DNA Condensation Induced by Ruthenium(II) Polypyridyl Complexes [Ru(bpy)₂(PIPSH)]²⁺ and [Ru(bpy)₂(PIPNH)]²⁺

Abstract

Two novel DNA-intercalating ruthenium(II) complexes, [Ru(bpy)(2)(PIPSH)](2+) and [Ru(bpy)(2)(PIPNH)](2+), have been synthesized and characterized. Gel retardation assay, atomic force microscopy, and dynamic light scattering studies show that both complexes can induce the condensation of originally circular plasmid pBR322 DNA to particulate structures under neutral conditions.