title: Metal complex interactions with DNA.
abstract: Increasing numbers of DNA structures are being revealed using biophysical, spectroscopic and genomic methods. The diversity of transition metal complexes is also growing, as the unique contributions that transition metals bring to the overall structure of metal complexes depend on the various coordination numbers, geometries, physiologically relevant redox potentials, as well as kinetic and thermodynamic characteristics. The vast range of ligands that can be utilised must also be considered. Given this diversity, a variety of biological interactions is not unexpected. Specifically, interactions with negatively-charged DNA can arise due to covalent/coordinate or subtle non-coordinate interactions such as electrostatic attraction, groove binding and intercalation as well as combinations of all of these modes. The potential of metal complexes as therapeutic agents is but one aspect of their utility. Complexes, both new and old, are currently being utilised in conjunction with spectroscopic and biological techniques to probe the interactions of DNA and its many structural forms. Here we present a review of metal complex-DNA interactions in which several binding modes and DNA structural forms are explored.
authors.affiliation: Nanoscale Organisation and Dynamics Group, School of Science and Health, University of Western Sydney, Locked Bag 1797 Penrith South DC, NSW 2751, Australia.
authors.forename: Benjamin J
authors.initials: BJ
authors.lastname: Pages
authors.forename: Dale L
authors.initials: DL
authors.lastname: Ang
authors.forename: Elisé P
authors.initials: EP
authors.lastname: Wright
authors.forename: Janice R
authors.initials: JR
authors.lastname: Aldrich-Wright
mesh_terms: D001665:Binding Sites; D056831:Coordination Complexes / Q000737:chemistry*; D004247:DNA / Q000737:chemistry*; D007364:Intercalating Agents / Q000737:chemistry; D062105:Molecular Docking Simulation; D009690:Nucleic Acid Conformation; D010984:Platinum / Q000737:chemistry; D012428:Ruthenium / Q000737:chemistry; D028561:Transition Elements / Q000737:chemistry
chemical_list: D056831:Coordination Complexes; D007364:Intercalating Agents; D028561:Transition Elements; D010984:Platinum; D012428:Ruthenium; D004247:DNA