DNA Cleavage Using Artificial Hydrolases Based on Cobalt (III) Cyclen Complexes

摘要

We are developing small, robust catalytic systems to efficiently degrade DNA/RNA with a high degree of specificity. Here, we describe the use of tetra-azamacrocyle-chelated Co(III) complexes for the effective hydrolysis of double stranded plasmid DNA. These chelator molecules have been functionalized with a coupling group and we examine whether the modification has affected the ability of the complex to degrade DNA. Hydrolysis of DNA does appear to be slowed by the intermediate functionalization, but the eventual form of the coupled chelator-complex shows very high activity against a model pBluescript supercoiled DNA. We discuss these results, future tests, and plans for using these systems for sensitive equipment decontamination.