DNA Binding of Mixed-Metal Supramolecular Chromophoric Complexes for Anticancer Therapy

This study is an investigation of DNA interactions of supramolecular complexes. This research evolves from past studies designing light absorbing complexes capable of DNA interaction as potential therapeutic agents. The supramolecular complexes generated in the research can be described as complex structures composed of covalently linked molecules that retain their individual properties. These supramolecular complexes are created by coupling a ruthenium light absorber to a platinum reactive metal center through a bridging ligand. Through gel electrophoresis, the binding of the metal complex to DNA was analyzed. The study determined that all complexes bind to DNA in a similar way through platinum but at different rates. These supramolecular complexes typically fully bind to DNA within the first thirty minutes of incubation. Photolysis of the metal complexes in the presence of DNA produced DNA that migrated further in the gel compared to incubated samples. This work is sponsored by NSF, ACS-PFR SUMR, and MAOP of Virginia Tech. For more information contact kbrewer@vt.edu.