Abstract
Transition metal complexes with dppz-type ligands (dppz = dipyrido[3,2-a:2′,3′-c]phenazine) are extensively studied and attract a considerable amount of attention, becoming, from the very beginning and increasingly over time, a powerful tool for investigating the structure of the DNA helix. In particular, [Ru(bpy)2(dppz)]2+ and [Ru(phen)2(dppz)]2+ and their derivatives were extensively investigated as DNA light-switches. The purpose of this mini-review, which is not and could not be exhaustive, was to first introduce DNA and its importance at a biological level and research in the field of small molecules that are capable of interacting with it, in all its forms. A brief overview is given of the results obtained on the Ru-dppz complexes that bind to DNA. The mechanism of the light-switch active in this type of species is also briefly introduced along with its effects on structural modifications on both the dppz ligand and the ancillary ligands. Finally, a brief mention is made of biological applications and the developments obtained due to new spectroscopic techniques, both for understanding the mechanism of action and for cellular imaging applications.
Highlights
DNA has a vital role in life—cells use DNA to store and communicate all information necessary for the evolution of life
Research aimed at developing small molecules capable of binding to and reacting with DNA in all its forms is in continuous development
Over the last 30 years, research led to the synthesis and study of molecules that bind to DNA as both diagnostic probes and therapeutic agents [2,3,4]
Summary
DNA has a vital role in life—cells use DNA to store and communicate all information necessary for the evolution of life. The negative charge of the DNA surface implicitly allows one to consider electrostatic attraction to all cationic complexes as a possible interaction; on the other hand, one can imagine that appropriately designed ligands (with extensive planar surfaces) might allow the metal complex to fit between the base pairs of doublestranded DNA in the B form (i.e., bind by intercalation). This type of reasoning makes it possible to justify, for example, the different types of interaction with DNA offered by [Ru(bpy)3]2+ and [Ru(phen)3]2+ [8,9]. Rather than presenting a complete history of the development of metal complexes used as DNA binders, we focused on certain aspects of this class of compounds and, in particular, on the light-switch effect offered by the Ru(II) dppz derivatives [16]
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