Synthesis, Characterization, and Studies on DNA Binding of a New Mg(II) Complex with N¹,N⁸-bis(1-methyl-4-nitropyrrole-2-carbonyl)triethylenetetramine

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Cheng-Yong Zhou^1*, Yan-Bo Wu², and Pin Yang²

¹Department of Chemistry, Changzhi University, Shanxi Changzhi 046011, PR China; fax: +86 (355) 217-8531; E-mail: cyzhou@sxu.edu.cn

²Key Laboratory of Chemical Biology and Molecular Engineering of Ministry of Education, Institute of Molecular Science, Shanxi University, Taiyuan, Shanxi 030006, PR China

^* To whom correspondence should be addressed.

Received June 22, 2007; Revision received September 10, 2007

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A new Mg(II) complex of MgL(NO₃)₂ (here L = N¹,N⁸-bis(1-methyl-4-nitropyrrole-2-carbonyl)triethylenetetramine) has been synthesized and characterized. The interactions between the Mg(II) complex and calf thymus DNA has been investigated using UV spectra, fluorescent spectra, viscosity, thermal denaturation, and molecular modeling. The cleavage reaction on plasmid DNA has been monitored by agarose gel electrophoresis. The experimental results show that the mode of binding of the complex to DNA is non-classical electrostatic action and the complex can cleave pBR322 DNA.

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KEY WORDS: DNA binding, N¹,N⁸-bis(1-methyl-4-nitropyrrole-2-carbonyl)triethylenetetramine, Mg(II) complex, calf thymus DNA

DOI: 10.1134/S0006297908030024

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