Synthesis and evaluation of the in vitro DNA-binding properties of chiral cis-dichloro(pyridyloxazoline)platinum(II) complexes.

A series of chiral cis-dichloro(pyridyloxazoline)platinum(II) and palladium(II) complexes were synthesized and their reactivity towards a defined sequence of single-stranded and double-stranded DNA was investigated in comparison to cisplatin. The compounds differed in the nature and absolute configuration of the substituent at the C4 position of the oxazoline ring. The DNA-binding ability of these compounds was evaluated by HPLC analysis, post metal exposure, of enzymatic digests of an undecamer duplex containing one putative metallation site. Polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (PAGE) and thermal denaturation confirmed the results of the HPLC analysis, which showed that the stereochemistry and character of the substituent at the C4 position of the oxazoline ring had little effect on DNA binding, possibly due to the formation of monofunctional adducts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]