Metal complexes for promoting catalytic cleavage of RNA by transesterification

Abstract

The present invention provides the first examples of metal complexes that show catalytic behavior in RNA transesterification under physiological relevant conditions i.e., 37.degree. C. and neutral pH. The metal complexes are catalytically active and kinetically inert to metal ion dissociation. The metal complexes are formed by the union of a central metal ion with a non-metallic ion or molecule. The metal ion comprises copper, zinc, cobalt, nickel, palladium, lead, iridium, maganese, iron, molybdenum, vanadium, titanium, ruthenium, bismuth, cadmium, yttrium, magnesium, rhodium, uranium, the transition metals and the Lanthanide metals. The non-metallic ion comprises a ligand or complexing agent. The preferred ligand is one which strongly chelates lanthanides, and more preferably, forms a cationic complex of the lanthanides.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.