Efficient single-strand cleavage of DNA mediated by a MnIIIMnIV-based artificial nuclease

A water-soluble Mn(IV) 1,4,7-triazacyclononane complex, [Mn(IV)2L2(μ-O)2](ClO4)2·2H2O (1), was prepared to serve as a nuclease mimic (L = 1,4,7-triazacyclononane-N-acetate). Complex 1 was readily synthesized from the highly water soluble ligand (L), with Mn(III) salt, [Mn3O(MeCO2)7]·3H2O in basic condition, and characterized by X-ray, IR, electronic spectroscopy, cyclic voltammetry and magnetic susceptibility as well as ESI-MS. The bond valence sum (BVS) analysis and magnetic data suggest that 1 is a Mn(IV)-μ-O2-Mn(IV) species. The electrospray mass spectrum and electronic spectrum of 1 in aqueous solution indicates that dinuclear Mn complex [Mn(III)Mn(IV)L2(μ-O)2](+) (2) is the active species. A predominantly hydrolytic cleavage mechanism was confirmed through experiments performed in the presence of various radical scavengers, T4 ligase and under anaerobic conditions. The kinetic aspects of DNA cleavage under pseudo- or true-Michaelis-Menten conditions were also detailed, kinetic parameters (kcat, KM, Vmax) were calculated to be 6.27 h(-1), 7.35 × 10(-5) M, 4.6 × 10(-4) M h(-1); 0.683 h(-1), 1.93 × 10(-5) M, 1.32 × 10(-5) M h(-1) for 2, respectively.