DNA Crosslinking via Platinum-DNA Adducts

DNA crosslinking via platinum-DNA adducts refers to the covalent binding of platinum-based compounds (notably anticancer drugs like cisplatin, carboplatin, and oxaliplatin) to DNA. These drugs form stable adducts with DNA bases, primarily at the N7 position of guanine and sometimes adenine. The resulting lesions include both intrastrand and interstrand crosslinks. These modifications distort the DNA helix, block essential cellular processes such as replication and transcription, and ultimately trigger cell death pathways—making this mechanism central to their antitumor activity.

Other names

Platinum-DNA AdductsCisplatin-DNA AdductsCarboplatin-DNA AdductsOxaliplatin-DNA AdductsPlatinum-induced DNA damage

Covalent modification/crosslinking of purine bases in nuclear DNA, leading to replication/transcription inhibition and apoptosis.