Thread insertion of a bis(dipyridophenazine) diruthenium complex into the DNA double helix by the extrusion of AT base pairs and cross-linking of DNA duplexes.
The crystal structure of the Δ,Δ enantiomer of the binuclear "light-switch" ruthenium complex [μ-(11,11'-bidppz)(1,10-phenanthroline)4  Ru2 ](4+) bound to the oligonucleotide d(CGTACG) shows that one dppz moiety of the dumbbell-like compound inserts into the DNA stack through the extrusion of an AT base pair. The second dppz moiety recruits a neighboring DNA molecule, and the complex thus cross-links two adjacent duplexes by bridging their major grooves.
Institute for Research in Biomedicine (IRB Barcelona), Baldiri Reixach 10, 08028 Barcelona (Spain); Institut de Biologia Molecular de Barcelona (CSIC), Baldiri Reixac 10, 08028 Barcelona (Spain).
D Roeland
DR
Boer
Lisha
L
Wu
Per
P
Lincoln
Miquel
M
Coll
D020029:Base Pairing; D056831:Coordination Complexes / Q000737:chemistry*; D004247:DNA / Q000737:chemistry*; D007364:Intercalating Agents / Q000737:chemistry*; D008958:Models, Molecular; D010619:Phenazines / Q000737:chemistry; D011728:Pyridones / Q000737:chemistry; D012428:Ruthenium / Q000737:chemistry*; D013237:Stereoisomerism
D056831:Coordination Complexes; D007364:Intercalating Agents; D010619:Phenazines; D011728:Pyridones; D012428:Ruthenium; D004247:DNA
DNA metalloinsertors; DNA threading; X-ray crystal structures; base-pair extrusion; ruthenium binuclear complexes