DNA crosslinking at N7 position of guanine bases

Carboplatin, a platinum-based chemotherapeutic agent, exerts its cytotoxic effects primarily by targeting DNA. Its main mechanism involves the formation of covalent bonds with nucleophilic sites on DNA, most notably the N7 position of guanine bases. This interaction leads to the creation of various types of adducts, including monoadducts, intrastrand crosslinks, and interstrand crosslinks. These adducts disrupt essential cellular processes such as replication and transcription, ultimately triggering cell death in tumor cells.

Formation of covalent adducts at the N7 position of guanine bases in DNA, leading to DNA crosslinking and disruption of replication and transcription.