Sterically hindered cisplatin derivatives with multiple carboxylate auxiliary arms: synthesis and reactions with guanosine-5'-monophosphate and plasmid DNA.

Two novel sterically hindered cisplatin derivatives with the ligand L=NH(2)C(CH(2)CH(2)COOH)(3) were prepared: cis-PtCl(2)L(2) and cis-PtCl(2)L(NH(3)). The starting compound for the syntheses was NH(2)C(CH(2)CH(2)COOtBu)(3), also known as a building block for dendrimers. cis-PtCl(2)L(2) was prepared from K(2)PtCl(4) in an unusual two-phase reaction in water-chloroform, followed by deprotection of the tert-butyl protective groups with formic acid to yield a water-soluble complex. The mixed-ligand compound cis-PtCl(2)L(NH(3)) was prepared from [PPh(4)][PtCl(3)(NH(3))] in methanol, with subsequent deprotection in formic acid. DNA-binding properties of the two compounds were investigated using the model base guanosine-5'-monophosphate (5'-GMP) and pBR322 plasmid DNA. While cisplatin [cis-PtCl(2)(NH(3))(2)] induced an unwinding of 12 degrees in pBR322 plasmid DNA, cis-PtCl(2)L(NH(3)) induced only 3 degrees unwinding, which is indicative of a monofunctional binding mode. Remarkably, cis-PtCl(2)L(2) did not induce any distortion in plasmid DNA, which strongly suggests that the compound does not bind to DNA. Test reactions with 5'-GMP, monitored by 1H and 195Pt NMR, confirmed that cis-PtCl(2)L(2) is unable to bind to DNA, whereas cis-PtCl(2)L(NH(3)) binds only one nucleotide. Apparently, binding of platinum to nucleotides at the coordination site cis with respect to the ligand L is prevented by steric crowding. Thus, cis-PtCl(2)L(NH(3)) must bind DNA monofunctionally at the trans position. Besides, both compounds have a chloride replaced by one of the carboxylate arms, forming a a seven-membered chelate ring. In theory, cis-PtCl(2)L(2) could also form a second chelate ring, but this was not observed.     

Synthesis and characterization of the biological activity of the cisplatin analogs, cis-PtCl(2)(dexrazoxane) and cis-PtCl(2)(levrazoxane), of the topoisomerase II inhibitors dexrazoxane (ICRF-187) and levrazoxane (ICRF-186)

The individual stereoisomers cis-PtCl(2)(dexrazoxane) and cis-PtCl(2)(levrazoxane) were synthesized and their structures were determined by X-ray crystallography. Dexrazoxane and levrazoxane inhibit cell growth because they are strong catalytic inhibitors of DNA topoisomerase II, whereas cisplatin acts through the formation of DNA cross-links. It was hypothesized that platinum(II) complexes of dexrazoxane and levrazoxane would retain both activities and yield drugs with a dual mode of action. Both cis-PtCl(2)(dexrazoxane) and cis-PtCl(2)(levrazoxane) inhibited Chinese hamster ovary cell growth, but more weakly than dexrazoxane and levrazoxane did. Based on their weak topoisomerase II inhibitory activity, it was concluded that these compounds did not inhibit cell growth by targeting topoisomerase II. A comparison of the conformation of cis-PtCl(2)(dexrazoxane) to that of dexrazoxane bound to the dimer interface of topoisomerase II showed that the highly constrained cis-PtCl(2)(dexrazoxane) was in a highly unfavorable conformation for binding. Neither of the platinum complexes were able to cross-link DNA. Thus the cell growth inhibitory activity of these complexes was also not likely due to any cisplatin-type cross-linking activity.     

DNA damage induced by novel demethylcantharidin-integrated platinum anticancer complexes

Oxaliplatin is a third generation platinum (Pt) drug with a diaminocyclohexane (DACH) entity, which has recently obtained worldwide approval for the clinical treatment of colon cancer, and apparently operates by a different mechanism of action to the classical cisplatin or carboplatin. Introducing a novel dual mechanism of action is one approach in designing a new platinum-based anticancer agent, whereby an appropriate ligand, such as demethylcantharidin (DMC), is released from the parent compound to exert a cytotoxic effect, in addition to that of the DNA-alkylating function of the platinum moiety. To investigate the likelihood of a novel dual mechanism of anticancer action, demethylcantharidin-integrated Pt complexes: Pt(R,R-DACH)(DMC) with the same Pt-DACH moiety as oxaliplatin, and Pt(NH(3))(2)(DMC) akin to carboplatin; were studied for their ability to induce DNA damage in HCT116 colorectal cancer cells by an alkaline comet assay. The results showed that the DMC ligand released from the novel complexes caused additional DNA lesions when compared with oxaliplatin and carboplatin. The comet assay also revealed that the DNA-damaging behavior of cisplatin is characteristically different; and this study is the first to demonstrate the ability of DMC to induce DNA lesions, thus providing sufficient evidence to explain the superior antiproliferative effect of the novel DMC-integrated complexes.     

In vivo inhibition of E. coli growth by a Ru(II)/Pt(II) supramolecule [(tpy)RuCl(dpp)PtCl2](PF6)

Supramolecular complexes consisting of ruthenium chromophores and a cisplatin unit represent an emerging class of bioactive molecules of interest as anti-cancer agents. Although the ability of Ru(II)/Pt(II) heteronuclear complexes to bind to DNA has been demonstrated, the in vivo activity of these complexes has not yet been reported. In the present work, we report the anti-bacterial activity of the complex [(tpy)RuCl(dpp)PtCl(2)](PF(6)) (where dpp=2,3-bis(2-pyridyl)pyrazine, tpy=2,2':6',2'-terpyridine). The impact on bacterial cell growth of exposure to different concentrations of [(tpy)RuCl(dpp)PtCl(2)](PF(6)) and cisplatin was studied. The bioactivity of this complex was found to be due to the presence of the cis-PtCl(2) moiety, as the monometallic synthon [(tpy)RuCl(dpp)](PF(6)) did not inhibit bacterial cell growth.     

Alternative heterocycles for DNA recognition: an N-methylpyrazole/N-methylpyrrole pair specifies for A.T/T.A base pairs

Side-by-side pairs of three five-membered rings, N-methylpyrrole (Py), N-methylimidazole (Im), and N-methylhydroxy-pyrrole (Hp), have been demonstrated to distinguish each of the four Watson Crick base pairs in the minor groove of DNA. However, not all DNA sequences targeted by these pairing rules achieve affinities and specificities comparable to DNA binding proteins. We have initiated a search for new heterocycles which can expand the sequence repetoire currently available. Two heterocyclic aromatic amino acids. N-methylpyrazole (Pz) and 4-methylthiazole (Th), were incorporated into a single position of an eight-ring polyamide of sequence ImImXPy-gamma-lmPyPyPy-beta-Dp to examine the modulation of affinity and specificity for DNA binding by a Pz/Py pair and or a Th/Py pair. The X/Py pairings Pz/Py and Th/Py were evaluated by quantitative DNase I footprint titrations on a DNA fragment with the four sites 5'-TGGNCA-3' (N=T, A, G, C). The Pz/Py pair binds T.A and A.T with similar affinity to a Py/Py pair but with improved specificity. disfavoring both G.C and C.G by about 100-fold. The Th/Py pair binds poorly to all four Watson Crick base pairs. These results demonstrate that in some instances new heterocyclic aromatic amino acid pairs can be incorporated into imidazole-pyrrole polyamides to mimic the DNA specificity of Py/Py pairs which may be relevant as biological criteria in animal studies become important.     

Mixed ligand-silver(I) complexes with anti-inflammatory agents which can bind to lipoxygenase and calf-thymus DNA, modulating their function and inducing apoptosis

A new mixed ligand-silver(I) complex of formula [Ag(tpp)(2)(p-Hbza)] (1) (p-HbzaH = 4-hydroxybenzoic acid and tpp = triphenylphosphine) has been synthesized and characterized by elemental analysis, mp, vibrational spectroscopy (mid- and far-FT-IR), (1)H-NMR, UV-vis, ESI-MS spectroscopic techniques and X-ray crystallography. Complex 1 and the already known mixed ligand-silver(I) complexes of formulae [Ag(tpp)(2)(salH)] (2) (salH(2) = salicylic acid or 2-hydroxy-benzoic acid) and {[Ag(tpp)(3)(asp)](dmf)} (3) (aspH = o-acetylsalicylic acid) were used for the clarification of the cytostatic activity mechanism. Thus, 1-3 were tested for their in vitro cytotoxic activity against leiomyosarcoma (LMS) and human breast adenocarcinoma (MCF-7) cells with trypan blue and Thiazolyl Blue Tetrazolium Bromide (MTT) assays. For both cell lines, complexes 1-3 were found to be more active than cisplatin. Due to the morphology of the LMS cells after incubation with 1-3, the type of cell death was evaluated by flow cytometry assay and DNA fragmentation. The results show that LMS cells undergo programmed cell death (apoptosis). DNA binding tests indicate the ability of complexes 1-3 to modify the activity of the cells. The binding constants of 1-3 towards calf-thymus DNA (CT-DNA) ((27.7 ± 7.9) × 10(4) (1), (13.3 ± 6.5) × 10(4) (2) and (11 ± 2.8) × 10(4) (3) M(-1)) indicate strong interaction. Moreover, the influence of complexes 1-3 on the catalytic peroxidation of linoleic acid to hydroperoxylinoleic acid by the enzyme lipoxygenase (LOX) was kinetically studied. Finally, docking studies on DNA binding interactions were performed.     

Comparative theoretical studies of energetic pyrazole-pyridine derivatives

The pyrazole-pyridine derivatives were optimized to obtain their molecular geometries and electronic structures at the DFT-B3LYP/6-31G(d,p) and DFT-B3P86/6-31G(d,p) levels. Molecular mechanics (MM) calculations were performed for the title compounds. Heats of formation (HOFs) were predicted through designed isodesmic reactions. Detonation performance was evaluated by using the Kamlet-Jacobs equations based on the calculated densities and heats of formation. The thermal stability of the title compounds was investigated via the bond dissociation energies (BDEs). The simulation results reveal that the compound with one pyrazole ring that is fully nitro-substituted performs similarly to the famous explosive HMX, and the compound with two pyrazole rings that are fully nitro-substituted outperforms HMX. According to the quantitative standard of energetics and stability as high energy density materials (HEDMs), the compound with two pyrazole rings that are fully nitro-substituted essentially satisfies this requirement.     

Glutathione induces cellular resistance against cationic dinuclear platinum anticancer drugs

The sulfur-containing tripeptide glutathione (GSH) is one of the most abundant molecules in cells. Elevated levels of GSH render some types of cancer cells resistant against well-known platinum anti-cancer drugs such as cisplatin and carboplatin. Platinum complexes are often very reactive towards the cysteine residue of GSH, which detoxifies these compounds by a rapid binding mechanism. Clearly, this resistance mechanism poses a severe obstacle to any new platinum drugs designed to overcome cisplatin resistance. In the present study the cytotoxicity of dinuclear platinum compounds of the 1,1/t,t type, as developed by Farrell, is determined in human ovarium A2780 cells and in the cisplatin-resistant cell line A2780cisR, which possesses elevated levels of GSH. Further, the effect of depletion of GSH levels by L-buthionine-S,R-sulfoximine (L-BSO) in A2780cisR was investigated. The experiments show that detoxification by GSH is an effective resistance mechanism against dinuclear platinum compounds. However, the dinuclear complexes are less sensitive towards detoxification compared to cisplatin. This is probably because of the rapid binding of dinuclear cationic complexes to DNA. Compared to cisplatin, the rapid binding to DNA reduces the time during which the drug molecules are exposed to GSH in the cytosol. The reaction of a representative dinuclear compound with glutathione (pH 7, 37 degrees C) was studied in detail by 195Pt NMR. The dinuclear complex BBR3005 ([trans-PtCl(2)(NH(3))(2)(mu-H(2)N(CH(2))(6)NH(2))](2+), abbreviated as 1,1/t,t n=6), follows different pathways in the reaction with GSH, depending on the molar ratio of the reactants. When reacted in stoichiometric amounts (1:1), first a chloride on each platinum is replaced by a sulfur, forming a PtN(3)S product at -2977 ppm. After 2-3 h, this intermediate reacts further to form a sulfur-bridged N(3)Pt-S-PtN(3) species as the main product at -2811 ppm. When BBR3005 is reacted with GSH in a ratio of 1:4, the sulfur-bridged species is not observed. Instead, the final product is trans-Pt(GS)(2)(NH(3))(2) (at -3215 ppm); the same product appears if GSH is reacted with trans-PtCl(2)(NH(3))(2). Apparently, GSH first replaces the chlorides and subsequently degrades the dinuclear compound by replacement of the diaminealkyl linker.     

Antimicrobial properties of highly fluorinated tris(pyrazolyl)borates

Highly fluorinated tris(pyrazolyl)borates were tested for their antimicrobial activity against various bacterial species. Both the silver(I) tris(pyrazolyl)borate [HB(3,5-(CF(3))(2)Pz)(3)]Ag(THF) (THF=tetrahydrofuran) and the sodium analog [HB(3,5-(CF(3))(2)Pz)(3)]Na(THF) appeared highly effective at inhibiting the growth of two different species of Gram-positive bacteria (i.e. being 12 and 21 fold more effective, respectively, (on a molar basis, based on the minimum inhibitory concentrations) against Staphylococcus aureus than silver sulfadiazine, a currently used silver antimicrobial). This suggests that the ligand portion of these molecules is responsible for the observed high effectiveness against the Gram-positive species. Furthermore, it appeared that the fluorinated substituents on the tris(pyrazolyl)borate were important for this high level of growth inhibition. Against two species of Gram-negative bacteria, including Pseudomonas aeruginosa, the fluorinated silver(I) tris(pyrazolyl)borate exhibited a moderate level of growth inhibition (similar to that of silver sulfadiazine), while the sodium analog showed very little ability to inhibit growth, indicating that for the Gram-negative species, the apparent responsible antimicrobial portion is the silver ion.     

DNA binding by antitumor trans-[PtCl2(NH3)(thiazole)]. Protein recognition and nucleotide excision repair of monofunctional adducts

Antitumor effects of cis-diamminedichloroplatinum(II) (cisplatin) and the clinical inactivity of its trans isomer (transplatin) have been considered a paradigm for the classical structure-activity relationships of platinum drugs. However, several new analogues of transplatin which exhibit a different spectrum of cytostatic activity including activity in tumor cells resistant to cisplatin have been recently identified. Analogues containing the planar amine ligand of the general structure trans-[PtCl(2)(NH(3))(L)], where L = planar amine, represent an example of such compounds. DNA is believed to be the major pharmacological target of platinum compounds. To contribute to the understanding of mechanisms underlying the activation of trans geometry in transplatin analogues containing planar amine ligands, various biochemical and biophysical methods were employed in previous studies to analyze the global modifications of natural DNA by trans-[PtCl(2)(NH(3))(L)]. These initial studies have revealed some unique features of the DNA binding mode of this class of platinum drugs. As the monofunctional lesions represent a significant fraction of stable adducts formed in DNA by bifunctional antitumor trans-platinum compounds with planar ligands, we analyzed in the present work short DNA duplexes containing the single, site-specific monofunctional adduct of a representative of this class of platinum drugs, antitumor trans-[PtCl(2)(NH(3))(thiazole)]. It has been shown that, in contrast to the adducts of monodentate chlorodiethylenetriamineplatinum(II) chloride or [PtCl(NH(3))(3)]Cl, the monofunctional adduct of trans-[PtCl(2)(NH(3))(thiazole)] inhibits DNA synthesis and creates a local conformational distortion similar to that produced in DNA by the major 1,2-GG intrastrand CL of cisplatin, which is considered the lesion most responsible for its anticancer activity. In addition, the monofunctional adducts of trans-[PtCl(2)(NH(3))(thiazole)] are recognized by HMGB1 domain proteins and removed by the nucleotide excision repair system similarly as the 1,2-GG intrastrand CL of cisplatin. The results of the present work further support the view that the simple chemical modification of the structure of an inactive platinum compound alters its DNA binding mode into that of an active drug and that processing of the monofunctional DNA adducts of the trans-platinum analogues in tumor cells may be similar to that of the major bifunctional adducts of "classical" cisplatin.     

DNA-protein cross-linking by trans-[PtCl(2)(E-iminoether)(2)]. A concept for activation of the trans geometry in platinum antitumor complexes

The structure-pharmacological activity relationships generally accepted for antitumor platinum compounds stressed the necessity for the cis-[PtX(2)(amine)(2)] structure while the trans-[PtX(2)(amine)(2)] structure was considered inactive. However, more recently, several trans-platinum complexes have been identified which are potently toxic, antitumor-active and demonstrate activity distinct from that of conventional cisplatin (cis-[PtCl(2)(NH(3))(2)]). We have shown in the previous report that the replacement of ammine ligands by iminoether in transplatin (trans-[PtCl(2)(NH(3))(2)]) results in a marked enhancement of its cytotoxicity so that it is more cytotoxic than its cis congener and exhibits significant antitumor activity, including activity in cisplatin-resistant tumor cells. In addition, we have also shown previously that this new trans compound (trans-[PtCl(2)(E-iminoether)(2)]) forms mainly monofunctional adducts at guanine residues on DNA, which is generally accepted to be the cellular target of platinum drugs. In order to shed light on the mechanism underlying the antitumor activity of trans-[PtCl(2)(E-iminoether)(2)] we examined oligodeoxyribonucleotide duplexes containing a single, site-specific, monofunctional adduct of this transplatin analog by the methods of molecular biophysics. The results indicate that major monofunctional adducts of trans-[PtCl(2)(E-iminoether)(2)] locally distort DNA, bend the DNA axis by 21 degrees toward the minor groove, are not recognized by HMGB1 proteins and are readily removed from DNA by nucleotide excision repair (NER). In addition, the monofunctional adducts of trans-[PtCl(2)(E-iminoether)(2)] readily cross-link proteins, which markedly enhances the efficiency of this adduct to terminate DNA polymerization by DNA polymerases in vitro and to inhibit removal of this adduct from DNA by NER. It is suggested that DNA-protein ternary cross-links produced by trans-[PtCl(2)(E-iminoether)(2)] could persist considerably longer than the non-cross-linked monofunctional adducts, which would potentiate toxicity of this antitumor platinum compound toward tumor cells sensitive to this drug. Thus, trans-[PtCl(2)(E-iminoether)(2)] represents a quite new class of platinum antitumor drugs in which activation of trans geometry is associated with an increased efficiency to form DNA-protein ternary cross-links thereby acting by a different mechanism from 'classical' cisplatin and its analogs.     

Hydrogen bond supramolecular self-assembly in nickel(II) dithiophosphates, Ni[S2P(OR)2]2, R = sec-Bu, iso-Bu, and their bis(pyrazole) adducts

The reaction between nickel(II) nitrate and potassium phosphorus-1,1-dithiolates (di-sec-butyl and di-iso-butyl) in methanol yields 2:1 complexes which were characterized by FT-IR and NMR spectroscopy. 2:1 pyrazole adducts of both compounds were also obtained.The X-ray diffraction analysis of the compounds reveals square planar, four-coordination geometry for the homoleptic compounds and a six-coordinated distorted octahedral geometry for the adducts. In Ni[S₂P(OBu^s)₂]₂ the molecules are associated through C-H?O hydrogen bonds (2.652 Å), and in Ni[S₂P(OBuⁱ)₂]₂ the molecules are associated through C-H?S hydrogen bonds (2.948 Å). The pyrazole adducts are associated through N-H?O bonds and N-H?S bonds from the pyrazole nitrogen atoms, to form supramolecular assemblies. Thus, Ni[S₂P(OBu^s)₂(Pz)₂]₂ (Pz = pyrazole) forms bi-dimensional layers through N-H?O and N-H?S bonds (2.502 and 2.965 Å, respectively), whereas Ni[S₂P(OBuⁱ)₂(Pz)₂]₂ forms linear chains with N-H?S bonds 2.728 Å. The dithiophosphato groups behave as isobidentate chelating ligands.     

DNA binding properties and antileukemic (L1210) activity of a Pt-pentamidine complex

The DNA thermal stabilizing effect and the antileukemic properties of a Pt-pentamidine complex have been studied. The results indicate that the pentamidine ligands in Pt-pentamidine probably have an interaction with the DNA stronger than that of pentamidine alone because they are bound to the nucleic acid through the cis-PtCl2 residues. However, the cis-PtCl2 residues do not seem to significantly destabilize the helix. Two types of evidences are consistent with this hypothesis: (1) a decrease in the dielectric constant of the medium does not remove the pentamidine ligands from the Pt-pentamidine: DNA complex, and (2) the renaturation of the DNA in Pt-pentamidine:DNA complex is DNA concentration independent. 1H- and 13C-NMR spectroscopic data together with the elemental analysis indicate that the complex is a stoichiometric oligomer of formula [(cis-PtCl2)3(pentamidine)3] [PtCl4]2. This drug exhibits significant antineoplastic activity in BDF1 mice bearing i.p. L1210 leukemia. At a concentration of 50 mg/kg, about 15% of the LD50 for the 1,5 and 9 days schedule, the antitumor activity (T/C = 337%) is considerably superior to that of cis-DDP (T/C = 215%) or carboplatin (T/C = 220%) at doses representing 75% and 50%, respectively, of the LD50 for the same treatment schedule. Moreover, it was found that the nephro-hepatotoxicity of the complex is low.     

Interaction of novel bis(platinum) complexes with DNA.

Bis(platinum) complexes [[cis-PtCl2(NH3)]2H2N(CH2)nNH2] are a novel series of potential anticancer agents in which two cis-diamine(platinum) groups are linked by an alkyldiamine of variable length. These complexes are potentially tetrafunctional, a unique feature in comparison with known anticancer agents. Studies of DNA interactions of bis(platinum) complexes in comparison with cisplatin demonstrate significant differences. Investigations of interstrand crosslink formation in which crosslinking of a short DNA fragment is detected by gel electrophoresis under denaturing conditions demonstrate that interstrand crosslinks are 250 fold more frequent among bis(platinum) adducts than among cisplatin-derived adducts under the conditions examined. These investigations indicate that bis(platinum) adducts contain a high frequency of structurally novel interstrand crosslinks formed through binding of the two platinum centers to opposite DNA strands. Unlike cisplatin, bis(platinum) complex binding does not unwind supercoiled DNA. Studies with the E. coli UvrABC nuclease complex demonstrate that both linear and supercoiled DNA containing bis(platinum) adducts are subject to incision by the repair enzyme complex. Initial studies using UvrABC nuclease as a probe to define the base and sequence specificity for bis(platinum) complex binding suggest that the specificity of the bis(platinum)s is similar, but not identical, to that of cisplatin.     

Studies on the anti-proliferative effects of novel DNA-intercalating bipyridyl-thiourea-Pt(II) complexes against cisplatin-sensitive and -resistant human ovarian cancer cells

Six bipyridyl complexes of platinum(II) with thiourea, with different substituents on thiourea moiety [Pt(bipy)(R,R'NCSNR',R')(2)]Cl(2) (bipy=2,2'-bipyridine: R=R'=R'=R' =H; R=Me, R'=R'=R'=H; R=n-Bu, R'=R'=R'=H; R=Et, R'=H, R'=Et, R'=H; R=p-tolyl, R'=R'=R'=H; R=phenyl, R'=H, R'=phenyl, R'=H), rationally designed to intercalate into DNA, have been tested against a cisplatin (cDDP)-sensitive human ovarian carcinoma cell line (2008) and its -resistant variant (C13( *)). We show here that the anti-proliferative efficacy of these drugs was dependent on molecular structure, since it increased with ancillary ligand bulkiness and hydrophobicity of substituents on thiourea moiety. In particular, the presence of two phenyl groups on thiourea moiety confers an outstanding cytotoxicity. The increasing cell growth inhibition along the series of complexes partially paralleled with drug accumulation, particularly in resistant cells, but not with drug intercalation into DNA since all compounds exerted comparable ethidium bromide displacement ability. The cDDP-resistant phenotype seems, at least in part, to be involved in the action of these compounds, since the level of cross-resistance established for most complexes appeared to be in agreement with the observed impairment of drug accumulation in the resistant subline. These findings indicate that resistance to alkylating agents such as cDDP confers low level of cross-resistance to this class of DNA intercalators, which, however, depending on substituents on thiourea moiety may present remarkable cell growth inhibition even of resistant cells.     

The interaction of cisplatin and analogues with DNA in reconstituted chromatin

The influence of chromatin structure on cis-diamminedichloroplatinum(II) (cisplatin) DNA damage was investigated in a reconstituted nucleosome system. Nucleosomes were reconstituted on the somatic 5S rRNA gene from Xenopus borealis using the octamer transfer method of reconstitution. Footprinting techniques, utilising bleomycin and DNase I as the damaging agents, were employed to establish the precise location of positioned nucleosomes with respect to the DNA sequence. Reconstituted nucleosomal DNA was treated with cisplatin and drug-induced DNA adduct formation was quantitatively analysed with a polymerase stop assay using Taq DNA polymerase. A densitometric comparison of the relative damage band intensities between purified and reconstituted DNA revealed regions of relative protection corresponding to the sites of the positioned nucleosome cores. This indicated that the preferred site of cisplatin DNA binding was in the linker region of the nucleosome. Statistical analysis showed significant protection from cisplatin DNA damage in the core region of the nucleosome. Three cisplatin analogues were also investigated in this reconstituted nucleosome system. These analogues, cis-diammine(1,1-cyclobutanedicarboxylato)platinum(II) (carboplatin), cis-dichlorobis(cyclohexylamine)platinum(II) (cis-[PtCl(2)(C(6)H(11)NH(2))(2)]) and dichloro(N-[3-[(2-aminoethyl)-amino]propyl]acridine-4-carboxamide)platinum(II) (ac-PtenCl(2)(n3)), were also found to target the linker region of the nucleosome. The latter DNA-targeted acridine-platinum complex gave rise to the most predominant footprints of all the Pt compounds tested.     

Enhanced antitumor activity [correction for activitiy] of trans(+/-)-1,2-diaminocyclo- hexaneglutamatoplatinum(II) formulated with stealth liposome

The antitumor platinum(II) compound, [Pt(dach)(Glu)] (dach=trans(+/-)-1,2-diaminocyclohexane, Glu=glutamate) was formulated with a stealth liposome to improve its biological activity. Liposomes were composed of PC/PEG2000-PE/CH (PC=1,2-diacyl-glycero-3-phosphocholine; PEG2000-PE=poly(ethylene glycol)2000-1,2-diacyl-glycero-3-phosphoethanolamine; CH=cholesterol) involving different acyl moieties of phospholipids such as DO (dioleoyl), DM (dimyristoyl) or DS (distearoyl) group. Among the different acyl groups in the stealth liposomes, the DM formulation was optimal for the preparation of the liposomal [Pt(dach)(Glu)] at the mole ratio of DMPC/PEG2000-DMPE/CH=50/5/45 and at the weight ratio of drug/lipid=1/20, which is represented as L-[Pt(dach)(Glu)]. In vitro cytotoxicity was examined in sensitive A2780 and ME180 and their cisplatin-resistant A2780/PDD and ME180/PDD cancer cells. L-[Pt(dach)(Glu)] was 2 approximately 3 times more cytotoxic than the free complex [Pt(dach)(Glu)] and cisplatin in sensitive cells, and 4 approximately 8 times more cytotoxic in resistant cells. Thus, the resistance index of L-[Pt(dach)(Glu)] was 1.3 approximately 2 while those of the free complex and cisplatin were 5 approximately 6, which indicates that L-[Pt(dach)(Glu)] overcome the cisplatin resistance in both resistant cells. In vivo antitumor activity was assayed against the L1210/S leukemia. The optimal activities (% T/C) of the free complex and L-[Pt(dach)(Glu)] were >459/20 and >442/200 mg/kg, respectively. Considering the amount of the platinum complex in L-[Pt(dach)(Glu)], the liposomal [Pt(dach)(Glu)] displayed 2-fold higher drug potency than the free complex. The biodistribution experiment using LE52 tumor-bearing mouse showed excellent lung targeting property of L-[Pt(dach)(Glu)].