Stabilization of duplex DNA structure and suppression of transcription in vitro by bis(quinone diimine) complexes of rhodium(III) and ruthenium(II)

The comparative study of the DNA binding and biological activities of the quaternized dicnq as a dicationic form and its platinum(II) heteroleptic cationic complex

The square-planar heteroleptic Pt(II) coordination compound [Pt(bpy)(dicnq)](NO₃)₂ (1) and the quaternized dicnq ligand, namely 12,13-dicyano-5,6-dihydrodipyrazino[2,3-f:1',2',3',4'-lmn][1,10]phenanthroline-4,7-diium dibromide (2) (Fig. 1) were synthesized and fully characterized by means of FTIR, NMR, MALDI-TOF MS and the purity was confirmed by CHN analyses. The DNA binding profiles of 1 and 2 were identified in an identical condition. The biological activities of these compounds were investigated by the assays of transcription and replication inhibition, cytotoxic and antimicrobial activity. The result of this study indicates that, both compounds strongly bind to DNA via intercalation but only 1 has a strong nuclease activity. The coordination compound of dicnq (1) binds to the DNA only slightly stronger than the quaternized form of dicnq (2), and is more potent as an inhibitor of transcription and replication and therefore, 1 has more potential as an anticancer agent but the compounds did not show cytotoxic activity against MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231 breast cancer, and DLD-1 colon cancer cell lines it was found that they only had activities against HepG2 liver cancer cell line with following IC₅₀ values; 94.75 and 159.60 µM for 1 and 2, respectively. In addition, tested bacteria are more susceptible to compound 1. These biological activities of 1 may strongly be due to its ability to digest DNA as a chemical nuclease. According to this study, the quaternization of the ligand does not make biologically more active than the coordination compound of the same ligand in this case. The compound (1) is worth further investigation for its antitumor activities.

DNA binding, prominent photonuclease activity and antibacterial PDT of cobalt(II) complexes of phenanthroline based photosensitizers

The chemistry of Co(II) complexes showing efficient light induced DNA cleavage activity, binding propensity to calf thymus DNA and antibacterial PDT is summarized in this article. Complexes of formulation [Co(mqt)(B)₂]ClO₄ 1-3 where mqt is 4-methylquinoline-2-thiol and B is N,N-donor heterocyclic base, viz. 1,10-phenanthroline (phen 1), dipyrido[3,2-d:2',3'-f]quinoxaline (dpq 2) and dipyrido[3,2-a:2',3'-c]phenazine (dppz 3) have been prepared and characterized. The DNA-binding behaviors of these three complexes were explored by absorption spectra, viscosity measurements and thermal denaturation studies. The DNA binding constants for complexes 1, 2 and 3 were determined to be 1.6 × 10³ M^-1, 1.1 × 10⁴ M^-1 and 6.4 × 10⁴ M^-1 respectively. The experimental results suggest that these complexes interact with DNA through groove binding mode. The complexes show significant photocleavage of supercoiled (SC) DNA proceeds via a type-II process forming singlet oxygen as the reactive species. Antimicrobial photodynamic therapy was studied using photodynamic antimicrobial chemotherapy (PACT) assay against E. coli and all complexes exhibited significant reduction in bacterial growth on photoirradiation.

Effect of structure variations on the quadruplex DNA binding ability of nickel Schiff base complexes

The synthesis of two new series of nickel complexes is described, along with their ability to bind to duplex and quadruplex DNA structures.

Synthesis, characterization and biological evaluation of labile intercalative ruthenium(ii) complexes for anticancer drug screening

[Ru(tpy)(N^N)Cl]⁺ were synthesized for anticancer evolution. Ru2–Ru4 were dual-mode DNA-binding complexes and exhibited higher DNA binding affinity, better cellular uptake efficiency and higher anticancer activity than Ru1.

DNA studies of newly synthesized heteroleptic platinum(II) complexes [Pt(bpy)(iip)](2+) and [Pt(bpy)(miip)](2.)

Two new mono-nuclear heteroleptic platinum(II) complexes, [Pt(bpy)(iip)](PF6)2 (1) and [Pt(bpy)(miip)](PF6)2·2H2O (2) (bpy is 2,2'-bipyridine; iip is 2-(imidazo-4-yl)-1H-imidazo[4,5-f] [1,10] phenanthroline; miip is 2-(1-methylimidazo-2-yl)-1H-imidazo[4,5-f] [1, 10] phenanthroline), have been synthesized and fully characterized by CHN analysis, electrospray ionization and MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry, (1)H NMR, FT-IR (ATR), and UV-Vis spectrophotometer. Cytotoxicity, ability to inhibit DNA transcription and DNAse activity of the complexes were studied. The DNA-binding behaviors of both complexes have also been studied by spectroscopic methods, cyclic voltammetry and viscosity measurements. Both complexes showed cytotoxic properties and 2 was more cytotoxic than 1. DNA transcription was inhibited upon increasing concentrations of both complexes. The complex 2 was found to be a better inhibitor than 1. The same pattern can be seen in the DNAse profile of the complexes. In addition, 2 was found to promote cleavage of pBR322 DNA at a lower concentration than 1. The spectroscopic, electrochemical and viscometric results indicate that both complexes show some degree of binding to DNA in an intercalative mode, resulting in intrinsic binding constants K b = 3.55 ± 0.6 × 10(4) M(-1) and 7.01 ± 0.9 × 10(4) M(-1) for 1 and 2, respectively. The difference in the DNA-binding affinities of 1 and 2 may presumably be explained by the methylated imidazole nitrogen atom that makes the compound more hydrophobic and gives better intercalative binding ability to DNA's hydrophobic environment.

An in vitro enzymatic assay to measure transcription inhibition by gallium(III) and H3 5,10,15-tris(pentafluorophenyl)corroles

Chemotherapy often involves broad-spectrum cytotoxic agents with many side effects and limited targeting. Corroles are a class of tetrapyrrolic macrocycles that exhibit differential cytostatic and cytotoxic properties in specific cell lines, depending on the identities of the chelated metal and functional groups. The unique behavior of functionalized corroles towards specific cell lines introduces the possibility of targeted chemotherapy. Many anticancer drugs are evaluated by their ability to inhibit RNA transcription. Here we present a step-by-step protocol for RNA transcription in the presence of known and potential inhibitors. The evaluation of the RNA products of the transcription reaction by gel electrophoresis and UV-Vis spectroscopy provides information on inhibitive properties of potential anticancer drug candidates and, with modifications to the assay, more about their mechanism of action. Little is known about the molecular mechanism of action of corrole cytotoxicity. In this experiment, we consider two corrole compounds: gallium(III) 5,10,15-(tris)pentafluorophenylcorrole (Ga(tpfc)) and freebase analogue 5,10,15-(tris)pentafluorophenylcorrole (tpfc). An RNA transcription assay was used to examine the inhibitive properties of the corroles. Five transcription reactions were prepared: DNA treated with Actinomycin D, triptolide, Ga(tpfc), tpfc at a [complex]:[template DNA base] ratio of 0.01, respectively, and an untreated control. The transcription reactions were analyzed after 4 hr using agarose gel electrophoresis and UV-Vis spectroscopy. There is clear inhibition by Ga(tpfc), Actinomycin D, and triptolide. This RNA transcription assay can be modified to provide more mechanistic detail by varying the concentrations of the anticancer complex, DNA, or polymerase enzyme, or by incubating the DNA or polymerase with the complexes prior to RNA transcription; these modifications would differentiate between an inhibition mechanism involving the DNA or the enzyme. Adding the complex after RNA transcription can be used to test whether the complexes degrade or hydrolyze the RNA. This assay can also be used to study additional anticancer candidates.

Synthesis, DNA interactions and antibacterial PDT of Cu(II) complexes of phenanthroline based photosensitizers via singlet oxygen generation

Cu(II) complexes [Cu(mqt)(B)H2O]ClO4(1-3) of 2-thiol 4-methylquinoline and phenanthroline bases (B), viz 1,10-phenanthroline (phen in 1), Dipyrido[3,2-d:2',3'-f]quinoxaline (dpq in 2) and Dipyrido[3,2-a:2',3'-c]phenazine (dppz in 3) have been prepared and characterized by elemental analysis, IR, UV-Vis, magnetic moment values, EPR spectra and conductivity measurements. The spectral data reveal that all the complexes exhibit square-pyramidal geometry. The DNA-binding behaviors of the three complexes were investigated by absorption spectra, viscosity measurements and thermal denaturation studies. The DNA binding constants for complexes (1), (2) and (3) were determined to 2.2×10(3), 1.3×10(4) and 8.6×10(4)M(-1) respectively. The experimental results suggest that these complexes interact with DNA through groove-binding mode. The photo induced cleavage studies shows that the complexes possess photonuclease property against pUC19 DNA under UV-Visible irradiation via a mechanistic pathway involving formation of singlet oxygen as the reactive species. Antimicrobial photodynamic therapy was studied using photodynamic antimicrobial chemotherapy (PACT) assay against Escherichiacoli and all complexes exhibited significant reduction in bacterial growth on photoirradiation.

Synthesis and characterisation of nickel Schiff base complexes containing the meso-1,2-diphenylethylenediamine moiety: selective interactions with a tetramolecular DNA quadruplex

Two nickel(ii) Schiff base complexes exhibit binding selectivity for a tetramolecular DNA quadruplex.

Dinuclear Cd(ii), Mn(ii) and Cu(ii) complexes derived from (anthraquinone-1-diyl) benzoate: DNA binding and cleavage studies

Three dinuclear Cd(ii), Mn(ii) and Cu(ii) complexes have been successfully synthesized under solvothermal conditions. Among them, only the Cu(ii) complex has the activity for DNA cleavage.

DNA-binding studies and antitumor evaluation of novel water soluble organic pip and hpip analogs

Two new water-soluble pip and hpip analogs, 1 and 2 pip = 2-phenylimidazo[4,5-f][1, 10]phenanthroline; hpip = 2-(2-hydroxyphenyl)imidazo[4,5-f][1, 10]phenanthroline, have been synthesized and fully characterized by CHN analysis, MALDI-TOF MS, (1)H-NMR, IR (ATR), and UV-Vis methods. The DNA-binding behaviors of both compounds have been studied by viscosity measurements, spectroscopic methods, and gel electrophoresis studies, and potential for antitumor activity was evaluated by measuring their ability to inhibit DNA transcription. The results indicate that both compounds show some strong binding to DNA in a mixture of electrostatic and intercalative mode resulting in the intrinsic binding constants Kb of (4.0 ± 0.5) × 10(5) M(-1) and (7.5 ± 0.5) × 10(5) M(-1) for 1 and 2, respectively. These strong binding affinities for DNA are comparable for that seen for many transition metal-based intercalators. Comparatively, observed difference in the DNA-binding affinities of two complexes can be reasonably explained by the presence of an intra-molecular hydrogen-bonding between the ortho-phenolic group and the nitrogen atom of the imidazole ring. The extended co-planarity of 2 due to the intramolecular hydrogen bonding may lead to an enhancement of DNA binding affinity of 2. In addition, 2 can promote cleavage of pBR322 DNA upon irradiation, it inhibits DNA transcription and it is more cytotoxic at lower concentrations in comparison to 1, as revealed by the spectroscopic measurements.

Structure-activity relationship of polypyridyl ruthenium(II) complexes as DNA intercalators, DNA photocleavage reagents, and DNA topoisomerase and RNA polymerase inhibitors

To investigate the relationship between the molecular structure and biological activity of polypyridyl Ru(II) complexes, such as DNA binding, photocleavage ability, and DNA topoisomerase and RNA polymerase inhibition, six new [Ru(bpy)(2)(dppz)](2+) (bpy=2,2'-bipyridine; dppz=dipyrido[3,2-a:2,',3'-c]phenazine) analogs have been synthesized and characterized by means of (1)H-NMR spectroscopy, mass spectrometry, and elemental analysis. Interestingly, the biological properties of these complexes have been identified to be quite different via a series of experimental methods, such as spectral titration, DNA thermal denaturation, viscosity, and gel electrophoresis. To explain the experimental regularity and reveal the underlying mechanism of biological activity, the properties of energy levels and population of frontier molecular orbitals and excited-state transitions of these complexes have been studied by density-functional theory (DFT) and time-depended DFT (TDDFT) calculations. The results suggest that DNA intercalative ligands with better planarity, greater hydrophobicity, and less steric hindrance are beneficial to the DNA intercalation and enzymatic inhibition of their complexes.

Size matters, so does shape: Inhibition of transcription of T7 RNA polymerase by iron(II) clathrochelates

Coordination and organoelement compounds are rarely proposed as the drug candidates despite their vast potential in the area owing to their strictly controlled geometry and rather extensive surface. This is the first example of the inhibition of transcription in the system of T7 RNA polymerase by cage metal complexes. Their IC50 values reach as low as the nanomolar range, placing them among the most potent metal-based transcription inhibitors.

Photobiological activity of Ru(II) dyads based on (pyren-1-yl)ethynyl derivatives of 1,10-phenanthroline

Several mononuclear Ru(II) dyads possessing 1,10-phenanthroline-appended pyrenylethynylene ligands were synthesized, characterized, and evaluated for their potential in photobiological applications such as photodynamic therapy (PDT). These complexes interact with DNA via intercalation and photocleave DNA in vitro at submicromolar concentrations when irradiated with visible light (lambda(irr) > or = 400 nm). Such properties are remarkably sensitive to the position of the ethynylpyrenyl substituent on the 1,10-phenanthroline ring, with 3-substitution showing the strongest binding under all conditions and causing the most deleterious DNA damage. Both dyads photocleave DNA under hypoxic conditions, and this photoactivity translates well to cytotoxicity and photocytotoxicity models using human leukemia cells, where the 5- and 3-substituted dyads show photocytotoxicity at 5-10 microM and 10-20 microM, respectively, with minimal, or essentially no, dark toxicity at these concentrations. This lack of dark cytotoxicity at concentrations where significant photoactivity is observed emphasizes that agents with strong intercalating units, previously thought to be too toxic for phototherapeutic applications, should not be excluded from the arsenal of potential photochemotherapeutic agents under investigation.

Live cell cytotoxicity studies: documentation of the interactions of antitumor active dirhodium compounds with nuclear DNA

The promising antitumor activity of dirhodium complexes has been known for over 30 years. There remains, however, a general lack of understanding of their activity in cellulo. In this study, we report the DNA interactions and activity in living cells of six monosubstituted dirhodium(II,II) complexes of general formula [Rh(2)(mu-O(2)CCH(3))(2)(eta(1)-O(2)CCH(3))(L)(CH(3)OH)](+), where L = bpy (2,2'-bipyridine) (1), phen (1,10-phenanthroline) (2), dpq (dipyrido[3,2-f:2',3'-h]quinoxaline) (3), dppz (dipyrido[3,2-a:2',3'-c]phenazine) (4), dppn (benzo[i]dipyrido[3,2-a:2',3'-c]phenazine) (5), and dap (4,7-dihydrodibenzo[de,gh][1,10]phenanthroline) (6). DNA interactions were investigated by UV/visible spectroscopy, relative viscosity measurements, and electrophoretic mobility shift assay. These measurements indicate that compound 5 exhibits the strongest interaction with DNA. Compound 5 also causes the most damage to DNA after cellular internalization, as evaluated by the alkaline comet assay. Compound 5, however, is not the most effective at inhibiting cell viability of the human cancer cells HeLa and COLO-316. The greater hydrophobicity of 5 as compared to that of 4, which is the most effective compound in the series, hinders its ability to reach its cellular target(s). Data from modulation studies of glutathione using N-acetylcysteine and L-buthionine-sulfoximine indicate that changes in glutathione levels do not affect the activity of these particular dirhodium complexes. These results suggest that glutathione is not the only agent involved in the deactivation of these dirhodium complexes.

Genome-wide analysis reveals regulatory role of G4 DNA in gene transcription

G-quadruplex or G4 DNA, a four-stranded DNA structure formed in G-rich sequences, has been hypothesized to be a structural motif involved in gene regulation. In this study, we examined the regulatory role of potential G4 DNA motifs (PG4Ms) located in the putative transcriptional regulatory region (TRR, -500 to +500) of genes across the human genome. We found that PG4Ms in the 500-bp region downstream of the annotated transcription start site (TSS; PG4M(D500)) are associated with gene expression. Generally, PG4M(D500)-positive genes are expressed at higher levels than PG4M(D500)-negative genes, and an increased number of PG4M(D500) provides a cumulative effect. This observation was validated by controlling for attributes, including gene family, function, and promoter similarity. We also observed an asymmetric pattern of PG4M(D500) distribution between strands, whereby the frequency of PG4M(D500) in the coding strand is generally higher than that in the template strand. Further analysis showed that the presence of PG4M(D500) and its strand asymmetry are associated with significant enrichment of RNAP II at the putative TRR. On the basis of these results, we propose a model of G4 DNA-mediated stimulation of transcription with the hypothesis that PG4M(D500) contributes to gene transcription by maintaining the DNA in an open conformation, while the asymmetric distribution of PG4M(D500) considerably reduces the probability of blocking the progression of the RNA polymerase complex on the template strand. Our findings provide a comprehensive view of the regulatory function of G4 DNA in gene transcription.

Metallo-intercalators and metallo-insertors

Since the elucidation of the structure of double helical DNA, the construction of small molecules that recognize and react at specific DNA sites has been an area of considerable interest. In particular, the study of transition metal complexes that bind DNA with specificity has been a burgeoning field. This growth has been due in large part to the useful properties of metal complexes, which possess a wide array of photophysical attributes and allow for the modular assembly of an ensemble of recognition elements. Here we review recent experiments in our laboratory aimed at the design and study of octahedral metal complexes that bind DNA non-covalently and target reactions to specific sites. Emphasis is placed both on the variety of methods employed to confer site-specificity and upon the many applications for these complexes. Particular attention is given to the family of complexes recently designed that target single base mismatches in duplex DNA through metallo-insertion.

Effect of axial coordination on the electronic structure and biological activity of dirhodium(II,II) complexes

The reactivities toward biomolecules of a series of three dirhodium(II,II) complexes that possess an increasing number of accessible axial coordination sites are compared. In cis-[Rh2(OAc)2(np)2]2+ (1; np=1,8-naphthyridine) both axial sites are available for coordination, whereas for cis-[Rh2(OAc)2(np)(pynp)]2+ (2; pynp=2-(2-pyridyl)1,8-naphthyridine) and cis-[Rh2(OAc)2(pynp)2]2+ (3) the bridging pynp ligand blocks one and two of the axial coordination sites in the complexes, respectively. The electronic absorption spectra of the complexes are consistent with strong metal-to-ligand charge transfer transitions at low energy and ligand-centered peaks localized on the np and/or pynp ligands in the UV and near-UV regions. Time-dependent density functional theory calculations were used to aid in the assignments. The three complexes exhibit metal-centered oxidations and reductions, localized on the aromatic ligands. The ability of the complexes to stabilize duplex DNA and to inhibit transcription in vitro is greatly affected by the availability of an open axial coordination site. The present work shows that open axial coordination sites on the dirhodium complexes are necessary for biological activity.

A DNA-binding copper(I) metallosupramolecular cylinder that acts as an artificial nuclease

The DNA binding of a dicationic pyridylimine-based dicopper(I) metallosupramolecular cylinder is reported together with its ability to act as an artificial nuclease. The cylinder binds strongly to DNA; more strongly than the spherical dication [Ru(phen)(3)](2+) (phen=1,10-phenanthroline), but more weakly than the corresponding tetracationic cylinders. DNA coiling effects are not observed with this dication, in contrast to the situation with the previously reported tetracationic cylinder involving a similar ligand. Linear dichroism (LD) data suggests that the dicopper cylinder binds in a different orientation from that of the tetracationic iron cylinder. Furthermore, the dicopper cylinder shows DNA-cleavage activity in the presence of peroxide. Of particular note is that the cylinder displays a marked and unusual ability to cleave both DNA strands at the same site, probably reflecting its dinuclear nature and possibly its mode of binding to the DNA.

The interaction of native DNA with Zn(II) and Cu(II) complexes of 5-triethyl ammonium methyl salicylidene orto-phenylendiimine

The interaction of native calf thymus DNA with the Zn(II) and Cu(II) complexes of 5-triethyl ammonium methyl salicylidene orto-phenylendiimine (ZnL(2+) and CuL(2+)), in 1 mM Tris-HCl aqueous solutions at neutral pH, has been monitored as a function of the metal complex-DNA molar ratio by UV absorption spectrophotometry, circular dichroism (CD) and fluorescence spectroscopy. The results support for an intercalative interaction of both ZnL(2+) and CuL(2+) with DNA, showing CuL(2+) an affinity of approximately 10 times higher than ZnL(2+). In particular, the values of the binding constant, determined by UV spectrophotometric titration, equal to 7.3x10(4) and 1.3x10(6)M(-1), for ZnL(2+) and CuL(2+), respectively, indicate the occurrence of a marked interaction with a binding size of about 0.7 in base pairs. The temperature dependence of the absorbance at 258 nm suggests that both complexes strongly increase the DNA melting temperature (Tm) already at metal complex-DNA molar ratios equal to 0.1. As evidenced by the quenching of the fluorescence of ethidium bromide-DNA solutions in the presence of increasing amounts of metal complex, ZnL(2+) and CuL(2+) are able to displace the ethidium cation intercalated into DNA. A tight ZnL(2+)-DNA and CuL(2+)-DNA binding has been also proven by the appearance, in both metal complex-DNA solutions, of a broad induced CD band in the range 350-450 nm. In the case of the CuL(2+)-DNA system, the shape of the CD spectrum, at high CuL(2+) content, is similar to that observed for psi-DNA solutions. Such result allowed us to hypothesize that CuL(2+) induces the formation of supramolecular aggregates of DNA in aqueous solutions.

DNA binding and photocleavage in vitro by new dirhodium(II) dppz complexes: correlation to cytotoxicity and photocytotoxicity

Two new dirhodium(II) complexes possessing the intercalating dppz ligand (dppz = dipyrido[3,2-a:2',3'-c]phenazine), cis-[Rh(2)(mu-O(2)CCH(3))(2)(dppz)(eta(1)-O(2)CCH(3))(CH(3)OH)](+) (1) and cis-[Rh(2)(mu-O(2)CCH(3))(2)(dppz)(2)](2+) (2), were synthesized and characterized as potential agents for photochemotherapy. Various techniques show that 1 binds to DNA through intercalation, although some aggregation of the complex on the DNA surface is also present. In contrast, 2 does not intercalate between the DNA bases; however, strong hypochromic behavior is observed in the presence of DNA, which can be attributed to intermolecular pi-stacking of 2 enhanced by the polyanion. The apparent DNA binding constants determined using optical titrations are compared to those from dialysis experiments. Both complexes photocleave pUC18 plasmid in vitro under irradiation with visible light (lambda(irr) >or= 395 nm, 15 min), resulting in the nicked, circular form. Greater photocleavage is observed for 1 relative to 2, which may be due to the ability of 1 to intercalate between the DNA bases. The cytotoxicity toward human skin cells (Hs-27) measured as the concentration at which 50% cell death is recorded, LC(50), was found to be 135 +/- 8 microM for 2 in the dark (30 min), which is significantly lower than those of 1 (LC(50) = 27 +/- 2 microM) and Rh(2)(O(2)CCH(3))(4) (LC(50) = 15 +/- 2 microM). Irradiation of cell cultures containing 1 and Rh(2)(O(2)CCH(3))(4) with visible light (400-700 nm, 30 min) has little effect on their cytotoxicity, with LC(50) values of 21 +/- 3 and 13 +/- 2 microM, respectively. Interestingly, a 3.4-fold increase in the toxicity of 2 is observed when the cell cultures are irradiated (400-700 nm, 30 min), resulting in LC(50) = 39 +/- 1 microM. The greater toxicity of 1 compared to 2 in the dark may be related to the ability of the former compound to intercalate between the DNA bases. The lower cytotoxicity of 2, together with its significantly greater photocytotoxicity, makes this complex a potential agent for photodynamic therapy (PDT). These results suggest that intercalation or strong DNA binding may not be a desirable property of a potential PDT agent.

Design Aspects for the Development of Mixed-Metal Supramolecular Complexes Capable of Visible Light Induced Photocleavage of DNA

Mixed-metal supramolecular complexes that couple ruthenium or osmium based light absorbers to a central rhodium(III) core have been designed which photocleave DNA upon irradiation with visible light. The complexes [[(bpy)(2)Ru(dpp)](2)RhCl(2)](PF(6))(5), [[(bpy)(2)Os(dpp)](2)RhCl(2)](PF(6))(5), and [[(tpy)RuCl(dpp)](2)RhCl(2)](PF(6))(3), where bpy = 2,2'-bipyridine, tpy = 2,2':6',2' '-terpyridine, and dpp = 2,3-bis(2-pyridyl)pyrazine, all exhibit intense metal to ligand charge transfer (MLCT) based transitions in the visible but possess lower lying metal to metal charge transfer (MMCT) excited states. These supramolecular complexes with low lying MMCT states photocleave DNA when excited into their intense MLCT transitions. Structurally similar complexes without this low lying MMCT state do not exhibit DNA photocleavage, establishing the role of this MMCT state in the DNA photocleavage event. Design considerations necessary to produce functional DNA photocleavage agents are presented herein.