Synthesis, structure, DNA binding and cleavage activity of a new copper(II) complex of bispyridylpyrrolide

A copper-bispyridylpyrrolide complex [Cu(PDPH)Cl](PDPH = 2,5-bis(2′-pyridyl)pyrrole) was synthesized and characterized. The complex crystallizes in the orthorhombic system with space group Pccn, a = 0.9016(3) nm, b = 1.0931(4) nm, c =2.5319(8) nm, and V = 2.4951(15) nm3. The copper center is situated in a square planar geometry. The interaction of the copper(II)complex with calf thymus DNA(CT-DNA) was investigated by electronic absorption, circular dichroism(CD) and fluorescence spectra. It is proposed that the complex binds to CT-DNA through groove binding mode. Nuclease activity of the complex was also studied by gel electrophoresis method. The complex can efficiently cleave supercoiled p BR322 DNA in the presence of ascorbate(H2A) via oxidative pathway. The preliminary mechanism of DNA cleavage by the complex with different inhibiting reagents indicates that the hydroxyl radicals were involved as the active species in the DNA cleavage process.