Amphiphilic Cu(II) Oxacyclen Complexes: From Oxidative Cleavage to Condensation of DNA.

ABSTRACT: Cu(II) complexes with monoalkylated oxacyclen ligands (C₁₂, C₁₆, and C₁₈) have been investigated regarding their interaction with DNA by different methods: circular dichroism, UV/VIS (ultraviolet-visible) and fluorescence spectroscopy as well as by gel electrophoresis. The results demonstrate that the complexes can cleave DNA through both hydrolytic and oxidative mechanisms, with hydroxyl radicals and hydrogen peroxide identified as the reactive oxygen species involved. The targeted incorporation of alkyl chains significantly enhances the DNA-binding affinity of the Cu(II) complexes, and the length of the alkyl substituents plays an important role, as they can interact with the major groove of the DNA. Alkylation is the determining structural factor respons

SUBMITTER: Verbitsky O 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12828249 | biostudies-literature | 2026 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature