Copper complexes artificial nucleases

The distortions induced in the DNA double helix by the interstrand cross-links have been characterized by several techniques. As judged by chemical probes (diethyl pyrocarbonate, hydroxylamine, osmium tetroxide), antibodies to cisplatin-modified poly(dG-dC)-poly(dG-dC), natural (DNase I) and artificial (1,10-phenanthroline-copper complex) nucleases, the cytosine residues are accessible to the solvent, and the distortions are located at the level of the adduct [48-50]. From the electrophoretic mobility of the multimers of double-stranded oligonucleotides containing a single interstrand cross-link [50] it is deduced that the DNA double helix is unwound (79°) and its axis is bent (45°). 

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