The Binding Potential and Specificity of Ferrocene/Ruthenium (III) Complexes to DNA

RuLX is a new class of inorganic anti-cancer drug that contains both Ruthenium (III) & Iron (II) centers. It was designed to replace the traditional platinum anti-cancer drugs. My research project was divided into two parts: in the first part, I studied the DNA affinities of RuL1, RuL2, & RuL3 and compared them with that of cisplatin using electrophoretic mobility shift assay. I have discovered that all four ferrocene/ruthenium(III) complexes exhibit DNA affinity, and that the relative DNA binding strengths of ligands, from highest to lowest, are cisplatin, RuL2, RuL3, & RuL1. In the second part of my project, I used DNA polymerase to study 1) whether RuL2 binding interferes with DNA polymerase elongation and 2) the DNA binding specificity of RuL2 in comparison with that of cisplatin. I’ve discovered that RuL2 binding inhibits DNA polymerase reaction and that RuL2 shares many similar binding sites with cisplatin