Steric control of stereoselective interactions between the platinum(II) complex [PtCl2(1,4-diazacycloheptane)] and DNA: comparison with cis-[PtCl2(NH3)2] and [PtCl2(ethane-1,2-diamine)] using DNA binding and molecular modeling studies

The rate and extent of binding of [PtCl2(hpip)] (hpip=homopiperazine-1,4-diazacycloheptane) and cis-[PtCl2(NH3)2] to calf thymus DNA was measured using atomic absorption spectroscopy and it was found that [PtCl2(hpip)] bound both more rapidly and to a greater extent than did cis-[PtCl2(NH3)2]. The binding of [PtCl2(hpip)] and [PtCl2(en)] (en=ethane-1,2-diamine) to salmon sperm DNA and to synthetic, self-complementary 10-base-pair and 52-base-pair oligonucleotides was studied using enzymatic digestion and HPLC analysis of the products. [PtCl2(hpip)] forms approximately two-fold fewer GpG and ApG intrastrand adducts and concomitantly more monofunctional adducts than does [PtCl2(en)]. In the case of [PtCl2(hpip)], two GpG adducts, corresponding to the different orientations of the hpip ligand with respect to the DNA, were observed in a 1:3.3 ratio. The minor product corresponds to the orientation in which the bulkier propylene chain of the hpip ligand is adjacent to, and makes close contacts with, the floor of the major groove. When the reaction was repeated with a synthetic oligonucleotide decamer duplex, the ratio of the two forms was approximately 1:1.9 and with the 52-mer duplex it was 1:2.4, revealing an apparent systematic dependence of stereoselectivity on nucleotide size. Computer modeling of the two adducts formed by [PtCl2(hpip)] and those formed by [PtCl2(en)] and cis-[PtCl2(NH3)2] revealed that non-bonded interactions between the hpip ligand and the DNA were probably responsible for both the decreased proportion of GpG adducts formed by [PtCl2(hpip)] and the stereoselectivity exhibited in the formation of these adducts. This is the first case in which the stereoselectivity can be ascribed to steric factors alone.     

Binding mode of 2-amino-5-nitrothiazole (ANT) in platinum complexes, trans-[PtCl2(ANT)2], affects DNA binding, toxicity and radiosensitizing ability

The radiosensitizer 2-amino-5-nitrothiazole (ANT) can react with platinum to form many products because of the availability of two potential nitrogen donors as ligands for metals. Two of these complexes, both with two ANT molecules in the trans configuration, differ because of their linkages. In the first, Pt is bound to ANT via the amine group (A) and in the second via the thiazole ring nitrogen (R). Isomer R is a better radiosensitizer than A in hypoxic Chinese hamster ovary cells, giving enhancement ratios of 1.6 versus 1.15 with 100 mumol dm-3 complex. The ring-bound isomer also exhibits higher toxicity than the amine bound in air and under conditions of hypoxia. Sensitization by isomer R is much higher under conditions of hypoxia than in air. In an assay to assess DNA binding, isomer R inhibited restriction enzyme cleavage of DNA but isomer A did not (up to 6 h at 300 mumol dm-3). It appears from this study on two very similar complexes that the complex which exhibits stronger binding may be targetting the radiosensitizer to the DNA, resulting in greatly improved sensitization.     

DNA interaction, cytotoxicity, and radiosensitization with PtCl4(Nile Blue)2 and PtCl4(Neutral Red)2

Complexes of the positively charged, nuclear staining, quinone-imine dyes Nile Blue and Neutral Red with negatively charged tetrachloroplatinum (II) have been prepared in an effort to form neutral drugs which could gain ready access to the cellular nucleus and deliver significant quantities of the reactive tetrachloroplatinum anion to the vicinity of the DNA. Elemental analysis showed that both the Nile Blue and Neutral Red complexes with tetrachloroplatinum (II) comprised 2 mol of dye and 1 mol of tetrachloroplatinum, forming Pt(Nile Blue)2 and Pt(Neutral Red)2. Exposure of superhelical pBR322 DNA to the complexes or the dyes for 24 h followed by agarose gel electrophoresis showed that Neutral Red and Pt(Neutral Red)2 had little effect on DNA conformation, but that both Nile Blue and Pt(Nile Blue)2 could produce single-strand DNA breaks in a dose-dependent fashion. Studies in exponentially growing asynchronous, hypoxic, and normally oxygenated EMT6 cells at normal pH (7.40) and pH 6.45 demonstrated that neither dye was highly toxic, but that both complexes were capable of producing significant cytotoxicity. Both complexes killed normally oxygenated cells more efficiently than hypoxic cells, but Pt(Neutral Red)2 was more cytotoxic at pH 6.45, while Pt(Nile Blue)2 killed significantly more cells at normal pH. Both complexes decreased the survival of hypoxic EMT6 cells as indicated by the slope of the radiation survival curve [dose modifying factor (DMF) 2.90 for Pt(Nile Blue)2 and 1.45 for Pt(Neutral Red)2]. Studies with the FSaIIC murine tumor showed that both complexes were active radiosensitizing agents in vivo [DMF 1.76 for Pt(Nile Blue)2 and 1.25 for Pt(Neutral Red)2]. These results indicate that these new platinum complexes have characteristics which may make them and similar complexes effective radiosensitizing agents in humans.     

Structural and reactivity studies on the ternary system guanine/methionine/trans-[PtCl2(NH3)L] (L=NH3, quinoline): implications for the mechanism of action of nonclassical trans-platinum antitumor complexes

 The present model study explores the chemistry of methionine complexes and ternary methionine-guanine adducts formed by trans-[PtCl₂(NH₃)₂] (1) and antitumor trans-[PtCl₂(NH₃)quinoline] (2) using 1D (¹H, ¹⁹⁵Pt) and 2D NMR spectroscopy. Compound 2 was substitution inert in reactions with N-acetyl-lmethionine [AcMet(H)]. Reactions of trans-[PtCl(NO₃)(NH₃)quinoline] (5) ("monoactivated" 2) with AcMetH in water and acetone at various stoichiometries point to Pt(II)-S binding that requires prior activation of the Pt-Cl bond by labile oxygen donors. Trans-[PtCl{AcMet(H)-S}(NH₃)quinoline](NO₃) (6) and trans-[Pt{AcMet(H)-S}₂(NH₃)quinoline](NO₃)₂ (7) were isolated from these mixtures. At high [Cl^–], AcMet(H) is displaced from 7, giving 6. Frozen stereodynamics in 6 at the thioether-S and slow rotation about the Pt-N_quinoline bond result in four spectroscopically distinguishable diastereomers. ¹H NMR spectra of 7 show faster exchange dynamics due to mutual trans-labilization of the sulfur donors. Substitution of chloride in trans-[PtCl(9-EtGua)(NH₃)L]NO₃ (L=NH₃, 3; L=quinoline, 4; 9-EtGua=9-ethylguanine, which mimics the first DNA binding step of 1 and 2) by methionine-sulfur proceeded ca. 2.5 times slower for the quinoline compound. Both reactions, in turn, proved to be ca. 4 times faster than binding of a second nucleobase under analogous conditions. From the resulting mixtures the ternary adducts trans-[Pt(AcMet-S)(9-EtGua-N7)(NH₃)L](NO₃, Cl) (L=NH₃, 8; L=quinoline, 9) were isolated. A species analogous to 9 formed in a rapid reaction between 6 and 5′-guanosine monophosphate (5′-GMP). From NMR data an AMBER-based solution structure of the resulting adduct, trans-[Pt(AcMet-S)(5′-GMP-N7)(NH₃)quinoline] (10), was derived. The unusual reactivity along the N7-Pt-S axis in 8–10 resulted in partial release of both 9-EtGua and AcMet at high [Cl^–]. Possible consequences of the kinetic and structural effects (e.g., trans effect of sulfur, steric demand of quinoline) observed in these systems with respect to the (trans)formation of potential biological cross-links are discussed. Received: 25 May 1998 / Accepted: 6 August 1998     

Apoptosis induction and inhibition of H-ras overexpression by novel trans-[PtCl2(isopropylamine)(amine')] complexes

Hitherto, it has been generally accepted as a paradigm of the biochemical pharmacology of platinum antitumor drugs that a cis configuration of the leaving groups is necessary for antitumor activity of platinum compounds. However, it has been recently observed that certain trans-platinum complexes have both in vitro and in vivo antitumor activity. We previously reported the synthesis, characterization and cytotoxic activity against ras-transformed cells of several trans-[PtCl2LL'] complexes where L and L' are asymmetric aliphatic amines (L = dimethylamine and butylamine, L' = isopropylamine). The results reported in this paper show that the compounds trans-[PtCl2(isopropylamine)(dimethylamine)] and trans-[PtCl2(isopropylamine)(butylamine)] kill Pam 212-ras cisplatin resistant cells through apoptosis induction. Moreover, Western blot data show that both compounds inhibit overexpression of H-ras oncogene in Pam 212-ras cells. Altogether, these data indicate that, in contrast with cis-DDP, the apoptotic activity of these novel trans-Pt(II) compounds in ras-transformed cells is associated with their ability to abolish ras-overexpression.     

Photochemical synthesis method of tungsten(II) complexes [WCl2(CO)3PPh3)2] and [WCl2(CO)2(dppe)]

The photochemical oxidation reaction of W(CO)₆ to [W(CO)₄Cl₂]₂ with CCl₄ was applied in the synthesis of [WCl₂(CO)₃(PPh₃)₂] and [WCl₂(CO)₂₋- (dppe)].     

DNA-binding and molecular mechanics modelling studies of the bulky chiral platinum(II) complex [PtCl(2)(mepyrr)] (mepyrr=N-methyl-2-aminomethylpyrrolidine)

Detailed studies were carried out on the binding of the enantiomers of [PtCl₂(mepyrr)] (mepyrr = N-methyl-2-aminomethylpyrrolidine) to dG, d(GpG) and a 52-mer oligonucleotide. The pyrrolidine ligand structure was found to be neither sufficiently rigid nor bulky to enforce a single chirality at the exocyclic amine site in this complex, resulting in the presence of diastereomers that complicated the binding studies. Reaction of the (GpG) dinucleotide with R- and S-[PtCl₂(mepyrr)] resulted in formation of four [Pt{d(GpG)}(mepyrr)] isomers for each enantiomer as a consequence of the existence of two orientational isomers and two diastereomers. These isomers formed in different amounts most likely as a consequence of the unequal formation of the diastereomers together with stereoselectivity induced by interactions between the dinucleotide and the mepyrr ligand. The [PtCl₂(mepyrr)] complexes displayed stereoselectivity and enantioselectivity in their reactions with a 52-mer duplex designed to allow formation of only GpG intrastrand adducts. All four bifunctional adducts formed for each enantiomer, providing further evidence of the lack of directing ability of the ligand in formation of the 1,2-intrastrand adduct. Significant amounts of monofunctional species remained in these assays suggesting that the introduction of the methyl substituent to the exocyclic amine inhibited ring-closure to the bifunctional adduct. This was not sufficient to achieve enantiospecificity, but in the case of the R-enantiomer, one of the bifunctional adducts formed in only small amounts.     

Syntheses,characterization and DNA-binding studies of ruthenium(II) terpyridine complexes: [Ru(tpy)(PHBI)]2+ and [Ru(tpy)(PHNI)]2+

Two novel tridentate ligands, 2-(2-benzimidazole)-1,10-phenanthroline (PHBI) and 2-(2-naphthoimidazole)-1,10-phenanthroline (PHNI), and their heteroleptic complexes [Ru(tpy)(PHBI)](ClO(4))(2).2H(2)O (1) and [Ru(tpy)(PHNI)](ClO(4))(2).H(2)O (2) (tpy=2,2':6',2"-terpyridyl) have been synthesized and characterized by elemental analysis, mass spectra, 1H NMR, and electronic spectroscopy. The electrochemical behaviors of the two novel complexes were studied by cyclic voltammetry. The DNA-binding properties of the two complexes were investigated by spectroscopic methods and viscosity measurements. The results indicated that the two complexes interact with DNA in different binding modes. Complex 1 may bind to DNA via electrostatic interaction, while complex 2 binds to DNA by partial intercalation via the extended naphthyl ring into the base pairs of DNA.     

The interaction of [Ru(NH3)5Cl]2+ and [Ru(NH3)6]3+ ions with DNA

The interaction of [Ru(NH3)5Cl]2+ and [Ru(NH3)6]3+ complex ions with calf thymus DNA has been studied at various r values (r = [Mn+]/[DNA-P]). Electronic spectra of metal-DNA solutions have been recorded and compared to the spectra of metal, as well as of DNA, solutions. Melting curves have been taken for the determination of DNA melting temperature (Tm) in the presence of the above complex ions. The results showed a biphasic melting of the DNA strands for relatively high r values. The Tm for the first phase increased with increasing r values, indicating metal ion interaction with the phosphate moieties of the DNA. The appearance of a second-phase melting, in connection with electronic spectra, pH values, and conductivity measurements of metal ion solutions, is indicative of the initial complexes' transformation to [Ru(NH3)5OH]2+, which binds preferentially to double-stranded rather than single-stranded DNA, thus leading to a second melting curve at a higher temperature than the first one.     

Conformation, protein recognition and repair of DNA interstrand and intrastrand cross-links of antitumor trans-[PtCl2(NH3)(thiazole)

Replacement of one ammine in clinically ineffective trans-[PtCl2(NH3)2] (transplatin) by a planar N-heterocycle, thiazole, results in significantly enhanced cytotoxicity. Unlike 'classical' cisplatin {cis-[PtCl2(NH3)2]} or transplatin, modification of DNA by this prototypical cytotoxic transplatinum complex trans-[PtCl2(NH3)(thiazole)] (trans-PtTz) leads to monofunctional and bifunctional intra or interstrand adducts in roughly equal proportions. DNA fragments containing site-specific bifunctional DNA adducts of trans-PtTz were prepared. The structural distortions induced in DNA by these adducts and their consequences for high-mobility group protein recognition, DNA polymerization and nucleotide excision repair were assessed in cell-free media by biochemical methods. Whereas monofunctional adducts of trans-PtTz behave similar to the major intrastrand adduct of cisplatin [J. Kasparkova, O. Novakova, N. Farrell and V. Brabec (2003) Biochemistry, 42, 792-800], bifunctional cross-links behave distinctly differently. The results suggest that the multiple DNA lesions available to trans-planaramine complexes may all contribute substantially to their cytotoxicity so that the overall drug cytotoxicity could be the sum of the contributions of each of these adducts. However, acquisition of drug resistance could be a relatively rare event, since it would have to entail resistance to or tolerance of multiple, structurally dissimilar DNA lesions.     

Isonicotinamide as entering ligand on trans-[Ru(NH3)4P(OR)3(H2O)]22+, (R = Me,Pr, iPr and Bu)

trans-[Ru(NH₃)₄P(OR)₃(H₂O)]²⁺ (R = Me, Pr, ⁱPr, and Bu) reacts with isonicotinamide at second-order- specific rates k₁ of 1.2, 2.3, 7.4 and 8.1 M⁻¹ s⁻(25 °C, μ = 0.10 NaCF₃COO/CH₃COOH), respectively, for R = Me, Pr, ⁱPr and Bu. The products trans- [Ru(NH₃)₄P(OR)₃isn](PF₆)₂ have been isolated and characterized by micro analysis, cyclic voltammetry, and electronic spectral data. The aquation rates k₋₁ for the isonicotinamide (isn) derivatives are 5.2 × 10⁻², 5.9 × 10⁻², 2.0 × 10⁻¹ and 3.4 × 10⁻¹ s⁻¹ for R= Me, Pf, Bu and ⁱPr, respectively. The activation parameters for the forward and backward reactions indicate the same mechanism for all of them. The substitution proceeds by a dissociative mechanism with a significant outer-sphere association of trans-[Ru(NH₃)₄P(OR)₃(H₂O)]²⁺ complexes with isn. Assuming k₁ as indicative of the lability of the coordinated water molecule on the monophosphite complexes, the following sequence of increasing trans-effect mav be proposed: P(OMe)₃ <P(OEt)₃ <P(OPr)₃ <P(OⁱPr)₃ <P(OBu)₃. The affinity of the monophosphite complexes for isn increases according to P(OMe)₃ ⋍ P(OⁱPr)₃ < P(OEt)₃ < P(OPr)₃ ⋍ P(OBu)₃.     

DNA-platinum interactions in vitro with trans- and cis-Pt(NH3)2Cl2.

In the present study the nature and the hydrolysis of DNA-Pt complexes with the platinum compounds, [Pt(dien)Cl]Cl, trans- and cis-Pt(NH3)2Cl2, using potentiometric chloride determinations, have been investigated. The trans-Pt(NH3)2Cl2 and the [Pt(dien)Cl]Cl react with the GC planes at the N7(G) sites, while the cis-Pt(NH3)2Cl2 compound reacts with the GC planes and forms a chelate by using the N7(G) and O6(G) sites. The complex is a specific 1:1 Pt:DNA adduct. The platinum atom in cis-Pt(NH3)2Cl2 liberates both chlorine atoms on chelation. A mechanism for the in vivo antitumor activity of the cis-Pt(NH3)2Cl2 is proposed and the structure activity relationship is discussed.     

Cytotoxic activity of platinum (II) complexes with tri-n-butylphosphine. Crystal structure of the dinuclear hydrazine-bridged complex, cis,cis-[PtCl(PBu3n)2(mu-N2H4)PtCl(PBu3n) 2] (ClO4)2.2CHCl3.

A series of platinum(II) tri-n-butylphosphine complexes having the formulas cis-[PtCl2L2], NEt4[PtCl3L], [PtCl(en)L]Cl, [Pt(en)L2](ClO4)2, sym-trans-[Pt2Cl4L2], [Pt2Cl2L4](ClO4)2, trans,trans-[PtCl2L(mu-N2H4)PtCl2L] trans,trans-[PtCl2L(mu-en)PtCl2L], and cis,cis-[PtClL2(mu-N2H4)PtClL2](ClO4)2 (L = tri-n-butylphosphine; en = ethylenediamine) have been synthesized and their cytotoxic activity in vitro and in vivo has been studied. The solution behavior of the novel dinuclear diamine-bridged platinum(II) complexes has been investigated by means of UV and 31P NMR spectroscopy. For the ionic hydrazine compound cis,cis-[PtClL2(mu-N2H4)PtClL2](ClO4)2, an x-ray structure determination is reported. Crystal data: space group P2(1)/a, a = 17.803(1), b = 18.888(3), c = 12.506(3) A, beta = 107.97(2) degrees, Z = 2, R = 0.052, RW = 0.058. The platinum coordination is approximately square-planar, with the bond lengths Pt-Cl = 2.358(5), Pt-N = 2.15(1), Pt-P(trans to Cl) = 2.260(5), and Pt-P(trans to N) = 2.262(6) A. All investigated compounds were cytotoxic in vitro against L1210 cells and showed no cross-resistance to cisplatin. On the other hand, no antitumor activity was observed vs L1210 leucemia in DBA2 mice.     

Synthesis, DNA-binding and photocleavage studies of ruthenium complexes [Ru(bpy)2(mitatp)] and [Ru(bpy)2(nitatp)]

Two new ruthenium complexes [Ru(bpy)₂(mitatp)](ClO₄)₂1 and [Ru(bpy)₂(nitatp)](ClO₄)₂2 (bpy = 2,2′-bipyridine, mitatp = 5-methoxy-isatino[1,2-b]-1,4,8,9-tetraazatriphenylene, nitatp = 5-nitro-isatino[1,2-b]-1,4,8,9-tetraazatriphenylene) have been synthesized and characterized by elemental analysis, ¹H NMR, mass spectrometry and cyclic voltammetry. Spectroscopic and viscosity measurements proved that the two Ru(II) complexes intercalate DNA with larger binding constants than that of [Ru(bpy)₂(dppz)]²⁺ (dppz = dipyrido[3,2-a:2′,3′-c]phenazine) and possess the excited lifetime of microsecond scale upon binding to DNA. Both complexes can efficiently photocleave pBR322 DNA in vitro under irradiation. Singlet oxygen (¹O₂) was proved to contribute to the DNA photocleavage process, the ¹O₂ quantum yields was determined to be 0.43 and 0.36 for 1 and 2, respectively. Moreover, a photoinduced electron transfer mechanism was also found to be involved in the DNA cleavage process.     

Syntheses and DNA-binding studies of two ruthenium(II) complexes containing one ancillary ligand of bpy or phen: [Ru(bpy)(pp[2,3]p)2](ClO4)2 and [Ru(phen)(pp[2,3]p)2](ClO4)2

Two new ruthenium(II) complexes of [Ru(bpy)(pp[2,3]p)2](ClO4)2 and [Ru(phen)(pp[2,3]p)2](ClO4)(2) (bpy=2,2'-bipyridine, phen=1,10-phenanthroline, pp[2,3]p=pyrido[2',3':5,6]pyrazino[2,3-f][1,10]phenanthroline) have been synthesized and characterized by elemental analysis and 1H NMR spectra. The calf thymus DNA-binding properties of the two complexes were investigated by UV-visible and emission spectroscopy, competitive binding experiments with ethidium bromide and viscosity measurements. The results indicate that the two complexes intercalate between the base pairs of the DNA tightly with intrinsic DNA-binding constants of 3.08 x 10(6) and 6.53 x 10(6) M(-1) in buffered 50 mM NaCl, respectively, which are much larger than 6.9 x 10(5) M(-1) for [Ru(bpy)2(pp[2,3]p)](ClO4)2 containing two ancillary ligands of bpy.     

Conformational changes in d (TpG) and 5′GTP induced by monofunctional binding of [PtCl(NH3)3]Cl and [PtCl(dien)] are small

The binding of the monofunctioal cisplatin model compounds [PtCl(NH₃)Cl and [PtCl(dien)]Cl, to Guanosine-5′-triphosphate (5′GTP) is described. For comparison also the binding of [PtCl(NH₃)₃]Cl to d(TpG) has been studied. It is shown that in all cases the platinum triam(m)ine binds to guanine-N7. The conformations of the sugar rings have been determined using high-resolution NMR techniques. The relative amount of the N conformer of the sugar ring of 5′GTP increases upon platination. Only minor differences were observed between the 5′GTP adducts of [PtCl(NH₃)₃]Cl and [PtCl(dien)]Cl. The conformational equilibrium of the sugar rings of d(TpG), however, barely shows any change upon platination. For both cases the conformation is assumed to result from the interaction between the negatively charged (tri)phosphate group and the positively charged platinum group. This interaction causes a strain in the 5′GTP adducts resulting in the observed change in the conformational equilibrium of the sugar ring. In the case of d(TpG) such a strain is not found, which is ascribed to the lower charge on the phosphate group.     

DNA and glutathione interactions in cell-free media of asymmetric platinum(II) complexes cis- and trans-[PtCl2(isopropylamine)(1-methylimidazole)]: relations to their different antitumor effects

The global modification of mammalian and plasmid DNAs by the novel platinum compounds cis-[PtCl₂(isopropylamine)(1-methylimidazole)] and trans-[PtCl₂(isopropylamine)(1-methylimidazole)] and the reactivity of these compounds with reduced glutathione (GSH) were investigated in cell-free media using various biochemical and biophysical methods. Earlier cytotoxicity studies had revealed that the replacement of the NH₃ groups in cisplatin by the azole and isopropylamine ligands lowers the activity of cisplatin in both sensitive and resistant cell lines. The results of the present work show that this replacement does not considerably affect the DNA modifications by this drug, recognition of these modifications by HMGB1 protein, their repair, and reactivity of the platinum complex with GSH. These results were interpreted to mean that the reduced activity of this analog of cisplatin in tumor cell lines is due to factors that do not operate at the level of the target DNA. In contrast, earlier studies had shown that the replacement of the NH₃ groups in the clinically ineffective trans isomer (transplatin) by the azole and isopropylamine ligands results in a radical enhancement of its activity in tumor cell lines. Importantly, this replacement also markedly alters the DNA binding mode of transplatin, which is distinctly different from that of cisplatin, but does not affect reactivity with GSH. Hence, the results of the present work are consistent with the view and support the hypothesis systematically tested by us and others that platinum drugs that bind to DNA in a fundamentally different manner from that of conventional cisplatin may have altered pharmacological properties.