Covalent Binding and Conformational Change of pUC19 DNA by Rhodium (II) Metal Complex

Abstract

Binding of Rhodium (II) acetate [Rh₂(O₂CCH₃)₄] (Rh1) compound with plasmid pUC19 DNA has been studied using different molar ratio of Rh1. After incubation for 24hr at 37 °C, binding of the Rh1 to pUC19 DNA was confirmed by agarose gel electrophoresis. The electrophoretic results indicated the slower migration speed for the linearized pUC19 DNA. Conformation change of the DNA after Rh1 binding was also indicated at higher molar ratio of Rh1. The atomic force microscopy images showed that the Rh1 induced the conformation change to unwind pUC19 DNA. The Rh1-DNA complexes are observed very stable due to covalent bond. This study clearly demonstrates that [Rh₂(O₂CCH₃)₄] reacts with pUC19 DNA and covalently binds to be stable Rh1-pUC19 DNA as interstrand adducts.     

Efficiency, error and yield in light-directed maskless synthesis of DNA microarrays

Background

Rhodium (II) citrate (Rh₂(H₂cit)₄) has significant antitumor, cytotoxic, and cytostatic activity on Ehrlich ascite tumor. Although toxic to normal cells, its lower toxicity when compared to carboxylate analogues of rhodium (II) indicates Rh₂(H₂cit)₄ as a promising agent for chemotherapy. Nevertheless, few studies have been performed to explore this potential. Superparamagnetic particles of iron oxide (SPIOs) represent an attractive platform as carriers in drug delivery systems (DDS) because they can present greater specificity to tumor cells than normal cells. Thus, the association between Rh₂(H₂cit)₄ and SPIOs can represent a strategy to enhance the former's therapeutic action. In this work, we report the cytotoxicity of free rhodium (II) citrate (Rh₂(H₂cit)₄) and rhodium (II) citrate-loaded maghemite nanoparticles or magnetoliposomes, used as drug delivery systems, on both normal and carcinoma breast cell cultures.

Results

Treatment with free Rh₂(H₂cit)₄ induced cytotoxicity that was dependent on dose, time, and cell line. The IC₅₀ values showed that this effect was more intense on breast normal cells (MCF-10A) than on breast carcinoma cells (MCF-7 and 4T1). However, the treatment with 50 μM Rh₂(H₂cit)₄-loaded maghemite nanoparticles (Magh-Rh₂(H₂cit)₄) and Rh₂(H₂cit)₄-loaded magnetoliposomes (Lip-Magh-Rh₂(H₂cit)₄) induced a higher cytotoxicity on MCF-7 and 4T1 than on MCF-10A (p < 0.05). These treatments enhanced cytotoxicity up to 4.6 times. These cytotoxic effects, induced by free Rh₂(H₂cit)₄, were evidenced by morphological alterations such as nuclear fragmentation, membrane blebbing and phosphatidylserine exposure, reduction of actin filaments, mitochondrial condensation and an increase in number of vacuoles, suggesting that Rh₂(H₂cit)₄ induces cell death by apoptosis.

Conclusions

The treatment with rhodium (II) citrate-loaded maghemite nanoparticles and magnetoliposomes induced more specific cytotoxicity on breast carcinoma cells than on breast normal cells, which is the opposite of the results observed with free Rh₂(H₂cit)₄ treatment. Thus, magnetic nanoparticles represent an attractive platform as carriers in Rh₂(H₂cit)₄ delivery systems, since they can act preferentially in tumor cells. Therefore, these nanopaticulate systems may be explored as a potential tool for chemotherapy drug development.     

Structure of binuclear Rh(II) carboxylato complexes with 2,2-bipyridine and an unprecedented rhodium wire with Rh4 core

Structures of rhodium(II) binuclear complexes [Rh₂(OOCCH₃)₂(bpy)₂(H₂O){(CH₃)₂CHOH}][B(C₆H₅)₄]₂ · H₂O (1), [Rh₂Cl₂(OOCCH₃)₂(bpy)₂] · 2H₂O (2), [Rh₂Br₂(OOCCH₃)₂(bpy)₂] · 3H₂O (3), and [Rh₂I₂(OOCCH₃)₂(bpy)₂] (4), as well as an unprecedented wire with infinite Rh-Rh chain, {[Rh₄(μ-OOCH)₄(bpy)₄](BF₄)}_n · 0.5nC₄H₈O₂ (5), have been determined and discussed. Mass spectra of complexes [Rh₂(OOCMe)₂(bpy)₂(H₂O)₂](MeCOO)₂ and [Rh₂(OOCMe)₂(phen)₂(H₂O)₂](MeCOO)₂ have showed stability of polynuclear cations with rhodium in oxidation states in the range +1.25 to +1.75.     

Spectroscopic,viscositic and electrochemical studies of DNA interaction with a novel mixed-ligand complex of nickel (II) that incorporates 1-methylimidazole and thiocyanate groups

A novel mixed-ligand nickel(II) complex that contains 1-methylimidazole and thiocyanate, Ni(NCS)₂(Mim)₄ (Mim = 1-methylimidazole), was synthesized and its structure was determined by X-ray crystallography, IR spectrum and elemental analysis, etc. Its DNA-binding properties were studied by electronic absorption spectral, viscositive and electrochemical measurements. The absorption spectral and viscositive results suggest that the nickel(II) complex binds to DNA via partial intercalation. The addition of DNA results in the decrease of the peak current of the nickel(II) complex proved their interaction. The slight differences of peak profiles and electrochemical parameters between free and DNA-bound Ni(NCS)₂(Mim)₄ showed the formation of an electrochemical inactive complex between Ni(NCS)₂(Mim)₄ and DNA. The binding site and binding constant of the complex to DNA were determined by electrochemical titration method.     

Kinetics of CO substitution in Co4(CO)12 and Rh4(CO)12

The kinetics of rapid CO substitution by PPh₃ in Co₄(CO)₁₂ and Rh₄(CO)₁₂ have been examined by stopped-flow and low temperature FT-IR methods. In Co₄(CO)₁₂ rapid (k_obs ∼ 1.8 s⁻¹) substitution of CO occurs after a 1–15 s induction period at 28 °C in C₆H₅Cl solvent by a catalytic process. Addition of PPh₃ to Rh₄(CO)₁₂ yields Rh₄(CO)₁₁(PPh₃) according to a predominantly second order rate law k₁[Rh₄- (CO)₁₂] + k₂[Rh₄(CO)₁₂][PPh₃] with k₁ = 25 ± 11 s⁻¹ and k₂ = 2.97 ± 0.27 X 10⁴ M⁻¹ s⁻¹ at 28 °C. Substitution of a second CO ligand also occurs rapidly with k₁ = 0.15 ± 0.09 s⁻¹ and k₂ = 6.54 ± 0.07 X 10² M⁻¹ s⁻¹ at 28 °C. The reactivity of Rh₄(CO)₁₂ toward associative substitution is 10⁴– 10¹¹ faster than for the Co and Ir analogues, In Rh₄(CO)₁₁(PPh₃) the increase in CO substitution rates over Co and Rh analogues is 10²–10⁷. The ordering of associative substitution rates Co << Rh >>> Ir in these clusters exaggerates the trend seen in mononuclear metal complexes.     

Metal cluster topology. 4. Rhodium carbonyl clusters having fused polyhedra

Previously discussed topological models of metal cluster bonding are now extended to the treatment of anionic rhodium carbonyl clusters having structures consisting of fused polyhedra. Examples of such rhodium carbonyl clusters built from fused octahedra include the ‘biphenyl analogue’ [Rh₁₂(CO)₃₀]⁻², the ‘face-sharing naphthalene analogue’ [Rh₉- (CO)₁₉]³⁻, and the ‘perinaphthene analogue’, [Rh₁₁- (CO)₂₃]³⁻. More complicated anionic rhodium carbonyl clusters treated in this paper include the [Rh₁₃(CO)₂₄H_5−q]^q− anions (q = 2, 3, 4) having an Rh₁₃ centered cuboctahedron, the [Rh₁₄(CO)₂₅- H_4−q]^q− (q = 3,4) and [Rh₁₄(CO)₂₆]²⁻ anions based on a centered pentacapped cube, the [Rh₁₅- (CO)₃₀]³⁻ anion having an Rh₁₅ centered 14-vertex deltahedron, the [Rh₁₅(CO)₂₇]³⁻ anion having a tricapped centered 11-vertex polyhedron, the [Rh₁₇- (CO)₃₀]³⁻ anion having a tetracapped centered cuboctahedron, and the [Rh₂₂(CO)₃₇]⁴⁻ anion having a hexacapped centered cuboctahedron fused to an octahedron so that the octahedron and the cuboctahedron share a triangular face. Analyses of the bonding topologies in [Rh₉(CO)₁₉]³⁻, [Rh₁₇- (CO)₃₀]³⁻, and [Rh₂₂(CO)₃₇]⁴⁻ indicate that a polyhedral network containing several fused globally delocalized polyhedral chambers will not necessarily have a multicenter core bond in the center of each such polyhedral chamber. This observation is of potential importance in extending topological models of metal cluster bonding to bulk metals.     

Diphenylglycoluril as a novel ligand architecture for dirhodium(II) carboxamidates

1,6-Bis-(N-benzyl)-diphenylglycoluril (1,6-BPGlyc) was used as a ligand in the synthesis of a dinuclear rhodium(II) paddlewheel complex. The ligand exchange reaction from Rh₂(OAc)₄ was remarkably selective for the formation of Rh₂(1,6-BPGlyc)₂(OAc)₂ with a cis-(1,3) ligand arrangement in 46% isolated yield. The bis-substitution pattern and diastereoselective ligand exchange is attributed to the steric bulk of the glycoluril backbone that prevents further ligand substitution. Rh₂(1,6-BPGlyc)₂(OAc)₂ catalyzes cyclopropanation reactions via decomposition of diazoacetates with reactivities and selectivities that were comparable to those of dirhodium(II) tetrakis-μ-carboxamidates.     

One-dimensional chain structures constructed from tetra(acetamidato)dirhodium(II,III) complexes and square planar platinum and palladium complexes

The reaction of [Rh₂(acam)₄(H₂O)₂]ClO₄ (1) (Hacam = acetamide) with K₂PtCl₄ in aqueous solution gave crystals of [Rh₂(acam)₄(H₂O)₂][Rh₂(acam)₄{(μ-Cl)₂PtCl₂}] · 2H₂O (2). The reaction of 1 with K₂PdCl₄ produced the palladium analog [Rh₂(acam)₄(H₂O)₂][Rh₂(acam)₄{(μ-Cl)₂PdCl₂}] · 2H₂O (3) and a small amount of an aquated palladium complex [Rh₂(acam)₄{(μ-Cl)₂PdCl(H₂O)}] · H₂O (4). Complexes 2 and 3 have anionic chains of [Rh₂(acam)₄{(μ-Cl)₂MCl₂}]⁻ (M = Pt, Pd), while 4 includes neutral chains of [Rh₂(acam)₄{(μ-Cl)₂PdCl(H₂O)}]. Although all of the structures include infinite chains of (-Rh-Rh-Cl-M-Cl-)_n (M = Pt, Pd), the chain structures are different; zigzag for 2 and 3 and helical for 4. In the structures of 2 and 3, the counter cation [Rh₂(acam)₄(H₂O)₂]⁺ made a hydrogen-bonded chain with the crystallization water molecules. The cationic chains and the anionic chains are connected with hydrogen bonds. In the structure of 4, the chains are also linked together by direct hydrogen bonds between the chains and those with the crystallization water molecules. ESR spectra of the powdered samples of 2 and 3 at 77 K were consistent with a rhombic structure: for 2, g₁ = 2.111, g₂ = 2.054, g₃ = 2.004; for 3, g₁ = 2.115, g₂ = 2.057, g₃ = 2.007. These results indicate that there is a spin flip-flop exchange between the cations, [Rh₂(acam)₄(H₂O)₂]⁺, and the units in the anionic chains. The electrical conductivities of 2 and 3 were in the order of 10⁻⁷ S cm⁻¹ at room temperature.     

Water replacement on the decaaqua-di-rhodium(II) cation; synthesis of superoxo and peroxo rhodium(III) complexes with N-donor ligands

The decaaqua-di-rhodium(II) cation has been found to be an interesting starting material in the preparation of dioxygen complexes with different N-donor ligands. Treatment of aqueous HClO₄ solution of [Rh₂(H₂O)₁₀]⁴⁺ with NH₄OH/NH₃, py and/or en results in water exchange and the formation of corresponding [Rh₂^II(H₂O)_10−m(base)_n(OH)_m]^(4−m)+ derivatives. Reaction of the latter with dioxygen afforded superoxo and/or peroxo complexes, depending on reaction conditions: [Rh₂^III(O₂ ⁻)(NH₃)₈(OH)₂](ClO₄)₃ (1), [Rh₂^III(O₂ ⁻)(NH₃)₈(OH)(H₂O)](ClO₄)₄ (2), [Rh₂^III(O₂ ²⁻)(NH₃)₁₀](ClO₄)₄ · 6H₂O (3), [Rh₂^III(O₂ ⁻)(py)₈(H₂O)₂](ClO₄)₅ (4), [Rh₂^III(O₂ ²⁻)(en)₄(H₂O)₂](ClO₄)₄ (5) and [Rh₂^III(O₂ ⁻)(en)₄(H₂O)₂](ClO₄)₅ (6). All the obtained complexes were characterized by elemental analysis, mass spectrometry, UV-Vis, IR and ESR spectroscopies and magnetic measurements.     

Synthesis and structure of the complex tetra-μ-prolinatodirhodium(II)

The dinuclear Rh^IIRh^II complex with proline [Rh₂(pro₄][NEt₄]₂ was synthesized and its structure studied by means of spectroscopic (IR, EPR and ESCA) and magnetochemical methods. It was shown that two proline molecules serve as bridging ligands, while the other two are only axially coordinated through their N atoms.     

CO fluxionality in Rh4(CO)12 and Rh6(CO)16

Both Rh₄(CO)₁₂ and Rh₆(CO)₁₆ exhibit CO-fluxionality and modern, variable temperature, NMR methods allow the unambiguous assignment of the three terminal CO resonances and, for Rh₄(CO)₁₂, show that the mechanism of CO-fluxionality, which has been controversial for a long time, unambiguously involves the merry-go-round process; Rh₆(CO)₁₆, which was previously thought to be static, is also shown to be fluxional, although the rate of CO-exchange is much less than found for substituted derivatives, and possible pathways for this CO-exchange are discussed.     

Dinuclear Rh(II) complexes with one polypyridyl ligand, structure, properties and antitumor activity

Rhodium(II) complexes [Rh₂(μ-OAc)₂(OAc)(bpy)(H₂O)₂]PF₆ (1), [Rh₂(μ-OAc)₂(OAc)(phen)(H₂O)₂](PF₆)·H₂O (2), [Rh₂(μ-OOCCH₃)₃(OOCCH₃)(phen)] (3) and [Rh₂(μ-O₂CCH₃)₃(O₂CCH₃)(Ph₂phen)] (4) (Ph₂phen = 4,7-diphenyl-1,10-phenanthroline) have been synthesized and characterized by means of NMR, IR and UV-Vis spectroscopic methods. X-ray structure of complex 4·1.5(CH₃COCH₃) has been determined and its geometry and electronic structure has been elucidated using OPBE and B3LYP DFT methods. The compounds are active cytostatic agents against tumor cells.     

Rhodium paddlewheel dimers containing the π···π stacking, 1,8-naphthalimide supramolecular synthon

The bifunctional ligand 3-(1,8-naphthalimido)propanoate (L_C2⁻), which contains a carboxylate group linked to the robust π···π stacking 1,8-naphthalimide supramolecular synthon, has been used to prepare two new rhodium carboxylate dimer complexes, [Rh₂(L_C2)₄(DMF)₂] (1) and [Rh₂(L_C2)₄(py)₂]·3DMF (2). Both complexes have been structurally characterized and contain the Rh₂(O₂CR)₄ paddlewheel core, but have different axial ligands. The four naphthalimide side arms in the carboxylate ligands are arranged in the square shape imposed by the SBU in complex 1, but are bent in 2. In both cases, the supramolecular structure is organized into one-dimensional chains by strong π···π stacking interactions between only two of the 1,8-naphthalimide moieties on each dimeric unit. In 1, the other naphthalimide units do not interact strongly and in 2 they intramolecularly π···π stack with the adjacent axial pyridine molecules.     

Solution structure of actinomycin-DNA complexes: Drug intercalation at isolated G-C sites

Summary The actinomycin-D-d(A1-A2-A3-G4-C5-T6-T7-T8) complex (1 drug per duplex) has been generated in aqueous solution and its structure characterized by a combined application of two-dimensional NMR experiments and molecular dynamics calculations. We have assigned the exchangeable and nonexchangeable proton resonances of Act and d(A₃GCT₃) in the complex and identified the intermolecular proton-proton NOES that define the alignment of the antitumor agent at its binding site on duplex DNA. The molecular dynamics calculations were guided by 70 intermolecular distance constraints between Act and nucleic acid protons in the complex. The phenoxazone chromophore of Act intercalates at the (G-C)_I·(G-C)_II step in the d(A₃GCT₃) duplex with the phenoxazone ring stacking selectively with the G4_I and G4_II purine bases but not with C4_I and C4_II pyrimidine bases at the intercalation site. There is a pronounced unwinding between the A3·T6 and G4·C5 base pairs which are the next steps located in either direction from the intercalation site in the Act-d(A₃GCT₃) complex. The Act cyclic pentapeptide ring conformations in the complex are similar to those for free Act in the crystal except for a change in orientation of the ester linkage connecting meVal and Thr residues. The cyclic pentapeptide rings are positioned in the minor groove with the established G-C sequence specificity of binding associated with intermolecular hydrogen bonds between the Thr backbone CO and NH groups to the NH₂-2 and N3 positions of guanosine, respectively. Complex formation is also stabilized by van der Waals interactions between nonpolar groups on the cyclic pentapeptide rings and the sugar residues and base pair edges lining the widened minor groove of the (A3-G4-C5-T6)_I·(A3-G4-C5-T6)_II binding site segment of the DNA helix.Dedicated to the memory of Professor V.F. Bystrov     

Studies on the characterization of the Rho(D) antigen

The Rh_o(D) antigen of red cell membranes was solubilized using ethylenediamine tetraacetic acid (EDTA) and 2-mercaptoethanol. The solubilized antigen was partially separated from other solubilized membrane components using molecular filtration. The antigen was treated with various enzymes to learn some of the chemical characteristics. It was found that the activity of the antigen, as measured by hemagglutination inhibition, was not affected by bee venom phospholipase A, Clostridium welchii phospholipase C, calf-intestinal alkaline phosphatase, Vibrio cholerae neuraminidase, pig kidney leucine aminopeptidase, bovine pancreatic carboxypeptidase A, a pig pancreatic carboxypeptidase B. However, the proteolytic enzymes, pronase, trypsin, chymotrypsin and papain, did destroy Rh_o(D) activity as measured by hemagglutination inhibition. These results indicate that protein is an important part of the active determinant of the Rh_o(D) antigen. The experiments by other investigators have shown that lipid is important to maintain the Rh_o(D) activity in the intact membrane; lipid probably helps to maintain the structural conformation of the Rh_o(D) molecule in its natural environment. The solubilized Rh_o(D) molecules are apparently not dependent on lipid for their Rh_o(D) activity.     

The Effects of Grafting of 2-Pyridyl to [Ru(bpy)2(Hpip)]2+ on Acid-Base and DNA-Binding Properties: Experimental and DFT Studies

Abstract

A new Ru(II) complex of [Ru(bpy)₂(Hppip)]²⁺ {bpy = 2,2′-bipyridine; Hppip = 2-(4-(pyridin- 2-yl)phenyl)-1H-imidazo[4,5-f][1,10]phenanthroline} has been synthesized by grafting of 2-pyridyl to parent complex [Ru(bpy)₂(Hpip)]²⁺ {Hppip = 2-(4-phenyl)-1H-imidazo[4,5-f] [1,10]phenanthroline}. The acid-base properties of [Ru(bpy)₂(Hppip)]²⁺ studied by UV-visible and luminescence spectrophotometric pH titrations, revealed off-on-off luminescence switching of [Ru(bpy)₂(Hppip)]²⁺ that was driven by the protonation/deprotonation of the imidazolyl and the pyridyl moieties. The complex was demonstrated to be a DNA intercalator with an intrinsic DNA binding constant of (5.56 ± 0.2) × 10⁵ M^?1 in buffered 50 mM NaCl, as evidenced by UV-visible and luminescence titrations, reverse salt effect, DNA competitive binding with ethidium bromide, steady-state emission quenching by [Fe(CN)₆]^4-, DNA melting experiments and viscosity measurements. The density functional theory method was also used to calculate geometric/electronic structures of the complex in an effort to understand the DNA binding properties. All the studies indicated that the introduction of 2-pyridyl onto Hpip ligand is more favorable for extension of conjugate plane of the main ligand than that of phenyl, and for greatly enhanced ct-DNA binding affinity accordingly.     

DNA binding and bending by dinuclear complexes comprising ruthenium polypyridyl centres linked by a bis(pyridylimine) ligand

The interaction of enantiomerically pure dinuclear complexes of the form [Ru₂(L-L)₄L¹]⁴⁺ (where L-L = 2,2^′-bipyridine (bpy) or 1,10-phenanthroline (phen) and L¹ = bis(pyridylimine) ligand ((C₅H₄N)CN(C₆H₄))₂CH₂)) with ct-DNA have been investigated by absorbance, circular dichroism, fluorescence displacement assays, thermal analysis, linear dichroism and gel electrophoresis. The complexes all bind more strongly to DNA than ethidium bromide, stabilise DNA and have a significant bending effect on DNA. The data for Δ,Δ-[Ru₂(bpy)₄L¹]⁴⁺ are consistent with it binding to DNA outside the grooves wrapping the DNA about it. By way of contrast the other complexes are groove-binders. The phen complexes provide a chemically and enantiomerically stable alternative to the DNA-coiling di-iron triple-helical cylinder previously studied. In contrast to the di-iron helicates, the phen complexes show DNA sequence effects with Δ,Δ-[Ru₂(phen)₄L¹]⁴⁺ binding preferentially to GC and Λ,Λ-[Ru₂(phen)₄L¹]⁴⁺ to AT.     

Effect of charge density of cationic polyelectrolytes on complex formation with DNA

The interaction between DNA and ionen polymers, -[N⁺(CH₃)₂(CH₂)_mN⁺(CH₃)₂(CH₂)_n], with m-n of 3–3, 6–6, and 6–10 were examined in order to know how the binding behavior of cationic polymers with DNA depends on the charge density of polycation. The ionen polymer has no bulky side chain and the binding forces with DNA would be attributed mainly to electrostatic interaction. When 3–3 ionen polymers were added to DNA solution, precipitable complexes with the ratio of cationic residue to DNA phosphate (+/?) of 1/1 and the free DNA molecules were segregated, while 6–6 and 6–10 ionen polymers formed soluble complexes with DNA molecules up to (+/?) = 0.5. This suggests that 3–3 ionen polymers bind cooperatively with DNA while 6–6 and 6–10 ionen polymers bind noncooperatively. The cooperative binding of 3–3 ionen polymer and the noncooperative binding of 6–6 ionen polymer were also supported by the thermal melting and recooling profiles from the midpoint between first and second meltings. It was concluded that the charge density of DNA phosphate is a critical value determining whether the ionen polymers bind to DNA by a cooperative or by a noncooperative binding, since the distance between successive cationic charges of 3–3 ionen polymer is shorter than that between successive phosphate charges on DNA double helix and those of 6–6 and 6–10 ionen polymers are longer.     

Syntheses and structures of photochromic molybdenum(II) and rhodium(II) complexes with 1,2-dicyano-1,2-bis(2,4,5-trimethyl-3-thienyl)ethene

Four novel Mo(II) and Rh(II) complexes with cis-1,2-dicyano-1,2-bis(2,4,5-trimethyl-3-thienyl)ethene (cis-dbe) or closed-dbe were synthesized and characterized. Employing [M(O₂CCF₃)₄] (M = Mo, Rh) with cis-dbe or closed-dbe afforded complex [Mo₂(O₂CCF₃)₄(cis-dbe)](benzene) (1), [Rh₂(O₂CCF₃)₄(cis-dbe)](benzene) (2), [{Mo₂(O₂CCF₃)₄}₂(closed-dbe)] (3), and [Rh₂(O₂CCF₃)₄(closed-dbe)](p-xylene) (4). The structures of four metal complexes were revealed by X-ray crystallographic analyses and the correlation between the crystal structures and the photochromic performance was discussed. In all complexes, two cyano groups of the ligand bridged two dimetal carboxylates to give a 1-D zigzag infinite chain structure. Upon irradiation with 405 nm light, complex 1 turned into reddish purple from yellow, and the color reverted to initial yellow on exposure to 563 nm light, indicating the reversible cyclization/ring-opening reaction in the crystalline phase. However, the Rh(II) complex 2 did not display similarities in reaction induced by light, which is attributable to the lower ratio of photoactive anti-parallel conformers compared with complex 1 and coordination effect of metal ions on photochromism of diarylethenes. The complexes of Rh(II) ions did not exhibit the expected reversible photoinduced behavior.     

Selectivity at a three-base bulge site in the DNA binding of ΔΔ-[{Ru(phen)2}2(μ-dppm)]4+ [dppm is 4,6-bis(2-pyridyl)pyrimidine; phen is 1,10-phenanthroline]

The binding of the stereoisomers of [{Ru(phen)₂}₂(μ-bpm)]⁴⁺, [{Ru(phen)₂}₂(μ-dppm)]⁴⁺ and [{Ru(phen)₂}₂(μ-bb)]⁴⁺ {phen is 1,10-phenanthroline; bpm is 2,2′-bipyrimidine, dppm is 4,6-bis(2-pyridyl)pyrimidine, bb is 1,2-bis[4-(4′-methyl-2,2′-bipyridyl)]ethane} to an oligonucleotide duplex [d(GCATCGAAAGCTACG)•d(CGTAGCCGATGC)] containing a three-base bulge has been studied using a fluorescence intercalator displacement assay. Of the dinuclear ruthenium complexes, the dppm-linked species showed the strongest binding to the oligonucleotide, with the ΔΔ isomer binding slightly more strongly than the meso isomer and the ΛΛ isomer exhibiting the weakest binding. In order to determine whether the ΔΔ-[{Ru(phen)₂}₂(μ-dppm)]⁴⁺ metal complex specifically bound at the three-base bulge site, a ¹H NMR study of the binding of the metal complex to the oligonucleotide duplex d(GCATCGAAAGCTACG)•d(CGTAGCCGATGC) was carried out. Although a detailed picture of the metal complex–oligonucleotide association could not be determined from the NMR results owing to the broadening of the resonances from the metal complex and nucleotide residues at the bulge site, the NMR results do indicate that the metal complex specifically binds at the three-base bulge site. The combined results of this study suggest that the dppm-bridged dinuclear ruthenium complexes have considerable potential as probes for the unusual secondary structure obtained by the insertion of a three-base bulge within duplex DNA.