DNA Conformational Changes Induced by Its Interaction with Binuclear Platinum Complexes in Solution Indicate the Molecular Mechanism of Platinum Binding.

Platinum anticancer drugs inhibit the division of cancer cells through a DNA binding mechanism. The bimetallic platinum compounds have a possibility for blocking DNA replication via the cross-linking of DNA functional groups at different distances. Many compounds with metals of the platinum group have been tested for possible antitumor activity.

DNA Complexes with Cobalt(II) Phthalocyanine Disodium Disulfonate.

The interaction of cobalt phthalocyanine disodium disulfonate (CoPc) with calf thymus DNA in solutions was investigated by UV/vis spectrophotometry, circular dichroism (CD), and hydrodynamic methods (viscosity and flow birefringence). Two types of CoPc binding to DNA were observed. Fast CoPc interactions with DNA via external binding to phosphates were accompanied by the formation of stack-type phthalocyanine structures on the periphery of the DNA helix.

DNA Integration with Silver and Gold Nanoparticles: Enhancement of DNA Optical Anisotropy.

DNA integration with silver and gold nanoparticles was carried out by the chemical reduction of silver and gold ions after the formation of their complexes with high molecular DNA in solution. It is shown that, for a good association of DNA with nanoparticles, the ions of silver and gold should be linked with DNA bases rather strongly. The proposed model of gold interaction with DNA is the coordination of gold to N7 guanine in a major groove followed by the transformation of the GC pair to Hoogsteen's type pairing, in which the gold atom is located between the bases and is bonded simultaneously to N7 guanine and N3 cytosine.

DNA Interaction with Head-to-Tail Associates of Cationic Surfactants Prevents Formation of Compact Particles.

Cationic azobenzene-containing surfactants are capable of condensing DNA in solution with formation of nanosized particles that can be employed in gene delivery. The ratio of surfactant/DNA concentration and solution ionic strength determines the result of DNA-surfactant interaction: Complexes with a micelle-like surfactant associates on DNA, which induces DNA shrinkage, DNA precipitation or DNA condensation with the emergence of nanosized particles. UV and fluorescence spectroscopy, low gradient viscometry and flow birefringence methods were employed to investigate DNA-surfactant and surfactant-surfactant interaction at different NaCl concentrations, [NaCl].

DNA Binding with Acetate Bis(1,10-phenanthroline)silver(I) Monohydrate in a Solution and Metallization of Formed Structures.

The study of DNA interaction with the acetate bis(1,10-phenanthroline)silver(I) monohydrate in a solution is of interest both for understanding the mechanism of biological activity of silver compound and for forming ordered structures (DNA fibrils) that can be used to solve various problems in the field of nanotechnology. The analysis of changing the DNA conformation (secondary structure, persistent length and volume effects) during the interaction by the methods of UV spectroscopy with the analysis of DNA melting, circular dichroism, viscosity, flow birefringence, AFM (atomic force microscopy) and SEM (scanning electron microscopy) was performed. The formation of two types of complexes was observed.

Model system for multifunctional delivery nanoplatforms based on DNA-Polymer complexes containing silver nanoparticles and fluorescent dye.

Creation of multifunctional nanoplatforms is one of the new approaches to complex treatment and diagnosis with the monitoring of the curative process. Inclusion of various components into the drug delivery system may reduce toxicity and enhance or modify the therapeutic effects of medicines. In particular, some properties of metal nanoparticles and nanoclusters provide the ability to create new systems for treatment and diagnosis of diseases, biocatalysis and imaging of objects.

First ruthenium organometallic complex of antibacterial agent ofloxacin. Crystal structure and interactions with DNA.

An organometallic ruthenium complex of quinolone antibacterial agent ofloxacin, [(η(6)-p-cymene)RuCl(O,O-oflo)]·2.8H(2)O (1·2.8H(2)O), was isolated, and its crystal structure was determined.