Methylation of chloroplatinate by methylcobalamin

Incubation of microM levels of K2PtCl6 and methylcobalamin (MeB-12) results in the complete conversion of MeB-12 to aquoB-12. Demethylation is optimal at pH 2.0 and is accelerated by the addition of K2PtCl4. The reaction is stoichiometric between MeB-12 and K2PtCl6 (1:1). Incubation of 40 microM K2PtCl6 with either 40 microM [Me-14C]MeB-12 or [Me-3H]MeB-12 followed by lyophilization converts 70% of the label to a stable form which is associated with Pt upon subsequent paper chromatography and electrophoresis. There is no preferential loss of 3H relative to 14C in the reaction product. When 50 mumoles each of [Me-14C]MeB-12 and K2PtCl6 were reacted and subjected to column chromatography, a labeled UV-absorbing product was separated with a 14C/Pt ratio of 0.9-1.2. The 14C-Pt product has absorption maxima at 260 nm and 208 nm with a minimum at 240 nm (A240 nm/A260 nm = 0.5). Proton NMR spectroscopy confirmed the presence of an H-C-Pt covalent bonding pattern (J for 1H, 195Pt = 78.2 Hz; tau for 194Pt-Me + 196Pt-Me = 6.956).