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Updated: Jul 17, 2026

Single-Molecule Real-Time Visualization of DNA Unwinding by CMG Helicase
Published on: September 27, 2024
In vitro DNA scission activity of heterometallocenes
Konrad Kowalski1, Natsuko Suwaki, Janusz Zakrzewski
1Department of Organic Chemistry, Institute of Chemistry, University of Łódź, Narutowicza 68, 90-136, Łódź, Poland.
Abstract:
A comparative DNA scission activity study of azaferrocene, N-methyl-azaferrocene iodide and 3,3',4,4'-tetramethyl-1,1'-diphosphaferrocene (featuring iron in a +2 oxidation state), along with ferrocene (iron +2) and ferrocenium (iron +3) cation is described. Experiments indicate a high cleavage activity of azaferrocene and its N-methyl derivative in DMSO. DNA cleavage activity can be slowed down by addition of a free radical scavenger (thiourea) or triggered by addition of a reductive agent (dithiothreitol, DTT). The X-ray crystal structure of the N-methyl-2,5-dimethylazaferrocene cation (iron +2) with hexafluorophosphate as counter anion is also reported.
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