Article
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Ines Marmol, Javier Quero, Paula Azcarate, Elena Atrian-Blasco, Carla Ramos, Joana Santos, Maria Concepcion Gimeno, Maria Jesus Rodriguez-Yoldi, Elena Cerrada
Summary: This paper describes the synthesis of new N-heterocyclic carbene (NHC) gold(I) derivatives and their screening for antimicrobial and anticancer activities. The compounds showed greater activity against bacteria than against colon cancer cells. The mechanism of action of one of the compounds, 1b, was evaluated and it was found to inhibit dihydrofolate reductase (DHFR) activity in E. coli cells and cause structural changes in the bacteria.
Article
Chemistry, Inorganic & Nuclear
Sonia Infante-Tadeo, Vanessa Rodriguez-Fanjul, Cintia C. Vequi-Suplicy, Ana M. Pizarro
Summary: The passage describes the rapid hydrolysis and high basicity of complexes [Os(eta 6-arene)(C,N-phenylpyridine)Z] with chlorido or tethered oxygen as the ligand. It also reveals the structure-activity relationship between Os-CN and Os-NN complexes.
INORGANIC CHEMISTRY
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Mihyun Park, Claudia Schmidt, Sebastian Tuerck, Franziska Hanusch, Simone V. Hirmer, Ingo Ott, Angela Casini, Shigeyoshi Inoue
Summary: A dinuclear gold(I) complex with a strongly donating bis-N-heterocyclic imine ligand was synthesized and characterized. It showed highly selective anticancer effects against non-small cell lung cancer cells, particularly A549 cells. The anticancer effects were not correlated with the amount of gold uptake by the cells but correlated with its selective inhibition of cancer cells overexpressing a specific enzyme.
Article
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Simona Braccini, Giorgia Rizzi, Lorenzo Biancalana, Alessandro Pratesi, Stefano Zacchini, Guido Pampaloni, Federica Chiellini, Fabio Marchetti
Summary: A series of novel diiron complexes were synthesized and evaluated for their anticancer activity, showing potent cytotoxicity against cancer cell lines with remarkable selectivity and good performance in inhibiting cell proliferation. Additionally, these complexes were capable of inducing significant ROS production and had the potential to inhibit the enzyme thioredoxin reductase.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Yi-Lin He, Miao Zhong, Zi-Long Song, Yu-Kai Shen, Lanning Zhao, Jianguo Fang
Summary: This study reports the design and synthesis of a series of Baylis-Hillman adducts, among which a typical adduct showed superior cytotoxicity against HepG2 cells. The selected typical adduct was found to selectively target TrxR in HepG2 cells, leading to the disruption of intracellular redox homeostasis. It also arrested the cell cycle and significantly restrained the metastasis of HepG2 cells. These findings suggest that the selected typical adduct, as well as other Baylis-Hillman skeleton-bearing compounds, hold promise as candidate or ancillary agents for the treatment of various cancers.
BIOORGANIC & MEDICINAL CHEMISTRY
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Inorganic & Nuclear
Damiano Cirri, Lara Massai, Chiara Giacomelli, Maria Letizia Trincavelli, Annalisa Guerri, Chiara Gabbiani, Luigi Messori, Alessandro Pratesi
Summary: A novel gold(i) complex AFETT was synthesized and found to have remarkable binding properties to human proteins, as well as strong cytotoxic effects on ovarian and colorectal cancer cells. AFETT exhibited distinctive features compared to auranofin, which could provide significant advantages in pharmaceutical and therapeutic applications.
DALTON TRANSACTIONS
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Inorganic & Nuclear
Yang Li, Shan Shi, Shurong Zhang, Zongjie Gan, Xin Wang, Xudong Zhao, Yijian Zhu, Meiting Cao, Xiaoyue Wang, Wei Li
Summary: The study developed Pt(IV) prodrugs with superior antiproliferative and anti-tumour activities, acting on tumour cells through a triple-action mechanism leading to cell death.
DALTON TRANSACTIONS
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Hang Zou, Jing Zhang, Changmeng Wu, Benzhao He, Yubing Hu, Herman H. Y. Sung, Ryan T. K. Kwok, Jacky W. Y. Lam, Lei Zheng, Ben Zhong Tang
Summary: TBP-Au, a powerful aggregation-induced emission luminogen, combines an anticancer Au(I) moiety with an ME-active photosensitizer to enhance anticancer efficacy, enabling superior two-photon fluorescence imaging in tumor tissues and efficient facilitation of ROS-determined photodynamic therapy.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Junmin Zhang, Qianhe Xu, Di Ma
Summary: This study found that beta-Lapachone can selectively kill human promyelocytic leukemia HL-60 cells by inhibiting TrxR and increasing oxidative stress. Overexpression of TrxR reduced the effectiveness of beta-Lapachone, while knockdown of the enzyme increased its cytotoxicity. This discovery contributes to the understanding of the mechanism of action of beta-Lapachone and supports its potential as an anticancer drug candidate.
FREE RADICAL BIOLOGY AND MEDICINE
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Junmin Zhang, Qianhe Xu, Hong-Ying Yang, Minghao Yang, Jianguo Fang, Kun Gao
Summary: Natural products have diverse structures and novelty, leading to unique physiological activities and new action mechanisms, making them important sources for innovative drugs and lead compounds. This study demonstrates that Santamarine targets TrxR to weaken cellular antioxidative function, inducing tumor cell oxidative stress-mediated apoptosis. TrxR plays a key role in the physiological effect of Santamarine on cells, revealing a previously unrecognized mechanism of antitumor activity.
FRONTIERS IN MOLECULAR BIOSCIENCES
(2021)
Review
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Isao Momose, Takefumi Onodera, Manabu Kawada
Summary: Gold compound auranofin has been approved as a therapeutic agent for rheumatoid arthritis, but it also shows promising potential for treating other diseases such as cancer and neurodegenerative disorders. By inhibiting thioredoxin reductase, auranofin increases cellular oxidative stress and suppresses tumor growth, suggesting its potential as an anticancer agent.
YAKUGAKU ZASSHI-JOURNAL OF THE PHARMACEUTICAL SOCIETY OF JAPAN
(2021)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Dongzhu Duan, Yanru Wang, Xiaojie Jin, Mi Li, Le Wang, Yunyun Yan, Jian Xiao, Peng Song, Xiaoling Wang
Summary: The study demonstrates that Eriocalyxin B (EriB) induces apoptosis in RKO cells by covalently modifying GSH, selectively inhibiting TrxR activity, and exhibiting potent synthetic lethality with GSH inhibitor BSO. This highlights a novel mechanism of action for EriB in targeting TrxR and suggests a new therapeutic approach for combating cancers.
FREE RADICAL BIOLOGY AND MEDICINE
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Neethinathan Johnee Britto, Madhavan Jaccob
Summary: The production of dihydrogen through formic acid dehydrogenation has gained attention as a sustainable and clean energy source. This study utilized density functional theory calculations to investigate the reaction mechanism of a Rh complex catalyzing formic acid dehydrogenation. The results showed that protonation by hydronium ion was more favorable than using formic acid as the proton source. Computational design of Co and Ir congeners also followed the same mechanism. The proposed Co complex with a low activation barrier could be an affordable and promising transition metal catalyst.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF HYDROGEN ENERGY
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Jennie O'Loughlin, Silvia Napolitano, Fahad Alkhathami, Cillian O'Beirne, Daniel Marhofer, Megan O'Shaughnessy, Orla Howe, Matthias Tacke, Marina Rubini
Summary: A novel antibiotic candidate compound, SBC3, combining silver salt with inhibition of E. coli growth, has been discovered with high affinity and efficacy against Gram-negative bacteria.
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Federica Guarra, Alessandro Pratesi, Chiara Gabbiani, Tarita Biver
Summary: Metal complexes of N-heterocyclic carbene (NHC) ligands are attracting increasing attention for therapeutic purposes. Among different metal centres like Au, Ag, and Cu, they exhibit anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, and anti-tumour properties. This review focuses on the biological targets of these compounds and provides insights into their mechanistic behavior based on structure-activity relationships.
JOURNAL OF INORGANIC BIOCHEMISTRY
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Daniel Obitz, Karmel S. Gkika, Marvin Heller, Tia E. Keyes, Nils Metzler-Nolte
Summary: A lanthanide(iii) complex connected to a light harvesting antenna was synthesized and tested as a potential photosensitizer in photodynamic therapy. The complex showed significant phototoxic activity on cancer cells upon irradiation, with ROS production identified as the compound's phototoxic mode of action. In cell viability assays, a 10-fold decrease in IC50 value was observed compared to the dark control.
CHEMICAL COMMUNICATIONS
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Inorganic & Nuclear
Matthew P. P. Sullivan, Muneebah Adams, Mie Riisom, Caitlin D. D. Herbert, Kelvin K. H. Tong, Jonathan W. W. Astin, Stephen M. F. Jamieson, Muhammad Hanif, David C. C. Goldstone, Christian G. G. Hartinger
Summary: Pt(terpyridine) complexes are known for their ability to intercalate with DNA. The addition of an NHC co-ligand significantly increased the anticancer activity of the complex compared to its chlorido derivative. While the compound showed high efficacy, it was well-tolerated by zebrafish embryos, especially when compared to cisplatin. DNA interaction studies suggest that the mode of action is related to intercalation.
DALTON TRANSACTIONS
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Inorganic & Nuclear
Marion Graf, Jasmine Ochs, Nils Metzler-Nolte, Peter Mayer, Hans-Christian Bottcher
Summary: This paper describes the synthesis and characterization of six new organometallic half-sandwich iridium(III) compounds with modified bipyridine ligands. The cytotoxic properties of the compounds against two cancer cell lines were evaluated, and compound 3 showed the most remarkable biological activity with significantly enhanced toxicity compared to cisplatin.
ZEITSCHRIFT FUR ANORGANISCHE UND ALLGEMEINE CHEMIE
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Karolina Kowalczyk, Andrzej Blauz, Daniel Moscoh Ayine-Tora, Christian G. Hartinger, Blazej Rychlik, Damian Plazuk
Summary: Derivatives of ispinesib and its (S) analogue, containing ferrocenyl moieties or bulky organic substituents, were prepared to combine multiple biologically-active components in a single molecule. Several of these compounds demonstrated higher antiproliferative activity than ispinesib, with nanomolar IC50 values against cell lines. The improved activity may be attributed to synergic effects of various factors such as KSP inhibitory activity due to the ispinesib core and ability to generate ROS and induce mitotic arrest.
CHEMISTRY-A EUROPEAN JOURNAL
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Inorganic & Nuclear
William D. J. Tremlett, Tilo Soehnel, James D. Crowley, L. James Wright, Christian G. Hartinger
Summary: Using ferrocene-based ligand systems, a series of heterobimetallic architectures were designed to release and bind guest molecules. The complexes were characterized using various techniques and the disassembly and reassembly process of metallosupramolecular structures were investigated using NMR spectroscopy. Guest binding studies revealed interactions with anionic guests and the release of guests was induced by Cl- ions.
INORGANIC CHEMISTRY
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Zahid Riaz, Betty Y. T. Lee, Julia Stjarnhage, Sanam Movassaghi, Tilo Sohnel, Stephen M. F. Jamieson, Muhammad Ashraf Shaheen, Muhammad Hanif, Christian G. Hartinger
Summary: The substitution of the labile chloride ligand with phosphorus donor ligands in half-sandwich MII(cym)Cl complexes showed that Ru and Os complexes with triphenylphosphine ligands exhibited the most potent anticancer activity in submicromolar range against four cancer cell lines. This suggests that the antiproliferative activity is mainly dependent on the lipophilic properties of the phosphine ligand.
JOURNAL OF INORGANIC BIOCHEMISTRY
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
David P. P. Byun, Jennifer Ritchie, Yejin Jung, Ronald Holewinski, Hong-Rae Kim, Ravichandra Tagirasa, Joseph Ivanic, Claire M. M. Weekley, Michael W. W. Parker, Thorkell Andresson, Euna Yoo
Summary: This study defines the reactivity and selectivity of a set of BDHI-functionalized chemical fragments on cysteines using chemoproteomic profiling methods. The study demonstrates that BDHIs can react with reactive cysteine residues in the human proteome and their selectivity differs from that of haloacetamide electrophiles. Furthermore, BDHI forms covalent conjugates with potential anticancer targets and is used in the design of a BTK inhibitor.
JOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN CHEMICAL SOCIETY
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Inorganic & Nuclear
Saawan Kumar, Mie Riisom, Stephen M. F. Jamieson, Iman Kavianinia, Paul W. R. Harris, Nils Metzler-Nolte, Margaret A. Brimble, Christian G. Hartinger
Summary: Researchers conjugated a derivative of plecstatin-1 with peptides to enhance their targeting ability towards cancer cells. Metal-peptide conjugates were successfully synthesized and tested for their anticancer activity. Although the activity was relatively low, this study provides a potential strategy to design other metal complexes utilizing the targeting properties of peptides.
INORGANIC CHEMISTRY
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Medicinal
Judith A. Carrall, Wilford Lie, Jacob M. Lambert, Hugh H. Harris, Barry Lai, Carolyn T. Dillon
Summary: This research aims to design and develop tumor-homing peptide complexes of arsenic to strategically target specific cancers, with the goal of achieving dose reduction and decreased side effects. Studies show that the most stable complex exhibits 1000 times greater toxicity towards leukemia cells than human blood cells, indicating potential for in vivo studies.
JOURNAL OF MEDICINAL CHEMISTRY
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Mie Riisom, Stephen M. F. Jamieson, Christian G. Hartinger
Summary: This study aimed to investigate different protocols for efficient and reproducible lysis of cancer cells and found that chemical lysis with the RIPA buffer was the most efficient method. Minimal differences were found for experiments measuring the overall cell uptake of the Ru complex.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Amelia Corzo Remigio, Hugh H. Harris, David J. Paterson, Mansour Edraki, Antony van der Ent
Summary: This study used synchrotron micro-X-ray fluorescence spectroscopy and X-ray absorption near-edge structure imaging to investigate the chemical transformations of arsenic in the rhizosphere-root interface of Pityrogramma calomelanos and Pteris vittata. The results showed that the dominant form of arsenic in the soils was As(V), but in P. calomelanos roots it was As(III), while it was As(V) in P. vittata roots. This research provides insights for phytotechnologies to remediate arsenic-polluted soils.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Aston C. Pearcy, Lynn S. Lisboa, Dan Preston, Nick B. Page, Tristan Lawrence, L. James Wright, Christian G. Hartinger, James D. Crowley
Summary: A new sequential metalation strategy has been developed for the assembly of a more stable heterobimetallic [PdPtL4](4+) cage. By using a low-symmetry ditopic ligand (L) with imidazole and pyridine donor units, a [Pt(L)(4)](2+) open-cage complex was selectively formed and then reacted with Pd(ii) ions to assemble the cage C. Various spectroscopy and crystallography techniques confirmed the formation of the cage and its heterobimetallic structure. The cage C exhibited anionic guest molecule binding capability and demonstrated stimulus-responsive behavior.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Maria Gil-Moles, Cillian O'Beirne, Igor V. V. Esarev, Petra Lippmann, Matthias Tacke, Jindrich Cinatl, Denisa Bojkova, Ingo Ott
Summary: The ongoing SARS-CoV-2 pandemic has led to a high demand for innovative antiviral drugs. In this study, silver NHC complexes with chloride or iodide ligands were found to be potent inhibitors of the SARS-CoV-2 papain-like protease (PLpro), but inactive against another SARS-CoV-2 protease, 3C-like protease (3CL(pro)). Mechanistic studies showed that the complexes could remove zinc from the zinc binding domain of PLpro, which was a relevant factor for their activity. In addition, enzyme kinetic experiments revealed that the complexes were uncompetitive inhibitors, offering advantages in selectivity. The silver NHC complexes with iodide ligands showed low or no host cell toxicity and showed strong effects on viral replication in SARS-CoV-2-infected cells, making them promising candidates for future antiviral drugs.
RSC MEDICINAL CHEMISTRY
(2023)
Review
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Marcus E. Graziotto, Clinton J. Kidman, Liam D. Adair, Simon A. James, Hugh H. Harris, Elizabeth J. New
Summary: This article introduces the study of cellular systems using multimodal imaging techniques, focusing on the combination of optical fluorescence microscopy and X-ray fluorescence microscopy. The use of this technique broadens the scope of biological models and has the potential to uncover previously unknown knowledge about disease states.
CHEMICAL SOCIETY REVIEWS
(2023)