D. Research Applications:

1. Recognition of DNA structure using chiral metal chelates:
Research by Jacqueline K. Barton and her research associates California Institute of Technology

Professor Jacqueline K. Barton and her research group at the California Institute of Technology have established an extensive research program to examine the interaction of chiral metal complexes with DNA. Many different complexes have been designed and synthesized that have feature specific (major groove vs minor groove, B-DNA vs A-DNA or Z-DNA, etc.) and/or sequence specific binding to different forms of DNA. Many of the complexes also have been designed with specific capabilites such as the ability to cleave at specific sequences of DNA or to fluoresce when bound to a specific sequence of DNA.
For a review that includes this research, see Erkkila, K.E., Odom, D.T., Barton, J.K.; Chemical Reviews Vol 99, 1999, p. 2777-2795. DOI

One example of this work is shown here:
The two enantiomeric forms of α-[Rh[(R,R)-Me2trien]phi]3+are shown below:
When a racemic mixture of these two enantiomers interacts with B-DNA, the Δ-isomer intercalates preferentially into the B-DNA. The phi ligand of the complex intercalates into the major groove and binding has been shown to be sequence specific. A Crystal structure of the interaction of two pieces of double stranded B-DNA and 5 molecules of Δ-α-[Rh[(R,R)-Me2trien]phi]3+is shown on the following page.

The Left Molecule is the known crystal structure of [Λ-α-[Rh[(R,R)-Me2trien]phi]3+
Viewing Tools:


phi = 9,10-phenanthrenequinone diimine:

(R,R)-Me2trien = (2R,9R)-diamino-4,7-diazadecane:



Reference: (CCDC Reference: PITPAJ) Krotz, A.H., Barton, J.K.; Inorganic Chemistry Vol 33, 1994, p. 1940-1947. DOI or for More Information
The Molecule shown on the right is the Calculated Structure for [Δ-α-[Rh[(R,R)-Me2trien]phi]3+.
Viewing tools:


phi = 9,10-phenanthrenequinone diimine:

(R,R)-Me2trien = (2R,9R)-diamino-4,7-diazadecane:


This complex intercalates into the major groove of B-DNA
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Resources developed by Marion E. Cass, Carleton College and updated in 2014. Computations and content done in consultation with Henry S. Rzepa, Imperial College, London