Possible catalytic activity of DNA in the reaction between the antitumor drug cis-diamminedichloroplatinum(II) and the intercalator N-methyl-2,7-diazapyrenium.

The platinum(II) complex cis-[Pt(NH3)2(N7-N-methyl-2-diazapyrenium)Cl]2+ formed in the reaction between cis-diamminedichloroplatinum(II) and N-methyl-2,7-diazapyrenium reacts with N7 of guanine residues in DNA. The resulting adduct is kinetically inert within single-stranded DNA. Within double-stranded DNA, it is kinetically inert in 1 M NaClO4 and becomes labile as the salt concentration is decreased. Two products, cis-[Pt(NH3)2(N7-N-methyl-2-diazapyrenium)H2O]3+ and N-methyl-2,7-diazapyrenium, are released. The conformation of the platinated DNA is different in low- and high-salt conditions as shown by the chemical probe diethyl pyrocarbonate. These results are discussed in relation with a possible catalytic role played by the double-stranded DNA.