Covalent versus Noncovalent Binding of Ruthenium η⁶‐<i>p</i>‐Cymene Complexes to Zinc‐Finger Protein NCp7

Abstract

Ruthenium-arene complexes are a unique class of organometallic compounds that have been shown to have prominent therapeutic potencies. Here, we have investigated the interactions of Ru-cymene complexes with a zinc-finger protein NCp7, aiming to understand the effects of various ligands on the reaction. Five different binding modes were observed on selected Ru-complexes. Ru-cymene complex can bind to proteins through either noncovalent binding alone or through a combination of covalent and noncovalent binding modes. Moreover, the noncovalent interaction can promote the coordination of Ru^II to NCp7, resulting synergistic effects of the different ligands. The binding of Ru(Cym) complexes leads to dysfunction of NCp7 through zinc-ejection and structural perturbation. These results indicate that the reactivity of Ru-complexes can be modulated by ligands through different approaches, which could be closely correlated to their different therapeutic effects.