Amino acid-linked platinum(II) compounds: non-canonical nucleoside preferences and influence on glycosidic bond stabilities

The unique Pt(II)-induced nucleolar stress response and its deviation from DNA damage response pathways

The mechanisms of action for the platinum compounds cisplatin and oxaliplatin have yet to be fully elucidated, despite the worldwide use of these drugs. Recent studies suggest that the two compounds may be working through different mechanisms, with cisplatin inducing cell death via the DNA damage response (DDR) and oxaliplatin utilizing a nucleolar stress-based cell death pathway. While cisplatin-induced DDR has been subject to much research, the mechanisms for oxaliplatin's influence on the nucleolus are not well understood. Prior work has outlined structural parameters for Pt(II) derivatives capable of nucleolar stress induction. In this work, we gain insight into the nucleolar stress response induced by these Pt(II) derivatives by investigating potential correlations between this unique pathway and DDR. Key findings from this study indicate that Pt(II)-induced nucleolar stress occurs when DDR is inhibited and works independently of the ATM/ATR-dependent DDR pathway. We also determine that Pt(II)-induced stress may be linked to the G1 cell cycle phase, as cisplatin can induce nucleolar stress when cell cycle inhibition occurs at the G1/S checkpoint. Finally, we compare Pt(II)-induced nucleolar stress with other small-molecule nucleolar stress-inducing compounds Actinomycin D, BMH-21, and CX-5461 and find that Pt(II) compounds cause irreversible nucleolar stress, whereas the reversibility of nucleolar stress induced by small-molecules varies. Taken together, these findings contribute to a better understanding of Pt(II)-induced nucleolar stress, its deviation from ATM/ATR-dependent DDR, and the possible influence of cell cycle on the ability of Pt(II) compounds to cause nucleolar stress.

IRMPD spectroscopy and quantum-chemical simulations of the reaction products of cisplatin with the dipeptide CysGly

The inorganic antineoplastic drug cisplatin was made to react in solution with the dipeptide cysteinylglycine (CysGly), chosen as a functional model of glutathione, and the reaction products were analyzed using electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (ESI-MS). Selected complexes, i.e., the primary substitution product cis-[PtCl(NH3)2(CysGly)]+ and the chelate cis-[PtCl(NH3)(CysGly)]+, were submitted to IR multiple photon dissociation (IRMPD) spectroscopy obtaining their vibrational features. The experimental IR ion spectra were compared with the calculated IR absorptions of different plausible isomeric families, finding CysGly to bind preferentially platinum(II) via its deprotonated thiolic group in the monovalent complex, cis-[PtCl(NH3)2(CysGly)]+, and to evolve in the S,N-bound chelate structure cis-[PtCl(NH3)(CysGly)]+ through the SH and NH2 functionality of the cysteine residue. Moreover, our findings indicate that the platination reaction does not affect the CysGly peptide bond, which remains in its trans configuration. These results provide additional insights into the reactivity of Pt(II)-complexes with glutathione which is involved in cellular cisplatin resistance.

Structural determination of arginine-linked cisplatin complexes via IRMPD action spectroscopy: arginine binds to platinum via NO- binding mode

Cisplatin, (NH₃)₂PtCl₂, has been known as a successful metal-based anticancer drug for more than half a century. Its analogue, Argplatin, arginine-linked cisplatin, (Arg)PtCl₂, is being investigated because it exhibits reactivity towards DNA and RNA that differs from that of cisplatin. In order to understand the basis for its altered reactivity, the deprotonated and sodium cationized forms of Argplatin, [(Arg-H)PtCl₂]^- and [(Arg)PtCl₂ + Na]⁺, are examined by infrared multiple photon dissociation (IRMPD) action spectroscopy in the IR fingerprint and hydrogen-stretching regions. Complementary electronic structure calculations are performed using density functional theory approaches to characterize the stable structures of these complexes and to predict their infrared spectra. Comparison of the theoretical IR spectra predicted for various stable conformations of these Argplatin complexes to their measured IRMPD spectra enables determination of the binding mode(s) of Arg to the Pt metal center to be identified. Arginine is found to bind to Pt in a bidentate fashion to the backbone amino nitrogen and carboxylate oxygen atoms in both the [(Arg-H)PtCl₂]^- and [(Arg)PtCl₂ + Na]⁺ complexes, the NO^- binding mode. The neutral side chain of Arg also interacts with the Pt center to achieve additional stabilization in the [(Arg-H)PtCl₂]^- complex. In contrast, Na⁺ binds to both chlorido ligands in the [(Arg)PtCl₂ + Na]⁺ complex and the protonated side chain of Arg is stabilized via hydrogen-bonding interactions with the carboxylate moiety. These findings are consistent with condensed-phase results, indicating that the NO^- binding mode of arginine to Pt is preserved in the electrospray ionization process even under variable pH and ionic strength.

From Preassociation to Chelation: A Survey of Cisplatin Interaction with Methionine at Molecular Level by IR Ion Spectroscopy and Computations

Methionine (Met) plays an important role in the metabolism of cisplatin anticancer drug. Yet, methionine platination in aqueous solution presents a highly complex pattern of interconnected paths and intermediates. This study reports on the reaction of methionine with the active aqua form of cisplatin, cis-[PtCl(NH₃)₂(H₂O)]⁺, isolating the encounter complex of the reactant pair, {cis-[PtCl(NH₃)₂(H₂O)]⁺·Met}, by electrospray ionization. In the unsolvated state, charged intermediates are characterized for their structure and photofragmentation behavior by IR ion spectroscopy combined with quantum-chemical calculations, obtaining an outline of the cisplatin-methionine reaction at a molecular level. To summarize the major findings: (i) the {cis-[PtCl(NH₃)₂(H₂O)]⁺·Met} encounter complex, lying on the reaction coordinate of the Eigen-Wilkins preassociation mechanism for ligand substitution, is delivered in the gas phase and characterized by IR ion spectroscopy; (ii) upon vibrational excitation, ligand exchange occurs within {cis-[PtCl(NH₃)₂(H₂O)]⁺·Met}, releasing water and cis-[PtCl(NH₃)₂(Met)]⁺, along the calculated energy profile; (iii) activated cis-[PtCl(NH₃)₂(Met)]⁺ ions undergo NH₃ departure, forming a chelate complex, [PtCl(NH₃)(Met)]⁺, whose structure is congruent with overwhelming S-Met ligation as the primary coordination step. The latter process involving ammonia loss marks a difference with the prevailing chloride replacement in protic solvent, pointing to the effect of a low-polarity environment.

Toward multifunctional anticancer therapeutics: post-synthetic carbonate functionalisation of asymmetric Au(i) bis-N-heterocyclic carbenes

A post-synthetic strategy is reported that allows for functionalisation of Au(i)-bis NHCs via carbonate formation. The scope of this methodology was explored using both aromatic and aliphatic alcohols. As a demonstration of potential utility, the fluorescent Au(i)-bis NHC conjugate 5 was prepared; it was found to have enhanced stability when formulated with bovine serum albumin, localise within the mitochondria of A549 cells and do so without compromising the high cytotoxicity seen for the parent Au(i)-bis NHC system.