Date:
-
Location:
CP-114A/B
Speaker(s) / Presenter(s):
Joseph Duke
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Joseph Duke will be presenting a seminar titled A light activated ruthenium-based complex as a photochemical “light switch” for G quadruplex and duplex DNA.
Abstract: This presentation is about the research of Erin Wachter. G-quadruplex structures have been shown to exist in telomere and oncogene sequences of DNA. [1] Telomere repair and oncogene regulation have been areas of significance to potential cancer treatment.[1] The adjustable nature of the photophysical properties of Ruthenium polypyridyl complexes allows for their potential as probes for such DNA structures. [3] [2] Previous studies have established Ru(bpy)2dppz’s ability to act as a luminescent “light switch” for DNA. [2] [3] A strained derivative of Ru(bpy)2dppz, Ru(bpy)2dmdppz, has been shown to exhibit selectivity for reacting with DNA structures, particularly the G-quadruplex, when activated with blue light. [2] X ray crystallography has shown that the two methyl groups added to dppz introduce a bend in the ligand of 15° compared with Ru(bpy)2dppz.[2] Studies using solvents of varying protonation and polarity suggest that these compounds react through either associative or interchange associative mechanisms, which is a contrast with an associative mechanism usually characteristic to Ru(II) polypyridyl complexes. [3] Additionally, energy level diagrams have been proposed to explain the behavior of these compounds. [3] Future research includes investigation into how the local environment of DNA structures allows for light activated reaction with these complexes, along with other factors that influence reactivity of the complexes. [3] [2]
1. Han, H.; Hurly, LH. G-Quadruplex DNA: a potential target for anti-cancer drug design. Trends Pharmacol Sci. 2000, 21, 136-142.
2. Wachter, E.; Howerton, BS.; Hall, EC.; Parkin, S.; Glazer, EC. A new type of DNA “light-switch”: a dual photochemical sensor and metalating agent for duplex and G-quadruplex DNA. Chem. Commun. 2014, 50, 311-313.
3. Wachter, E.; Glazer, EC. Mechanistic study on the photochemical “light switch” behavior of [Ru(bpy)2dmdppz]2+ J. Phys. Chem. A. 2014, 118, 10474-10485.
Course Instructor: Dr. Yinan Wei
