Two-electron oxidation of deoxyguanosine by a Ru(III) complex without involving oxygen molecules through disproportionation

Oxidation of 5'-dGMP, 5'-dGDP, and 5'-dGTP by a platinum(IV) complex

We previously reported that a Pt(IV) complex, [Pt(IV)(dach)Cl4] [trans-d,l-1,2-diaminocyclohexanetetrachloroplatinum(IV)] binds to the N7 of 5'-dGMP (deoxyguanosine-5'-monophosphate) at a relatively fast rate and oxidizes it to 8-oxo-5'-dGMP. Here, we further studied the kinetics of the oxidation of 5'-dGMP by the Pt(IV) complex. The electron transfer rate constants between 5'-dGMP and Pt(IV) in [H8-5'-dGMP-Pt(IV)] and [D8-5'-dGMP-Pt(IV)] were similar, giving a small value of the kinetic isotope effect (KIE: 1.2 ± 0.2). This small KIE indicates that the deprotonation of H8 in [H8-5'-dGMP-Pt(IV)] is not involved in the rate-determining step in the electron transfer between guanine (G) and Pt(IV). We also studied the reaction of 5'-dGDP (deoxyguanosine-5'-diphosphate) and 5'-dGTP (deoxyguanosine-5'-triphosphate) with the Pt(IV) complex. Our results showed that [Pt(IV)(dach)Cl4] oxidized 5'-dGDP and 5'-dGTP to 8-oxo-5'-dGDP and 8-oxo-5'-dGTP, respectively, by the same mechanism and kinetics as for 5'-dGMP. The Pt(IV) complex binds to N7 followed by a two-electron inner sphere electron transfer from G to Pt(IV). The reaction was catalyzed by Pt(II) and occurred faster at higher pH. The electron transfer was initiated by either an intramolecular nucleophilic attack by any of the phosphate groups or an intermolecular nucleophilic attack by free OH(-) in the solution. The rates of reactions for the three nucleotides followed the order: 5'-dGMP > 5'-dGDP > 5'-dGTP, indicating that the bulkier the phosphate groups are, the slower the reaction is, due to the larger steric hindrance and rotational barrier of the phosphate groups.

Theoretical investigation into the mechanism of 3'-dGMP oxidation by [Pt(IV)Cl4(dach)]

The mechanism for the oxidation of 3'-dGMP by [PtCl(4)(dach)] (dach = diaminocyclohexane) in the presence of [PtCl(2)(dach)] has been investigated using density functional theory. We find that the initial complexation, i.e., the formation of [PtCl(3)(dach)(3'-dGMP)], is greatly assisted by the reaction of the encounter pair [PtCl(2)(dach)···3'-dGMP] with [PtCl(4)(dach)], leading to migration of an axial chlorine ligand from platinum(IV) to platinum(II). A dinuclear platinum(II)/platinum(IV) intermediate could not be found, but the reaction is predicted to pass through a platinum(III)/platinum(III) transition structure. A cyclization process, i.e., C8-O bond formation, from [PtCl(3)(dach)(3'-dGMP)] occurs through an intriguing phosphate-water-assisted deprotonation reaction, analogous to the opposite of a proton shuttle mechanism. Followed by this, the guanine moiety is oxidized via dissociation of the Pt(IV)-Cl(ax) bond, and the cyclic ether product is finally formed after deprotonation. We have provided rationalizations, including molecular orbital explanations, for the key steps in the process. Our results help to explain the effect of [PtCl(4)(dach)] on the complexation step and the effect of a strong hydroxide base on the cyclization reaction. The overall reaction cycle is intricate and involves autocatalysis by a platinum(II) species.

Density functional theory studies on the oxidation of 5'-dGMP and 5'-dAMP by a platinum(IV) complex

Density functional theory has been used to investigate the oxidation of a guanine nucleotide by platinum(IV), a process that can be important in the degradation of DNA. For the first time, we have provided a comprehensive mechanism for all of the steps in this process. A number of intermediates are predicted to occur but with short lifetimes that would make them difficult to observe experimentally. A key step in the mechanism is electron transfer from guanine to platinum(IV), and we show that this is driven by the loss of a chloride ligand from the platinum complex after nucleophilic attack of 5'-phosphate to C8 of guanine. We have investigated several different initial platinum(IV) guanine adducts and shown that the adduct formed from replacement of an axial chlorine ligand in the platinum(IV) complex undergoes oxidation more easily. We have studied adenine versus guanine adducts, and our results show that oxidation of the former is more difficult because of disruption of the aromatic π system that occurs during the process. Finally, our results show that the acidic hydrolysis step to form the final oxidized product occurs readily via an initial protonation of N7 of the guanine.