Metal Complexes with DNA

A basic aim of chemotherapy is clearly to obtain a selective effect between a normal host cell and the invading cell, be it bacterial, protozoal, or cancerous. This selectivity may be achieved by differences in distribution, comparative biochemistry, or comparative cytology [1], the damage induced eventually rendering the attacked cell more susceptible to the host s defense mechanisms. 

RNA (Amino Acid and Protein Synthesis) Precursor Molecules DNA DNA (Mitosis) 

The studies reviewed in Chapter 6 show that metal complexes act by both mechanisms. For indirect action the interference with either cellular biochemistry or small molecule precursors of the nucleic acids is required. In the case of direct action the binding of the molecule (drug) to the polymer is a requisite. 

Furthermore, for cancer, the reciprocity between anticancer drugs and potential carcinogens, and their role in DNA modification, have been long recognized [4]. This is obviously no less true for metal complexes in general and observations have been made on this point [5, 6]. Indeed, the juxtaposition of two volumes of Metal Ions in Biological Systems on carcinogenicity [7] and antitumour properties [8] of metal ions and 

Relationships of metals and metal complexes with polynucleotides 

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Kirsch-De-Mesmaeker, A., Lecomte, J.-P., and Kelly, J. M. Photoreactions of Metal Complexes with DNA, Especially Those Involving a Primary Photo-Electron Transfer. 177, 25-76 (1996). 

Why Study the Binding and Photoreactions of Metal Complexes With DNA ... 

In a quite different context, the metal complexes with DNA will certainly find interesting applications in supramolecular (photo)chemistry [11], In this regard, DNA may be used as an interesting molecular scaffolding for the study of DNA-mediated electron transfer processes and charge migrations through the DNA double helix. 

Due to the numerous applications that have stimulated studies of interactions and reactions of metal complexes with DNA, we cannot cover all the aspects in this review. We will focus our attention on photoreactions of metal complexes with DNA. Although, obviously for carrying out photochemical reactions, it is essential to discuss the binding of these compounds to DNA. Dark reactions, on the other hand, will not be described. 

Photoreactions of Metal Complexes with DNA closer to the purine strand than to the pyrimidine strand in the major groove. 

While the area of the photochemistry of metal complexes with DNA is still at an early stage of development, substantial progress has been made in the last ten years. It is apparent from the different chapters of this review that a knowledge of the photophysimetal complex s excited state can be used to predict the type of reaction caused to the DNA. 

A systematic view on the topic of complexation and complexes in the literature shows a great number of important research results. This expanding field covers studies of various systems, including antibody-antigen complexes, proteinase-inhibitor complexes, lipid-based delivery vehicles, metal complexes with DNA base pair, and aqua ligand in the coordination sphere of metal, The metal-modified structures are dominated by these metal-base interactions. However, the structural role of the water molecules in the complexes is quite apparent, as suggested by crystallographic studies.f ... 

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