Platinum is a relatively inert metal that has no defined biological role, and platinum compounds are known to be toxic and/or mutagenic to some bacteria (Razaka et al, 1986). Cis-Pt(NH₃)₂Cl₄ induced filamentous growth in Eschericia coli, and analysis revealed that most of the accumulated platinum in these cells was associated with cytoplasmic proteins and nucleic acids (Renshaw and Thomson, 1967). Isolated cell walls from Bacillus subtilis can bind soluble platinum with high affinity (Beveridge, 1978). Formation of stable methylated platinum from the vitamin B₁₂ derivative methylcobalamin has been demonstrated in vitro (Fanchiang et al, 1979).

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Fanchiang Y-T, Ridley WP, Wood JM. Methylation of platinum complexes by methylcobalamin. J Am Chem Soc. 1979;101:1442-47.