Mixed ligand complexes and uses thereof as binding agents to DNA

摘要

This invention concerns a coordination complex or salt thereof which is spectroscopically or photoactively determinable when bound to DNA having the formula <IMAGE> wherein M is a suitable transition metal and each of R1, R2 and R3 is ethylenediamine or a substituted derivative thereof, bipyridine or a substituted derivative thereof, phenanthroline or a substituted derivative thereof, diazfluorene-9-one or a substituted derivative thereof, phenanthrenequinonediimine or a substituted derivative thereof; wherein R1, R2 and R3 are bound to M by coordination bonds wherein R1 and R2 are the same and both are different from R3. The invention also concerns a method of labeling DNA with the coordination complex, a DNA molecule labeled with the coordination complex, a method of selectively labeling DNA conformation with the coordination complex and a method of detecting the presence of a conformation present in a double stranded DNA.