Comparison of DNA binding and cleavage abilities between mono- and trinuclear copper(II) complexes of benzimidazole derivatives

Two copper(II) complexes, [CuLCl2] (1) and [Cu3L′Cl6] (2) (L = bis(2-benzimidazolylmethyl)amine, L′ = 2,4,6-tris[bis(2′-benzimidazolylmethyl) amine]-1,3,5-triazine), have been synthesized and characterized. Both complexes bind to DNA and cleave the supercoiled pUC19 plasmid DNA into its nicked and linear forms at micromolar concentrations and physiologically relevant conditions. The DNA cleavage efficacy of 1 is higher than that of 2 though its DNA binding ability is lower than the latter. The cleavage mechanism in the presence of hydrogen peroxide appears to be different for 1 and 2.