A 1 : 2 copper(II)-tripeptide complex for DNA binding and cleavage agent under physiological conditions

A 1 : 2 copper-tripeptide complex, [Cu(II)(Boc-His-Gly-His-OMe)(2)](2+), was synthesized and structurally characterized. The absorption band at 577 nm suggests a square-planar geometry around Cu(II). The DNA-binding and DNA-cleavage properties of the Cu(II) complex were investigated. The complex binds to calf thymus DNA (CT DNA) in an intercalative fashion and cleaves plasmid pUC-19 DNA hydrolytically at micromolar concentrations under physiological conditions. The intrinsic binding constant (K(b)=1.2x10(2) M(-1)) for the binding of Cu-tripeptide complex with DNA suggests that this complex is suitable for rapid diffusion on the pharmacological time scale.