Kinetically inert transition metal complexes that reversibly bind to DNA

Abstract

Transition metal complexes that reversibly bind to DNA have been studied for almost 30 years. In the last few years a variety of new systems have been developed, employing a range of metal ions and ligand architectures. In many cases, high affinity binding and specific selectivities have been observed. These complexes display properties that make them attractive as probes of DNA structure and function, suggesting that they may find a rôle as prototypical tools for a spectrum of applications, from basic molecular biology to medicine. This review presents an overview of some of the structures and properties of such complexes.

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

“…The interaction among DNA and metal complexes containing multidentate aromatic ligands, with square planar N 4 or N 2 O 2 coordination, has been throughly considered [14][15][16]. Indeed, such compounds have some favourable features [15][16][17][18][19]: the ligand can be attached to the metal in a controlled manner; binding to DNA is usually accompanied by marked absorbance changes in the UV-vis frequency range and, sometimes, fluorescence emission too, due to excitation of charge transfer transitions.…”

“…Indeed, such compounds have some favourable features [15][16][17][18][19]: the ligand can be attached to the metal in a controlled manner; binding to DNA is usually accompanied by marked absorbance changes in the UV-vis frequency range and, sometimes, fluorescence emission too, due to excitation of charge transfer transitions. These properties, together with the analysis of the optical and thermal behaviour of DNA in the presence of these metal complexes, provide a convenient handle for monitoring the binding process.…”

Excited state behaviour of substituted dipyridophenazine Cr(iii) complexes in the presence of nucleic acids

“…Metal heteroleptic complexes continue to attract attention because of their extraordinary excited state photophysical propertie which can be potentially exploited for applications such as solar energy converters and optoelectronics, 1-3 molecular light switches [4][5][6] and phototherapeutic agents. [7][8][9] d6 complexes such as those of ruthenium( II) or rhenium(I) have been extensively investigated as an advantage of these compounds is that their photochemical and photophysical properties can be readily tuned.…”

Direction of Intercalation of a bis-Ru(II) Complex to DNA Probed by a Minor Groove Binding Molecule 4',6-Diamidino-2-phenylindole

“…Since Barton et al 's pioneering studies of the DNA-binding properties of Δ-and Λ-[Ru(phen) 3 ] 2+ some 30 years ago, 1 many ruthenium complexes such as [Ru(phen) 2 …”