Abstract
Reactions of the complexes bisethylendiammine gold(III) and bisethylendiammine platinum(II) with calfthymus DNA were comparatively analysed. Both complexes bind DNA non-covalently most probably on the basis of electrostatic interactions. Binding of either complex at low ratios results into modest modifications of B-type DNA conformations, as detected by CD. Far larger CD alterations are observed at high ratios. The gold(III) chromophore is scarcely perturbed by DNA addition Binding of [Au(en)2]Cl3 to calf thymus DNA is reversed by sodium cyanide. By analogy with the case of [Pt(en)2]Cl2 it is suggested that Auen acts as a minor groove binder.
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