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Nucleic Acid Binding Behavior and Cytotoxicity Properties of a Ruthenium(II) Polypyridyl Complex

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Abstract

The binding of [Ru(IP)2(dppz-11-CO2Me)]2+ (1) {IP = imidazo[4,5-f][1,10]phenanthroline, dppz-11-CO2Me = dipyrido[3,2-a:2′,3′-c]phenazine-11-carboxylic acid methyl ester} to calf thymus DNA and yeast tRNA has been investigated by UV–Vis spectroscopy, fluorescence spectroscopy, viscosity, as well as equilibrium dialysis and circular dichroism. In addition, the antitumor activities of complex 1 have been evaluated by the MTT method. On the basis of the spectroscopic results, the binding mode of complex 1 to CT-DNA and yeast tRNA is intercalation. However, DNA binding with complex 1 is stronger than RNA binding with complex 1, and complex 1 is a better candidate for an enantioselective binder to CT-DNA than to yeast tRNA. These results indicate that the structures of DNA and RNA have significant effects on the binding behaviors of complex 1. Furthermore, complex 1 demonstrates different antitumor activities against selected cancer cell lines in vitro.

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Acknowledgments

The authors are grateful to the support of the National Natural Science Foundation of the People’s Republic of China (21071120), the Scientific Research Foundation of Hunan Provincial Education Department (11A117), and the Scientific Research Foundation of Key Lab of Environment-friendly Chemistry and Application in Ministry of Education (09HJYH09).

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  1. Key Lab of Environment-friendly Chemistry and Application in Ministry of Education, Xiangtan University, Xiangtan, 411105, People’s Republic of China

    L. F. Tan

  2. College of Chemistry, Xiangtan University, Xiangtan, 411105, People’s Republic of China

    L. Zhan

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  1. L. Zhan
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Correspondence to L. F. Tan.

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Zhan, L., Tan, L.F. Nucleic Acid Binding Behavior and Cytotoxicity Properties of a Ruthenium(II) Polypyridyl Complex. J Solution Chem 42, 991–1004 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10953-013-0008-8

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