Chelating Agents

8-Hydroxyquinoline is an organic compound that is used as a RNA inhibitor, anti-cancer agent and bidentate chelating agent. In vitro studies against Escherichia coli had shown 8-hydroxyquinoline inhibiting RNA polymerase activity. The enzyme’s activity was inhibited by chelating manganese, magnesium or zinc cofactors. Activity of 8-hydroxyquinoline toward RNA polymerase is broad and inhibits the synthesis of vertebrate RNA as well as proteins.

8-Hydroxyquinoline has also been used as an immobile chelating agent to remove transition metals, alkali and alkaline cations from solutions or within organisms. Its capability to bind the positively charged metals has been shown in vivo to inhibit proteasome activity in tumor cells by transporting copper ions into malignant cells. Halting proteasome activity was observed in vitro and in vivo with decreased cancer growth due to apoptosis.

Carboplatin is an alkylating agent that is used as a chelating agent as well as a chemotherapeutic compound for its antineoplastic effects. While the exact mechanism of antineoplastic activity is still not well understood, it is believed to behave similarly to cisplatin which binds DNA and prevents its transcription and replication.

Carboplatin is also believed to generate free radicals from the attached platinum atom. Despite the uncertainty with carboplatin’s mechanism, it has shown to be highly effective antineoplastic compound when paired with paclitaxel (GoldBio Catalog # P-925) and bevacizumab.

EDTA (Ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid) is a chelating agent, a general chemical and a sequestrant. In molecular biology applications, it is used to minimize metal ion contamination and prevent enzymatic activity.

EDTA disodium is routinely used in electrophoresis DNA and protein separation applications to chelate metal ions required for enzymatic activity that could potentially damage DNA and protein structure.

Ethyleneglycol bis(2-aminoethyl ether)-N,N,N',N' tetraacetic acid, (EGTA) is a calcium specific chelator. Because of its low affinity for Mg+, EGTA inhibits metalloproteases.

Hexadecylpyridinium bromide is a cationic surfactant capable of bactericidal activity and has been used for ion exchange. As a bactericidal agent, it reduces the surface tension between pathogenic membranes and their environments. This interaction disrupts membrane integrity and osmoregulation, leading to cell lysis.

Hexadecylpyridinium bromide has also been shown to quickly and efficiently remove metal ions from solutions. The compound removes cations from solution through a cation/surfactant complex which precipitates from an aqueous phase into an organic phase and can subsequently be extracted. Hexadecylpyridinium bromide is an effective ion exchange agent for extracting DNA and proteins.