Effect of substituents on the ability of nickel Schiff base complexes with four pendant groups to bind to G-quadruplexes.

The synthesis of eleven new nickel Schiff base complexes each bearing four pendant groups is reported. The structures of the complexes differ in the identity of the pendant groups and/or diamine moiety. All complexes were characterised by microanalysis, Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) spectroscopy and Electrospray Ionisation Mass Spectrometry (ESI-MS), while the solid-state structures of two of the molecules were also determined using X-ray crystallographic methods.

G-quadruplex DNA binding properties of novel nickel Schiff base complexes with four pendant groups.

Three new nickel Schiff base complexes were prepared using a two-step procedure that involves initial selective dialkylation of 2,4,6-trihydroxybenzaldehyde, followed by reaction with 1,2-phenylenediamine and nickel(II) acetate. Each of the complexes possessed the same Schiff base core but differed in the identity of the four pendant groups. All complexes were characterised by microanalysis, NMR spectroscopy and ESI mass spectrometry.

Understanding G-Quadruplex Biology and Stability Using Single-Molecule Techniques.

The link between the chemical stability of G-quadruplex (qDNA) structures and their roles in eukaryotic genomic maintenance processes has been an area of interest now for several decades. This Review seeks to demonstrate how single-molecule force-based techniques can provide insight into the mechanical stabilities of a variety of qDNA structures as well as their ability to interconvert between different conformations under conditions of stress. Atomic force microscopy (AFM) and magnetic and optical tweezers have been the primary tools used in these investigations and have been used to examine both free and ligand-stabilized G-quadruplex structures.

The effect of isomerism and other structural variations on the G-quadruplex DNA-binding properties of some nickel Schiff base complexes.

A series of novel isomeric nickel Schiff base complexes, as well as nickel complexes of related ligands having asymmetric structures have been prepared and characterised using microanalysis, 1H and 13C NMR spectroscopy and ESI-MS. The Schiff base ligands were prepared by condensation reactions involving ethylenediamine and different derivatives of benzophenone. The solid-state structures of eight of the complexes were also determined and revealed that each possessed a regular square planar coordination geometry around the metal ion.

A study of Pt(II)-phenanthroline complex interactions with double-stranded and G-quadruplex DNA by ESI-MS, circular dichroism, and computational docking.

The binding interactions of a series of square-planar platinum(II)-phenanthroline complexes of the type [Pt(P)(A)] [where P = variously methyl-substituted 1,10-phenanthroline (phen) and A = ethane-1,2-diamine (en)] were assessed with a G-quadruplex DNA (5'-TTG GGG GT-3', G4DNA) and a double-stranded DNA (5'-CGC GAA TTC GCG-3', dsDNA) sequence by ESI-MS. The results indicate a strong correlation between G4DNA affinity and increasing phenanthroline methyl substitution. Circular dichroism (CD) spectroscopy and molecular docking studies also support the finding that increased substitution of the phenanthroline ligand increased selectivity for G4DNA.

A new class of quadruplex DNA-binding nickel Schiff base complexes.

We have prepared six new nickel Schiff base complexes via reactions of substituted benzophenones with different diamines in the presence of nickel(ii). These new complexes were then reacted with 1-(2-choroethyl)piperidine to afford a further six novel nickel(ii) Schiff base complexes bearing pendant ethylpiperidine groups. The complexes bearing the ethylpiperidine moieties had greater solubility in water, and were therefore suitable for use in DNA binding experiments.

Effect of structure variations on the quadruplex DNA binding ability of nickel Schiff base complexes.

Two different series of nickel Schiff base complexes were prepared as part of a study aimed at discovering new compounds with high affinity and selectivity for quadruplex DNA (qDNA). The new complexes were prepared by modification of a literature method for synthesising N,N'-bis-(4-((1-(2-ethyl)piperidine)-oxy)salicylidene)phenylenediaminenickel(ii) (complex (1)). For Series 1 complexes, the phenylenediamine head group of the literature complex was replaced with ethylenediamine, phenanthrenediamine, R,R- and S,S-diaminocyclohexane.

Carbon Nanotube Membranes: Synthesis, Properties, and Future Filtration Applications.

Over the course of the past decade, there has been growing interest in the development of different types of membranes composed of carbon nanotubes (CNTs), including buckypapers and composite materials, for an ever-widening range of filtration applications. This article provides an overview of how different types of CNT membranes are prepared and the results obtained from investigations into their suitability for different applications. The latter involve the removal of small particles from air samples, the filtration of aqueous solutions containing organic compounds and/or bacteria, and the separation of individual liquids present in mixtures.

Trigonal prismatic metal complexes: a not so rare coordination geometry?

The solid state structures of two metal complexes of a hexaamine macrobicyclic ligand, in which the metal ion has an exact trigonal prismatic geometry, have been determined. Theoretical calculations showed this is the most stable geometry for d(0), d(10) and high spin d(5) metal complexes of the ligand with M-N bond distances >∼2.35 Å.

Frontiers in Nucleic Acid Nanotechnology.

This Special Issue of highlights innovative work from around the world focused on harnessing the physical, chemical and topological properties of nucleic acids. [..

Synthesis and characterisation of nickel Schiff base complexes containing the meso-1,2-diphenylethylenediamine moiety: selective interactions with a tetramolecular DNA quadruplex.

As part of a program of preparing metal complexes which exhibit unique affinities towards different DNA structures, we have synthesised the novel Schiff base complex N,N'-bis-4-(hydroxysalicylidine)meso-diphenylethylenediaminenickel(ii) (), via the reaction of meso-1,2-diphenylethylenediamine and 2,4-dihydroxybenzaldehyde. This compound was subsequently reacted with 1-(2-chloroethyl)piperidine or 1-(2-chloropropyl)piperidine, to afford the alkylated complexes N,N'-bis-(4-((1-(2-ethyl)piperidine)oxy)salicylidine)meso-1,2-diphenylethylenediaminenickel(ii) () and N,N'-bis-(4-((1-(3-propyl)piperidine)oxy)-salicylidine)meso-1,2-diphenylethylenediaminenickel(ii) (), respectively. These complexes were characterised by microanalysis and X-ray crystallography in the solid state, and in solution by (1)H and (13)C NMR spectroscopy.

An investigation into the interactions of gold nanoparticles and anti-arthritic drugs with macrophages, and their reactivity towards thioredoxin reductase.

Gold(I) complexes are an important tool in the arsenal of established approaches for treating rheumatoid arthritis (RA), while some recent studies have suggested that gold nanoparticles (Au NPs) may also be therapeutically efficacious. These observations prompted the current biological studies involving gold(I) anti-RA agents and Au NPs, which are aimed towards improving our knowledge of how they work. The cytotoxicity of auranofin, aurothiomalate, aurothiosulfate and Au NPs towards RAW264.

Does cytotoxicity of metallointercalators correlate with cellular uptake or DNA affinity?

The cytotoxicity of the metallointercalators, [Pt(5,6-dimethyl-1,10-phenanthroline)(trans-1R,2R-diaminocyclohexane)](2+) ([56MERR]) and [Pt(5,6-dimethyl-1,10-phenanthroline)(trans-1S,2S-diaminocyclohexane)](2+) ([56MESS]), towards A549 human lung cancer cells was examined using the 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay. The IC(50) value obtained following exposure of A549 cells to [56MESS] for 4 h was approximately three times smaller than that obtained when [56MERR] was administered under the same conditions, indicating that the former complex displayed greater cytotoxicity. Both IC(50) values were greater than that obtained after exposure of A549 cells to cisplatin, demonstrating that the latter compound was the most cytotoxic of the three examined.

An unusually flexible expanded hexaamine cage and its Cu(II) complexes: variable coordination modes and incomplete encapsulation.

The bicyclic hexaamine "cage" ligand Me(8)tricosaneN(6) (1,5,5,9,13,13,20,20-octamethyl-3,7,11,15,18,22-hexaazabicyclo[7.7.7]tricosane) is capable of encapsulating octahedral metal ions, yet its expanded cavity allows the complexed metal to adopt a variety of geometries comprising either hexadentate or pentadentate coordination of the ligand.

A novel enzymatic bioelectrode system combining a redox hydrogel with a carbon NanoWeb.

A novel bioelectrode system has been prepared in which an enzyme and a conducting polymer hydrogel are combined in a nanostructured scaffold. The latter consists of fibres of carbon NanoWeb, grown by chemical vapour deposition onto reticulated vitreous carbon (RVC). The catalytic currents produced by this new bioelectrode system are significantly larger than those obtained using conventional electrodes.

Quadruplex DNA: a promising drug target for the medicinal inorganic chemist.

Compounds that can bind to and stabilize quadruplex DNA structures in telomeres, or induce formation of such structures from ssDNA, represent an attractive general approach to the treatment of cancer. Until recently most effort in this area has been directed towards the synthesis of organic compounds for this purpose. More recently there has been growing recognition that metal complexes offer a number of potential advantages for the preparation of lead complexes that bind with high affinity and selectivity for quadruplex DNA.

A mass spectrometric investigation of the ability of metal complexes to modulate transcription factor activity.

ESI mass spectrometry was used to assess the ability of metal complexes to inhibit binding of a transcription factor to a DNA molecule containing its recognition sequence.

Does the metal influence non-covalent binding of complexes to DNA?

Electrospray ionisation mass spectrometry, absorption spectrophotometry and circular dichroism spectroscopy were used to investigate the binding of a series of nickel complexes with the general formula [Ni(phen)2L]2+ (L = phen, dpq, dpqC and dppz) to a double stranded DNA hexadecamer. In addition, the binding of the complexes to pUC9 negatively supercoiled plasmid DNA was examined using gel electrophoresis, and their ability to inhibit DNA transcription was measured. Each of the above techniques showed that DNA binding strengthened as the size of the unique ligand L was increased.

Comparison of mass spectrometry and other techniques for probing interactions between metal complexes and DNA.

Electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (ESI-MS) was used to study the binding interactions of two series of ruthenium complexes, [Ru(phen) 2L] (2+) and [RuL' 2(dpqC)] (2+), to a double stranded DNA hexadecamer, and derive orders of relative binding affinity. These were shown to be in good agreement with orders of relative binding affinity derived from absorption and circular dichroism (CD) spectroscopic examination of the same systems and from DNA melting curves. However, the extent of luminescence enhancement caused by the addition of DNA to solutions of the ruthenium complexes showed little correlation with orders of binding affinity derived from ESI-MS or any of the other techniques.

A comparison of the binding of metal complexes to duplex and quadruplex DNA.

Electrospray ionisation mass spectrometry (ESI-MS) and circular dichroism (CD) spectroscopy were used to compare the binding of mononuclear nickel, ruthenium and platinum complexes to double stranded DNA (dsDNA) and quadruplex DNA (qDNA). CD studies provided evidence for the binding of intact complexes of all three metal ions to qDNA. ESI mass spectra of solutions containing platinum or ruthenium complexes and qDNA showed evidence for the formation of non-covalent complexes consisting of intact metal molecules bound to DNA.

Octahedral and trigonal prismatic structure preferences in a bicyclic hexaamine cage for zinc(II), cadmium(II) and mercury(II) ions.

The synthesis and characterisation of complexes of the hexaamine cage ligand facial-1,5,9,13,20-pentamethyl-3,7,11,15,18,22-hexaazabicyclo[7.7.7]tricosane (fac-(Me)(5)-D(3 h)tricosaneN(6)) with Zn(II), Cd(II) and Hg(II) is reported.

Encapsulation of platinum(II)-based DNA intercalators within cucurbit[6,7,8]urils.

The partial encapsulation of platinum(II)-based DNA intercalators of the type [Pt(5-Cl-phen)(ancillary ligand)](2+), where 5-Cl-phen is 5-chloro-1,10-phenanthroline and the ancillary ligand is ethylenediamine, (1S,2S)-diaminocyclohexane (S,S-dach) or (1R,2R)-diaminocyclohexane, within cucurbit[n]uril (CB[n], where n is 6, 7 or 8) has been examined by (1)H and (195)Pt NMR and mass spectrometry. For CB[7], the molecule encapsulates over the ancillary ligand of all metal complexes, whether this is ethylenediamine or diaminocyclohexane. For CB[8], encapsulation occurs over the sides of the 5-Cl-phen ligand at low [Pt(5-Cl-phen)(S,S-dach)](2+) (5CLSS) to CB[8] ratios (i.

An expanded cavity hexaamine cage for copper(II).

The crystal structure of the bicyclic hexaamine complex [Cu(fac-Me5-tricosane-N6)](ClO4)2.H2O (fac-Me5-tricosane-N6 = facial-1,5,9,13,20-pentamethyl-3,7,11,15,18,22-hexaazabicyclo[7.7.

An estrogen-platinum terpyridine conjugate: DNA and protein binding and cellular delivery.

A platinum metal complex in which terpyridine joins estradiol (via an ethynyl link) to a platinum with a labile ligand (chloride) has been designed, synthesised and its X-ray crystal structure determined. The aim of this work was to link a targeting motif (in this case estrogen) to a metal-based biomolecule recognition unit (the platinum moiety). The target molecule: 17alpha-[4'-ethynyl-2,2':6',2'-terpyridine]-17beta-estradiol platinum(II) chloride (PtEEtpy) has been shown to bind to both human and bovine serum albumin (SA) and to DNA.

Polyamide platinum anticancer complexes designed to target specific DNA sequences.

Two new platinum complexes, trans-chlorodiammine[N-(2-aminoethyl)-4-[4-(N-methylimidazole-2-carboxamido)-N-methylpyrrole-2-carboxamido]-N-methylpyrrole-2-carboxamide]platinum(II) chloride (DJ1953-2) and trans-chlorodiammine[N-(6-aminohexyl)-4-[4-(N-methylimidazole-2-carboxamido)-N-methylpyrrole-2-carboxamido]-N-methylpyrrole-2-carboxamide]platinum(II) chloride (DJ1953-6) have been synthesized as proof-of-concept molecules in the design of agents that can specifically target genes in DNA. Coordinate covalent binding to DNA was demonstrated with electrospray ionization mass spectrometry. Using circular dichroism, these complexes were found to show greater DNA binding affinity to the target sequence: d(CATTGTCAGAC)(2), than toward either d(GTCTGTCAATG)(2,) which contains different flanking sequences, or d(CATTGAGAGAC)(2), which contains a double base pair mismatch sequence.