Synthesis, GC selective DNA binding and topoisomerase II inhibition activities of ruthenium(II) polypyridyl complex containing 11-aminopteridino[6,7-f][1,10]phenanthrolin-13(12H)-one

From Intercalation to External Binding: Ru(II) Complexes with a Spiro Ligand for TAR RNA Selective Binding and HIV-1 Reverse Transcriptase Inhibition

As a typical RNA virus, the genetic information on HIV-1 is entirely stored in RNA. The reverse transcription activity of HIV-1 reverse transcriptase (RT) plays a crucial role in the replication and transmission of the virus. Non-nucleoside RT inhibitors (NNRTIs) block the function of RT by binding to the RNA binding site on RT, with very few targeting viral RNA. In this study, by transforming planar conjugated ligands into a spiro structure, we convert classical Ru(II) DNA intercalators into a nonintercalator. This enables selective binding to HIV-1 transactivation response (TAR) RNA on the outer side of nucleic acids through dual interactions involving hydrogen bonds and electrostatic attraction, effectively inhibiting HIV-1 RT and serving as a selective fluorescence probe for TAR RNA.

Bithiophene-Functionalized Infrared Two-Photon Absorption Metal Complexes as Single-Molecule Platforms for Synergistic Photodynamic, Photothermal, and Chemotherapy

A planar conjugated ligand functionalized with bithiophene and its Ru(II), Os(II), and Ir(III) complexes have been constructed as single-molecule platform for synergistic photodynamic, photothermal, and chemotherapy. The complexes have significant two-photon absorption at 808 nm and remarkable singlet oxygen and superoxide anion production in aqueous solution and cells when exposed to 808 nm infrared irradiation. The most potent Ru(II) complex Ru7 enters tumor cells via the rare macropinocytosis, locates in both nuclei and mitochondria, and regulates DNA-related chemotherapeutic mechanisms intranuclearly including DNA topoisomerase and RNA polymerase inhibition and their synergistic effects with photoactivated apoptosis, ferroptosis and DNA cleavage. Ru7 exhibits high efficacy in vivo for malignant melanoma and cisplatin-resistant non-small cell lung cancer tumors, with a 100 % survival rate of mice, low toxicity to normal cells and low residual rate. Such an infrared two-photon activatable metal complex may contribute to a new generation of single-molecule-based integrated diagnosis and treatment platform to address drug resistance in clinical practice and phototherapy for large, deeply located solid tumors.

Nature-inspired substituted 3-(imidazol-2-yl) morpholines targeting human topoisomerase IIα: Dynophore-derived discovery

The molecular nanomachine, human DNA topoisomerase IIα, plays a crucial role in replication, transcription, and recombination by catalyzing topological changes in the DNA, rendering it an optimal target for cancer chemotherapy. Current clinical topoisomerase II poisons often cause secondary tumors as side effects due to the accumulation of double-strand breaks in the DNA, spurring the development of catalytic inhibitors. Here, we used a dynamic pharmacophore approach to develop catalytic inhibitors targeting the ATP binding site of human DNA topoisomerase IIα. Our screening of a library of nature-inspired compounds led to the discovery of a class of 3-(imidazol-2-yl) morpholines as potent catalytic inhibitors that bind to the ATPase domain. Further experimental and computational studies identified hit compound 17, which exhibited selectivity against the human DNA topoisomerase IIα versus human protein kinases, cytotoxicity against several human cancer cells, and did not induce DNA double-strand breaks, making it distinct from clinical topoisomerase II poisons. This study integrates an innovative natural product-inspired chemistry and successful implementation of a molecular design strategy that incorporates a dynamic component of ligand-target molecular recognition, with comprehensive experimental characterization leading to hit compounds with potential impact on the development of more efficient chemotherapies.

Dual Targeting Topoisomerase/G-Quadruplex Agents in Cancer Therapy-An Overview

Topoisomerase (Topo) inhibitors have long been known as clinically effective drugs, while G-quadruplex (G4)-targeting compounds are emerging as a promising new strategy to target tumor cells and could support personalized treatment approaches in the near future. G-quadruplex (G4) is a secondary four-stranded DNA helical structure constituted of guanine-rich nucleic acids, and its stabilization impairs telomere replication, triggering the activation of several protein factors at telomere levels, including Topos. Thus, the pharmacological intervention through the simultaneous G4 stabilization and Topos inhibition offers a new opportunity to achieve greater antiproliferative activity and circumvent cellular insensitivity and resistance. In this line, dual ligands targeting both Topos and G4 emerge as innovative, efficient agents in cancer therapy. Although the research in this field is still limited, to date, some chemotypes have been identified, showing this dual activity and an interesting pharmacological profile. This paper reviews the available literature on dual Topo inhibitors/G4 stabilizing agents, with particular attention to the structure-activity relationship studies correlating the dual activity with the cytotoxic activity.

Anticancer and antitrypanosomal activities of trinuclear ruthenium compounds with orthometalated phenazine ligands

Trinuclear ruthenium complexes with orthometalated phenazines of general formula [Ru3(μ3-O)(μ2-OAc)5(L)(py)2]PF6 (L = dppn, benzo[i]dipyrido[3,2-a:2',3'-c]phenazine, 1; dppz, dipyrido[3,2-a:2',3'-c]phenazine, 2; CH3-dppz, 7-methyldipyrido[3,2-a:2',3'-c]phenazine, 3; Cl-dppz, 7-chlorodipyrido[3,2-a:2',3'-c]phenazine, 4) were investigated for their cytotoxic activity toward the B16F10 murine melanoma and the L929 non-cancer cell lines and against Trypanosoma cruzi (2-4). This study also reports a multi-technique investigation into how complexes 1-4 interact with DNA and human serum albumin, HSA. At concentrations ranging from 2 to 50 μM, all the complexes reduced B16F10 murine melanoma cell viability by over 50%. Complex 4 had the highest cytotoxic effect in the series, diminishing B16F10 cell viability to 38% at 2 μM, with an overall order for anticancer activity of 4 > 2 > 3 > 1. Complexes 2-4 showed remarkable activity in inhibiting epimastigote and amastigote forms of T. cruzi. Complex 2 showed better antitrypanosomal activity than the reference drug (IC50 = 1.19 μM and IC50 = 0.25 μM for epimastigote and amastigotes forms, respectivily). Ethidium bromide (EB) displacement assays showed that DNA intercalation progressively increases with the extension of the π-conjugation of the cyclometalating ligand and the presence of substituents in the phenazinic portion (1 > 4-3 > 2), showing that complex 1 is a stronger intercalator than EB itself (Kapp > 107 M-1). Viscosity measurements followed the same trend. Cytotoxicity against cancer cells and antitrypanosomal activity follow the same order, which is different to the tendency of DNA intercalation, suggesting DNA is not the main target of these complexes. Compound 1-4 showed very high affinity with HSA (Kb ∼109 M-1). Circular dichroism results also showed that the complexes alter significantly the secondary structure of the HSA, lowering the α-helix % from 86.2 (pure protein) to less than 5% for compounds 1, 2 and 4 at 2.8 μM. These findings demonstrated the important role of phenazines for the biological activity of triruthenium compounds.

Synthesis, characterization, DNA binding, topoisomerase inhibition, and apoptosis induction studies of a novel cobalt(III) complex with a thiosemicarbazone ligand

In this study, 9-anthraldehyde-N(4)-methylthiosemicarbazone (MeATSC) 1 and [Co(phen)2(O2CO)]Cl·6H2O 2 (where phen = 1,10-phenanthroline) were synthesized. [Co(phen)2(O2CO)]Cl·6H2O 2 was used to produce anhydrous [Co(phen)2(H2O)2](NO3)33. Subsequently, anhydrous [Co(phen)2(H2O)2](NO3)33 was reacted with MeATSC 1 to produce [Co(phen)2(MeATSC)](NO3)3·1.5H2O·C2H5OH 4. The ligand, MeATSC 1 and all complexes were characterized by elemental analysis, FT IR, UV-visible, and multinuclear NMR (1H, 13C, and 59Co) spectroscopy, along with HRMS, and conductivity measurements, where appropriate. Interactions of MeATSC 1 and complex 4 with calf thymus DNA (ctDNA) were investigated by carrying out UV-visible spectrophotometric studies. UV-visible spectrophotometric studies revealed weak interactions between ctDNA and the analytes, MeATSC 1 and complex 4 (Kb = 8.1 × 105 and 1.6 × 104 M-1, respectively). Topoisomerase inhibition assays and cleavage studies proved that complex 4 was an efficient catalytic inhibitor of human topoisomerases I and IIα. Based upon the results obtained from the 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-5-(3-carboxymethoxyphenyl)-2-(4-sulfophenyl)-2H-tetrazolium (MTS) assay on 4T1-luc metastatic mammary breast cancer cells (IC50 = 34.4 ± 5.2 μM when compared to IC50 = 13.75 ± 1.08 μM for the control, cisplatin), further investigations into the molecular events initiated by exposure to complex 4 were investigated. Studies have shown that complex 4 activated both the apoptotic and autophagic signaling pathways in addition to causing dissipation of the mitochondrial membrane potential (ΔΨm). Furthermore, activation of cysteine-aspartic proteases3 (caspase 3) in a time- and concentration-dependent manner coupled with the ΔΨm, studies implicated the intrinsic apoptotic pathway as the major regulator of cell death mechanism.

A comprehensive review of topoisomerase inhibitors as anticancer agents in the past decade

The topoisomerase enzymes play an important role in DNA metabolism, and searching for enzyme inhibitors is an important target in the search for new anticancer drugs. Discovery of new anticancer chemotherapeutical capable of inhibiting topoisomerase enzymes is highlighted in anticancer research. Therefore, biologists, organic chemists and medicinal chemists all around the world have been identifying, designing, synthesizing and evaluating a variety of novel bioactive molecules targeting topoisomerase. This review summarizes types of topoisomerase inhibitors in the past decade, and divides them into nine classes by structural characteristics, including N-heterocycles compounds, quinone derivatives, flavonoids derivatives, coumarin derivatives, lignan derivatives, polyphenol derivatives, diterpenes derivatives, fatty acids derivatives, and metal complexes. Then we discussed the application prospect and development of these anticancer compounds, as well as concluded parts of their structural-activity relationships. We believe this review would be invaluable in helping to further search potential topoisomerase inhibition as antitumor agent in clinical usage.

Ruthenium(II) polypyridyl complexes as dual inhibitors of telomerase and topoisomerase

One novel ruthenium polypyridyl complex, [Ru(bpy)2(icip)](2+) (1), and two previously reported ruthenium polypyridyl complexes, [Ru(bpy)2(pdppz)](2+) ()2 and [Ru(bpy)2(tactp)](2+) (3) (bpy = 2,2'-bipyridine, icip = 2-(indeno[2,1-b]chromen-6-yl)-1H-imidazo[4,5-f][1,10]phenanthroline, pdppz = phenanthro[4,5-abc]dipyrido[3,2-h:2',3'-j]phenazine, tactp = 4,5,9,18-tetraazachryseno[9,10-b]-triphenylene), have been synthesised. As expected, these complexes show inhibition towards telomerase by inducing and stabilising the G-quadruplex structure, and behave as topoisomerase I/II poisons at the same time. Additionally, the acute and chronic cytotoxicities of the complexes are considered. Furthermore, cell apoptosis experiments are used to briefly study the mechanism. Because studies involving multi-target inhibition towards topoisomerase and telomerase of Ru(II) complexes have not been reported previously, the present research may help to develop innovative chemical strategies and therapies.

Synthesis, characterization, DNA/BSA interactions and anticancer activity of achiral and chiral copper complexes

Six novel copper(ii) complexes of [CuCl]ClO4 (), [Cu(acac)]PF6 (), [CuCl]2(PF6)2 (), [CuCl]2(PF6)2 (), [Cu(acac)]PF6 () and [Cu(acac)]PF6 (), ( = 1-naphthyl-N,N-[bis(2-pyridyl)methyl]amine, = R/S-1-naphthyl-N,N-[bis(2-pyridyl)methyl]ethanamine, acac = diacetone) were synthesized to serve as artificial nucleases. All complexes were structurally characterized using X-ray crystallography. The crystal structures showed the presence of distorted square-planar CuLCl (, and ) and distorted tetragonal-pyramidal CuL(acac) (, and ) geometry. The interaction of these complexes with calf thymus DNA (CT-DNA) was researched by means of several spectroscopy methods, which indicated that the complexes were bound to CT-DNA by an intercalation binding mode. DNA cleavage experiments revealed that the complexes exhibited remarkable DNA cleavage activities in the presence of H2O2, and single oxygen ((1)O2) or hydroxyl radicals may serve as the major cleavage active species. In particular, the in vitro cytotoxicity of the complexes on four human cancer cell lines (HeLa, MCF-7, Bel-7404 and HepG-2) demonstrated that the six compounds had broad-spectrum anti-cancer activity with low IC50 values. The stronger cytotoxicity and DNA cleavage activity of the chiral enantiomers compared with chiral analogues verified the influence of chirality on the antitumor activity of complexes. Meanwhile, the protein binding ability was revealed by quenching of tryptophan emission with the addition of complexes using BSA as a model protein. The results indicated that the quenching mechanism of BSA by the complexes was a static process.

Topoisomerase IIα poisoning and DNA double-strand breaking by chiral ruthenium(ii) complexes containing 2-furanyl-imidazo[4,5-f][1,10]phenanthroline derivatives

Some chiral ruthenium(ii) complexes bearing furan ligands were developed to act as topoisomerase IIα poisons and caused DNA double-strand damage that could lead to apoptosis.

DNA-binding, topoisomerases I and II inhibition and in vitro cytotoxicity of ruthenium(II) polypyridyl complexes: [Ru(dppz)2L](2+) (L=dppz-11-CO2Me and dppz)

Two ruthenium(II) polypyridyl complexes, [Ru(dppz)2dppz-11-CO2Me](ClO4)2 (Ru1) and [Ru(dppz)3](ClO4)2 (Ru2), have been synthesized and characterized. The spectral characteristics of Ru1 and Ru2 were investigated by fluorescence spectroscopy and revealed that both complexes were sensitive to solvent polarity. The binding properties of the two complexes towards calf-thymus DNA (CT-DNA) have been investigated by different spectrophotometric methods and viscosity measurements, indicating that both complexes bind to CT-DNA by means of intercalation, but with different binding affinities. Topoisomerase inhibition and DNA strand passage assay demonstrates that the two complexes are dual inhibitors of topoisomerases I and IIa. On the other hand, the cytotoxicity of both complexes has been evaluated by MTT assays and Giemsa staining experiments. The main results reveal that the ester functional group has a significant effect on the DNA-binding affinities and topoisomerases inhibition effects of Ru1 and Ru2, and further advance our knowledge on the DNA-binding and topoisomerase inhibition by Ru(II) complexes.

Dual topoisomerase I and II poisoning by chiral Ru(II) complexes containing 2-thiophenylimidazo[4,5-f][1,10]phenanthroline derivatives

A series of chiral Ru(II) complexes bearing thiophene ligands were synthesized and characterized. Both Ru(II) complexes Δ/Λ-[Ru(bpy)2(pscl)](2+) (Δ/Λ-1) and Δ/Λ-[Ru(bpy)2(psbr)](2+) (Δ/Λ-2) (bpy=2,2'-bipyridine, pscl=2-(5-chlorothiophen-2-yl)imidazo[4,5-f][1,10]phenanthroline, psbr=2-(5-bromothiophen-2-yl)imidazo[4,5-f][1,10]phenanthroline) showed antitumor activities against A549, HepG2 and BEL-7402 tumor cell lines, especially HeLa tumor cell line. Moreover, Δ enantiomers were more active than Λ enantiomers, accounting for the different cellular uptake. In addition, with the extension of time, these enantiomers could finally accumulate in the nucleus, suggesting that nucleic acids were the cellular target of these enantiomers. The DNA-binding behaviors of complexes were studied using spectroscopic and viscosity measurements. Results suggested that four complexes could bind to DNA in an intercalative mode but no obvious DNA-binding selectivity between the enantiomers was observed. Topoisomerase inhibition and DNA religation assay confirmed that four complexes acted as efficient dual topoisomerase I and II poisons, DNA strand breaks had also been observed from alkaline single cell gel electrophoresis (comet assay). Δ-1 and Δ-2 inhibited the growth of HeLa cells through the induction of apoptotic cell death, as evidenced by the Alexa Fluor® 488 annexin V staining assays and flow cytometry analysis. The results demonstrated that Δ/Λ-1 and Δ/Λ-2 acted as dual topoisomerase I and II poisons and caused DNA damage that could lead to cell cycle arrest by apoptosis.

Structure-activity relationship of polypyridyl ruthenium(II) complexes as DNA intercalators, DNA photocleavage reagents, and DNA topoisomerase and RNA polymerase inhibitors

To investigate the relationship between the molecular structure and biological activity of polypyridyl Ru(II) complexes, such as DNA binding, photocleavage ability, and DNA topoisomerase and RNA polymerase inhibition, six new [Ru(bpy)(2)(dppz)](2+) (bpy=2,2'-bipyridine; dppz=dipyrido[3,2-a:2,',3'-c]phenazine) analogs have been synthesized and characterized by means of (1)H-NMR spectroscopy, mass spectrometry, and elemental analysis. Interestingly, the biological properties of these complexes have been identified to be quite different via a series of experimental methods, such as spectral titration, DNA thermal denaturation, viscosity, and gel electrophoresis. To explain the experimental regularity and reveal the underlying mechanism of biological activity, the properties of energy levels and population of frontier molecular orbitals and excited-state transitions of these complexes have been studied by density-functional theory (DFT) and time-depended DFT (TDDFT) calculations. The results suggest that DNA intercalative ligands with better planarity, greater hydrophobicity, and less steric hindrance are beneficial to the DNA intercalation and enzymatic inhibition of their complexes.

Self-activating nuclease and anticancer activities of copper(II) complexes with aryl-modified 2,6-di(thiazol-2-yl)pyridine

Three mononuclear copper complexes [Cu(PDTP)Cl2] (PDTP = 4-phenyl-2,6-di(thiazole-2-yl)pyridine, CuPDTP), [Cu(ADTP)Cl2] (ADTP = 4-(anthracen-9-yl)-2,6-di(thiazole-2-yl)pyridine, CuADTP) and [Cu(BFDTP)Cl2] (BFDTP = 4-(benzofuran-2-yl)-2,6-di(thiazole-2-yl)pyridine, CuBFDTP) were synthesized and characterized. The X-ray single crystallography results indicated that the Cu(II) ions showed slightly distorted square pyramid coordination environments, and the ligands deviated from ideal planarity in all three compounds. Based on the DNA binding studies, it was demonstrated that these three complexes exhibited weak DNA binding strengths, which were most likely groove binding modes. CuPDTP, CuADTP and CuBFDTP induced efficient DNA cleavage in the dark without the addition of external catalysts (oxidant or reductant). In contrast, in the presence of reducing or oxidizing agents, the nuclease activities increased more than 10-fold. Mechanistic investigations revealed the participation of reactive oxygen species, which can be trapped by ROS radical scavengers and ROS sensors. In the same experimental conditions, the free ligands and CuCl2 did not display any DNA cleaving activity. This result indicates that the complexes, rather than their components, play a significant role in the nuclease reaction process and that DNA cleavage may be initiated in an oxidative pattern. The proposed mechanism was attributed to the in situ activation of molecular oxygen by the oxidation of the copper complexes. In the MTT cytotoxicity studies, the three Cu(II) complexes exhibited an antitumor activity against the HeLa, BEL-7402 and HepG2 tumor cell lines. The HeLa cells treated with Cu(II) complexes demonstrated marked changes in their nuclear morphology, which were detected by Hoechst 33258 nuclear staining and acridine orange/ethidium bromide (AO/EB) staining assays. Nuclear chromatin cleavage also was observed from alkaline single-cell gel electrophoresis (comet assay).

Chiral ruthenium(II) complexes with phenolic hydroxyl groups as dual poisons of topoisomerases I and IIα

A series of novel chiral ruthenium(II) complexes with phenolic hydroxyl groups were synthesized and characterized. These ruthenium(II) complexes exhibited strong dual inhibition of topoisomerases I and IIα, with approximate IC50 values of 3-15 mM, which were more efficient than the widely clinically used single TopoI poison camptothecin (CPT) or TopoIIα poison etoposide (VP-16). Δ-1 and Λ-1 with more hydroxyls were observed to be more potent inhibitors. To further evaluate the mechanism of the complexes at a cellular level, these complexes were investigated for their effect on cell proliferation, cell cycle progression and induction of apoptosis. The results indicated that ruthenium(II) complexes permeated the nuclei in cancer cells and inhibited the activities of nuclear enzymes topoisomerases I and IIα, then triggered DNA damage and induced apoptosis in the cancer cells. The simultaneous inhibition of TopoI and TopoIIα induced the death of cancer cells, which may be a promising and effective strategy for cancer therapy.

Synthesis, characterization, and DNA-binding studies of ruthenium complexes [Ru(tpy)(ptn)]2+ and Ru(dmtpy)(ptn)]2+

Two ruthenium(II) polypyridyl complexes [Ru(tpy)(ptn)](2+) (1) and Ru(dmtpy)(ptn)](2+) (2) (ptn=3-(1,10-phenanthrolin-2-yl)-as-triazino[5,6-f]naphthalene, tpy=2,2':6',2"-terpyridine, dmtpy=5,5'-dimethyl-2,2':6',2"-terpyridine) have been synthesized and characterized by elemental analysis, (1)H NMR, mass spectrometry and crystal structure analysis. Spectroscopic studies together with isothermal titration calorimetry (ITC) and viscosity measurements prove that two complexes bind to DNA in an intercalative mode. ITC experiments show that the binding mode for complex 2 is entropically driven, while an entropy-driven initial binding of complex 1 is followed by an entropically and enthalpically favorable process. This difference may be attributed to the ancillary ligand effects on the DNA binding of Ru(II) complexes. Circular dichroism titrations of calf thymus DNA (CT-DNA) with Ru(II) complexes show that complexes 1 and 2 induce B to Z conformational transition of calf thymus DNA at low ionic strength (0.05 M NaCl). The induced Z-DNA conformation can revert to B form when Ru(II) complexes are displaced by ethidium bromide or at high ionic strengths ([NaCl]=0.4 M), but keeps intact with temperature ranged from 25 to 90 °C. The unique structure and characteristics of Ru(II) complexes designed in this investigation will be useful for the study of Z-DNA.