Here we report the synthesis and isolation of a series of bis-chelate Cu(2+) phenanthroline-phenazine cationic complexes of [Cu(DPQ)(Phen)](2+), [Cu(DPPZ)(Phen)](2+), and [Cu(DPPN)(Phen)](2+) (where Phen = 1,10-phenanthroline, DPQ = dipyridoquinoxaline, DPPZ = dipyridophenazine, and DPPN = benzo[i]dipyridophenazine). These compounds have enhanced DNA recognition relative to the well-studied chemical nuclease, [Cu(Phen)2](2+) (bis-Phen), with calf thymus DNA binding constants of DPQ and DPPZ agents (∼10(7) M(bp)(-1)) being the highest currently known for Cu(2+) phenanthrene compounds. Complex DNA binding follows DPQ ≈ DPPZ > DPPN > bis-Phen, with fluorescence quenching and thermal melting experiments on poly[d(A-T)2] and poly[d(G-C)2] supporting intercalation at both the minor and major groove. Phenazine complexes, however, show enhanced targeting and oxidative cleavage on cytosine-phosphate-guanine-rich DNA and have comparable in vitro cytotoxicity toward the cisplatin-resistant ovarian cancer line, SKOV3, as the clinical oxidative DNA-damaging drug doxorubicin (Adriamycin). In this study we also describe how a novel "on-chip" method devised for the Bioanalyser 2100 was employed to quantify double-stranded DNA damage, with high precision, by the complex series on pUC19 DNA (49% A-T, 51% G-C). Both DPQ and bis-Phen complexes are highly efficient oxidizers of pUC19, with DPQ being the most active of the overall series. It is apparent, therefore, that oxidative chemical nuclease activity on homogeneous canonical DNA is not entirely dependent on dynamic nucleotide binding affinity or intercalation, and this observation is corroborated through catalytic interactions with the superoxide anion radical and Fenton breakdown of hydrogen peroxide.

The substitution-inert polynuclear platinum(II) complex (PPC) series, [{trans-Pt(NH3)2(NH2(CH2)nNH3)}2-μ-(trans-Pt(NH3)2(NH2(CH2)nNH2)2}](NO3)8, where n = 5 (AH78P), 6 (AH78 TriplatinNC) and 7 (AH78H), are potent non-covalent DNA binding agents where nucleic acid recognition is achieved through use of the ‘phosphate clamp' where the square-planar tetra-am(m)ine Pt(II) coordination units all form bidentate N–O–N complexes through hydrogen bonding with phosphate oxygens. The modular nature of PPC–DNA interactions results in high affinity for calf thymus DNA (Kapp ∼5 × 107 M−1). The phosphate clamp–DNA interactions result in condensation of superhelical and B-DNA, displacement of intercalated ethidium bromide and facilitate cooperative binding of Hoechst 33258 at the minor groove. The effect of linker chain length on DNA conformational changes was examined and the pentane-bridged complex, AH78P, was optimal for condensing DNA with results in the nanomolar region. Analysis of binding affinity and conformational changes for sequence-specific oligonucleotides by ITC, dialysis, ICP-MS, CD and 2D-1H NMR experiments indicate that two limiting modes of phosphate clamp binding can be distinguished through their conformational changes and strongly suggest that DNA condensation is driven by minor-groove spanning. Triplatin-DNA binding prevents endonuclease activity by type II restriction enzymes BamHI, EcoRI and SalI, and inhibition was confirmed through the development of an on-chip microfluidic protocol.

1,10-Phenanthroline-5,6-dione and l-tyrosine methyl ester react to form phenanthroline-oxazine (PDT) from which [Cu(PDT)(2)](ClO(4))(2) and [Ag(PDT)(2)]ClO(4)·2MeOH are obtained. Binding to calf-thymus DNA by Ag(I) and Cu(II) PDT complexes exceed bis-1,10-phenanthroline analogues and the minor groove binding drugs, pentamidine and netropsin. Furthermore, unlike the artificial metallonuclease, [Cu(phen)(2)](2+), the [Cu(PDT)(2)](2+) complex does not cleave DNA in the presence of added reductant indicating unique interaction with DNA.

The synthetic chemical nuclease, [Cu(1,10-phenanthroline)2](2+), has stimulated research within metallonuclease development and in the area of cytotoxic metallodrug design. Our analysis reveals, however, that this agent is "promiscuous" as it binds both dsDNA and protein biomolecules, without specificity, and induces general toxicity to a diversity of cell lineages. Here, we describe the synthesis and characterization of small-molecule metallonucleases containing the redox-active cation, [Cu(RCOO)(1,10-phen)2](+), where 1,10-phen = 1,10-phenanthroline and R = -H, -CH3, -C2H5, -CH(CH3)2, and -C(CH3)3. The presence of coordinated carboxylate groups in the complex cation functions to enhance dsDNA recognition, reduce serum albumin binding, and offer control of toxicity toward human cancer cells, Gram positive and negative bacteria, and fungal pathogens. The induction of genomic dsDNA breaks (DSBs) were identified in ovarian adenocarcinoma cells using immunodetection of γ-H2AX. Formate, acetate, and pivalate functionalized complexes induced DSBs in a higher percentage of cells compared with [Cu(1,10-phen)2](2+), which supports the importance of inner-sphere modification toward enhancing targeted biological application.

The di-copper(II) cation, [Cu(2)(μ-terephthalate)(1,10-phen)(4)](2+), is a powerful, non-sequence-specific, minor-groove oxidizer of duplex DNA which, unlike copper(II) bis-1,10-phenanthroline chloride, operates independently of exogenous reagents. The agent displays excellent in vitro cytoxicity towards cisplatin-resistant ovarian cancer cells, producing intracellular reactive oxygen species upon nano-molar exposure.

Herein we report the application of oxidative artificial chemical nucleases as novel agents for protein engineering. The complex ion [Cu(Phen)2(H2O)](2+) (CuPhen; Phen = 1,10-phenanthroline) was applied under Fenton-type conditions against a recombinant antibody fragment specific for prostate-specific antigen (PSA) and compared against traditional DNA shuffling using DNase I for the generation of recombinant mutagenesis libraries. We show that digestion and re-annealment of single chain variable fragment (scFv) coding DNA is possible using CuPhen. Results indicate recombinant library generation in this manner may generate novel clones—not accessible through the use of DNase I—with CuPhen producing highly PSA-specific binding antibodies identified by surface plasmon resonance.

Herein we report the quantification of purine lesions arising from gamma-radiation sourced hydroxyl radicals (HO · ) on tertiary dsDNA helical forms of supercoiled (SC), open circular (OC), and linear (L) conformation, along with single-stranded folded and non-folded sequences of guanine-rich DNA in selected G-quadruplex structures. We identify that DNA helical topology and folding plays major, and unexpected, roles in the formation of 8-oxo-7,8-dihydro-2'-deoxyguanosine (8-oxo-dG) and 8-oxo-7,8-dihydro-2'-deoxyadenosine (8-oxo-dA), along with tandem-type purine lesions 5 (mutTel24) were exposed to HO · radicals and purine lesions were then quantified via stable isotope dilution LC-MS/MS analysis. Purine oxidation in dsDNA follows L > OC ) SC indicating greater damage towards the extended B-DNA topology. Conversely, G-quadruplex sequences were significantly more resistant toward purine oxidation in their unfolded states as compared with G-tetrad folded topologies; this effect is confirmed upon comparative analysis of Tel22 ($50% solution folded) and mutTel24 ($90% solution folded). In an effort to identify the accessibly of hydroxyl radicals to quadruplex purine nucleobases, G-quadruplex solvent cavities were then modeled at 1.33 Å with evidence suggesting that folded G-tetrads may act as potential oxidant traps to protect against chromosomal DNA damage. ARTICLE HISTORY

Limitations associated with the production cost, metabolic instability, side-effects, resistance and poor pharmacokinetics of organic protease inhibitors (PIs), which form an essential component of the front line HAART treatment for HIV, have fuelled efforts into finding novel, transition metal-based alternatives. Some of the attractive features of metalbased therapeutics include synthetic simplicity, solubility control, redox capability, expansion of coordination number and topography matching of the complex to the protein's active site. Building asymmetry into the complex, which may offer better discrimination between host and rogue cell, can readily be achieved through coordination of chiral ligands to the metal centre. Although the scope of this review has been limited to metal-based agents that have been reported to bind/inhibit HIV-1 and parasitic proteases, some desirables, such as high activity, low dosage, minimal toxicity, crossinhibition, unique binding modes and selectivity, have already been delivered. The variability of the d-block metals, coupled with the availability of designer organic ligands, augers well for the future development of clinical metallo-drugs for deployment against protease-associated, fatal diseases.