DNA binding and cleavage activity of [Ru(NH3)4(diimine)]Cl2 complexes

The interaction of a series of mixed ligand complexes of the type [Ru(NH₃)₄(diimine)]Cl₂, where diimine=2,2^′-bipyridine (bipy), 1,10-phenanthroline (phen), 5,6-dimethyl-1,10-phenanthroline (5,6-dmp), 4,7-dimethyl-1,10-phenanthroline (4,7-dmp), 2,9-dimethyl-1,10-phenanthroline (2,9-dmp), 3,4,7,8-tetra-methyl-1,10-phenanthroline (Me₄phen), with calf thymus DNA has been studied using absorption, emission and circular dichroic spectral measurements and viscometry and electrochemical techniques. On interaction with DNA the complexes show hypochromism and red-shift in their MLCT band suggesting that the complexes bind to DNA. The magnitude of the binding constant (K_b) obtained from absorption spectral titration varies depending upon the nature of the diimine ligand: Me₄phen > 5,6-dmp > 4,7-dmp > phen suggesting the use of diimine ‘face’ of the octahedral complexes in binding to DNA. The interaction of phen complex possibly involves phen ring partially inserted into the DNA base pairs. In contrast, the methyl-substituted phen complexes would involve hydrophobic interaction of the phen ring in the grooves of DNA, which is supported by hydrogen bonding interactions of the ammonia ligands with the intrastrand nucleobases. Also the shape and size of the phen ligand as modified by the methyl substituents determine the DNA binding site sizes (0.12-0.45 base pairs). The relative emission intensities (I/I₀) of the DNA-bound complexes parallel the variation in K_b values. Almost all the metal complexes exhibit induced CD bands on binding to B DNA, with the 4,7-dmp and Me₄phen complexes inducing certain structural modifications on the biopolymer. DNA melting curves obtained in the presence of metal complexes reveal a monophasic melting of the DNA strands, the Me₄phen complex exhibiting a slightly enhanced tendency to stabilize the double-stranded DNA. There were slight to appreciable changes in the relative viscosities of DNA, which are consistent with enhanced hydrophobic interaction of the methyl-substituted phen rings. Upon interaction with CT DNA, the Me₄phen, 4,7-dmp and 5,6-dmp complexes, in contrast to bipy, phen and 2,9-dmp complexes, show a decrease in anodic peak current in their cyclic voltammograms suggesting that they exhibit enhanced DNA binding. DNA cleavage experiments show that all the complexes induce cleavage of pBR322 plasmid DNA, the Me₄phen and 5,6-dmp complexes being remarkably more efficient than other complexes.     

DNA-binding and photocleavage studies of mixed polypyridyl ruthenium(II) complexes with calf thymus DNA

New mixed polypyridyl {NMIP = 2′-(2″-nitro-3″,4″-methylenedioxyphenyl)imidazo-[4′,5′-f][1,10]-phenanthroline, dmb = 4,4′-dimethyl-2,2′-bipyridine, bpy = 2,2′-bipyridine} ruthenium(II) complexes [Ru(dmb)₂(NMIP)]²⁺ (1) and [Ru(bpy)₂(NMIP)]²⁺ (2) have been synthesized and characterized. The binding of these complexes to calf thymus DNA (CT-DNA) has been investigated with spectroscopic methods, viscosity and electrophoresis measurements. The experimental results indicate that both complexes could bind to DNA via partial intercalation from the minor/major groove. In addition, both complexes have been found to promote the single-stranded cleavage of plasmid pBR 322 DNA upon irradiation. Under comparable experimental conditions compared with [Ru(phen)₂(NMIP)]²⁺, during the course of the dialysis at intervals of time, the CD signals of both complexes started from none, increased to the maximum magnitude, then no longer changed, and the activity of effective DNA cleavage dependence upon concentration degree lies in the following order: [Ru(phen)₂NMIP]²⁺ > complex 2 > complex 1.     

Ruthenium(II) mixed-ligand complexes containing 2-(6-methyl-3-chromonyl)imidazo[4,5-f][1,10]-phenanthroline: Synthesis, DNA-binding and photocleavage studies

Two novel Ru(II) complexes [Ru(bpy)₂(MCMIP)]²⁺ (1) and [Ru(phen)₂(MCMIP)]²⁺ (2) (bpy = 2,2′-bipyridine; phen = 1,10-phenanthroline; MCMIP = 2-(6-methyl-3-chromonyl)imidazo[4,5-f][1,10]-phenanthroline) have been synthesized and characterized by elemental analysis, mass spectra and ¹H NMR. The DNA-binding properties of the complexes were investigated by absorption, emission, melting temperature and viscosity measurements. Experimental results indicate that the two complexes can intercalate into DNA base pairs. Upon irradiation at 365 nm, two Ru(II) complexes were found to promote the cleavage of plasmid pBR 322 DNA from supercoiled form I to nicked form II, and the mechanisms for DNA cleavage by the complexes were also investigated.     

Effect of ancillary ligands on the photophysical properties of Ru(II) complexes bearing a highly conjugated diimine ligand: A density functional theory study

Two bis-heteroleptic Ru(II) complexes [Ru(bpy)₂(pcip)]²⁺ (1, bpy = 2,2′-bipyridine, pcip = 2-[4-phenylcarboxy]-1H-imidazol[4,5-f][1,10]phenanthroline) and [Ru(phen)₂(pcip)]²⁺ (2, phen = 1,10-phenanthroline), bearing highly conjugated diimine ligands, were prepared and isolated as their PF₆ salts. The bpy-derivative 1 showed better photophysical properties (emission quantum yield, lifetime of the emitting state, and the radiative decay rate constant) than the phen-compound 2. These results followed by theoretical calculations at DFT level established a comprehensive understanding between the structural parameters and the photophysical properties, as well as of the influence of π conjugation and the symmetry of the molecules on spectroscopic characteristics. These results provide fundamental photophysical data for selecting ancillary ligands in the design and improvement of Ru-based light-harvesting complexes.     

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.     

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.     

The relationship between the structures of periphery ligands and the DNA binding mode of [Ru(II)(1,10-phenanthroline)(L1L2)dipyrido[3,2-a:2',3'-c]phenazine](n+) (L1=Cl or pyridine and L2=pyridine, n=1,2)

The binding modes of the [Ru(II)(1,10-phenanthroline)(L₁L₂) dipyrido[3,2-a:2′,3′-c]phenazine]²⁺ {[Ru(phen)(py) Cl dppz]⁺ (L₁ = Cl, L₂ = pyridine) and ([Ru(phen)(py)₂dppz]²⁺ (L₁ = L₂ = pyridine)} to native DNA is compared to that of the [Ru(II)(1,10-phenanthroline)₂dipyrido[3,2-a:2′,3′-c]phenazine]²⁺ complex ([Ru(phen)₂dppz]²⁺) by various spectroscopic and hydrodynamic methods including electric absorption, linear dichroism (LD), fluorescence spectroscopy, and viscometric titration. All measured properties, including red-shift and hypochromism in the dppz absorption band, nearly perpendicular molecular plane of the dppz ligand with respect to the local DNA helix axis, prohibition of the ethidium binding, the light switch effect and binding stoichiometry, increase in the viscosity upon binding to DNA, increase in the melting temperature are in agreement with classical intercalation of dppz ligand of the [Ru(phen)₂dppz]²⁺ complex, in which both phenanthroline ligand anchored to the DNA phosphate groups by electrostatic interaction. [Ru(phen)(py)₂ dppz]²⁺ and [Ru(phen)(py) Cl dppz]⁺ complexes had one of the phenanthroline ligand replaced by either two pyridine ligands or one pyridine plus a chlorine ion. They exhibited similar protection from water molecules, interaction with DNA bases, and occupying site that is common with ethidium. The dppz ligand of these two Ru(II) complex were greatly tilted relative to the DNA helix axis, suggesting that the dppz ligand resides inside the DNA and is not perpendicular relative to the DNA helix axis. These observation suggest that anchoring the [Ru(phen)₂dppz]²⁺complex by both phenanthroline is essential for the dppz ligand to be classically intercalated between DNA base-pairs.     

Structural, photophysical and electrochemical studies of [RuN6] complexes having polypyridine and azole mixed-donor sites

The mixed-ligand ruthenium(II) complexes [(phen)₂Ru(pzbzimH₃)](ClO₄)₂·3H₂O (1), [(phen)₂Ru(bzimH)₂](ClO₄)₂·3H₂O (2) and [(bpy)₂Ru(bpybzimH₂)](ClO₄)₂ (3), where phen = 1,10-phenanthroline, bpy = 2,2′-bipyridine, pzbzimH₃ = pyrazole-3,5-bis(benzimidazole), bzimH = benzimidazole and bpybzimH₂ = 6,6′-bis(benzimidazole-2-yl)-2,2′-bipyridine have been synthesized and spectroscopically characterized. The X-ray structures of the three compounds have been determined which show that relative to the polypyridine ligands (phen or bpy) two donor nitrogens of the second ligand occupy cis position. In case of 3, bpybzimH₂ ligand is coordinated in puckered form where its bpy unit acts in a monodentate fashion. The electrochemical properties, absorption and emission spectral characteristics and lifetimes of luminescence decay of the complexes have been compared. Deprotonation of the azole NH moieties of the complexes lead to substantial lowering of redox potentials of the Ru^II/Ru^III couple as well as the MLCT and emission band energies. Spectrophotometric and spectrofluorometric titrations of complexes 1 and 3 have been carried out in 3:2 acetonitrile-water as a function of pH over the range 3.5-12.0 and the pK values have been determined. The kinetic parameters for the decay of the ³MLCT excited states of 1 at different pH at 298 K have been evaluated.     

The interesting DNA-binding properties of three novel dinuclear Ru(II) complexes with varied lengths of flexible bridges

Three binuclear Ru(II) complexes with two [Ru(bpy)₂(pip)]²⁺-based subunits {where bpy = 2,2′-bipyridine and pip = 2-phenylimidazo[4,5-f][1,10]phenanthroline} being linked by varied lengths of flexible bridges, were synthesized and characterized by ¹H NMR, elemental analysis, UV-visible (UV-vis) and photoluminescence spectroscopy. The structures of the three complexes were optimized by density functional theory calculations. The interaction of the complexes with calf thymus DNA was investigated by UV-vis and luminescence titrations, steady-state emission quenching by [Fe(CN)₆]⁴⁻, DNA competitive binding with ethidium bromide, DNA melting experiments, and viscosity measurements. The experimental results indicated that the three complexes bound to the DNA most probably in a threading intercalation binding mode with high DNA binding constant values three orders of magnitude greater than the DNA binding constant value reported for proven DNA intercalator, mononuclear counterpart [Ru(bpy)₂(p-mopip)]²⁺ {p-mopip = 2-(4-methoxylphenyl)imidazo[4,5-f][1,10]phenanthroline}.     

Electronic effects on the interactions of complexes [Ru(phen)2(p-L)] (L=MOPIP, HPIP, and NPIP) with DNA

In order to explore the electronic effects of Ru(II) complexes binding to DNA, a series of Ru(II) complexes [Ru(phen)₂ (p-MOPIP)]²⁺ (1), [Ru(phen)₂ (p-HPIP)]²⁺ (2), and [Ru(phen)₂(p-NPIP)]²⁺ (3) were synthesized and characterized by elementary, ¹H NMR, and ES-MS analysis. The binding properties of these complexes to CT-DNA were investigated with spectroscopic methods and viscosity experiments. Furthermore, the computations for these complexes applying the density functional theory (DFT) method have also been performed. The results show that all of these complexes can well bind to DNA in intercalation mode and DNA-binding affinity of these complexes is greatly influenced by electronic effects of intercalating ligands. The intrinsic binding constants for 1, 2, and 3 are 0.20, 0.69, and 1.56 × 10⁵ M⁻¹, respectively. This order is in accordance with that of the electron-withdrawing ability of substituent [-OR < -OH < -NO₂]. Such a trend in electronic effects of Ru(II) complexes binding to DNA can be reasonably explained by the DFT calculations.     

Luminescent ruthenium(II) amidodipyridoquinoxaline biotin complexes that display higher avidin-induced emission enhancement

A series of luminescent ruthenium(II) amidodipyridoquinoxaline biotin (dpq-B) complexes [Ru(N-N)₂(N-N′)](PF₆)₂ (N-N = 2,2′-bipyridine (bpy), 1,10-phenanthroline (phen), 4,7-diphenyl-1,10-phenanthroline (Ph₂-phen); N-N′ = 2-((2-biotinamido)ethyl)amidodipyrido[3,2-f:2′,3′-h]quinoxaline (dpq-C2-B), 2-((6-biotinamido)hexyl)amidodipyrido[3,2-f:2′,3′-h]quinoxaline (dpq-C6-B)) has been designed as new luminescent probes for avidin. The electrochemical and photophysical properties of these complexes have been investigated. Upon irradiation, all the complexes exhibited metal-to-ligand charge-transfer (³MLCT) (dπ(Ru) → π^∗(diimine)) emission in fluid solutions at 298 K and in low-temperature glass. In aqueous buffer, the emission was extremely weak, probably a consequence of hydrogen-bonding interactions between the amide moiety of the dpq-B ligands and the water molecules. The avidin-binding properties of all the complexes have been studied by 4′-hydroxyazobenzene-2-carboxylic acid (HABA) assays, luminescence titrations, kinetics experiments and confocal microscopy using avidin-conjugated microspheres.     

Synthesis, characterization and DNA-binding properties of rac-[Ru(5,6-dmp)2(dppz)]2+--enantiopreferential DNA binding and co-ligand promoted exciton coupling

The new mixed ligand complex [Ru(5,6-dmp)2(dppz)]Cl2 [5,6-dmp = 5,6-dimethyl-1,10-phenanthroline, dppz = dipyrido[3,2-a:2',3'-c]phenazine] has been isolated and its DNA-binding properties studied by employing UV-visible (UV-Vis), steady-state and time-resolved emission and circular dichroism spectral methods, viscometry, thermal denaturation and cyclic/differential pulse voltammetric techniques. The complex acts as a 'molecular light-switch' on binding to DNA, but the enhancement in emission intensity is only 75% of that of the parent complex [Ru(phen)2(dppz)]2+ (phen = 1,10-phenanthroline). The emission decay curves and quenching studies suggest two different DNA-binding modes both involving intercalation of the dppz ligand of [Ru(5,6-dmp)2(dppz)]Cl2. The characteristic red-shift of the induced CD signal, which is not observed for the phen analogue, arises from exciton coupling. The hydrophobicity and polarizability of 5,6-dmp co-ligand strongly favour the formation of a stable structural and electronic scaffold on the DNA surface for the unbound molecules to couple with the DNA-bound complexes facilitating spontaneous assembly of novel extended molecular aggregates using DNA as a helical nanotemplate. This observation is consistent with the shift in Ru(II)/Ru(III) redox potential to more positive values with a dramatic drop in peak current on binding of the 5,6-dmp complex to calf thymus (CT) DNA. Equilibrium dialysis experiments monitored by CD spectroscopy unambiguously reveal the preferential binding of the delta-enantiomer to the right-handed calf thymus (CT) DNA. The 5,6-dmp complex exhibits preferential binding to [d(AT)6]2 over [d(GC)6]2 and the complex aggregates formed consist of six [Ru(5,6-dmp)2(dppz)]2+ cations per base pair of [d(AT)6]2; however, only one [Ru(phen)2(dppz)]2+ cation per base pair is involved in DNA binding.     

Probing inter-ligand excited state interaction in homo and heteroleptic ruthenium(II) polypyridyl complexes using selective deuteriation

The effect of deuteriation on the photophysical properties of two series of regioselectively deuteriated Ru(II) complexes ([Ru(bipy)_x(ph₂phen)_3−x]²⁺, where x = 0-3 and ph₂phen is 4,7-diphenyl-1,10-phenanthroline and [Ru(bipy)₂(dcbipy²⁻)], where H₂dcbipy is 4,4′-dicarboxy-2,2′-bipyridyl) is reported. Although overall, deuteriation results in an increase in emission lifetime for all complexes, the effect of substitution of hydrogen for deuterium shows strong regioselectivity both in terms of the ligand and the position on individual ligands that are exchanged.     

Mixed-ligand complexes of ruthenium(II) containing new photoactive or electroactive ligands: synthesis, spectral characterization and DNA interactions

Mixed-ligand ruthenium(II) complexes of three photoactive ligands, viz., (E)-1-[2-(4-methyl-2-pyridyl)-4-pyridyl]-2-(1-naphthyl)-1-ethene (mppne), (E)-1-(9-anthryl)-2-[2-(4-methyl-2-pyridyl)-4-pyridyl]-1-ethene (mppae) and (E)-1-[2-(4-methyl-2-pyridyl)-4-pyridyl]-2-(1-pyrenyl)-1-ethene (mpppe), in which a 2,2′-bipyridyl unit is linked via an ethylinic linkage to either a naphthalene, an anthracene or a pyrene chromophore and three electroactive ligands, viz., 4-(4-pyridyl)-1,2-benzenediol (catpy), 5,6-dihydroxy-1,10-phenanthroline (catphen) and 1,2-benzenediol (cat), were synthesized in good to moderate yields. Complexes [Ru(bpy)₂(mppne)]²⁺ (bpy is 2, 2′–bipyridyl), [Ru(bpy)₂(mppae)]²⁺, [Ru(bpy)₂(mpppe)]²⁺, [Ru(bpy)₂(sq-py)]⁺, [Ru(bpy)₂(sq-phen)]⁺ and [Ru(phen)₂(bsq)]⁺ (phen is 1,10-phenanthroline) were fully characterized by elemental analysis, IR, ¹H NMR, fast-atom bombardment or electron-impact mass, UV–vis and cyclic voltammetric methods. In the latter three complexes, the ligands catpy, catphen and cat are actually bound to the metal center as the corresponding semiquinone species, viz., 4-(4-pyridyl)-1,2-benzenedioleto(+I) (sq-py), 1,10-phenanthroline-5,6-dioleto(+I) (sq-phen) and 1,2-benzenedioleto(+I) (bsq), thus making the overall charge of the complexes formally equal to + 1 in each case. These three complexes are electron paramagnetic resonance active and exhibit an intense absorption band between 941 and 958 nm owing to metal-to-ligand charge transfer (MLCT, d _Ru→π*_sq) transitions. The other three ruthenium(II) complexes containing three photoactive ligands, mppne, mppae and mpppe, exhibit MLCT (d _Ru→π*_bpy ) bands in the 454–461-nm region and are diamagnetic. These can be characterized by the ¹H NMR method. [Ru(bpy)₂(mppne)]²⁺, [Ru(bpy)₂(mppae)]²⁺ and [Ru(bpy)₂(mpppe)]²⁺ exhibit redox waves corresponding to the Ru^III/Ru^II couple along with the expected ligand (bpy and substituted bpy) based ones in their cyclic and differential pulse voltammograms (CH₃CN, 0.1 M tetrabutylammonium hexafluorophosphate)—corresponding voltammograms of [Ru(bpy)₂(sq-py)]⁺, [Ru(bpy)₂(sq-phen)]⁺ and [Ru(phen)₂(bsq)]⁺ are mainly characterized by waves corresponding to the quinone/semiquinone (q/sq) and semiquinone/1,2-diol (sq/cat) redox processes. The results of absorption and fluorescence titration as well as thermal denaturation studies reveal that [Ru(bpy)₂(mppne)]²⁺ and [Ru(bpy)₂(mppae)]²⁺ are moderate-to-strong binders of calf thymus DNA with binding constants ranging from 10⁵ to 10⁶ M⁻¹. Under the identical conditions of drug and light dose, the DNA (supercoiled pBR 322) photocleavage activities of these two complexes follow the order:[Ru(bpy)₂(mppne)]²⁺>[Ru(bpy)₂(mppae)]²⁺, although the emission quantum yields follow the reverse order. The other ruthenium(II) complexes containing the semiquinone-based ligands are found to be nonluminescent and inefficient photocleavage agents of DNA. However, experiments shows that [Ru(bpy)₂(sq)]⁺-based complexes oxidize the sugar unit and could be used as mild oxidants for the sugar moiety of DNA. Possible explanations for these observations are presented.Electronic Supplementary Material Supplementary material is available for this article at .     

DNA photocleavage activity of cobalt(III) polypyridyl complexes containing dpq ligand

Four cobalt(III) polypyridyl complexes, [Co(phen)_3−n(dpq)_n]³⁺ (phen = 1,10-phenanthroline, dpq = dipyrido[3,2-f:2′,3′-h]-quinoxaline) (n = 0, 1, 2, and 3) were synthesized and the influences of the dpq ligand on the photophysical properties, electrochemical properties, DNA binding affinities, as well as photonuclease activities of the complexes, were examined in detail. The presence of dpq ligand increases the DNA binding affinities of the corresponding complexes remarkably with respect to [Co(phen)₃]³⁺. With the sequential substitution of phen ligand by dpq ligand, the ¹O₂ quantum yields of the corresponding complexes are enhanced greatly. As a result, the photonuclease activities follow the order of [Co(dpq)₃]³⁺ > [Co(phen)(dpq)₂]³⁺ > [Co(phen)₂(dpq)]³⁺ ? [Co(phen)₃]³⁺. It was found all the examined complexes can generate OH upon UV irradiation, and OH is also involved in DNA photocleavage as reactive oxygen species.     

Synthesis and cellular impact of diene-ruthenium(II) complexes: a new class of organoruthenium anticancer agents

The cytostatic properties and cellular effects of novel diene-ruthenium(II) complexes of the types OC-6-13-[RuCl₂(pp)(cod)] 1-5 (pp = 2,2′-bipyridyl (bpy), phen = 1,10-phenanthroline (phen), 5,6-dimethylphenanthroline (5,6-Me2phen), dipyrido[3,2-d:2′,3′-f]quinoxaline (dpq), ethylenediamine (en)) and OC-6-24-[RuCl{(Me₂N)₂CS}(pp)(cod)](CF₃SO₃) 6-8 (pp = phen, 5,6-Me₂phen, dpq) have been studied for the human cancer cell lines MCF-7 and HT-29 and for Jurkat leukemia cells. CD spectra indicate that 7 causes a massive distortion of the CT DNA B double helix toward the A form. Whereas the neutral complexes 1, 2 and 5 exhibit only modest antiproliferative activity toward MCF-7 and HT-29 cells, the monocationic complexes are significantly more active, in particular the DNA-distorting complex 7 with its IC₅₀ values of 0.73 and 0.42 μM, respectively. As established by online monitoring with a cell-based sensor chip, this potent 5,6-Me₂phen complex invokes dose-dependent decreases in MCF-7 cellular respiration and extracellular acidification rates and causes a time-delayed decrease in the impedance of the cell layers, that can be ascribed to cell death. Treatment of Jurkat cells with 7 leads to high concentrations of reactive oxygen species and the induction of apoptosis. The pronounced dose-dependent inhibition of oxygen consumption by isolated mice mitochondria indicates the involvement of an intrinsic mitochondrial pathway in the programmed cell death process.     

Luminescent probes for indole-binding proteins derived from ruthenium(II) polypyridine complexes

We report here the synthesis, characterisation, electrochemical, photophysical and protein-binding properties of four luminescent ruthenium(II) polypyridine indole complexes [Ru(bpy)₂(L1)](PF₆)₂ (1), [Ru(bpy)₂(L2)](PF₆)₂ (2), [Ru(L1)₃](PF₆)₂ (1a), and [Ru(L2)₃](PF₆)₂ (2a) (bpy = 2,2′-bipyridine; L1 = 4-(N-(2-indol-3-ylethyl)amido)-4′-methyl-2,2′-bipyridine; L2 = 4-(N-(6-N-(2-indol-3-ylethyl)hexanamidyl)amido)-4′-methyl-2,2′-bipyridine). Their indole-free counterparts, [Ru(bpy)₂(L3)](PF₆)₂ (3) and [Ru(L3)₃](PF₆)₂ (3a) (L3 = 4-(N-(ethyl)amido)-4′-methyl-2,2′-bipyridine), have also been synthesised for comparison purposes. Cyclic voltammetric studies revealed ruthenium-based oxidation at ca. +1.3 V versus SCE and diimine-based reductions at ca. −1.20 to −2.28 V. The indole moieties of complexes 1, 2, 1a and 2a displayed an irreversible wave at ca. +1.1 V versus SCE. All the ruthenium(II) complexes exhibited intense and long-lived orange-red triplet metal-to-ligand charge-transfer ³MLCT (dπ(Ru) → π*(L1-L3)) luminescence upon visible-light irradiation in fluid solutions at 298 K and in alcohol glass at 77 K. The binding of the indole-containing complexes to bovine serum album (BSA) has been studied by quenching experiments and emission titrations.     

Experimental and DFT studies on the DNA-binding trend and spectral properties of complexes [Ru(bpy)2L] (L = dmdpq, dpq, and dcdpq)

The trend in DNA-binding affinities and the spectral properties of a series of Ru(II) polypyridyl complexes, [Ru(bpy)₂(dmdpq)]²⁺ (1), [Ru(bpy)₂(dpq)]²⁺ (2), [Ru(bpy)₂(cndpq)]²⁺ (3) (bpy = 2,2′-bipyridine; dpq = dipyrido[3,2-d:2′,3′-f]quinoxaline; dmdpq = di-methyl-dpq; dcdpq = di-cyano-dpq), have been experimentally and theoretically investigated. The DNA-binding constants K_b of the complexes were determined systematically with spectrophotometric titration. The density functional theory (DFT) and time-dependent DFT (TDDFT) calculations were carried out for these complexes. The experimental results show that these complexes bind to DNA in intercalation mode, and the order of their intrinsic DNA-binding constants K_b is K_b(1) < K_b(2) ? K_b(3). The substituents on the intercalative ligands of the complexes play a very important role in the control of DNA-binding affinities of the complexes, in particular, the stronger electron-withdrawing substituent (-CN) on the intercalative ligand can greatly improve the DNA-binding property of the derivative complex. The trend in DNA-binding affinities as well as the spectral properties of metal-ligand charge-transition (¹MLCT) of this series of complexes can be reasonably explained by applying the DFT and TDDFT calculations and the frontier molecular orbital theory.