We have investigated the processing of site-specific Pt DNA cross-links in live mammalian cells to enhance our understanding of the mechanism of action of platinum-based anticancer drugs. The activity of platinum drugs against cancer is mediated by a combination of processes including cell entry, drug activation, DNA-binding, and transcription inhibition. These drugs bind nuclear DNA to form Pt DNA cross-links, which arrest key cellular functions, including transcription, and trigger a variety of responses, such as repair. Mechanistic investigations into the processing of specific Pt DNA cross-links are critical for understanding the effects of platinum DNA damage, but conventional in vitro techniques do not adequately account for the complex and intricate environment within a live cell. With this limitation in mind, we developed a strategy to study platinum cross-links on plasmid DNAs transfected into live mammalian cells based on luciferase reporter vectors containing defined platinum DNA lesions that are either globally or site-specifically incorporated. Using cells with either competent or deficient nucleotide excision repair systems, we demonstrate that Pt DNA cross-links impede transcription by blocking passage of the RNA polymerase complex and that nucleotide excision repair can remove the block and restore transcription. Results are presented for similar to 3800-base pair plasmids that are either globally platinated or carry a single 1,2-d(GpG) or 1,3-d(GpTpG) intrastrand cross-link formed by either cis-{Pt(NH3)(2)}(2+) or cis-{Pt(R,R-dach)}(2+), where {Pt(NH3)(2)}(2+) is the platinum unit conveyed by cisplatin and carboplatin and R,R-dach is the oxaliplatin ligand, R, R-1,2-diaminocyclohexane.