Werner's Complex, as a cationic coordination complex (CCC), has hitherto unappreciated biological properties derived from its binding affinity to highly anionic biomolecules such as glycosaminoglycans (GAGs) and nucleic acids. Competitive inhibitor and spectroscopic assays confirm the high affinity to GAGs heparin, heparan sulfate (HS), and its pentasaccharide mimetic Fondaparinux (FPX). Functional consequences of this affinity include inhibition of FPX cleavage by bacterial heparinase and mammalian heparanase enzymes with inhibition of cellular invasion and migration. Werner's Complex is a very efficient condensing agent for DNA and tRNA. In proof-of-principle for translational implications, it is demonstrated to display antiviral activity against human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) at micromolar concentrations with promising selectivity. Exploitation of non-covalent hydrogen-bonding and electrostatic interactions has motivated the unprecedented discovery of these properties, opening new avenues of research for this iconic compound.

• Keywords
• Antiviral efficacy, Biological Effects, DNA Binding and Condensation, Glycosaminoglycan interactions, Werner's Complex,
• MeSH
• Antiviral Agents chemistry   pharmacology   MeSH
• Cytomegalovirus drug effects   MeSH
• Fondaparinux antagonists & inhibitors   MeSH
• Glycosaminoglycans chemistry   pharmacology   MeSH
• Coordination Complexes chemistry   pharmacology   MeSH
• Humans MeSH
• Microbial Sensitivity Tests MeSH
• Check Tag
• Humans MeSH
• Publication type
• Journal Article MeSH
• Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't MeSH
• Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural MeSH
• Names of Substances
• Antiviral Agents MeSH
• Fondaparinux MeSH
• Glycosaminoglycans MeSH
• Coordination Complexes MeSH