DNA binding and photocleavage properties of two mixed-ligand oxovanadium complexes

An oxovanadium complex [VO(satsc)(bipy)] (1) (satsc = salicylaldehyde thiosemicarbazone, bipy = 2,2′-bipyridine) and its dibromo derivative [VO(3,5-dibrsatsc)(bipy)] (2) (3,5-dibrsatsc = 3,5-dibromosalicylaldehyde thiosemicarbazone) have been synthesized and characterized by elemental analysis, IR, ES-MS and 1H NMR. The interaction of these two complexes with calf-thymus DNA (CT-DNA) was studied using UV/Vis, fluorescence spectroscopic titration, viscosity measurements and thermal denaturation. The results suggest that complexes 1 and 2 interact with CT-DNA by intercalative modes. The DNA-binding affinity of complex 1 is larger than that of complex 2. In addition, their photocleavage reactions with pBR322 supercoiled plasmid DNA were investigated by gel electrophoresis experiments. Both complexes exhibit significant DNA cleavage activity, and complex 1 showed greater cleaving efficiency than complex 2.