tracing the fate of ruthenium complexes in cells in order to understand their very promising cytotoxic activity.

DNA interactions of dinuclear RuII arene antitumor complexes in cell-free media

We recently synthesized and characterized water-soluble dinuclear Ru(II) arene complexes, in which two {(eta(6)-p-isopropyltoluene)RuCl[3-(oxo-kappaO)-2-methyl-4-pyridinonato-kappaO(4)]} units were linked by flexible chains of different length [(CH(2))(n) (n=4, 6, 8, 12)]. These new dinuclear ruthenium drugs were found to exert promising cytotoxic effects in human cancer cells. In the present work DNA modifications by these new dinuclear Ru(II) arene compounds, which differed in the length of the linker between the two Ru(II) centers, were examined by biochemical and biophysical methods. The complexes bind DNA forming intrastrand and interstrand cross-links in one DNA molecule in the absence of proteins. An intriguing aspect of the DNA-binding mode of these dinuclear Ru(II) compounds is that they can cross-link two DNA duplexes and also proteins to DNA--a feature not observed for other antitumor ruthenium complexes. Thus, the concept for the design of interhelical and DNA-protein cross-linking agents based on dinuclear Ru(II) arene complexes with sufficiently long linkers between two Ru centers may result in new compounds which exhibit a variety of biological effects and can be also useful in nucleic acids research.

DNA interactions of new cytotoxic tetrafunctional dinuclear platinum complex trans,trans-[{PtCl2(NH3)}2(piperazine)]

A new tetrafunctional dinuclear platinum complex trans,trans-[{PtCl2(NH3)}2(piperazine)] with sterically rigid linking group was designed, synthesized and characterized. In this novel molecule, the DNA-binding features of two classes of the platinum compounds with proven antitumor activity are combined, namely trans oriented bifunctional mononuclear platinum complexes with a heterocyclic ligand and polynuclear platinum complexes. DNA-binding mode of this new complex was analyzed by various methods of molecular biology and biophysics. The complex coordinates DNA in a unique way and interstrand and intrastrand cross-links are the predominant lesions formed in DNA in cell-free media and in absence of proteins. An intriguing aspect of trans,trans-[{PtCl2(NH3)}2(piperazine)] is that, using a semi-rigid linker, interstrand cross-linking is diminished relative to other dinuclear platinum complexes with flexible linking groups and lesions that span several base pairs, such as tri- and tetrafunctional adducts, become unlikely. In addition, in contrast to the inability of trans,trans-[{PtCl2(NH3)}2(piperazine)] to cross-link two DNA duplexes, the results of the present work convincingly demonstrate that this dinuclear platinum complex forms specific DNA lesions which can efficiently cross-link proteins to DNA. The results substantiate the view that trans,trans-[{PtCl2(NH3)}2(piperazine)] or its analogues could be used as a tool for studies of DNA properties and their interactions or as a potential antitumor agent. The latter view is also corroborated by the observation that trans,trans-[{PtCl2(NH3)}2(piperazine)] is a more effective cytotoxic agent than cisplatin against human tumor ovarian cell lines.

Molecular recognition by mass spectrometry

A recent major advance in the field of mass spectrometry in the biomolecular sciences is represented by the study of the supramolecular interactions among two or more partners in the gas phase. A great deal of chemistry and most of biochemistry concerns molecular interactions taking place in solution. The electrospray technique, which allows direct sampling from solution, and soft ionization of the solute without deposition into the analyte of large amounts of energy, guarantees in many cases the survival of noncovalent bondings and, hence, the direct analysis of the supramolecular complexes present in the condensed phase. The proper preparation of the solution to be studied and also the expert and accurate setting and use of the instrumental parameters are the prerequisites for gaining results as to the specific interactions between, for instance, a protein conformationally modified by its specific metal ion, eventually, and a ligand molecule. The analysis of the charge state of the protein itself and of the modifications of the complex integrity by activating collisions are also methods for studying the biomolecule-molecule interactions. Accordingly, this new mass spectrometric approach to the supramolecular chemistry, which could be also defined as 'supramolecular mass spectrometry', allows the study of ion-protein, protein-protein, protein-ligand and DNA-drug interactions. Chiral recognition can also be performed in the gas phase, studying by electrospray mass spectrometry the fragmentation of diastereomeric complex ions. Not the least, a deep insight can also be obtained into the formation and nature of inclusion complexes like those formed with crown ethers, cyclodextrins and calixarenes as host molecules. All these topics are treated to a certain extent in this special feature article.

Thiolate-bridged heterodinuclear platinum–zinc chelates as models for ternary platinum–DNA–protein complexes and zinc ejection from zinc fingers. Evidence from studies using ESI-mass spectrometry

Structures for model ternary platinum-DNA-protein complexes and zinc ejection from zinc fingers by platinum were deduced from the ESI-MS spectra of the interaction of model Zn and Pt complexes.

Trifunctional Dinuclear Platinum Complexes as DNA−Protein Cross-Linking Agents

The trifunctional dinuclear platinum compounds 1,2/c,c [[cis-PtCl(NH(3))(2)]mu-H(2)N(CH(2))(6)NH(2)[cis-PtCl(2)(NH(3))]](+) and 1,2/t,c [[trans-PtCl(NH(3))(2)]mu-H(2)N(CH(2))(6)NH(2)[cis-PtCl(2)(NH(3))]](+) contain a monofunctional platinum coordination sphere linked to a cis-[PtCl(2)(amine)(2)] moiety. The compounds have been examined for their DNA binding and ability to induce covalent ternary DNA-protein cross-links. Comparison was made with representative bifunctional dinuclear platinum compounds [[PtCl(NH(3))(2)](2)mu-H(2)N(CH(2))(n)NH(2)](2+). DNA modified by the trifunctional compounds is able to bind and cross-link BamHI, a sequence-specific DNA-binding protein that recognizes the palindromic sequence GGATCC and also very efficiently binds and cross-links SP1, a sequence-specific Zn finger protein that induces a bend in the DNA upon binding. Two representative nonsequence-specific DNA-binding proteins, the Klenow fragment from DNA polymerase I and Klenow exonuclease minus (which has been mutated to remove the 3'-5' proofreading domain), both bind modified DNA and effectively cross-link to the DNA. Data from circular dichroism, inhibition of ethidium bromide fluorescence, interstrand cross-linking and unwinding assays are all consistent with (Pt,Pt) interstrand cross-links as the dominant lesion of trifunctional compounds and the most likely structure to form the ternary DNA-protein cross-links. In vitro transcription of RNA is inhibited by the platinum compounds and indicate G residues as primary binding sites. Binding to calf thymus DNA as assessed by differential pulse polarography is rapid and essentially quantitative. An increase in melting temperature of CT DNA adducted by the platinum compounds is observed at low salt concentrations but at high salt, modification results in a decrease of t(m). In summary, the trifunctional agents may find use as protein-targeting drugs and as probes for conformational effects on DNA-protein interactions.

Synthetic Enantiopure Aziridinomitosenes: Preparation, Reactivity, and DNA Alkylation Studies

An enantiocontrolled route to aziridinomitosenes had been developed from l-serine methyl ester hydrochloride. The tetracyclic target ring system was assembled by an internal azomethine ylide cycloaddition reaction based on silver ion-assisted intramolecular oxazole alkylation and cyanide-induced ylide generation via a labile oxazoline intermediate (62 to 66). Other key steps include reductive detritylation of 26, methylation of the N-H aziridine 56, oxidation of the sensitive cyclohexenedione 68 to quinone 70, and carbamoylation using Fmoc-NCO. Although the aziridinomitosene tetracycle is sensitive, a range of protecting group manipulations and redox chemistry can be performed if suitable precautions are taken. A study of DNA alkylation by the first C-6,C-7-unsubstituted aziridinomitosene 11a has been carried out, and evidence for DNA cross-link formation involving nucleophilic addition to the quinone subunit is described.

DNA-protein cross-link formation mediated by oxanine. A novel genotoxic mechanism of nitric oxide-induced DNA damage

Chronic inflammation is a risk factor for many human cancers, and nitric oxide (NO) produced in inflamed tissues has been proposed to cause DNA damage via nitrosation or oxidation of base moieties. Thus, NO-induced DNA damage could be relevant to carcinogenesis associated with chronic inflammation. In this report, we report a novel genotoxic mechanism of NO that involves DNA-protein cross-links (DPCs) induced by oxanine (Oxa), a major NO-induced guanine lesion. When a duplex DNA containing Oxa at the site-specific position was incubated with DNA-binding proteins such as histone, high mobility group (HMG) protein, and DNA glycosylases, DPCs were formed between Oxa and protein. The rate of DPC formation with DNA glycosylases was approximately two orders of magnitude higher than that with histone and HMG protein. Analysis of the reactivity of individual amino acids to Oxa suggested that DPC formation occurred between Oxa and side chains of lysine or arginine in the protein. A HeLa cell extract also gave rise to two major DPCs when incubated with DNA-containing Oxa. These results reveal a dual aspect of Oxa as causal damage of DPC formation and as a suicide substrate of DNA repair enzymes, both of which could pose a threat to the genetic and structural integrity of DNA, hence potentially leading to carcinogenesis.

Structural and functional characterization of the human DNA repair helicase XPD by comparative molecular modeling and site-directed mutagenesis of the bacterial repair protein UvrB

A molecular model for the human nucleotide excision repair protein, XPD, was developed based on the structural and functional relationship of the protein with a bacterial nucleotide excision repair (NER) protein, UvrB. Whereas XPD does not share significant sequence identity with UvrB, the proteins share seven highly conserved helicase motifs that define a common protein structural template. They also have similar functional roles in their ATPase activity and the ability to unwind DNA and verify damaged strands in the process of NER. The validity of using the crystal structure of UvrB as a template for the development of an XPD model was tested by mimicking human disease-causing mutations (XPD: R112H, D234N, R601L) in UvrB (E110R, D338N, R506A) and by mutating two highly conserved residues (XPD, His-237 and Asp-609; UvrB, H341A and D510A). The XPD structural model can be employed in understanding the molecular mechanism of XPD human disease causing mutations. The value of this XPD model demonstrates the generalized approach for the prediction of the structure of a mammalian protein based on the crystal structure of a structurally and functionally related bacterial protein sharing extremely low sequence identity (<15%).

DNA modifications by antitumor platinum and ruthenium compounds: their recognition and repair

The development of metal-based antitumor drugs has been stimulated by the clinical success of cis-diamminedichloroplatinum(II) (cisplatin) and its analogs and by the clinical trials of other platinum and ruthenium complexes with activity against resistant tumors and reduced toxicity including orally available platinum drugs. Broadening the spectrum of antitumor drugs depends on understanding existing agents with a view toward developing new modes of attack. It is therefore of great interest to understand the details of molecular and biochemical mechanisms underlying the biological efficacy of platinum and other transition-metal compounds. There is a large body of experimental evidence that the success of platinum complexes in killing tumor cells results from their ability to form various types of covalent adducts on DNA; thus, the research of DNA interactions of metal-based antitumor drugs has predominated. The present review summarizes current knowledge on DNA modifications by platinum and ruthenium complexes, their recognition by specific proteins, and repair. It also provides strong support for the view that either platinum or ruthenium drugs, which bind to DNA in a fundamentally different manner from that of 'classical' cisplatin, have altered pharmacological properties. The present article also demonstrates that this concept has already led to the synthesis of several new unconventional platinum or ruthenium antitumor compounds that violate the original structure-activity relationships.

Incision of DNA-protein crosslinks by UvrABC nuclease suggests a potential repair pathway involving nucleotide excision repair

DNA-protein crosslinks (DPCs) arise in biological systems as a result of exposure to a variety of chemical and physical agents, many of which are known or suspected carcinogens. The biochemical pathways for the recognition and repair of these lesions are not well understood in part because of methodological difficulties in creating site-specific DPCs. Here, a strategy for obtaining site-specific DPCs is presented, and in vitro interactions of the Escherichia coli nucleotide excision repair (NER) UvrABC nuclease at sites of DPCs are investigated. To create site-specific DPCs, the catalytic chemistry of the T4 pyrimidine dimer glycosylase/apurinic/apyrimidinic site lyase (T4-pdg) has been exploited, namely, its ability to be covalently trapped to apurinic/apyrimidinic sites within duplex DNA under reducing conditions. Incubation of the DPCs with UvrABC proteins resulted in DNA incision at the 8th phosphate 5' and the 5th and 6th phosphates 3' to the protein-adducted site, generating as a major product of the reaction a 12-mer DNA fragment crosslinked with the protein. The incision occurred only in the presence of all three protein subunits, and no incisions were observed in the nondamaged complementary strand. The UvrABC nuclease incises DPCs with a moderate efficiency. The proper assembly and catalytic function of the NER complex on DNA containing a covalently attached 16-kDa protein suggest that the NER pathway may be involved in DPC repair and that at least some subset of DPCs can be removed by this mechanism without prior proteolytic degradation.

Synthesis, characterization, and cytotoxicity of trifunctional dinuclear platinum complexes: comparison of effects of geometry and polyfunctionality on biological activity

The synthesis of two new isomeric trifunctional dinuclear platinum complexes of formula [¿PtCl(NH(3))(2)¿micro-NH(2)(CH(2))(6)NH(2)-¿PtCl(2)(N H(3))¿](+) (1, 2/c,c and 1,2/t,c) is reported. Their biological activity in selected human tumor cell lines sensitive and resistant to CDDP (cisplatin, cis-[Pt(NH(3))(2)Cl(2)]) is described and compared with the profile for their bifunctional analogues, [¿cis/trans-PtCl(NH(3))(2)¿(2)micro-NH(2)(CH(2))(6)NH(2)](2+ ). The trifunctional dinuclear platinum complexes showed a unique profile of cytotoxicity against human cancer cell lines, with low resistance factors in A2780, CH1, and 41M cell lines. The resistance factor is dependent on the geometry of the Pt coordination spheres - suggesting that these may be associated with DNA-binding modes. Retention of activity against CDDP-resistant cell lines and a different spectrum of activity compared to CDDP and also within different classes of polynuclear platinum complexes suggest that not only are they mechanistically different from mononuclear platinum complexes but also each individual class of polynuclear platinum structure may have its own unique character.

Crystal and Molecular Structure of a Potential DNA Groove-Spanning Chelate: [MV][Pt(2)(hdta)Cl(2)].4H(2)O (MV(2+) = 1,1'-Dimethyl-4,4'-bipyridinium, hdta(4)(-) = 1,6-Hexanediamine-N,N,N',N'-tetraacetate)

Light yellow crystals of [MV][Pt(2)(hdta)Cl(2)].4H(2)O (1) (MV(2+) = 1,1'-dimethyl-4,4'-bipyridinium, hdta(4)(-) = 1,6-hexanediamine-N,N,N',N'-tetraacetate) were examined by X-ray diffraction. A 0.08 x 0.24 x 0.24 nm crystal was shown to have space group C2/c, having unit cell dimensions of a = 22.757(5) Å, b = 13.566(3) Å, and c = 12.120(2) Å and unit cell angles of alpha = gamma = 90 degrees and beta = 109.07(3) degrees with Z = 4. A total of 3195 independent reflections were refined to R = 0.0454. Each Pt(II) site has the anticipated NO(2)Cl square-planar mer coordination. The Pt-N(1) distance (N(1) is the N donor of the hdta(4)(-) ligand) is 2.001(9) Å, only slightly shorter than typical Pt-N distances (2.04-2.09 Å) for sp(3) donors. The Pt-O distances to the coordinated glycinato donors in 1 are 2.012(7) and 2.000(8) Å, values very similar to those of trans-[Pt(gly)(2)] (gly = glycinate). The Pt-Cl distance of 2.310(3) Å is in the range of 2.27-2.32 Å observed for other Pt(II)-Cl(-) bonds. The bond angles are close to the ideal 90 degrees or 180 degrees value: angleN-Pt-O = 85.4(3) degrees and 83.2(4) degrees; angleN-Pt-Cl = 176.6(2) degrees. The [Pt(2)(hdta)Cl(2)](2)(-) units are packed in an end-to-end fashion such that the [Pt(II)(iminodiacetate)Cl] headgroups are overlapping. This provides square-planar to square-planar stacking of the headgroups. (1)H and (13)C NMR data are presented which show that the [Pt(2)(hdta)Cl(2)](2)(-) coordination of the solid state is maintained in solution. The coordinated glycinato arms of [Pt(2)(hdta)Cl(2)](2)(-) are equivalent, exhibiting only one AB pattern in the (1)H NMR (H(a), 4.31 ppm; H(b), 3.89 ppm; J(ab) = 16.1 Hz) and one type of coordinated carboxylate ((13)C NMR resonance at 189.7 ppm). Time-dependent (1)H and (13)C NMR spectra show that inosine first displaces only Cl(-) in [Pt(2)(hdta)Cl(2)](2)(-) in solutions up to one inosine per Pt(II) center. A higher concentration of inosines (Ino) results in the displacement of one of the glycinato arms, detectable at 175.0 ppm by (13)C NMR. The sequential nature and binding of two Ino ligands, necessarily cis in [Pt(2)(hdta)(Ino)(4)], mimics the steps necessary to allow major groove-spanning ligation of DNA in the manner of the Farrell-type binuclear platinum(II) amine complexes.

Rearrangement of interstrand cross-links into intrastrand cross-links in cis-diamminedichloroplatinum(II)-modified DNA

In the reaction of the anticancer drug cis-diamminedichloroplatinum(II) (cis-DDP) with DNA, bifunctional intrastrand and interstrand cross-links are formed. In this work, we show that at 37 degrees C interstrand cross-links (ICL) are labile and rearrange into intrastrand cross-links. The ICL instability was first studied with a 10 base pairs (bp) double-stranded oligonucleotide containing a unique site-specific ICL resulting from chelation of the N7 position of two guanine residues on the opposite strands of DNA at the d(GC/GC) site by a cis-diammineplatinum(II) residue. The bonds between the platinum and the N7 of guanine residues within the interstrand adduct are cleaved. In 50 mM NaCl or NaClO4, this cleavage results in the formation of monofunctional adducts which subsequently form intrastrand cross-links. One cleavage reaction takes place per cross-linked duplex in either of both DNA strands. Whereas the starting cross-linked 10 bp duplex is hydrogen bonded, the two complementary DNA strands separate after the cleavage of the ICL. Under these conditions, the cleavage reaction is irreversible allowing its rate measurement (t1/2= 29+/-2 h) and closure of monofunctional adducts to intrastrand cross-links occurs within single-stranded DNA. Within a longer cross-linked oligonucleotide (20 bp), ICL are apparently more stable (t1/2= 120+/-12 h) as a consequense of monofunctional adducts closure back to ICL. We propose that the ICL cleavage is reversible in DNA and that these adducts rearrange finally into intrastrand cross-links. Our results could explain an 'ICL unhooking' in previously reported in vivo repair studies [Zhenet al. (1993)Carcinogenesis14, 919-924].

Characterization of noncovalent complexes formed between minor groove binding molecules and duplex DNA by electrospray ionization-mass spectrometry

The noncovalent complex formed in solution between minor groove binding molecules and an oligonucleotide duplex was investigated by electrospray ionization-mass spectrometry (ESI-MS). The oligonucleotide duplex formed between two sequence-specific 14-base pair oligonucleotides was observed intact by ESI-MS and in relatively high abundance compared to the individual single-stranded components. Only sequence-specific A:B duplexes were observed, with no evidence of random nonspecific aggregation (i.e., A:A or B:B) occurring under the conditions utilized. Due to the different molecular weights of the two 14-base pair oligonucleotides, unambiguous determination of each oligonucleotide and the sequence-specific duplex was confirmed through their detection at unique mass-to-charge ratios. The noncovalent complexes formed between the self-complementary 5'-dCGCAAATTTGCG-3' oligonucleotide and three minor groove binding molecules (distamycin A, pentamidine, and Hoechst 33258) were also observed. Variation of several electrospray ionization interface parameters as well as collision-induced dissociation methods were utilized to characterize the nature and stability of the noncovalent complexes. The noncovalent complexes upon collisional activation dissociated into single-stranded oligonucleotides and single-stranded oligonucleotides associated with a minor groove binding molecule. ESI-MS shows potential for the study of small molecule-oligonucleotide duplex interactions and determination of small molecule binding stoichiometry.