Cisplatin Example

[Linh Vo 2J]

Can someone explain to me the cisplatin example we discussed in class again? I didn’t understand how the coordination compound structure contributed to stopping cell division.

[Chem_Mod]

Cisplatin binds in two spots to guanine base pairs in DNA, blocking DNA replication machinery.

[Joonsoo Kim 4L]

I believe that the two Cl- in cisplatin can bond with the N atoms in DNA, since the two Cl' in cisplatin are adjacent to one another (as opposed to transplatin, where they are opposite one another) and since the N atoms in DNA have lone pairs which cause it to act as a polydentate ligand. This prevents cell division from occurring since the DNA strands can no longer separate due to having bonded with the cisplatin.

[Ruiting Jia 4D]

it forms coordination compounds with DNA to stop cell division. I don't think we need to know the details other than that.

[AvaGordon_4F]

Yeah, like people are saying, one bond with DNA is not enough to block the DNA replication machinery. If its a trans molecule, there would only be one bond available to be made. In a cis molecule, two bonds are available to be made, and so those two bonds are what is necessary to disrupt DNA replication. Stopping DNA replication in cancer cells (which are dividing out of control) makes cisplatin a useful chemotherapy drug.

[RandallNeeDis3K]

Thank you for your help everyone!