1
|
Tolbatov I, Umari P, Marrone A. The binding of diruthenium (II,III) and dirhodium (II,II) paddlewheel complexes at DNA/RNA nucleobases: Computational evidences of an appreciable selectivity toward the AU base pairs. J Mol Graph Model 2024; 131:108806. [PMID: 38824876 DOI: 10.1016/j.jmgm.2024.108806] [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: 02/20/2024] [Revised: 05/21/2024] [Accepted: 05/28/2024] [Indexed: 06/04/2024]
Abstract
Multiple medicinal strategies involve modifications of the structure of DNA or RNA, which disrupt their correct functioning. Metal complexes with medicinal effects, also known as metallodrugs, are among the agents intended specifically for the attack onto nucleosides. The diruthenium (II,III) and dirhodium (II,II) paddlewheel complexes constitute promising dual acting drugs due to their ability to release the therapeutically active bridging ligands upon their substitution by endogenous ligands. In this paper, we study the structure and the stability of the complexes formed by the diruthenium (II,III) and dirhodium (II,II) paddlewheel complexes coordinated in axial positions with the DNA/RNA nucleobases or base pairs, assuming the attainable metalation at all the accessible pyridyl nitrogens. Dirhodium complexes coordinate at the pyridyl nitrogens more strongly than the diruthenium complexes. On the other hand, we found that the diruthenium scaffold binds more selectively to nucleobase targets. Furthermore, we reveal a tighter coordination of diruthenium complex at the adenine-uracil base pair, compared to adenine-thymine, hence constituting a scarce instance of RNA-selectivity. We envision that the here reported computational outcomes may pace future experiments addressing the binding of diruthenium and dirhodium paddlewheel complexes at either single nucleobases or DNA/RNA fragments.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Iogann Tolbatov
- Department of Physics and Astronomy, University of Padova, via F. Marzolo 8, 35131, Padova, Italy.
| | - Paolo Umari
- Department of Physics and Astronomy, University of Padova, via F. Marzolo 8, 35131, Padova, Italy
| | - Alessandro Marrone
- Dipartimento di Farmacia, Università degli Studi "G. D'Annunzio" Chieti-Pescara, Via dei Vestini, 66100, Chieti, Italy
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Coloma I, Parrón-Ballesteros J, Cortijo M, Cuerva C, Turnay J, Herrero S. Overcoming Resistance of Caco-2 Cells to 5-Fluorouracil through Diruthenium Complex Encapsulation in PMMA Nanoparticles. Inorg Chem 2024; 63:12870-12879. [PMID: 38833385 PMCID: PMC11256753 DOI: 10.1021/acs.inorgchem.4c01323] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/01/2024] [Revised: 05/08/2024] [Accepted: 05/23/2024] [Indexed: 06/06/2024]
Abstract
Drug resistance, one of the main drawbacks in cancer chemotherapy, can be tackled by employing a combination of drugs that target different biological processes in the cell, enhancing the therapeutic efficacy. Herein, we report the synthesis and characterization of a new paddlewheel diruthenium complex that includes 5-fluorouracil (5-FU), a commonly used anticancer drug. This drug was functionalized with a carboxylate group to take advantage of the previously demonstrated release capacity of carboxylate ligands from the diruthenium core. The resulting hydrophobic complex, [Ru2Cl(DPhF)3(5-FUA)] (Ru-5-FUA) (DPhF = N,N'-diphenylformamidinate; 5-FUA = 5-fluorouracil-1-acetate) was subsequently entrapped in poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) nanoparticles (PMMA@Ru-5-FUA) via a reprecipitation method to be transported in biological media. The optimized encapsulation procedure yielded particles with an average size of 81.2 nm, a PDI of 0.11, and a zeta potential of 29.2 mV. The cytotoxicity of the particles was tested in vitro using the human colon carcinoma cell line Caco-2. The IC50 (half maximal inhibitory concentration) of PMMA@Ru-5-FUA (6.08 μM) was just slightly lower than that found for the drug 5-FU (7.64 μM). Most importantly, while cells seemed to have developed drug resistance against 5-FU, PMMA@Ru-5-FUA showed an almost complete lethality at ∼30 μM. Conversely, an analogous diruthenium complex devoid of the 5-FU moiety, [Ru2Cl(DPhF)3(O2CCH3)] (PMMA@RuA), displayed a reduced cytotoxicity at equivalent concentrations. These findings highlight the effect of combining the anticancer properties of 5-FU with those of diruthenium species. This suggests that the distinct modes of action of the two chemical species are crucial for overcoming drug resistance.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Isabel Coloma
- MatMoPol
Research Group, Inorganic Chemistry Department, Faculty of Chemical
Sciences, Complutense University of Madrid, E-28040 Madrid, Spain
| | - Jorge Parrón-Ballesteros
- Department
of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Faculty of Chemical Sciences, Complutense University of Madrid, E-28040 Madrid, Spain
| | - Miguel Cortijo
- MatMoPol
Research Group, Inorganic Chemistry Department, Faculty of Chemical
Sciences, Complutense University of Madrid, E-28040 Madrid, Spain
| | - Cristián Cuerva
- MatMoPol
Research Group, Inorganic Chemistry Department, Faculty of Chemical
Sciences, Complutense University of Madrid, E-28040 Madrid, Spain
| | - Javier Turnay
- Department
of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Faculty of Chemical Sciences, Complutense University of Madrid, E-28040 Madrid, Spain
| | - Santiago Herrero
- MatMoPol
Research Group, Inorganic Chemistry Department, Faculty of Chemical
Sciences, Complutense University of Madrid, E-28040 Madrid, Spain
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Chiaverini L, Tolbatov I, Marrone A, Marzo T, Biver T, La Mendola D. Unveiling the mechanism of activation of the Te(IV) prodrug AS101. New chemical insights towards a better understanding of its medicinal properties. J Inorg Biochem 2024; 256:112567. [PMID: 38669911 DOI: 10.1016/j.jinorgbio.2024.112567] [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: 02/14/2024] [Revised: 04/04/2024] [Accepted: 04/17/2024] [Indexed: 04/28/2024]
Abstract
AS101 (Ammonium trichloro (dioxoethylene-O,O') tellurate) is an important hypervalent Te-based prodrug. Recently, we started a systematic investigation on AS101 with the aim to correlate its promising biological effects as a potent immunomodulator drug with multiple medicinal applications and its specific chemical properties. To date, a substantial agreement on the rapid conversion of the initial AS101 species into the corresponding TeOCl3- anion does exist, and this latter species is reputed as the pharmacologically active one. However, we realized that TeOCl3- could quickly undergo further steps of conversion in an aqueous medium, eventually producing the TeO2 species. Using a mixed experimental and theoretical investigation approach, we characterized the conversion process leading to TeO2 occurring both in pure water and in reference buffers at physiological-like pH. Our findings may offer a valuable "chemical tool" for a better description, interpretation -and optimization- of the mechanism of action of AS101 and Te-based compounds. This might be a starting point for improved AS101-based medicinal application.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Lorenzo Chiaverini
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Pisa. Via Bonanno Pisano 6, 56126 Pisa, Italy
| | - Iogann Tolbatov
- Department of Physics and Astronomy, University of Padova, via F. Marzolo 8, 35131 Padova, Italy
| | - Alessandro Marrone
- Department of Pharmacy, Università degli Studi "G. D'Annunzio" Chieti-Pescara, Via dei Vestini, 66100 Chieti, Italy
| | - Tiziano Marzo
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Pisa. Via Bonanno Pisano 6, 56126 Pisa, Italy.
| | - Tarita Biver
- Department of Chemistry and Industrial Chemistry, University of Pisa, Via G. Moruzzi, 13, 56124 Pisa, Italy
| | - Diego La Mendola
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Pisa. Via Bonanno Pisano 6, 56126 Pisa, Italy
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Tolbatov I, Umari P, Marrone A. Diruthenium Paddlewheel Complexes Attacking Proteins: Axial versus Equatorial Coordination. Biomolecules 2024; 14:530. [PMID: 38785937 PMCID: PMC11117738 DOI: 10.3390/biom14050530] [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: 04/11/2024] [Revised: 04/25/2024] [Accepted: 04/26/2024] [Indexed: 05/25/2024] Open
Abstract
Metallodrugs are an important group of medicinal agents used for the treatment of various diseases ranging from cancers to viral, bacterial, and parasitic diseases. Their distinctive features include the availability of a metal centre, redox activity, as well as the ability to multitarget. Diruthenium paddlewheel complexes are an intensely developing group of metal scaffolds, which can securely coordinate bidentate xenobiotics and transport them to target tissues, releasing them by means of substitution reactions with biomolecular nucleophiles. It is of the utmost importance to gain a complete comprehension of which chemical reactions happen with them in physiological milieu to design novel drugs based on these bimetallic scaffolds. This review presents the data obtained in experiments and calculations, which clarify the chemistry these complexes undergo once administered in the proteic environment. This study demonstrates how diruthenium paddlewheel complexes may indeed embody a new paradigm in the design of metal-based drugs of dual-action by presenting and discussing the protein metalation by these complexes.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Iogann Tolbatov
- Department of Physics and Astronomy, University of Padova, Via F. Marzolo 8, 35131 Padova, Italy;
| | - Paolo Umari
- Department of Physics and Astronomy, University of Padova, Via F. Marzolo 8, 35131 Padova, Italy;
| | - Alessandro Marrone
- Dipartimento di Farmacia, Università “G d’Annunzio” di Chieti-Pescara, Via dei Vestini 31, 66100 Chieti, Italy;
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Basu A, Tolbatov I, Marrone A, Vaskevich A, Chuntonov L. Noble Metal Nanoparticles with Nanogel Coatings: Coinage Metal Thiolate-Stabilized Glutathione Hydrogel Shells. THE JOURNAL OF PHYSICAL CHEMISTRY. C, NANOMATERIALS AND INTERFACES 2024; 128:3438-3448. [PMID: 38445015 PMCID: PMC10911076 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jpcc.4c00433] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/21/2024] [Revised: 01/27/2024] [Accepted: 01/29/2024] [Indexed: 03/07/2024]
Abstract
Developing biocompatible nanocoatings is crucial for biomedical applications. Noble metal colloidal nanoparticles with biomolecular shells are thought to combine diverse chemical and optothermal functionalities with biocompatibility. Herein, we present nanoparticles with peptide hydrogel shells that feature an unusual combination of properties: the metal core possesses localized plasmon resonance, whereas a few-nanometer-thick shells open opportunities to employ their soft framework for loading and scaffolding. We demonstrate this concept with gold and silver nanoparticles capped by glutathione peptides stacked into parallel β-sheets as they aggregate on the surface. A key role in the formation of the ordered structure is played by coinage metal(I) thiolates, i.e., Ag(I), Cu(I), and Au(I). The shell thickness can be controlled via the concentration of either metal ions or peptides. Theoretical modeling of the shell's molecular structure suggests that the thiolates have a similar conformation for all the metals and that the parallel β-sheet-like structure is a kinetic product of the peptide aggregation. Using third-order nonlinear two-dimensional infrared spectroscopy, we revealed that the ordered secondary structure is similar to the bulk hydrogels of the coinage metal thiolates of glutathione, which also consist of aggregated stacked parallel β-sheets. We expect that nanoparticles with hydrogel shells will be useful additions to the nanomaterial toolbox. The present method of nanogel coating can be applied to arbitrary surfaces where the initial deposition of the seed glutathione monolayer is possible.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Arghyadeep Basu
- Schulich
Faculty of Chemistry and Solid-State Institute, Technion—Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa 3200003, Israel
| | - Iogann Tolbatov
- Department
of Physics and Astronomy, University of
Padova, via F. Marzolo 8, 35131 Padova, Italy
- Institute
of Chemical Research of Catalonia (ICIQ), Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology, Av. Països Catalans 16, 43007 Tarragona, Spain
| | - Alessandro Marrone
- Dipartimento
di Farmacia, Università degli Studi
“G. D’Annunzio” Chieti-Pescara, Via dei Vestini, 66100 Chieti, Italy
| | - Alexander Vaskevich
- Department
of Molecular Chemistry and Materials Science, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot 7610001, Israel
| | - Lev Chuntonov
- Schulich
Faculty of Chemistry and Solid-State Institute, Technion—Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa 3200003, Israel
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Tolbatov I, Umari P, Marrone A. Mechanism of Action of Antitumor Au(I) N-Heterocyclic Carbene Complexes: A Computational Insight on the Targeting of TrxR Selenocysteine. Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:2625. [PMID: 38473872 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25052625] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2024] [Revised: 02/21/2024] [Accepted: 02/22/2024] [Indexed: 03/14/2024] Open
Abstract
The targeting of human thioredoxin reductase is widely recognized to be crucially involved in the anticancer properties of several metallodrugs, including Au(I) complexes. In this study, the mechanism of reaction between a set of five N-heterocyclic carbene Au(I) complexes and models of the active Sec residue in human thioredoxin reductase was investigated by means of density functional theory approaches. The study was specifically addressed to the kinetics and thermodynamics of the tiled process by aiming at elucidating and explaining the differential inhibitory potency in this set of analogous Au(I) bis-carbene complexes. While the calculated free energy profile showed a substantially similar reactivity, we found that the binding of these Au(I) bis-carbene at the active CysSec dyad in the TrxR enzyme could be subjected to steric and orientational restraints, underlining both the approach of the bis-carbene scaffold and the attack of the selenol group at the metal center. A new and detailed mechanistic insight to the anticancer activity of these Au(I) organometallic complexes was thus provided by consolidating the TrxR targeting paradigm.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Iogann Tolbatov
- Department of Physics and Astronomy, University of Padova, Via F. Marzolo 8, 35131 Padova, Italy
| | - Paolo Umari
- Department of Physics and Astronomy, University of Padova, Via F. Marzolo 8, 35131 Padova, Italy
| | - Alessandro Marrone
- Dipartimento di Farmacia, Università "G d'Annunzio" di Chieti-Pescara, Via dei Vestini 31, 66100 Chieti, Italy
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Terán A, Ferraro G, Imbimbo P, Sánchez-Peláez AE, Monti DM, Herrero S, Merlino A. Steric hindrance and charge influence on the cytotoxic activity and protein binding properties of diruthenium complexes. Int J Biol Macromol 2023; 253:126666. [PMID: 37660867 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2023.126666] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/21/2023] [Revised: 08/30/2023] [Accepted: 08/31/2023] [Indexed: 09/05/2023]
Abstract
Paddlewheel diruthenium complexes are being used as metal-based drugs. It has been proposed that their charge and steric properties determine their selectivity towards proteins. Here, we explore these parameters using the first water-soluble diruthenium complex bearing two formamidinate ligands, [Ru2Cl(DPhF)2(O2CCH3)2], and two derivatives, [Ru2Cl(DPhF)(O2CCH3)3] and K2[Ru2(DPhF)(CO3)3] (DPhF- = N,N'-diphenylformamidinate), with one formamidinate. Their protein binding properties have been assessed employing hen egg white lysozyme (HEWL). The results confirm the relationship between the type of interaction (coordinate/non-coordinate bonds) and the charge of diruthenium complexes. The crystallization medium is also a key factor. In all cases, diruthenium species maintain the M-M bond and produce stable adducts. The antiproliferative properties of these diruthenium complexes have been evaluated on an eukaryotic cell-based model. Our data show a correlation between the number of the formamidinate ligands and the anticancer activity of the diruthenium derivatives against human epithelial carcinoma cells. Increased cytotoxicity may be related to increased steric hindrance and Ru25+ core electronic density. However, the effect of increasing the lipophilicity of diruthenium species by introducing a second N,N'-diphenylformamidinate must be also considered. This work illustrates a systematic approach to shed light on the relevant properties of diruthenium compounds to design metal-based metallodrugs and diruthenium metalloenzymes.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Aarón Terán
- MatMoPol Research Group, Department of Inorganic Chemistry, Faculty of Chemical Sciences, Complutense University of Madrid, Avda. Complutense s/n, 28040 Madrid, Spain
| | - Giarita Ferraro
- Department of Chemical Sciences, University of Naples Federico II, Complesso Universitario di Monte Sant'Angelo, Via Cinthia 21, 80126 Naples, Italy
| | - Paola Imbimbo
- Department of Chemical Sciences, University of Naples Federico II, Complesso Universitario di Monte Sant'Angelo, Via Cinthia 21, 80126 Naples, Italy
| | - Ana E Sánchez-Peláez
- MatMoPol Research Group, Department of Inorganic Chemistry, Faculty of Chemical Sciences, Complutense University of Madrid, Avda. Complutense s/n, 28040 Madrid, Spain
| | - Daria Maria Monti
- Department of Chemical Sciences, University of Naples Federico II, Complesso Universitario di Monte Sant'Angelo, Via Cinthia 21, 80126 Naples, Italy
| | - Santiago Herrero
- MatMoPol Research Group, Department of Inorganic Chemistry, Faculty of Chemical Sciences, Complutense University of Madrid, Avda. Complutense s/n, 28040 Madrid, Spain.
| | - Antonello Merlino
- Department of Chemical Sciences, University of Naples Federico II, Complesso Universitario di Monte Sant'Angelo, Via Cinthia 21, 80126 Naples, Italy.
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Tolbatov I, Marrone A. Auranofin Targeting the NDM-1 Beta-Lactamase: Computational Insights into the Electronic Configuration and Quasi-Tetrahedral Coordination of Gold Ions. Pharmaceutics 2023; 15:pharmaceutics15030985. [PMID: 36986846 PMCID: PMC10057648 DOI: 10.3390/pharmaceutics15030985] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/27/2023] [Revised: 03/14/2023] [Accepted: 03/16/2023] [Indexed: 03/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Recently, the well-characterized metallodrug auranofin has been demonstrated to restore the penicillin and cephalosporin sensitivity in resistant bacterial strains via the inhibition of the NDM-1 beta-lactamase, which is operated via the Zn/Au substitution in its bimetallic core. The resulting unusual tetrahedral coordination of the two ions was investigated via the density functional theory calculations. By assessing several charge and multiplicity schemes, coupled with on/off constraining the positions of the coordinating residues, it was demonstrated that the experimental X-ray structure of the gold-bound NDM-1 is consistent with either Au(I)-Au(I) or Au(II)-Au(II) bimetallic moieties. The presented results suggest that the most probable mechanism for the auranofin-based Zn/Au exchange in NDM-1 includes the early formation of the Au(I)-Au(I) system, superseded by oxidation yielding the Au(II)-Au(II) species bearing the highest resemblance to the X-ray structure.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Iogann Tolbatov
- Institute of Chemical Research of Catalonia (ICIQ), The Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology, Av. Paisos Catalans 16, 43007 Tarragona, Spain
| | - Alessandro Marrone
- Dipartimento di Farmacia, Università degli Studi "G. D'Annunzio" Chieti-Pescara, Via dei Vestini 31, 66100 Chieti, Italy
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Tolbatov I, Marrone A, Shepard W, Chiaverini L, Upadhyay Kahaly M, La Mendola D, Marzo T, Ciccone L. Inorganic Drugs as a Tool for Protein Structure Solving and Studies on Conformational Changes. Chemistry 2023; 29:e202202937. [PMID: 36477932 DOI: 10.1002/chem.202202937] [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: 09/20/2022] [Revised: 12/07/2022] [Accepted: 12/07/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Inorganic drugs are capable of tight interactions with proteins through coordination towards aminoacidic residues, and this feature is recognized as a key aspect for their pharmacological action. However, the "protein metalation process" is exploitable for solving the phase problem and structural resolution. In fact, the use of inorganic drugs bearing specific metal centers and ligands capable to drive the binding towards the desired portions of the protein target could represent a very intriguing and fruitful strategy. In this context, a theoretical approach may further contribute to solve protein structures and their refinement. Here, we delineate the main features of a reliable experimental-theoretical integrated approach, based on the use of metallodrugs, for protein structure solving.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Iogann Tolbatov
- Institute of Chemical Research of Catalonia (ICIQ), The Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology, Avgda. Països Catalans, 16, 43007, Tarragona, Spain
| | - Alessandro Marrone
- Department of Pharmacy, University "G. D'Annunzio" Chieti-Pescara, Via dei Vestini, 31, 66100, Chieti, Italy
| | - William Shepard
- Department PROXIMA2 A, Synchrotron SOLEIL, L'Orme des Merisiers, Saint-Aubin, BP 48, 91192, Gif-sur-Yvette, France
| | - Lorenzo Chiaverini
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Pisa, Via Bonanno 6, 56126, Pisa, Italy
| | | | - Diego La Mendola
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Pisa, Via Bonanno 6, 56126, Pisa, Italy
| | - Tiziano Marzo
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Pisa, Via Bonanno 6, 56126, Pisa, Italy
| | - Lidia Ciccone
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Pisa, Via Bonanno 6, 56126, Pisa, Italy
- Department PROXIMA2 A, Synchrotron SOLEIL, L'Orme des Merisiers, Saint-Aubin, BP 48, 91192, Gif-sur-Yvette, France
| |
Collapse
|
10
|
Terán A, Ferraro G, Sánchez-Peláez AE, Herrero S, Merlino A. Effect of Equatorial Ligand Substitution on the Reactivity with Proteins of Paddlewheel Diruthenium Complexes: Structural Studies. Inorg Chem 2023; 62:670-674. [PMID: 36597851 PMCID: PMC9846696 DOI: 10.1021/acs.inorgchem.2c04103] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
Abstract
The paddlewheel [Ru2Cl(O2CCH3)4] complex was previously reported to react with the model protein hen egg white lysozyme (HEWL), forming adducts with two diruthenium moieties bound to Asp101 and Asp119 side chains upon the release of one acetate. To study the effect of the equatorial ligands on the reactivity with proteins of diruthenium compounds, X-ray structures of the adducts formed when HEWL reacts with [Ru2Cl(D-p-FPhF)(O2CCH3)3] [D-p-FPhF = N,N'-bis(4-fluorophenyl)formamidinate] under different conditions were solved. [Ru2Cl(D-p-FPhF)(O2CCH3)3] is bonded through their equatorial positions to the Asp side chains. Protein binding occurs cis or trans to D-p-FPhF. Lys or Arg side chains or even main-chain carbonyl groups can coordinate to the diruthenium core at the axial site. Data help to understand the reactivity of paddlewheel diruthenium complexes with proteins, providing useful information for the design of new artificial diruthenium-containing metalloenzymes with potential applications in the fields of catalysis, biomedicine, and biotechnology.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Aarón Terán
- Departamento
de Química Inorgánica, Facultad de Ciencias Químicas, Universidad Complutense de Madrid, Madrid E-28040, Spain
| | - Giarita Ferraro
- Department
of Chemical Sciences, University of Naples
Federico II, Complesso Universitario di Monte Sant’Angelo via Cinthia 21, Naples 80126, Italy
| | - Ana E. Sánchez-Peláez
- Departamento
de Química Inorgánica, Facultad de Ciencias Químicas, Universidad Complutense de Madrid, Madrid E-28040, Spain
| | - Santiago Herrero
- Departamento
de Química Inorgánica, Facultad de Ciencias Químicas, Universidad Complutense de Madrid, Madrid E-28040, Spain,
| | - Antonello Merlino
- Department
of Chemical Sciences, University of Naples
Federico II, Complesso Universitario di Monte Sant’Angelo via Cinthia 21, Naples 80126, Italy,
| |
Collapse
|
11
|
Tolbatov I, Marrone A. Kinetics of Reactions of Dirhodium and Diruthenium Paddlewheel Tetraacetate Complexes with Nucleophilic Protein Sites: Computational Insights. Inorg Chem 2022; 61:16421-16429. [PMID: 36194651 DOI: 10.1021/acs.inorgchem.2c02516] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Recently, dirhodium and diruthenium paddlewheel complexes have drawn attention as perspective anticancer drugs. In this study, the kinetics of reaction of typical paddlewheel scaffolds Rh2(μ-O2CCH3)4(H2O)2, Ru2(μ-O2CCH3)4(H2O)Cl, and [Ru2(μ-O2CCH3)4(HO)Cl]- with protein nucleophiles were investigated by means of the density functional theory. The substitution of axial ligands─water and chloride─by the models of protein residue side chains was analyzed, revealing the binding selectivity displayed by these paddlewheel metal scaffolds. The substitution of water is under a thermodynamic control, in which, although the Arg, Cys-, and Sec- residues are the most favorable, their binding is expected to be scarcely selective in a biological context. On the other hand, the replacement of the axial water with a more stable hydroxo ligand induces the chloride substitution in diRu complexes, which also targets Arg, Cys-, and Sec-, although with a moderately higher activation barrier for any examined protein residue. Additionally, the carried out characterization of the geometrical parameters of the transition states permitted determination of the impact of an increased steric hindrance of diRh and diRu complexes on their protein site selectivity. This study corroborates the idea of the substitution of the acetate ligands with biologically active, but more hindering, carboxylate ligands, in order to yield dual acting metallodrugs. This study allows us to assume that the delivery of diRu paddlewheel complexes in their monoanionic form [Ru2(μ-O2CR)4(OH)Cl]- decorated by the bulky substituents R may constitute an approach to augment the selectivity toward anticancer targets, such as TrxR in tumor cells, although under the condition that such a selectivity is operative only in high pH conditions.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Iogann Tolbatov
- Institut de Chimie Moleculaire de l'Université de Bourgogne (ICMUB), Université de Bourgogne Franche-Comté (UBFC), Avenue Alain Savary 9, 21000 Dijon, France
| | - Alessandro Marrone
- Dipartimento di Farmacia, Università degli Studi "G. D'Annunzio" Chieti-Pescara, Via dei Vestini, 66100 Chieti, Italy
| |
Collapse
|
12
|
Tolbatov I, Marrone A. Selenocysteine of thioredoxin reductase as the primary target for the antitumor metallodrugs: A computational point of view. J Organomet Chem 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jorganchem.2022.122330] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
|
13
|
Tolbatov I, Cirri D, Tarchi M, Marzo T, Coletti C, Marrone A, Messori L, Re N, Massai L. Reactions of Arsenoplatin-1 with Protein Targets: A Combined Experimental and Theoretical Study. Inorg Chem 2022; 61:3240-3248. [PMID: 35137586 PMCID: PMC8864615 DOI: 10.1021/acs.inorgchem.1c03732] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2021] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Arsenoplatin-1 (AP-1) is a dual-action anticancer metallodrug with a promising pharmacological profile that features the simultaneous presence of a cisplatin-like center and an arsenite center. We investigated its interactions with proteins through a joint experimental and theoretical approach. The reactivity of AP-1 with a variety of proteins, including carbonic anhydrase (CA), superoxide dismutase (SOD), myoglobin (Mb), glyceraldehyde 3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPDH), and human serum albumin (HSA), was analyzed by means of electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (ESI MS) measurements. In accordance with previous observations, ESI MS experiments revealed that the obtained metallodrug-protein adducts originated from the binding of the [(AP-1)-Cl]+ fragment to accessible protein residues. Remarkably, in two cases, i.e., Mb and GAPDH, the formation of a bound metallic fragment that lacked the arsenic center was highlighted. The reactions of AP-1 with various nucleophiles side chains of neutral histidine, methionine, cysteine, and selenocysteine, in neutral form as well as cysteine and selenocysteine in anionic form, were subsequently analyzed through a computational approach. We found that the aquation of AP-1 is energetically disfavored, with a reaction free energy of +19.2 kcal/mol demonstrating that AP-1 presumably attacks its biological targets through the exchange of the chloride ligand. The theoretical analysis of thermodynamics and kinetics for the ligand-exchange processes of AP-1 with His, Met, Cys, Sec, Cys-, and Sec- side chain models unveils that only neutral histidine and deprotonated cysteine and selenocysteine are able to effectively replace the chloride ligand in AP-1.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Iogann Tolbatov
- Institut
de Chimie Moleculaire de l’Université de Bourgogne (ICMUB),
Université de Bourgogne Franche-Comté (UBFC), Avenue Alain Savary 9, 21078 Dijon, France
| | - Damiano Cirri
- Department
of Chemistry and Industrial Chemistry, University
of Pisa, Via G. Moruzzi
13, 56124 Pisa, Italy
| | - Matteo Tarchi
- Department
of Chemistry, University of Florence, Via della Lastruccia 3-13, 50019 Sesto Fiorentino, Italy
| | - Tiziano Marzo
- Department
of Pharmacy, University of Pisa, Via Bonanno Pisano 6, 56126 Pisa, Italy
- CISUP
- Centre for Instrumentation Sharing (Centro per l’Integrazione
della Strumentazione Scientifica), University
of Pisa, 56126 Pisa, Italy
- University
Consortium for Research in the Chemistry of Metal ions in Biological
Systems (CIRCMSB), Via
Celso Ulpiani 27, 70126 Bari, Italy
| | - Cecilia Coletti
- Dipartimento
di Farmacia, Università “G
d’Annunzio” di Chieti-Pescara, Via dei Vestini 31, 66013, Chieti, Italy
| | - Alessandro Marrone
- Dipartimento
di Farmacia, Università “G
d’Annunzio” di Chieti-Pescara, Via dei Vestini 31, 66013, Chieti, Italy
| | - Luigi Messori
- Department
of Chemistry, University of Florence, Via della Lastruccia 3-13, 50019 Sesto Fiorentino, Italy
| | - Nazzareno Re
- Dipartimento
di Farmacia, Università “G
d’Annunzio” di Chieti-Pescara, Via dei Vestini 31, 66013, Chieti, Italy
| | - Lara Massai
- Department
of Chemistry, University of Florence, Via della Lastruccia 3-13, 50019 Sesto Fiorentino, Italy
| |
Collapse
|
14
|
Steric, Activation Method and Solvent Effects on the Structure of Paddlewheel Diruthenium Complexes. APPLIED SCIENCES-BASEL 2022. [DOI: 10.3390/app12031000] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Abstract
Conventional heating and solvothermal synthetic methods (with or without microwave activation) have been used to study the reaction of o-, m- and p-methoxybenzoic acid with [Ru2Cl(μ-O2CMe)4]. The tetrasubstituted series [Ru2Cl(µ-O2CC6H4-R)4], with R = o-OMe, m-OMe and p-OMe, has been prepared by the three procedures. Depending on the synthetic method and the experimental conditions, three compounds have been isolated (1a, 1b, 1c) with the o-methoxybenzoate ligand. However, with the m- and p-methoxybenzoate ligands, only the complexes 2 and 3 have been obtained, respectively. Compound 1a, with stoichiometry [Ru2Cl(µ-O2CC6H4-o-OMe)4]n, shows a polymeric structure with the chloride ions bridging the diruthenium units to form linear chains. Compounds 2 and 3, with the same stoichiometry, predictably form zig-zag chains in accordance with their insolubility and their magnetic measurements. Compound 1b, [Ru2Cl(µ-O2CC6H4-o-OMe)4(EtOH)], is a discrete molecular species with a chloride ion and one ethanol molecule occupying the axial positions of the dimetallic unit. Compound 1c is a cation-anion complex, [Ru2(µ-O2CC6H4-o-OMe)4(MeOH)2][Ru2Cl2(µ-O2CC6H4-o-OMe)4]. The cationic complex has two solvent molecules at the axial positions whereas the anionic complex has two chloride ligands at these positions. Complexes have been characterized by elemental analyses, mass spectrometry and IR and UV-vis-NIR spectroscopies. A magnetic study of complexes 1a, 1b, 2 and 3 have also been carried out. The crystal structure of compounds 1b and 1c have been solved by single X-ray crystal methods.
Collapse
|
15
|
Tolbatov I, Marrone A, Coletti C, Re N. Computational Studies of Au(I) and Au(III) Anticancer MetalLodrugs: A Survey. Molecules 2021; 26:7600. [PMID: 34946684 PMCID: PMC8707411 DOI: 10.3390/molecules26247600] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/19/2021] [Revised: 11/29/2021] [Accepted: 12/12/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Owing to the growing hardware capabilities and the enhancing efficacy of computational methodologies, computational chemistry approaches have constantly become more important in the development of novel anticancer metallodrugs. Besides traditional Pt-based drugs, inorganic and organometallic complexes of other transition metals are showing increasing potential in the treatment of cancer. Among them, Au(I)- and Au(III)-based compounds are promising candidates due to the strong affinity of Au(I) cations to cysteine and selenocysteine side chains of the protein residues and to Au(III) complexes being more labile and prone to the reduction to either Au(I) or Au(0) in the physiological milieu. A correct prediction of metal complexes' properties and of their bonding interactions with potential ligands requires QM computations, usually at the ab initio or DFT level. However, MM, MD, and docking approaches can also give useful information on their binding site on large biomolecular targets, such as proteins or DNA, provided a careful parametrization of the metal force field is employed. In this review, we provide an overview of the recent computational studies of Au(I) and Au(III) antitumor compounds and of their interactions with biomolecular targets, such as sulfur- and selenium-containing enzymes, like glutathione reductases, glutathione peroxidase, glutathione-S-transferase, cysteine protease, thioredoxin reductase and poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase 1.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Iogann Tolbatov
- Institut de Chimie Moleculaire de l’Université de Bourgogne (ICMUB), Université de Bourgogne Franche-Comté (UBFC), Avenue Alain Savary 9, 21078 Dijon, France;
| | - Alessandro Marrone
- Dipartimento di Farmacia, Università degli Studi “G. D’Annunzio” Chieti-Pescara, Via dei Vestini, 66100 Chieti, Italy; (A.M.); (C.C.)
| | - Cecilia Coletti
- Dipartimento di Farmacia, Università degli Studi “G. D’Annunzio” Chieti-Pescara, Via dei Vestini, 66100 Chieti, Italy; (A.M.); (C.C.)
| | - Nazzareno Re
- Dipartimento di Farmacia, Università degli Studi “G. D’Annunzio” Chieti-Pescara, Via dei Vestini, 66100 Chieti, Italy; (A.M.); (C.C.)
| |
Collapse
|