Condensations of single DNA molecules induced by heptaplatin and its chiral isomer

Heptaplatin is a third-generation platinum antitumor drug. It has a chiral isomer. We studied the interactions between the two isomers and DNA by using magnetic tweezers and atomic force microscopy (AFM) to investigate the effect of chiralities of the isomers on the interactions. We found that the extension curves and average condensation rates of DNA molecules incubated with heptaplatin were nearly the same as those incubated with its chiral isomer. In addition, the structures of DNA molecules incubated with heptaplatin were also similar to those incubated with its chiral isomer. These results indicate the difference in chirality of the two isomers does not induce different interactions of the isomers with DNA. Our study may facilitate the understanding of interactions of platinum complexes with DNA and the design of new antitumor platinum complexes.