Z-DNA is formed by poly (dC-dG) and poly (dm5C-dG) at micro or nanomolar concentrations of some zinc(II) and copper(II) complexes.

We report studies on the interaction of some zinc(II) and copper(II) complexes of amines and amino acids with poly(dC-dG) and poly(dm5C-dG). Of the zinc complexes the species zinc-tris(2-aminoethyl) amine is found to be the most efficient for inducing Z-DNA giving a mid point at low ionic strength of 1.4 microM (poly(dC-dG] and 44nM (poly(dm5C-dG). While an antagonistic effect on raising the ionic strength is observed, the transition occurs at only 2 microM for poly(dm5C-dG) at 150mM NaCl. The most efficient copper(II) complex is that of diethylene triamine, though copper(II) complexes are generally less efficient than zinc(II) complexes. We also report kinetic and thermodynamic studies upon the B-Z transition induced by these complexes. A model is proposed for the interaction of one of the zinc complexes which involves not only direct zinc-DNA binding but also the formation of hydrogen bonds between the metal bond amine groups and the residues adjacent to the coordination site.