biostudies-literatureChao XJFundamental Research Funds for the Central UniversitiesNSF ChinaBasic Frontier Scientific Research ProgramStrategic Priority Research Program of CASNIH10520-10528https://www.ebi.ac.uk/biostudies/studies/S-EPMC6847114biostudies-literatureUnknown47(20)We have found recently that nuclear uptake of the cell-impermeable DNA light-switching Ru(II)-polypyridyl cationic complexes such as [Ru(bpy)2(dppz)]Cl2 was remarkably enhanced by pentachlorophenol (PCP), by forming ion-pairing complexes via a passive diffusion mechanism. However, it is not clear whether the enhanced nuclear uptake of [Ru(bpy)2(dppz)]2+ is only limited to PCP, or it is a general phenomenon for other highly chlorinated phenols (HCPs); and if so, what are the major physicochemical factors in determining nuclear uptake? Here, we found that the nuclear uptake of [Ru(bpy)2(dppz)]2+ can also be facilitated by other two groups of HCPs including three tetrachlorophenol (TeCP) and six trichlorophenol (TCP) isomers. Interestingly and unexpectedly, 2,3,4,5-TeCP was found to be the moNucleic acids researchTargeted live-cell nuclear delivery of the DNA 'light-switching' Ru(II) complex via ion-pairing with chlorophenolate counter-anions: the critical role of binding stability and lipophilicity of the ion-pairing complexes.PMC6847114ES0021021477139RR0100821621064XDB01020300ZDBS-LY-SLH0272018A030310242214071632177718018zxxxt3821836005ES1149721577149Yan ZYTang MZhu BZShao JHuang CHChao XJHuang RfalseTargeted live-cell nuclear delivery of the DNA 'light-switching' Ru(II) complex via ion-pairing with chlorophenolate counter-anions: the critical role of binding stability and lipophilicity of the ion-pairing complexes.We have found recently that nuclear uptake of the cell-impermeable DNA light-switching Ru(II)-polypyridyl cationic complexes such as [Ru(bpy)2(dppz)]Cl2 was remarkably enhanced by pentachlorophenol (PCP), by forming ion-pairing complexes via a passive diffusion mechanism. However, it is not clear whether the enhanced nuclear uptake of [Ru(bpy)2(dppz)]2+ is only limited to PCP, or it is a general phenomenon for other highly chlorinated phenols (HCPs); and if so, what are the major physicochemical factors in determining nuclear uptake? Here, we found that the nuclear uptake of [Ru(bpy)2(dppz)]2+ can also be facilitated by other two groups of HCPs including three tetrachlorophenol (TeCP) and six trichlorophenol (TCP) isomers. Interestingly and unexpectedly, 2,3,4,5-TeCP was found to be the mo2019-01-01T00:00:00Z2019 Nov2025-04-04T12:17:58.418Z2020-05-21T19:06:04ZS-EPMC68471143158408310.1093/nar/gkz152