Ruthenium polypyridyl complexes can intercalate double stranded DNA, inhibiting DNA replication and cell proliferation. These complexes can also photochemically induce DNA cleavage by damaging the genetic material of cells. These abilities affirm their potential use as antitumor agents, especially in the field of photodynamic therapy. In this study we report the photocleavage ability of a variety of ruthenium(II) pteridinyl complexes with varied substituents on the third bidentate ligand. Only complexes with a cleaved terminal pteridine ring (ring-open), for example, [Ru(bpy)2L-aap]2+ exhibit DNA photocleavage. Compounds were incubated with plasmid DNA for 2 hours and photocleavage ability was assessed using gel electrophoresis. The mechanism used to cleave DNA involves the photosensitization of singlet oxygen, as determined from experiments with reactive oxygen species inhibitors. Singlet oxygen quantum yields were obtained through spectroscopic studies conducted with the fluorescent probe 1,3-diphenylisobenzofuran.

Photosensitization of singlet oxygen by ruthenium(II) polypyridyl complexes for DNA photocleavage

249th National Meeting (2015)

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