Water soluble copper(II) complex [Cu(dipica)(CH3COO)]ClO4: DNA binding, pH dependent DNA cleavage and cytotoxicity

• Water soluble copper(II) complex
• Possess near square planar geometry in solution.
• Groove binding mode of interaction with CT DNA
• Effective DNA damage only at acidic pH.
• Cytotoxic to HeLa cancer cells while non-toxic to normal cells.

A mononuclear copper(II) complex [Cu(dipica)(CH3COO)]ClO4 (1), where dipica is di-(2-picolyl)amine, has been isolated. The electronic absorption (646 nm) and electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectral parameters (g||, 2.223; A||, 187 × 10− 4 cm− 1; g||/A||, 119 cm) reveal that 1 possesses a near square planar geometry with CuN3O chromophore. Absorption, circular dichroic and emission spectral measurements and electrochemical measurements clearly demonstrate groove binding of 1 to calf thymus DNA. Notably, 1 exhibits more effective DNA (pUC 19 DNA) cleavage at acidic pH. It shows significant cytotoxicity (IC50, 55 μM) against human cervical carcinoma cells (HeLa) at 48 h incubation time and is non-toxic to healthy cells.

The water soluble copper(II) complex is involved in groove binding with CT DNA. It shows a profound efficiency to cleave plasmid DNA at acidic pH. It is cytotoxic to HeLa cancer cells whereas it is non-toxic to normal cells.Figure optionsDownload as PowerPoint slide