1
|
Mattioli EJ, Cipriani B, Zerbetto F, Marforio TD, Calvaresi M. Interaction of Au(III) with amino acids: a vade mecum for medicinal chemistry and nanotechnology. J Mater Chem B 2024; 12:5162-5170. [PMID: 38687242 DOI: 10.1039/d4tb00204k] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/02/2024]
Abstract
Au(III) is highly reactive. At odds with its reduced counterpart, Au(I), it is hardly present in structural databases. And yet, it is the starting reactant to form gold nanoclusters (AuNCs) and the constitutive component of a new class of drugs. Its reactivity is a world apart from that of the iso-electronic Pt(II) species. Rather than DNA, it targets proteins. Its interaction with amino acid residues is manifold. It can strongly interact with the residue backbones, amino acid side chains and protein ends, it can form appropriate complexes whose stabilization energy reaches up to more than 40 kcal mol-1, it can affect the pKa of amino acid residues, and it can promote charge transfer from the residues to the amount that it is reduced. Here, quantum chemical calculations provide quantitative information on all the processes where Au(III) can be involved. A myriad of structural arrangements are examined in order to determine the strongest interactions and quantify the amount of charge transfer between protonated and deprotonated residues and Au(III). The calculated interaction energies of the amino acid side chains with Au(III) quantitatively reproduce the experimental tendency of Au(III) to interact with selenocysteine, cysteine and histidine and negatively charged amino acids such as Glu and Asp. Also, aromatic residues such as tyrosine and tryptophan strongly interact with Au(III). In proteins, basic pH plays a role in the deprotonation of cysteine, lysine and tyrosine and strongly increases the binding affinity of Au(III) toward these amino acids. The amino acid residues in the protein can also trigger the reduction of Au(III) ions. Sulfur-containing amino acids (cysteine and methionine) and selenocysteine provide almost one electron to Au(III) upon binding. Tyrosine also shows a considerable tendency to act as a reductant. Other amino acids, commonly identified in Au-protein adducts, such as Ser, Trp, Thr, Gln, Glu, Asn, Asp, Lys, Arg and His, possess a notable reducing power toward Au(III). These results and their discussion form a vade mecum that can find application in medicinal chemistry and nanotech applications of Au(III).
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Edoardo Jun Mattioli
- Dipartimento di Chimica ''G. Ciamician'', Alma Mater Studiorum - Universita di Bologna, via F. Selmi 2, 40126 Bologna, Italy.
| | - Beatrice Cipriani
- Dipartimento di Chimica ''G. Ciamician'', Alma Mater Studiorum - Universita di Bologna, via F. Selmi 2, 40126 Bologna, Italy.
| | - Francesco Zerbetto
- Dipartimento di Chimica ''G. Ciamician'', Alma Mater Studiorum - Universita di Bologna, via F. Selmi 2, 40126 Bologna, Italy.
| | - Tainah Dorina Marforio
- Dipartimento di Chimica ''G. Ciamician'', Alma Mater Studiorum - Universita di Bologna, via F. Selmi 2, 40126 Bologna, Italy.
| | - Matteo Calvaresi
- Dipartimento di Chimica ''G. Ciamician'', Alma Mater Studiorum - Universita di Bologna, via F. Selmi 2, 40126 Bologna, Italy.
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Giorgi E, Mannelli M, Gamberi T, Durante M, Gabbiani C, Cirri D, Pratesi A. Cytotoxic auranofin analogues bearing phosphine, arsine and stibine ligands: A study on the possible role of the ligand on the biological activity. J Inorg Biochem 2024; 251:112452. [PMID: 38070433 DOI: 10.1016/j.jinorgbio.2023.112452] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/25/2023] [Revised: 11/24/2023] [Accepted: 12/01/2023] [Indexed: 12/25/2023]
Abstract
Three gold(I) linear compounds, sharing the general formula [AuI(LPh3)], have been synthesized and characterized. The nature of the ligand has been modified by moving down among some of the elements of group 15, i.e. phosphorus, arsenic and antimony. The structures of derived compounds have been solved through XRD and the reactivity behaviour towards selected biomolecules has been investigated through a multi-technique approach involving NMR, high-resolution mass spectrometry and IR. Moreover, the biological activity of the investigated compounds has been comparatively analyzed through classical methodologies and the disclosed differences are discussed in detail.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ester Giorgi
- Department of Chemistry and Industrial Chemistry, University of Pisa, Via G. Moruzzi 13, 56124 Pisa, Italy
| | - Michele Mannelli
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Biomedical Sciences "Mario Serio", University of Florence, Viale G.B. Morgagni 50, 50134 Firenze, Italy
| | - Tania Gamberi
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Biomedical Sciences "Mario Serio", University of Florence, Viale G.B. Morgagni 50, 50134 Firenze, Italy
| | - Maria Durante
- Department of Chemistry and Industrial Chemistry, University of Pisa, Via G. Moruzzi 13, 56124 Pisa, Italy
| | - Chiara Gabbiani
- Department of Chemistry and Industrial Chemistry, University of Pisa, Via G. Moruzzi 13, 56124 Pisa, Italy
| | - Damiano Cirri
- Department of Chemistry and Industrial Chemistry, University of Pisa, Via G. Moruzzi 13, 56124 Pisa, Italy.
| | - Alessandro Pratesi
- Department of Chemistry and Industrial Chemistry, University of Pisa, Via G. Moruzzi 13, 56124 Pisa, Italy.
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Geri A, Massai L, Novinec M, Turel I, Messori L. Reactions of Medicinal Gold Compounds with Cathepsin B Explored through Electrospray Mass Spectrometry Measurements. Chempluschem 2024; 89:e202300321. [PMID: 37930642 DOI: 10.1002/cplu.202300321] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/03/2023] [Revised: 10/27/2023] [Accepted: 10/30/2023] [Indexed: 11/07/2023]
Abstract
Medicinal gold compounds, a novel class of potential anticancer drugs, are believed to produce their pharmacological effects mainly through direct gold binding to protein targets at the level of solvent exposed cysteine (or selenocysteine) residues. We have explored therein the reactions of a panel of seven representative gold compounds with the cysteine protease cathepsin B according to an established ESI MS approach. Detailed information on the mode of protein binding of these gold compounds is gained; notably, quite distinct patterns of cathepsin B metalation have emerged from these studies. It is shown that panel gold compounds interact preferentially, often exclusively, with the free cysteine located in the active site of the enzyme.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Andrea Geri
- Department of Chemistry "Ugo Schiff", Università di Firenze, Via della Lastruccia 3, 50019, Sesto Fiorentino, Italy
| | - Lara Massai
- Department of Chemistry "Ugo Schiff", Università di Firenze, Via della Lastruccia 3, 50019, Sesto Fiorentino, Italy
| | - Marko Novinec
- Faculty of Chemistry and Chemical Technology, Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Ljubljana, Večna pot 113, 1000, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Iztok Turel
- Faculty of Chemistry and Chemical Technology, Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Ljubljana, Večna pot 113, 1000, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Luigi Messori
- Department of Chemistry "Ugo Schiff", Università di Firenze, Via della Lastruccia 3, 50019, Sesto Fiorentino, Italy
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Casagrande N, Borghese C, Corona G, Aldinucci D, Altaf M, Sulaiman AAA, Isab AA, Ahmad S, Peedikakkal AMP. Dinuclear gold(I) complexes based on carbene and diphosphane ligands: bis[2-(dicyclohexylphosphano)ethyl]amine complex inhibits the proteasome activity, decreases stem cell markers and spheroid viability in lung cancer cells. J Biol Inorg Chem 2023; 28:751-766. [PMID: 37955736 DOI: 10.1007/s00775-023-02025-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/02/2023] [Accepted: 10/02/2023] [Indexed: 11/14/2023]
Abstract
Three new dinuclear gold(I) complexes (1-3) containing a carbene (1,3-Bis(2,6-di-isopropylphenyl)imidazol-2-ylidene (IPr)) and diphosphane ligands [bis(1,2-diphenylphosphano)ethane (Dppe), bis(1,3-diphenylphosphano)propane (Dppp) and bis[2-(dicyclohexylphosphano)ethyl]amine (DCyPA)], were synthesized and characterized by elemental analysis and, ESI-MS, mid FT-IR and NMR spectroscopic methods. The structures of complexes 2 and 3 were determined by X-ray crystallography, which revealed that the complexes are dinuclear having gold(I) ions linearly coordinated. The anticancer activities of the complexes (1-3) were evaluated in lung (A549), breast (MC-F7), prostate (PC-3), osteosarcoma (MG-63) and ovarian (A2780 and A2780cis) cancer models. Growth inhibition by the new complexes was higher than cisplatin in all cell lines tested. The mechanism of action of complex 3 was investigated in A549 cells using 2-dimensional (2D) models and 3D-multicellular tumor spheroids. Treatment of A549 cells with complex 3 caused: the induction of apoptosis and the generation of reactive oxygen species; the cell cycle arrest in the G0/G1 phase; the inhibition of both the proteasome and the NF-kB activity; the down-regulation of lung cancer stem cell markers (NOTCH1, CD133, ALDH1 and CD44). Complex 3 was more active than cisplatin also in 3D models of A549 lung cancer cells.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Naike Casagrande
- Molecular Oncology, Centro Di Riferimento Oncologico Di Aviano (CRO) IRCCS, 33081, Aviano, Italy
| | - Cinzia Borghese
- Molecular Oncology, Centro Di Riferimento Oncologico Di Aviano (CRO) IRCCS, 33081, Aviano, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Corona
- Immunopathology and Cancer Biomarkers Unit, Centro Di Riferimento Oncologico Di Aviano (CRO), IRCCS, 33081, Aviano, Italy
| | - Donatella Aldinucci
- Molecular Oncology, Centro Di Riferimento Oncologico Di Aviano (CRO) IRCCS, 33081, Aviano, Italy.
| | - Muhammad Altaf
- Department of Chemistry, Government College University Lahore, Lahore, 54000, Pakistan
| | - Adam A A Sulaiman
- Core Research Facilities (CRF), King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals, 31261, Dhahran, Saudi Arabia.
- Department of Chemistry, King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals, 31261, Dhahran, Saudi Arabia.
| | - Anvarhusein A Isab
- Department of Chemistry, King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals, 31261, Dhahran, Saudi Arabia.
- Interdisciplinary Research Center for Advanced Materials, King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals, 31261, Dhahran, Saudi Arabia.
| | - Saeed Ahmad
- Department of Chemistry, College of Sciences and Humanities, Prince Sattam Bin Abdulaziz University, 11942, Al-Kharj, Saudi Arabia
| | - Abdul Malik P Peedikakkal
- Department of Chemistry, King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals, 31261, Dhahran, Saudi Arabia
- Interdisciplinary Research Center for Hydrogen and Energy Storage, King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals, 31261, Dhahran, Saudi Arabia
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Mertens RT, Gukathasan S, Arojojoye AS, Olelewe C, Awuah SG. Next Generation Gold Drugs and Probes: Chemistry and Biomedical Applications. Chem Rev 2023; 123:6612-6667. [PMID: 37071737 PMCID: PMC10317554 DOI: 10.1021/acs.chemrev.2c00649] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 18.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/20/2023]
Abstract
The gold drugs, gold sodium thiomalate (Myocrisin), aurothioglucose (Solganal), and the orally administered auranofin (Ridaura), are utilized in modern medicine for the treatment of inflammatory arthritis including rheumatoid and juvenile arthritis; however, new gold agents have been slow to enter the clinic. Repurposing of auranofin in different disease indications such as cancer, parasitic, and microbial infections in the clinic has provided impetus for the development of new gold complexes for biomedical applications based on unique mechanistic insights differentiated from auranofin. Various chemical methods for the preparation of physiologically stable gold complexes and associated mechanisms have been explored in biomedicine such as therapeutics or chemical probes. In this Review, we discuss the chemistry of next generation gold drugs, which encompasses oxidation states, geometry, ligands, coordination, and organometallic compounds for infectious diseases, cancer, inflammation, and as tools for chemical biology via gold-protein interactions. We will focus on the development of gold agents in biomedicine within the past decade. The Review provides readers with an accessible overview of the utility, development, and mechanism of action of gold-based small molecules to establish context and basis for the thriving resurgence of gold in medicine.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- R Tyler Mertens
- Department of Chemistry, University of Kentucky, Lexington, Kentucky 40506, United States
| | - Sailajah Gukathasan
- Department of Chemistry, University of Kentucky, Lexington, Kentucky 40506, United States
| | - Adedamola S Arojojoye
- Department of Chemistry, University of Kentucky, Lexington, Kentucky 40506, United States
| | - Chibuzor Olelewe
- Department of Chemistry, University of Kentucky, Lexington, Kentucky 40506, United States
| | - Samuel G Awuah
- Department of Chemistry, University of Kentucky, Lexington, Kentucky 40506, United States
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, University of Kentucky, Lexington, Kentucky 40536, United States
- University of Kentucky Markey Cancer Center, Lexington, Kentucky 40536, United States
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Selenol (-SeH) as a target for mercury and gold in biological systems: Contributions of mass spectrometry and atomic spectroscopy. Coord Chem Rev 2023. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ccr.2022.214836] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
|
7
|
Highlights of New Strategies to Increase the Efficacy of Transition Metal Complexes for Cancer Treatments. Molecules 2022; 28:molecules28010273. [PMID: 36615466 PMCID: PMC9822110 DOI: 10.3390/molecules28010273] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2022] [Revised: 12/22/2022] [Accepted: 12/23/2022] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Although important progress has been made, cancer still remains a complex disease to treat. Serious side effects, the insurgence of resistance and poor selectivity are some of the problems associated with the classical metal-based anti-cancer therapies currently in clinical use. New treatment approaches are still needed to increase cancer patient survival without cancer recurrence. Herein, we reviewed two promising-at least in our opinion-new strategies to increase the efficacy of transition metal-based complexes. First, we considered the possibility of assembling two biologically active fragments containing different metal centres into the same molecule, thus obtaining a heterobimetallic complex. A critical comparison with the monometallic counterparts was done. The reviewed literature has been divided into two groups: the case of platinum; the case of gold. Secondly, the conjugation of metal-based complexes to a targeting moiety was discussed. Particularly, we highlighted some interesting examples of compounds targeting cancer cell organelles according to a third-order targeting approach, and complexes targeting the whole cancer cell, according to a second-order targeting strategy.
Collapse
|
8
|
Kuznetcova I, Ostojić M, Gligorijević N, Aranđelović S, Arion VB. Enriching Chemical Space of Bioactive Scaffolds by New Ring Systems: Benzazocines and Their Metal Complexes as Potential Anticancer Drugs. Inorg Chem 2022; 61:20445-20460. [PMID: 36473464 PMCID: PMC9768754 DOI: 10.1021/acs.inorgchem.2c03134] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
The search for new scaffolds of medicinal significance combined with molecular shape enhances their innovative potential and continues to attract the attention of researchers. Herein, we report the synthesis, spectroscopic characterization (1H and 13C NMR, UV-vis, IR), ESI-mass spectrometry, and single-crystal X-ray diffraction analysis of a new ring system of medicinal significance, 5,6,7,9-tetrahydro-8H-indolo[3,2-e]benzazocin-8-one, and a series of derived potential ligands (HL1-HL5), as well as ruthenium(II), osmium(II), and copper(II) complexes (1a, 1b, and 2-5). The stability of compounds in 1% DMSO aqueous solutions has been confirmed by 1H NMR and UV-vis spectroscopy measurements. The antiproliferative activity of HL1-HL5 and 1a, 1b, and 2-5 was evaluated by in vitro cytotoxicity tests against four cancer cell lines (LS-174, HCT116, MDA-MB-361, and A549) and one non-cancer cell line (MRC-5). The lead compounds HL5 and its copper(II) complex 5 were 15× and 17×, respectively, more cytotoxic than cisplatin against human colon cancer cell line HCT116. Annexin V-FITC apoptosis assay showed dominant apoptosis inducing potential of both compounds after prolonged treatment (48 h) in HCT116 cells. HL5 and 5 were found to induce a concentration- and time-dependent arrest of cell cycle in colon cancer cell lines. Antiproliferative activity of 5 in 3D multicellular tumor spheroid model of cancer cells (HCT116, LS-174) superior to that of cisplatin was found. Moreover, HL5 and 5 showed notable inhibition potency against glycogen synthase kinases (GSK-3α and GSK-3β), tyrosine-protein kinase (Src), lymphocyte-specific protein-tyrosine kinase (Lck), and cyclin-dependent kinases (Cdk2 and Cdk5) (IC50 = 1.4-6.1 μM), suggesting their multitargeted mode of action as potential anticancer drugs.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Irina Kuznetcova
- Institute
of Inorganic Chemistry of the University of Vienna, Währinger Strasse 42, 1090 Vienna, Austria
| | - Marija Ostojić
- Department
of Experimental Oncology, Institute for
Oncology and Radiology of Serbia, Pasterova 14, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia
| | - Nevenka Gligorijević
- Department
of Experimental Oncology, Institute for
Oncology and Radiology of Serbia, Pasterova 14, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia
| | - Sandra Aranđelović
- Department
of Experimental Oncology, Institute for
Oncology and Radiology of Serbia, Pasterova 14, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia,
| | - Vladimir B. Arion
- Institute
of Inorganic Chemistry of the University of Vienna, Währinger Strasse 42, 1090 Vienna, Austria,
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Luo Y, Cao B, Zhong M, Liu M, Xiong X, Zou T. Organogold(III) Complexes Display Conditional Photoactivities: Evolving From Photodynamic into Photoactivated Chemotherapy in Response to O 2 Consumption for Robust Cancer Therapy. Angew Chem Int Ed Engl 2022; 61:e202212689. [PMID: 36109339 DOI: 10.1002/anie.202212689] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/28/2022] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
Photodynamic therapy (PDT) is a spatiotemporally controllable, powerful approach in combating cancers but suffers from low activity under hypoxia, whereas photoactivated chemotherapy (PACT) operates in an O2 -independent manner but compromises the ability to harness O2 for potent photosensitization. Herein we report that cyclometalated gold(III)-alkyne complexes display a PDT-to-PACT evolving photoactivity for efficient cancer treatment. On the one hand, the gold(III) complexes can act as dual photosensitizers and substrates, leading to conditional PDT activity in oxygenated condition that progresses to highly efficient PACT (ϕ up to 0.63) when O2 is depleted in solution and under cellular environment. On the other hand, the conditional PDT-to-PACT reactivity can be triggered by external photosensitizers in a similar manner in vitro and in vivo, giving additional tumor-selectivity and/or deep tissue penetration by red-light irradiation that leads to robust anticancer efficacy.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yunli Luo
- Guangdong Key Laboratory of Chiral Molecule and Drug Discovery, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, 510006, P. R. China
| | - Bei Cao
- Warshel Institute for Computational Biology, and General Education Division, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shenzhen, 518172, P. R. China
| | - Mingjie Zhong
- Guangdong Key Laboratory of Chiral Molecule and Drug Discovery, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, 510006, P. R. China
| | - Moyi Liu
- Guangdong Key Laboratory of Chiral Molecule and Drug Discovery, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, 510006, P. R. China
| | - Xiaolin Xiong
- Guangdong Key Laboratory of Chiral Molecule and Drug Discovery, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, 510006, P. R. China
| | - Taotao Zou
- Guangdong Key Laboratory of Chiral Molecule and Drug Discovery, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, 510006, P. R. China
| |
Collapse
|
10
|
Cirri D, Massai L, Giacomelli C, Trincavelli ML, Guerri A, Gabbiani C, Messori L, Pratesi A. Synthesis, chemical characterization, and biological evaluation of a novel auranofin derivative as an anticancer agent. Dalton Trans 2022; 51:13527-13539. [PMID: 36000524 DOI: 10.1039/d2dt00836j] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
A novel gold(I) complex inspired by the known medicinal inorganic compounds auranofin and thimerosal, namely ethylthiosalicylate(triethylphosphine)gold(I) (AFETT hereafter), was synthesized and characterised and its structure was resolved through X-ray diffraction. The solution behavior of AFETT and its interactions with two biologically relevant proteins (i.e. human serum albumin and haemoglobin) and with a synthetic dodecapeptide reproducing the C-terminal portion of thioredoxin reductase were comparatively analyzed through 31P NMR and ESI-MS. Remarkable binding properties toward these biomolecules were disclosed. Moreover, the cytotoxic effects produced by AFETT on two ovarian cancer cell lines (A2780 and A2780 R) and one colorectal cancer cell line (HCT116) were analyzed and found to be strong and nearly superimposable to those of auranofin. Interestingly, for both compounds, the ability to induce downregulation of vimentin expression in A2780 R cells was evidenced. Despite its close similarity to auranofin, AFETT is reported to exhibit some peculiar and distinctive features such as a lower lipophilicity, an increased water solubility and a faster reactivity towards the selected target biomolecules. These differences might confer to AFETT significant pharmaceutical and therapeutic advantages over auranofin itself.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Damiano Cirri
- Department of Chemistry and Industrial Chemistry (DCCI), University of Pisa, Via Giuseppe Moruzzi 13, 56124 Pisa, Italy.
| | - Lara Massai
- Department of Chemistry "Ugo Schiff", University of Florence, Via della Lastruccia 3-13, 50019 Sesto Fiorentino, FI, Italy.
| | - Chiara Giacomelli
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Pisa, Via Bonanno 6, Pisa 56126, Italy
| | | | - Annalisa Guerri
- Department of Chemistry "Ugo Schiff", University of Florence, Via della Lastruccia 3-13, 50019 Sesto Fiorentino, FI, Italy.
| | - Chiara Gabbiani
- Department of Chemistry and Industrial Chemistry (DCCI), University of Pisa, Via Giuseppe Moruzzi 13, 56124 Pisa, Italy.
| | - Luigi Messori
- Department of Chemistry "Ugo Schiff", University of Florence, Via della Lastruccia 3-13, 50019 Sesto Fiorentino, FI, Italy.
| | - Alessandro Pratesi
- Department of Chemistry and Industrial Chemistry (DCCI), University of Pisa, Via Giuseppe Moruzzi 13, 56124 Pisa, Italy.
| |
Collapse
|
11
|
Lu Y, Ma X, Chang X, Liang Z, Lv L, Shan M, Lu Q, Wen Z, Gust R, Liu W. Recent development of gold(I) and gold(III) complexes as therapeutic agents for cancer diseases. Chem Soc Rev 2022; 51:5518-5556. [PMID: 35699475 DOI: 10.1039/d1cs00933h] [Citation(s) in RCA: 54] [Impact Index Per Article: 27.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
Metal complexes have demonstrated significant antitumor activities and platinum complexes are well established in the clinical application of cancer chemotherapy. However, the platinum-based treatment of different types of cancers is massively hampered by severe side effects and resistance development. Consequently, the development of novel metal-based drugs with different mechanism of action and pharmaceutical profile attracts modern medicinal chemists to design and synthesize novel metal-based agents. Among non-platinum anticancer drugs, gold complexes have gained considerable attention due to their significant antiproliferative potency and efficacy. In most situations, the gold complexes exhibit anticancer activities by targeting thioredoxin reductase (TrxR) or other thiol-rich proteins and enzymes and trigger cell death via reactive oxygen species (ROS). Interestingly, gold complexes were recently reported to elicit biochemical hallmarks of immunogenic cell death (ICD) as an ICD inducer. In this review, the recent progress of gold(I) and gold(III) complexes is comprehensively summarized, and their activities and mechanism of action are documented.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yunlong Lu
- Jiangsu Collaborative Innovation Center of Chinese Medicinal Resources Industrialization, School of Medicine & Holistic Integrative Medicine, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, 210023, China.
| | - Xiaoyan Ma
- Jiangsu Collaborative Innovation Center of Chinese Medicinal Resources Industrialization, School of Medicine & Holistic Integrative Medicine, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, 210023, China.
| | - Xingyu Chang
- Jiangsu Collaborative Innovation Center of Chinese Medicinal Resources Industrialization, School of Medicine & Holistic Integrative Medicine, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, 210023, China.
| | - Zhenlin Liang
- Jiangsu Collaborative Innovation Center of Chinese Medicinal Resources Industrialization, School of Medicine & Holistic Integrative Medicine, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, 210023, China.
| | - Lin Lv
- Jiangsu Collaborative Innovation Center of Chinese Medicinal Resources Industrialization, School of Medicine & Holistic Integrative Medicine, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, 210023, China.
| | - Min Shan
- Jiangsu Collaborative Innovation Center of Chinese Medicinal Resources Industrialization, School of Medicine & Holistic Integrative Medicine, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, 210023, China.
| | - Qiuyue Lu
- Jiangsu Collaborative Innovation Center of Chinese Medicinal Resources Industrialization, School of Medicine & Holistic Integrative Medicine, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, 210023, China.
| | - Zhenfan Wen
- Jiangsu Collaborative Innovation Center of Chinese Medicinal Resources Industrialization, School of Medicine & Holistic Integrative Medicine, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, 210023, China.
| | - Ronald Gust
- Institute of Pharmacy/Pharmaceutical Chemistry, University of Innsbruck, Center for Chemistry and Biomedicine, Innsbruck, Austria.
| | - Wukun Liu
- Jiangsu Collaborative Innovation Center of Chinese Medicinal Resources Industrialization, School of Medicine & Holistic Integrative Medicine, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, 210023, China. .,State key Laboratory of Coordination Chemistry, Nanjing University, Nanjing, 210023, China
| |
Collapse
|
12
|
Chiaverini L, Pratesi A, Cirri D, Nardinocchi A, Tolbatov I, Marrone A, Di Luca M, Marzo T, La Mendola D. Anti-Staphylococcal Activity of the Auranofin Analogue Bearing Acetylcysteine in Place of the Thiosugar: An Experimental and Theoretical Investigation. MOLECULES (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2022; 27:molecules27082578. [PMID: 35458776 PMCID: PMC9032686 DOI: 10.3390/molecules27082578] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/05/2022] [Revised: 04/14/2022] [Accepted: 04/15/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Auranofin (AF, hereafter) is an orally administered chrysotherapeutic agent approved for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis that is being repurposed for various indications including bacterial infections. Its likely mode of action involves the impairment of the TrxR system through the binding of the pharmacophoric cation [AuPEt3]+. Accordingly, a reliable strategy to expand the medicinal profile of AF is the replacement of the thiosugar moiety with different ligands. Herein, we aimed to prepare the AF analogue bearing the acetylcysteine ligand (AF-AcCys, hereafter) and characterize its anti-staphylococcal activity. Biological studies revealed that AF-AcCys retains an antibacterial effect superimposable with that of AF against Staphylococcus aureus, whereas it is about 20 times less effective against Staphylococcus epidermidis. Bioinorganic studies confirmed that upon incubation with human serum albumin, AF-AcCys, similarly to AF, induced protein metalation through the [AuPEt3]+ fragment. Additionally, AF-AcCys appeared capable of binding the dodecapeptide Ac-SGGDILQSGCUG-NH2, corresponding to the tryptic C-terminal fragment (488–499) of hTrxR. To shed light on the pharmacological differences between AF and AF-AcCys, we carried out a comparative experimental stability study and a theoretical estimation of bond dissociation energies, unveiling the higher strength of the Au–S bond in AF-AcCys. From the results, it emerged that the lower lipophilicity of AF-AcCys with respect to AF could be a key feature for its different antibacterial activity. The differences and similarities between AF and AF-AcCys are discussed, alongside the opportunities and consequences that chemical structure modifications imply.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Lorenzo Chiaverini
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Pisa, Via Bonanno Pisano, 6, 56126 Pisa, Italy; (L.C.); (D.L.M.)
| | - Alessandro Pratesi
- Department of Chemistry and Industrial Chemistry (DCCI), University of Pisa, Via G. Moruzzi, 13, 56124 Pisa, Italy; (A.P.); (D.C.)
| | - Damiano Cirri
- Department of Chemistry and Industrial Chemistry (DCCI), University of Pisa, Via G. Moruzzi, 13, 56124 Pisa, Italy; (A.P.); (D.C.)
| | - Arianna Nardinocchi
- Department of Biology, University of Pisa, Via San Zeno 35–39, 56100 Pisa, Italy;
| | - Iogann Tolbatov
- Institute of Chemical Research of Catalonia (ICIQ), The Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology, 43007 Tarragona, Spain
- Correspondence: (I.T.); (M.D.L.); (T.M.)
| | - Alessandro Marrone
- Dipartimento di Farmacia, Università degli Studi “G. D’Annunzio” Chieti-Pescara, Via dei Vestini, 66100 Chieti, Italy;
| | - Mariagrazia Di Luca
- Department of Biology, University of Pisa, Via San Zeno 35–39, 56100 Pisa, Italy;
- Correspondence: (I.T.); (M.D.L.); (T.M.)
| | - Tiziano Marzo
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Pisa, Via Bonanno Pisano, 6, 56126 Pisa, Italy; (L.C.); (D.L.M.)
- Correspondence: (I.T.); (M.D.L.); (T.M.)
| | - Diego La Mendola
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Pisa, Via Bonanno Pisano, 6, 56126 Pisa, Italy; (L.C.); (D.L.M.)
| |
Collapse
|
13
|
Chiaverini L, Pratesi A, Cirri D, Nardinocchi A, Tolbatov I, Marrone A, Di Luca M, Marzo T, La Mendola D. Anti-Staphylococcal Activity of the Auranofin Analogue Bearing Acetylcysteine in Place of the Thiosugar: An Experimental and Theoretical Investigation. Molecules 2022. [PMID: 35458776 DOI: 10.3390/molecules27082578/s1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Auranofin (AF, hereafter) is an orally administered chrysotherapeutic agent approved for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis that is being repurposed for various indications including bacterial infections. Its likely mode of action involves the impairment of the TrxR system through the binding of the pharmacophoric cation [AuPEt3]+. Accordingly, a reliable strategy to expand the medicinal profile of AF is the replacement of the thiosugar moiety with different ligands. Herein, we aimed to prepare the AF analogue bearing the acetylcysteine ligand (AF-AcCys, hereafter) and characterize its anti-staphylococcal activity. Biological studies revealed that AF-AcCys retains an antibacterial effect superimposable with that of AF against Staphylococcus aureus, whereas it is about 20 times less effective against Staphylococcus epidermidis. Bioinorganic studies confirmed that upon incubation with human serum albumin, AF-AcCys, similarly to AF, induced protein metalation through the [AuPEt3]+ fragment. Additionally, AF-AcCys appeared capable of binding the dodecapeptide Ac-SGGDILQSGCUG-NH2, corresponding to the tryptic C-terminal fragment (488-499) of hTrxR. To shed light on the pharmacological differences between AF and AF-AcCys, we carried out a comparative experimental stability study and a theoretical estimation of bond dissociation energies, unveiling the higher strength of the Au-S bond in AF-AcCys. From the results, it emerged that the lower lipophilicity of AF-AcCys with respect to AF could be a key feature for its different antibacterial activity. The differences and similarities between AF and AF-AcCys are discussed, alongside the opportunities and consequences that chemical structure modifications imply.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Lorenzo Chiaverini
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Pisa, Via Bonanno Pisano, 6, 56126 Pisa, Italy
| | - Alessandro Pratesi
- Department of Chemistry and Industrial Chemistry (DCCI), University of Pisa, Via G. Moruzzi, 13, 56124 Pisa, Italy
| | - Damiano Cirri
- Department of Chemistry and Industrial Chemistry (DCCI), University of Pisa, Via G. Moruzzi, 13, 56124 Pisa, Italy
| | - Arianna Nardinocchi
- Department of Biology, University of Pisa, Via San Zeno 35-39, 56100 Pisa, Italy
| | - Iogann Tolbatov
- Institute of Chemical Research of Catalonia (ICIQ), The Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology, 43007 Tarragona, Spain
| | - Alessandro Marrone
- Dipartimento di Farmacia, Università degli Studi "G. D'Annunzio" Chieti-Pescara, Via dei Vestini, 66100 Chieti, Italy
| | - Mariagrazia Di Luca
- Department of Biology, University of Pisa, Via San Zeno 35-39, 56100 Pisa, Italy
| | - Tiziano Marzo
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Pisa, Via Bonanno Pisano, 6, 56126 Pisa, Italy
| | - Diego La Mendola
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Pisa, Via Bonanno Pisano, 6, 56126 Pisa, Italy
| |
Collapse
|
14
|
Jiang J, Cao B, Chen Y, Luo H, Xue J, Xiong X, Zou T. Alkylgold(III) Complexes Undergo Unprecedented Photo-Induced β-Hydride Elimination and Reduction for Targeted Cancer Therapy. Angew Chem Int Ed Engl 2022; 61:e202201103. [PMID: 35165986 DOI: 10.1002/anie.202201103] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/20/2022] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
Abstract
Spatiotemporally controllable activation of prodrugs within tumors is highly desirable for cancer therapy to minimize toxic side effects. Herein we report that stable alkylgold(III) complexes can undergo unprecedented photo-induced β-hydride elimination, releasing alkyl ligands and forming gold(III)-hydride intermediates that could be quickly converted into bioactive [AuIII -S] adducts; meanwhile, the remaining alkylgold(III) complexes can photo-catalytically reduce [AuIII -S] into more bioactive AuI species. Such photo-reactivities make it possible to functionalize gold complexes on the auxiliary alkyl ligands without attenuating the metal-biomacromolecule interactions. As a result, the gold(III) complexes containing glucose-functionalized alkyl ligands displayed efficient and tumor-selective uptake; notably, after one- or two-photon activation, the complexes exhibited high thioredoxin reductase (TrxR) inhibition, potent cytotoxicity, and strong antiangiogenesis and antitumor activities in vivo.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jia Jiang
- Guangdong Key Laboratory of Chiral Molecule and Drug Discovery, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, 510006, P. R. China
| | - Bei Cao
- Warshel Institute for Computational Biology, and General Education Division, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shenzhen, 518172, P. R. China
| | - Yuting Chen
- Guangdong Key Laboratory of Chiral Molecule and Drug Discovery, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, 510006, P. R. China
| | - Hejiang Luo
- Guangdong Key Laboratory of Chiral Molecule and Drug Discovery, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, 510006, P. R. China
| | - Jiaying Xue
- Guangdong Key Laboratory of Chiral Molecule and Drug Discovery, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, 510006, P. R. China
| | - Xiaolin Xiong
- Guangdong Key Laboratory of Chiral Molecule and Drug Discovery, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, 510006, P. R. China
| | - Taotao Zou
- Guangdong Key Laboratory of Chiral Molecule and Drug Discovery, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, 510006, P. R. China
| |
Collapse
|
15
|
Jiang J, Cao B, Chen Y, Luo H, Xue J, Xiong X, Zou T. Alkylgold(III) Complexes Undergo Unprecedented Photo‐Induced β‐Hydride Elimination and Reduction for Targeted Cancer Therapy. Angew Chem Int Ed Engl 2022. [DOI: 10.1002/ange.202201103] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Jia Jiang
- Guangdong Key Laboratory of Chiral Molecule and Drug Discovery School of Pharmaceutical Sciences Sun Yat-Sen University Guangzhou 510006 P. R. China
| | - Bei Cao
- Warshel Institute for Computational Biology and General Education Division The Chinese University of Hong Kong Shenzhen 518172 P. R. China
| | - Yuting Chen
- Guangdong Key Laboratory of Chiral Molecule and Drug Discovery School of Pharmaceutical Sciences Sun Yat-Sen University Guangzhou 510006 P. R. China
| | - Hejiang Luo
- Guangdong Key Laboratory of Chiral Molecule and Drug Discovery School of Pharmaceutical Sciences Sun Yat-Sen University Guangzhou 510006 P. R. China
| | - Jiaying Xue
- Guangdong Key Laboratory of Chiral Molecule and Drug Discovery School of Pharmaceutical Sciences Sun Yat-Sen University Guangzhou 510006 P. R. China
| | - Xiaolin Xiong
- Guangdong Key Laboratory of Chiral Molecule and Drug Discovery School of Pharmaceutical Sciences Sun Yat-Sen University Guangzhou 510006 P. R. China
| | - Taotao Zou
- Guangdong Key Laboratory of Chiral Molecule and Drug Discovery School of Pharmaceutical Sciences Sun Yat-Sen University Guangzhou 510006 P. R. China
| |
Collapse
|
16
|
|
17
|
Massai L, Cirri D, Marzo T, Messori L. Auranofin and its analogs as prospective agents for the treatment of colorectal cancer. CANCER DRUG RESISTANCE (ALHAMBRA, CALIF.) 2022; 5:1-14. [PMID: 35582525 PMCID: PMC8992591 DOI: 10.20517/cdr.2021.71] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/21/2021] [Revised: 10/05/2021] [Accepted: 12/06/2021] [Indexed: 06/06/2023]
Abstract
Today colorectal cancer (CRC) is one of the leading causes of cancer death worldwide. This disease is poorly chemo-sensitive toward the existing medical treatments so that new and more effective therapeutic agents are urgently needed and intensely sought. Platinum drugs, oxaliplatin in particular, were reported to produce some significant benefit in CRC treatment, triggering the general interest of medicinal chemists and oncologists for metal-based compounds as candidate anti-CRC drugs. Within this frame, gold compounds and, specifically, the established antiarthritic drug auranofin with its analogs, form a novel group of promising anticancer agents. Owing to its innovative mechanism of action and its favorable pharmacological profile, auranofin together with its derivatives are proposed here as novel experimental agents for CRC treatment, capable of overcoming resistance to platinum drugs. Some encouraging results in this direction have already been obtained. A few recent studies demonstrate that the action of auranofin may be further potentiated through the preparation of suitable pharmaceutical formulations capable of protecting the gold pharmacophore from unselective reactivity or through the design of highly synergic drug combinations. The perspectives of the research in this field are outlined.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Lara Massai
- Department of Chemistry, University of Florence, Sesto Fiorentino 50019, Italy
| | - Damiano Cirri
- Department of Chemistry and Industrial Chemistry, University of Pisa, Pisa 56124, Italy
| | - Tiziano Marzo
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Pisa, Pisa 56126, Italy
- CISUP - Centre for Instrumentation Sharing (Centro per l’Integrazione della Strumentazione Scientifica), University of Pisa, Pisa 56126, Italy
- University Consortium for Research in the Chemistry of Metal ions in Biological Systems (CIRCMSB), Bari 70126, Italy
| | - Luigi Messori
- Department of Chemistry, University of Florence, Sesto Fiorentino 50019, Italy
| |
Collapse
|
18
|
Gold Compounds Inhibit the Ca2+-ATPase Activity of Brain PMCA and Human Neuroblastoma SH-SY5Y Cells and Decrease Cell Viability. METALS 2021. [DOI: 10.3390/met11121934] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Plasma membrane calcium ATPases (PMCA) are key proteins in the maintenance of calcium (Ca2+) homeostasis. Dysregulation of PMCA function is associated with several human pathologies, including neurodegenerative diseases, and, therefore, these proteins are potential drug targets to counteract those diseases. Gold compounds, namely of Au(I), are well-known for their therapeutic use in rheumatoid arthritis and other diseases for centuries. Herein, we report the ability of dichloro(2-pyridinecarboxylate)gold(III) (1), chlorotrimethylphosphinegold(I) (2), 1,3-bis(2,6-diisopropylphenyl)imidazol-2-ylidenegold(I) chloride (3), and chlorotriphenylphosphinegold(I) (4) compounds to interfere with the Ca2+-ATPase activity of pig brain purified PMCA and with membranes from SH-SY5Y neuroblastoma cell cultures. The Au(III) compound (1) inhibits PMCA activity with the IC50 value of 4.9 µM, while Au(I) compounds (2, 3, and 4) inhibit the protein activity with IC50 values of 2.8, 21, and 0.9 µM, respectively. Regarding the native substrate MgATP, gold compounds 1 and 4 showed a non-competitive type of inhibition, whereas compounds 2 and 3 showed a mixed type of inhibition. All gold complexes showed cytotoxic effects on human neuroblastoma SH-SY5Y cells, although compounds 1 and 3 were more cytotoxic than compounds 2 and 4. In summary, this work shows that both Au (I and III) compounds are high-affinity inhibitors of the Ca2+-ATPase activity in purified PMCA fractions and in membranes from SH-SY5Y human neuroblastoma cells. Additionally, they exert strong cytotoxic effects.
Collapse
|
19
|
Au 2phen and Auoxo6, Two Dinuclear Oxo-Bridged Gold(III) Compounds, Induce Apoptotic Signaling in Human Ovarian A2780 Cancer Cells. Biomedicines 2021; 9:biomedicines9080871. [PMID: 34440075 PMCID: PMC8389655 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines9080871] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2021] [Revised: 07/18/2021] [Accepted: 07/19/2021] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Au2phen ((2,9-dimethyl-1,10-phenanthroline)2Au2(µ-O)2)(PF6)2 and Auoxo6 ((6,6′-dimethyl-2,2′-bipyridine)2Au2(µ-O)2)(PF6)2 are two structurally related gold(III) complexes that were previously reported to display relevant and promising anticancer properties in vitro toward a large number of human cancer cell lines. To expand the knowledge on the molecular mechanisms through which these gold(III) complexes trigger apoptosis in cancer cells, further studies have been performed using A2780 ovarian cancer cells as reference models. For comparative purposes, parallel studies were carried out on the gold(III) complex AuL12 (dibromo(ethylsarcosinedithiocarbamate)gold(III)), whose proapoptotic profile had been earlier characterized in several cancer cell lines. Our results pointed out that all these gold(III) compounds manifest a significant degree of similarity in their cellular and proapoptotic effects; the main observed perturbations consist of potent thioredoxin reductase inhibition, disruption of the cell redox balance, impairment of the mitochondrial membrane potential, and induction of associated metabolic changes. In addition, evidence was gained of the remarkable contribution of ASK1 (apoptosis-signal-regulating kinase-1) and AKT pathways to gold(III)-induced apoptotic signaling. Overall, the observed effects may be traced back to gold(III) reduction and subsequent formation and release of gold(I) species that are able to bind and inhibit several enzymes responsible for the intracellular redox homeostasis, in particular the selenoenzyme thioredoxin reductase.
Collapse
|