Edwina C. H. Ling

Increased targeting of adenine-rich sequences by (2-amino-2-methyl-3-butanone oxime)dichloroplatinum(II) and investigations into its low cytotoxicity

Abstract. Using assays based on the inhibition of restriction enzyme cleavage of plasmid and synthetic DNA, the complex (2-amino-2-methyl-3-butanone oxime)dichloroplatinum(II), [PtCl2(ambo)], has been shown to have an increased tendency for binding to adenine-rich sequences when compared to cis-[PtCl2(NH3)2] (cisplatin). [PtCl2(ambo)] was found to form substantially fewer interstrand adducts than does cisplatin. The in vitro cytotoxicity of [PtCl2(ambo)] against a human bladder cancer cell line was determined and found to be more than two orders of magnitude lower than that of cisplatin, yet it was also found to be equally effective at passing into cells and binding to isolated DNA.

Studies on the Nature and Strength of Pt . . .H(-N) Interactions. The Crystal Structures of Chloro[N-(2-aminoethyl)-N-(2-ammonioethyl)ethane-1,2-diamine]platinum(II) Chloride and Dichloro[4,7-diaza-1-azoniacyclononane]platinum(II) Tetrachlor

Two complexes, namely, chloro[N-(2-aminoethyl)-N-(2-ammonioethyl)ethane-1,2-diamine]platinum(II) chloride {[PtCl(tren+H)]Cl2} and dichloro[4,7-diaza-1-azoniacyclononane]platinum(II) tetrachloroplatinate(II)–water (1/2) {[PtCl2(tacn+H)]2[PtCl4]·2H2O}, have been prepared and structurally characterized by single-crystal X-ray diffractometry as part of a study of the nature and strength of Pt···H(–N) interactions. Crystals of [PtCl(tren+H)]Cl2 are monoclinic, space group P21/c, a 8.293(2), b 14.396(6), c 11.305(3) A, β 107.34(2)o, Z 4, and the structure has been refined to a residual of 0.042 based on 1631 reflections. Crystals of [PtCl2(tacn+H)]2[PtCl4]·2H2O are monoclinic, space group P21/a, a 12.834(4), b 8.206(4), c 13.116(8) A, β 93.01(4)˚, Z 2, and the structure has been refined to a residual of 0.035 based on 1974 reflections. In [PtCl(tren+H)]2+, the protonated amine forms hydrogen bonds with chloride anions and no close contacts with the metal ion. In [PtCl2(tacn+H)]+, a short intramolecular contact is observed between the metal and the protonated amine and the results of molecular mechanics modelling are consistent with there being a Pt···H hydrogen bond. Molecular mechanics modelling of [PtCl(tren+H)]2+ and [PtCl2(dien+H)]+ shows that the protonated amines could readily form close contacts with the metal. It is concluded that there is evidence for the formation of Pt···H(–N) hydrogen bonds but these bonds are very weak, being similar or lower in energy than Cl···H(–NPt) hydrogen bonds.

The preparation, characterisation, and DNA adduct profile of 2-amino-2-methyl-3-butanoneoximedichloroplatinum(II), a platinum(II) complex designed to bind to GpA sequences of DNA.

The complex, 2-amino-2-methyl-3-butanoneoximedichloroplatinum(II), [Pt(ambo)Cl2], was chosen because of its potential to bind to GpA sequences of duplex DNA. Crystals of [Pt(ambo)Cl2] are monoclinic, space group, P2(1)/n, a = 6.799(4), b = 17.642(5), c = 8.193(2) A, beta = 102.10(3) degrees, Z = 4, R = 0.033 (1864 F). The binding of [Pt(ambo)Cl2] to salmon-sperm DNA was studied using enzymatic digestion and HPLC analysis. [Pt(ambo)Cl2] was found to form fewer GpG and ApG intrastrand adducts and more monofunctional adducts than [Pt(en)Cl2]. Binding to GpA sequences could not be established, but [Pt(ambo)Cl2] forms substantially more adducts with adenine than does [Pt(en)Cl2].

Steric control of stereoselective interactions between the platinum(II) complex [PtCl2(1,4-diazacycloheptane)] and DNA: comparison with cis-[PtCl2(NH3)2] and [PtCl2(ethane-1,2-diamine)] using DNA binding and molecular modeling studies.

The rate and extent of binding of [PtCl2(hpip)] (hpip=homopiperazine=1,4-diazacycloheptane) and cis-[PtCl2(NH3)2] to calf thymus DNA was measured using atomic absorption spectroscopy and it was found that [PtCl2(hpip)] bound both more rapidly and to a greater extent than did cis-[PtCl2(NH3)2]. The binding of [PtCl2(hpip)] and [PtCl2(en)] (en=ethane-1,2-diamine) to salmon sperm DNA and to synthetic, self-complementary 10-base-pair and 52-base-pair oligonucleotides was studied using enzymatic digestion and HPLC analysis of the products. [PtCl2(hpip)] forms approximately two-fold fewer GpG and ApG intrastrand adducts and concomitantly more monofunctional adducts than does [PtCl2(en)]. In the case of [PtCl2(hpip)], two GpG adducts, corresponding to the different orientations of the hpip ligand with respect to the DNA, were observed in a 1:3.3 ratio. The minor product corresponds to the orientation in which the bulkier propylene chain of the hpip ligand is adjacent to, and makes close contacts with, the floor of the major groove. When the reaction was repeated with a synthetic oligonucleotide decamer duplex, the ratio of the two forms was approximately 1:1.9 and with the 52-mer duplex it was 1:2.4, revealing an apparent systematic dependence of stereoselectivity on nucleotide size. Computer modeling of the two adducts formed by [PtCl2(hpip)] and those formed by [PtCl2(en)] and cis-[PtCl2(NH3)2] revealed that non-bonded interactions between the hpip ligand and the DNA were probably responsible for both the decreased proportion of GpG adducts formed by [PtCl2(hpip)] and the stereoselectivity exhibited in the formation of these adducts. This is the first case in which the stereoselectivity can be ascribed to steric factors alone.

Steric Determinants of Pt/DNA Interactions and Anticancer Activity.

Studies directed at establishing the structural features that control Pt/DNA interactions and the anticancer activity of Pt drugs are described. [1H, 15N]-HSQC 2D NMR spectroscopic studies of the reactions of cisplatin with oligonucleotides containing ApG and GpA binding sites reveal dramatic differences in the rates of formation of monofunctional adducts at the two sites. When the reactant is cis-[Pt(NH3)2(OH2)2]2+ no such differences are observed suggesting that outer-sphere interactions between the reactant and the oligonucleotide may play a substantial role in determining the rates. Rates of closure to the bifunctional adducts are similar to those observed for cisplatin. Studies of the adduct profiles formed by sterically bulky and/or optically active complexes reveal that steric interactions play a major role in mediating the binding of Pt(ll) to DNA but that hydrogen bonds play less of a role. In vitro cytotoxic activities for these complexes do not always follow the trends that would be expected on the basis of the adduct profiles.

The preparation and characterisation of some aminesulfoxidedichloroplatinum(II) complexes

A series of compounds designed to bind to GpA sequences of DNA has been prepared and characterised. Procedures have been developed for the syntheses of [Pt{MeS(O)CH2CH2NH2}Cl2]1 and (2S,SR)- and (2S, SS)–[Pt{MeS(O)CH2CH2CH(CO2Me)NH2}Cl2]2a, 2b. The crystal structures of 1 and of the two diastereomers, 2a and 2b, have been determined. Crystals of 1 are orthorhombic, space group Pcab, a= 9.405(1), b= 10.847(1), c= 16.170(1)A, Z= 8, R= 0.30 for 1410 reflections. Crystals of 2a are orthorhombic, space group P212121, a= 9.738(1), b= 10.588(1), c= 11.090(1)A, Z= 4, R= 0.021 for 1382 reflections. Crystals of 2b are orthorhombic, space group P212121, a= 10.977(3), b= 13.738(9), c= 25.24(1)A, Z= 12, R= 0.078 for 1482 reflections. Energy minimisation calculations have been used to develop a force field for a series of dichloroplatinum(II) sulfoxide complexes.