Efficient double-strand cleavage of DNA mediated by Zn(ii)-based artificial nucleases?

Dalton Transactions Pub Date: 2011-04-05 DOI: 10.1039/C0DT01659D

Abstract

Two water-soluble zinc complexes, [Zn(L)Cl2] (1) and [Zn2(L)2(μ-C2O4)(H2O)2]·(ClO4)2·CH3OH (2) (L = N,N-bis(2-pyridylmethyl)methylamine), were prepared to serve as nuclease mimics. The complexes were characterized by X-ray, IR and UV-vis spectroscopy as well as ESI-MS. The electrospray mass spectrum of 2 in solution indicates that dinuclear ion [Zn2(L)2(μ-C2O4)(ClO4)]+ (3) is the active species. UV-Vis absorption and fluorescence spectroscopy studies show that the complexes partially intercalate to CT-DNA. In the absence of reducing agent, supercoiled plasmid DNA cleavage by the complexes 1 and 3 was performed and the hydrolytic mechanism was demonstrated by adding standard radical scavengers.

Graphical abstract: Efficient double-strand cleavage of DNA mediated by Zn(ii)-based artificial nucleases
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