DNA interstrand cross-links of trans-diamminedichloroplatinum(II) are preferentially formed between guanine and complementary cytosine residues.

Bases in the opposite strands of DNA cross-linked by clinically ineffective trans-diamminedichloroplatinum(II) (trans-[Pt(NH3)2Cl2]) have been identified by means of three experimental approaches. These include HPLC analysis of enzymatic digests of synthetic oligonucleotide duplexes containing the interstrand cross-link, footprinting experiments on the interstrand cross-linked oligonucleotide duplexes, and termination of the duplex transcription on trans-[Pt(NH3)2Cl2]-treated fragments of plasmid DNA. The results reveal that deoxyguanine and complementary deoxycytosine residues are preferential binding sites of trans-[Pt(NH3)2Cl2] in the interstrand adducts. The interstrand cross-linking reaction was studied by means of gel electrophoresis for the cis and trans isomers. The rate of formation of interstrand cross-links was lower for the trans isomer; however, trans-[Pt(NH3)2Cl2] formed about twice the amount of interstrand cross-links as compared with the cis isomer after 48 hr. The present results are suggested to be relevant to differences in clinical activity of the two platinum(II) isomers. IMAGES: