Chemical nucleases as potential chemotherapeutic agent

CHED 1571

Subhrangsu S. Mandal, smandal@uta.edu, Khairul I Ansari, kansari@uta.edu, Getachew A. Woldemariam, and James D Grant. Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Texas at Arlington, Arlington, TX 76019
Understanding biochemical effects exerted by various redox active molecules and elucidating their mechanism of action is important for revealing complex biochemical network in the cells, developing novel biomolecular probes and drugs. Herein, we synthesized a series of known and novel Fe(III) based transition metal complexes and investigated their biochemical effects on DNA in vitro and on cultured human cells. We showed that Fe (III)-complexes produce free radicals under reducing environment and induces DNA damage in vitro. Most interestingly, these metal-complexes induce oxidative stress, activate caspase enzymes and lead to apoptosis in human cells.