Transfer hydrogenation catalysis in cells as a new approach to anticancer drug design

Riboflavin as a bioorthogonal photocatalyst for the activation of a PtIV prodrug

Encouraging developments demonstrate that few transition metal and organometallic catalysts can operate in a bioorthogonal fashion and promote non-natural chemistry in living systems by minimizing undesired side reactions with cellular components. These catalytic processes have potential for applications in medicinal chemistry and chemical biology. However, the stringent conditions of the cell environment severely limit the number of accessible metal catalysts and exogenous reactions. Herein, we report an unorthodox approach and a new type of bioorthogonal catalytic reaction, in which a metal complex is an unconventional substrate and an exogenous biological molecule acts as a catalyst. In this reaction, riboflavin photocatalytically converts a PtIV prodrug into cisplatin within the biological environment. Due to the catalytic activity of riboflavin, cisplatin-like apoptosis is induced in cancer cells under extremely low doses of light, potentially preventing systemic off-target reactions. Photocatalytic and bioorthogonal turnover of PtIV into PtII species is an attractive strategy to amplify the antineoplastic action of metal-based chemotherapeutics with spatio-temporal control.

Automatic assignment of metal-containing peptides in proteomic LC-MS and MS/MS data sets

Transition metal-containing proteins and enzymes are critical for the maintenance of cellular function and metal-based (metallo)drugs are commonly used for the treatment of many diseases, such as cancer. Detection and characterisation of metallodrug targets is crucial for improving drug-design and therapeutic efficacy. Due to the unique isotopic ratios of many metal species, and the complexity of proteomic samples, standard MS data analysis of these species is unsuitable for accurate assignment. Herein a new method for differentiating metal-containing species within complex LCMS data is presented based upon the Smart Numerical Annotation Procedure (SNAP). SNAP-LC accounts for the change in isotopic envelopes for analytes containing non-standard species, such as metals, and will accurately identify, record, and display the particular spectra within extended LCMS runs that contain target species, and produce accurate lists of matched peaks, greatly assisting the identification and assignment of modified species and tailored to the metals of interest. Analysis of metallated species obtained from tryptic digests of common blood proteins after reactions with three candidate metallodrugs is presented as proof-of-concept examples and demonstrates the effectiveness of SNAP-LC for the fast and accurate elucidation of metallodrug targets.

Apoptosis-independent organoruthenium anticancer complexes that overcome multidrug resistance: self-assembly and phenotypic screening strategies

Multidrug resistance is a major impediment to chemotherapy and limits the efficacies of conventional anticancer drugs. A strategy to bypass multidrug resistance is to develop new drug candidates capable of inducing apoptosis-independent programmed cell death. However, cellular pathways implicated in alternative programmed cell death are not well-elucidated and multifactorial, making a target-based discovery approach a challenge. Here, we show that a coordination-directed three-component assembly and phenotypic screening strategy could be employed as a viable alternative for the identification of apoptosis-independent organoruthenium anticancer agents. Through an on-plate synthesis and screening of 195 organoruthenium complexes against apoptosis-sensitive and -resistant cancers, we identified two apoptosis-independent hits. Subsequent validation of the two hits showed a lack of induction of apoptotic biomarkers, a caspase-independent activity and an equal efficacy in both apoptosis-sensitive and -resistant colorectal cancers. This validated their apoptosis-independent modes-of-action, paving the way as potential candidates for the treatment of highly-refractory cancer phenotypes.

Ruthenium complexes with phenylterpyridine derivatives target cell membrane and trigger death receptors-mediated apoptosis in cancer cells

Elucidation of the communication between metal complexes and cell membrane may provide useful information for rational design of metal-based anticancer drugs. Herein we synthesized a novel class of ruthenium (Ru) complexes containing phtpy derivatives (phtpy = phenylterpyridine), analyzed their structure-activity relationship and revealed their action mechanisms. The result showed that, the increase in the planarity of hydrophobic Ru complexes significantly enhanced their lipophilicity and cellular uptake. Meanwhile, the introduction of nitro group effectively improved their anticancer efficacy. Further mechanism studies revealed that, complex (2c), firstly accumulated on cell membrane and interacted with death receptors to activate extrinsic apoptosis signaling pathway. The complex was then transported into cell cytoplasm through transferrin receptor-mediated endocytosis. Most of the intracellular 2c accumulated in cell plasma, decreasing the level of cellular ROS, inducing the activation of caspase-9 and thus intensifying the apoptosis. At the same time, the residual 2c can translocate into cell nucleus to interact with DNA, induce DNA damage, activate p53 pathway and enhance apoptosis. Comparing with cisplatin, 2c possesses prolonged circulation time in blood, comparable antitumor ability and importantly, much lower toxicity in vivo. Taken together, this study uncovers the role of membrane receptors in the anticancer actions of Ru complexes, and provides fundamental information for rational design of membrane receptor targeting anticancer drugs.

Innocent But Deadly: Nontoxic Organoiridium Catalysts Promote Selective Cancer Cell Death

We demonstrate that nontoxic organoiridum complexes can selectively chemosensitize cancer cells toward platinum antiproliferative agents. Treatment of human cancer cells (breast, colon, eye/retina, head/neck, lung, ovary, and blood) with the iridium chemosensitizers led to lowering of the 50 % growth inhibition concentration (IC₅₀ ) of the Pt drug carboplatin by up to ∼30-50 %. Interestingly, non-cancer cells were mostly resistant to the chemosensitizing effects of the iridium complexes. Cell culture studies indicate that cancer cells that were administered with Ir show significantly higher reactive oxygen species concentrations as well as NAD⁺ /NADH ratios (oxidized vs. reduced nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide) than Ir-treated non-cancer cells. These biochemical changes are consistent with a catalytic transfer hydrogenation cycle involving the formation of iridium-hydride species from the reaction of the iridium catalysts with NADH and subsequent oxidation in air to generate hydrogen peroxide.

Half-sandwich complexes of iridium and ruthenium containing cysteine-derived ligands

The dimers [{(ηⁿ-ring)MCl}₂(μ-Cl)₂] ((ηⁿ-ring)M = (η⁵-C₅Me₅)Ir, (η⁶-p-MeC₆H₄iPr)Ru) react with the modified cysteines S-benzyl-l-cysteine (HL1) or S-benzyl-α-methyl-l-cysteine (HL2) affording cationic complexes of the formula [(ηⁿ-ring)MCl(κ²N,S-HL)]Cl (1, 2) in good yield. Addition of NaHCO₃ to complexes 1 and 2 gave equilibrium mixtures of neutral [(ηⁿ-ring)MCl(κ²N,O-L)] (3, 4) and cationic [(ηⁿ-ring)M(κ³N,O,S-L)]Cl (6Cl, 7Cl) complexes. Similar mixtures were obtained in one-pot reaction by successive addition of the modified cysteine and NaHCO₃ to the above formulated dimers. Addition of the N-Boc substituted cysteine derivative S-benzyl-N-Boc-l-cysteine (HL3) and NaHCO₃ to the dimers [{(ηⁿ-ring)MCl}₂(μ-Cl)₂] affords the neutral compounds [(ηⁿ-ring)MCl(κ²O,S-L3)] ((ηⁿ-ring)M = (η⁵-C₅Me₅)Ir (5a), (η⁶-p-MeC₆H₄iPr)Ru (5b)). Complexes of the formula [(ηⁿ-ring)MCl(κ³N,O,S-L)][SbF₆] (6Sb-8Sb), in which the cysteine derivative acts as a tridentate chelate ligand, can be prepared by adding one equivalent of AgSbF₆ to the solutions of compounds 5 or to the mixtures of complexes 3/6Cl and 4/7Cl. The amide proton of compounds 8aSb and 8bSb can be removed by addition of NaHCO₃ affording the neutral complexes [(ηⁿ-ring)M(κ³N,O,S-L3-H)] ((ηⁿ-ring)M = (η⁵-C₅Me₅)Ir (9a), (η⁶-p-MeC₆H₄iPr)Ru (9b)). Complexes 9a and 9b can also be prepared by reacting the dimers [{(ηⁿ-ring)MCl}₂(μ-Cl)₂] with HL3 and two equivalents of NaHCO₃. The absolute configuration of the complexes has been established by spectroscopic and diffractometric means including the crystal structure determination of (R_Ir,R_C,R_S)-[(η⁵-C₅Me₅)Ir(κ³N,O,S-L1)][SbF₆] (6aSb). The thermodynamic parameters associated with the epimerization at sulphur that the iridium compound [(η⁵-C₅Me₅)Ir(κ³N,O,S-L3-H)] (9a) undergoes have been determined through variable temperature ¹H NMR studies.

Structure and reactivity of [RuII(terpy)(N^N)Cl]Cl complexes: consequences for biological applications

Ligand substitution reactions of [Ru^II(terpy)(N^N)Cl]Cl, where N^N = bipy and en, and the corresponding aqua complexes were studied in detail, including the crystal and solution structures of the chlorido complexes. The chlorido complex undergoes spontaneous aquation that can only be prevented using high chloride concentrations (>2 M).

Tuning the cytotoxicity of ruthenium(ii) para-cymene complexes by mono-substitution at a triphenylphosphine/phenoxydiphenylphosphine ligand

The cytotoxic activities of novel Ru(ii) arene complexes with variably mono-substituted phosphine ligands have been assessed towards MDA-MB-231 and A2780 cancer cell lines.

NAD+ as a Hydride Donor and Reductant

Reduced nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NADH) can generate a ruthenium-hydride intermediate that catalyzes the reduction of O₂ to H₂O₂, which endows it with potent anticancer properties. A catalyst that could access a Ru-H intermediate using oxidized nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD⁺) as the H^- source, however, could draw upon a supply of reducing equivalents 1000-fold more abundant than NADH, which would enable significantly greater H₂O₂ production. Herein, it is demonstrated, using the reduction of ABTS^•- to ABTS^2-, that NAD⁺ can function as a reductant. Mechanistic evidence is presented that suggests a Ru-H intermediate is formed via β-hydride elimination from a ribose subunit in NAD⁺. The insight gained from the heretofore unknown ability of NAD⁺ to function as a reductant and H^- donor may lead to undiscovered biological carbohydrate oxidation pathways and new chemotherapeutic strategies.

Effect of cobalt(II) chloride hexahydrate on some human cancer cell lines

The present study investigates the anti-proliferative and apoptosis inducing mechanism of CoCl2·6H2O in PC-3 cancer cell line. Preliminary, three different forms of cobalt i.e., cobaltous (CoCl2·6H2O), macro-Co(II,III) oxide and nano-Co(II,III) oxide were screened for antiproliferative activity in PC-3 cell line. The CoCl2·6H2O being the most effective antiproliferative agent, hence it was further tested against lung (A549), prostrate (PC-3) and brain (IMR-32) cell lines. Human embryonic kidney cell line (293T) was used as a normal cell line to compare the toxicity of CoCl2·6H2O. The CoCl2·6H2O induced morphological and anatomical changes in PC-3 cancer cell which were studied using light, confocal and scanning electron microscopy. The lactate dehydrogenase was estimated which showed mild necrotic mode of cell death. The Annexin/PI staining confirmed the apoptotic mode of cell death in PC-3 cells. Further, production of reaction of reactive oxygen species and changes in mitochondrial membrane potential was also assessed spectrofluorimetrically. The cell cycle arrest was also investigated using flow cytometery. Finally, the caspase activity was estimated in CoCl2·6H2O treated PC-3 cancer cell line. Interestingly, it was found that CoCl2·6H2O induces more cell death in cancerous cells as compared to normal non-cancerous cells. These findings presented CoCl2·6H2O as potential antiproliferative agent.

Ferrocenyl Quinone Methide-Thiol Adducts as New Antiproliferative Agents: Synthesis, Metabolic Formation from Ferrociphenols, and Oxidative Transformation

Ferrociphenols (FCs) and their oxidized, electrophilic quinone methide metabolites (FC-QMs) are organometallic compounds related to tamoxifen that exhibit strong antiproliferative properties. To evaluate the reactivity of FC-QMs toward cellular nucleophiles, we studied their reaction with selected thiols. A series of new compounds resulting from the addition of these nucleophiles, the FC-SR adducts, were thus synthesized and completely characterized. Such conjugates are formed upon metabolism of FCs by liver microsomes in the presence of NADPH and thiols. Some of the FC-SR adducts exhibit antiproliferative properties comparable to those of their FC precursors. Under oxidizing conditions they either revert to their FC-QM precursors or transform into new quinone methides (QMs) containing the SR moiety, FC-SR-QM. These results provide interesting data about the reactivity and mechanism of antiproliferative effects of FCs, and also open the way to a new series of organometallic antitumor compounds.

An NAD(P)H-Dependent Artificial Transfer Hydrogenase for Multienzymatic Cascades

Enzymes typically depend on either NAD(P)H or FADH2 as hydride source for reduction purposes. In contrast, organometallic catalysts most often rely on isopropanol or formate to generate the reactive hydride moiety. Here we show that incorporation of a Cp*Ir cofactor possessing a biotin moiety and 4,7-dihydroxy-1,10-phenanthroline into streptavidin yields an NAD(P)H-dependent artificial transfer hydrogenase (ATHase). This ATHase (0.1 mol%) catalyzes imine reduction with 1 mM NADPH (2 mol%), which can be concurrently regenerated by a glucose dehydrogenase (GDH) using only 1.2 equiv of glucose. A four-enzyme cascade consisting of the ATHase, the GDH, a monoamine oxidase, and a catalase leads to the production of enantiopure amines.

Catalytic radical reduction in aqueous solution via oxidation of biologically-relevant alcohols

An organoruthenium complex catalyzed radical reduction in aqueous solution via oxidation of amino acids, sugars, or citric acid cycle metabolites.

Metalloenzymes that normally perform catalytic antioxidant or radical-degrading functions, as well as small-molecule complexes that mimic them, can also exert pro-oxidant or radical-forming effects depending on the identity of the terminal reductant. Because nitroxyl radicals function as redox active cocatalysts in the aerobic oxidation of alcohols, we hypothesized that catalytic radical reduction could be achieved via the oxidation of biologically-relevant alcohols. Herein we report an organoruthenium complex (Ru1) that catalyzed reduction of 2,2′-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzo-thiazoline-6-sulfonate) radical monoanion (ABTS˙^–) to ABTS^2– in phosphate buffered saline (pH 7.4) using MeOH, EtOH, i-PrOH, serine, threonine, glucose, arabinose, methyl lactate or dimethyl malate as the terminal reductant. Replacing either the C–H or O–H groups of a –CHOH– moiety resulted in the loss of ABTS˙^– reducing ability. Moreover, in conjunction with an alcohol terminal reductant, Ru1 was able to inhibit the oxidation of ABTS^2– by H₂O₂ and horseradish peroxidase, even after multiple successive challenges with excess H₂O₂ or ABTS˙^–. Collectively, these results demonstrate that Ru1 inhibits the oxidative formation of and catalyzes the reduction of radicals in aqueous solution via oxidation of biologically-relevant alcohols.

Bringing inorganic chemistry to life with inspiration from R. J. P. Williams

Our appreciation of the scholarly ideas and thinking of Bob Williams is illustrated here by a few of the areas in which he inspired us. His journey to bring inorganic chemistry to life began with an early interest in analytical chemistry, rationalising the relative stabilities of metal coordination complexes (The Irving-Williams Series), and elucidating the organometallic redox chemistry of vitamin B12. He (and Vallee) recognised that metal ions are in energised (entatic) states in proteins and enzymes, which themselves are dynamic structures of rods and springs. He played a key role in helping Rosenberg to pave the road toward the clinic for the anticancer drug cisplatin. He believed that evolution is not just dependent on DNA, but also on the metallome. Organisms and the environment are one system: does DNA code directly for all the essential elements of life?

Photoactive platinum(ii) β-diketonates as dual action anticancer agents

Cyclometallated platinum(ii) β-diketonates show significant photocytotoxicity in skin-keratinocyte HaCaT cells [IC₅₀: ∼10 μM (visible light, 400–700 nm), ≥60 μM (dark)].

The contrasting catalytic efficiency and cancer cell antiproliferative activity of stereoselective organoruthenium transfer hydrogenation catalysts

The rapidly growing area of catalytic ruthenium chemistry has provided new complexes with potential as organometallic anticancer agents with novel mechanisms of action.

An asymmetric binuclear zinc(ii) complex with mixed iminodiacetate and phenanthroline ligands: synthesis, characterization, structural conversion and anticancer properties

A water-soluble asymmetric binuclear zinc(ii) complex with mixed iminodiacetate and 1,10-phenanthroline ligands exhibited promising anticancer activity and low toxicity, suggesting potential as a chemotherapeutic agent.

Organometallic Half-Sandwich Dichloridoruthenium(II) Complexes with 7-Azaindoles: Synthesis, Characterization and Elucidation of Their Anticancer Inactivity against A2780 Cell Line

A series of organometallic half-sandwich dichloridoruthenium(II) complexes of the general formula [Ru(η6-p-cym)(naza)Cl2] (1-8; p-cym = p-cymene; naza = 7-azaindole or its derivatives) was synthesised and fully characterized by elemental analysis, mass spectrometry, and infrared and multinuclear NMR spectroscopy. A single-crystal X-ray structural analysis of [Ru(η6-p-cym)(2Me4Claza)Cl2] (6) revealed a typical piano-stool geometry with an N7-coordination mode of 2-methyl-4-chloro-7-azaindole (2Me4Claza). The complexes have been found to be inactive against human ovarian cancer cell line A2780 up to the highest applied concentration (IC50 > 50.0 μM). An inactivity of the complexes is caused by their instability in water-containing solvents connected with a release of the naza N-donor ligand, as proved by the detailed 1H NMR, mass spectrometry and fluorescence experiments.

Half-sandwich rhodium(III) transfer hydrogenation catalysts: Reduction of NAD(+) and pyruvate, and antiproliferative activity

Organometallic complexes have the potential to behave as catalytic drugs. We investigate here Rh(III) complexes of general formula [(Cp(x))Rh(N,N')(Cl)], where N,N' is ethylenediamine (en), 2,2'-bipyridine (bpy), 1,10-phenanthroline (phen) or N-(2-aminoethyl)-4-(trifluoromethyl)benzenesulfonamide (TfEn), and Cp(x) is pentamethylcyclopentadienyl (Cp*), 1-phenyl-2,3,4,5-tetramethylcyclopentadienyl (Cp(xPh)) or 1-biphenyl-2,3,4,5-tetramethyl cyclopentadienyl (Cp(xPhPh)). These complexes can reduce NAD(+) to NADH using formate as a hydride source under biologically-relevant conditions. The catalytic activity decreased in the order of N,N-chelated ligand bpy > phen > en with Cp* as the η(5)-donor. The en complexes (1-3) became more active with extension to the Cp(X) ring, whereas the activity of the phen (7-9) and bpy (4-6) compounds decreased. [Cp*Rh(bpy)Cl](+) (4) showed the highest catalytic activity, with a TOF of 37.4±2h(-1). Fast hydrolysis of the chlorido complexes 1-10 was observed by (1)H NMR (<10min at 310K). The pKa* values for the aqua adducts were determined to be ca. 8-10. Complexes 1-9 also catalysed the reduction of pyruvate to lactate using formate as the hydride donor. The efficiency of the transfer hydrogenation reactions was highly dependent on the nature of the chelating ligand and the Cp(x) ring. Competition reactions between NAD(+) and pyruvate for reduction by formate catalysed by 4 showed a preference for reduction of NAD(+). The antiproliferative activity of complex 3 towards A2780 human ovarian cancer cells increased by up to 50% when administered in combination with non-toxic doses of formate, suggesting that transfer hydrogenation can induce reductive stress in cancer cells.

Editorial of Special Issue Ruthenium Complex: The Expanding Chemistry of the Ruthenium Complexes

Recent trends in Ru complex chemistry are surveyed with emphasis on the development of anticancer drugs and applications in catalysis, polymers, materials science and nanotechnology.

Bioorthogonal Enzymatic Activation of Caged Compounds

Engineered cytochrome P450 monooxygenase variants are reported as highly active and selective catalysts for the bioorthogonal uncaging of propargylic and benzylic ether protected substrates, including uncaging in living E. coli. observed selectivity is supported by induced-fit docking and molecular dynamics simulations. This proof-of-principle study points towards the utility of bioorthogonal enzyme/protecting group pairs for applications in the life sciences.

Approaches to the design of catalytic metallodrugs

Metal ions are known to act as catalytic centres in metallo-enzymes. On the other hand, low-molecular-weight metal complexes are widely used as catalysts in chemical systems. However, small catalysts do not have a large protein ligand to provide substrate selectivity and minimize catalyst poisoning. Despite the challenges that the lack of a protein ligand might pose, some success in the use of metal catalysts for biochemical transformations has been reported. Here, we present a brief overview of such reports, especially involving catalytic reactions in cells. Examples include C-C bond formation, deprotection and functional group modification, degradation of biomolecules, and redox modulation. We discuss four classes of catalytic redox modulators: photosensitizers, superoxide dismutase mimics, thiol oxidants, and transfer hydrogenation catalysts. Catalytic metallodrugs offer the prospect of low-dose therapy and a challenging new design strategy for future exploration.

Ferrocifen type anti cancer drugs

The mechanisms of action of ferrocifens depend on several features: chemical structures, used concentrations, nature of cancer cells.