title: DNA binding by pixantrone.
abstract: The binding of the anticancer drug pixantrone (6,9-bis[(2-aminoethyl)amino]benzo[g]isoquinoline-5,10-dione dimaleate) to the octanucleotide duplexes d(ACGATCGT)(2) and the corresponding C-5 methylated cytosine ((5Me)C) analogue d(A(5Me)CGAT(5Me)CGT)(2) has been studied by NMR spectroscopy and molecular modelling. The large upfield shifts observed for the resonances from the aromatic protons of pixantrone upon addition to either d(ACGATCGT)(2) or the corresponding (5Me)C analogue is consistent with the drug binding the octanucleotides by intercalation. The selective reduction in the sequential NOEs between the C(2)-G(3) and C(6)-G(7) nucleotides in NOESY spectra of either octanucleotide with added pixantrone confirms the intercalative binding mechanism. Strong NOEs from the side-chain ethylene protons of pixantrone to the H5 protons and the 5-CH(3) protons of the C(2) and C(6) residues of d(ACGATCGT)(2) and d(A(5Me)CGAT(5Me)CGT)(2), respectively, indicate that pixantrone predominantly intercalates from the DNA major groove at the 5'-CG and 5'-(5Me)CG sites. Simple molecular models based on the conclusions from the NMR experiments indicated that the (5Me)C groups do not represent a steric barrier to intercalation from the major groove. However, the observation of weak NOEs from the ethylene protons of pixantrone to a variety of minor groove protons from either octanucleotide suggests that the drug can also associate in the minor groove.
authors.affiliation: School of Physical, Environmental and Mathematical Sciences University College, University of New South Wales, Australian Defence Force Academy, Northcott Drive, Campbell, ACT 2600, Australia.
authors.forename: Najia
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Adnan
authors.forename: Damian P
authors.initials: DP
authors.lastname: Buck
authors.forename: Benny J
authors.initials: BJ
authors.lastname: Evison
authors.forename: Suzanne M
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Cutts
authors.forename: Don R
authors.initials: DR
authors.lastname: Phillips
authors.forename: J Grant
authors.initials: JG
authors.lastname: Collins
mesh_terms: D004247:DNA / Q000737:chemistry*; D007546:Isoquinolines / Q000737:chemistry*; D008958:Models, Molecular; D015394:Molecular Structure; D009841:Oligonucleotides / Q000737:chemistry
chemical_list: D007546:Isoquinolines; D009841:Oligonucleotides; D004247:DNA; C086548:pixantrone