[Ru(bpy)2(5-cyanouracil)2]2+ as a potential light-activated dual-action therapeutic agent.

ABSTRACT: The cation cis-[Ru(bpy)(2)(5CNU)(2)](2+) (bpy = 2,2'-bipyridine; 5CNU = 5-cyanouracil) was synthesized and investigated for use as a potential light-activated dual-action therapeutic agent. The complex undergoes efficient photoinduced 5CNU ligand exchange for solvent water molecules, thus simultaneously releasing biologically active 5CNU and generating [Ru(bpy)(2)(H(2)O)(2)](2+). The latter binds covalently to ds-DNA, such that photolysis results in the generation of 3 equiv of potential therapeutic agents from a single molecule.

SUBMITTER: Garner RN 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4556276 | biostudies-literature | 2011 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature