Synthesis, crystal structure, DNA interaction and anticancer activity of tridentate copper(II) complexes

J Inorg Biochem. 2013 Feb:119:43-53. doi: 10.1016/j.jinorgbio.2012.09.019. Epub 2012 Sep 28.

Abstract

Three new tridentate copper(II) complexes [Cu(dthp)Cl(2)] (1) (dthp=2,6-di(thiazol-2-yl)pyridine), [Cu(dmtp)Cl(2)] (2) (dmtp=2,6-di(5-methyl-4H-1,2,4-triazol-3-yl)pyridine) and [Cu(dtp)Cl(2)] (3) (dtp=2,6-di(4H-1,2,4-triazol-3-yl)pyridine) have been synthesized and characterized. Crystal structure of complex 1 shows that the complex existed as distorted square pyramid with five co-ordination sites occupied by the tridentate ligand and the two chlorine anions. Ethidium bromide displacement assay, viscosity measurements, circular dichroism studies and cyclic voltammetric experiments suggested that these complexes bound to DNA via an intercalative mode. Three Cu(II) complexes were found to efficiently cleave DNA in the presence of sodium ascorbate, and singlet oxygen ((1)O(2)) and hydrogen peroxide were proved to contribute to the DNA cleavage process. They exhibited anticancer activity against HeLa, Hep-G2 and BEL-7402 cell lines. Nuclear chromatin cleavage has also been observed with AO/EB staining assay and the alkaline single-cell gel electrophoresis (comet assay). The results demonstrated that three Cu(II) complexes cause DNA damage that can induce the apoptosis of BEL-7402 cells.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Antineoplastic Agents / chemical synthesis*
  • Antineoplastic Agents / pharmacology
  • Apoptosis / drug effects
  • Ascorbic Acid / chemistry
  • Cell Line, Tumor
  • Circular Dichroism
  • Comet Assay
  • Coordination Complexes / chemical synthesis*
  • Coordination Complexes / pharmacology
  • Copper / chemistry*
  • Crystallography, X-Ray
  • DNA / chemistry*
  • DNA Cleavage / drug effects
  • Ethidium
  • Humans
  • Intercalating Agents / chemical synthesis*
  • Intercalating Agents / pharmacology
  • Models, Molecular
  • Oxidation-Reduction
  • Pyridines / chemical synthesis*
  • Pyridines / pharmacology
  • Singlet Oxygen / chemistry

Substances

  • Antineoplastic Agents
  • Coordination Complexes
  • Intercalating Agents
  • Pyridines
  • Singlet Oxygen
  • Copper
  • DNA
  • Ethidium
  • Ascorbic Acid