1
|
Navale GR, Ahmed I, Lim MH, Ghosh K. Transition Metal Complexes as Therapeutics: A New Frontier in Combatting Neurodegenerative Disorders through Protein Aggregation Modulation. Adv Healthc Mater 2024:e2401991. [PMID: 39221545 DOI: 10.1002/adhm.202401991] [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: 05/30/2024] [Revised: 08/17/2024] [Indexed: 09/04/2024]
Abstract
Neurodegenerative disorders (NDDs) are a class of debilitating diseases that progressively impair the protein structure and result in neurological dysfunction in the nervous system. Among these disorders, Alzheimer's disease (AD), prion diseases such as Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (CJD), and Parkinson's disease (PD) are caused by protein misfolding and aggregation at the cellular level. In recent years, transition metal complexes have gained significant attention for their potential applications in diagnosing, imaging, and curing these NDDs. These complexes have intriguing possibilities as therapeutics due to their diverse ligand systems and chemical properties and can interact with biological systems with minimal detrimental effects. This review focuses on the recent progress in transition metal therapeutics as a new era of hope in the battle against AD, CJD, and PD by modulating protein aggregation in vitro and in vivo. It may shed revolutionary insights into unlocking new opportunities for researchers to develop metal-based drugs to combat NDDs.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Govinda R Navale
- Department of Chemistry, Indian Institute of Chemistry Roorkee, Roorkee, 247667, India
| | - Imtiaz Ahmed
- Department of Chemistry, Indian Institute of Chemistry Roorkee, Roorkee, 247667, India
| | - Mi Hee Lim
- Department of Chemistry, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST), Daejeon, 34141, Republic of Korea
| | - Kaushik Ghosh
- Department of Chemistry, Indian Institute of Chemistry Roorkee, Roorkee, 247667, India
- Department of Biosciences and Bioengineering, Indian Institute of Technology, Roorkee, 247667, India
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Florio D, Annunziata A, Panzetta V, Netti PA, Ruffo F, Marasco D. η 6-Arene Ru(II) Complexes as Modulators of Amyloid Aggregation. Inorg Chem 2024; 63:16001-16010. [PMID: 39129368 DOI: 10.1021/acs.inorgchem.4c02456] [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: 08/13/2024]
Abstract
Inorganic medicinal compounds represent a unique and versatile source of potential therapeutics in many diseases and, more recently, in neurodegeneration. Herein we investigated the effects of two η6-arene Ru(II) complexes on the self-aggregation processes of several amyloidogenic peptides endowed with different kinetics and primary sequences. The Ru(II) complexes exhibit, around the metal ion, two chlorides, one NHC = N-heterocyclic carbene, with a glucosyl and a methyl substituent and separately a hexamethylbenzene, which is named Ru1, and one benzene, named Ru2. Both complexes were demonstrated to bind monomeric amyloids suppressing aggregation as evidenced in thioflavin T (ThT) binding assays and autofluorescence experiments. Electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (ESI-MS) indicated the formation of direct adducts between amyloid and metal complexes, which determined the marked conformational variation of peptides and a rescue of cellular viability in SH-SY5Y cells. The complex Ru2 was demonstrated to be a more potent inhibitor of amyloid aggregation compared to Ru1 likely because of the less hindrance of the arene moiety. The presented data strongly support the in vitro ability of η6-arene Ru(II) complexes to suppress amyloid aggregation, providing insights into their potential application as novel therapeutics in neurodegenerative diseases.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Daniele Florio
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Naples Federico II, 80131 Naples, Italy
| | - Alfonso Annunziata
- Department of Chemical Sciences, University of Naples Federico II, 80126 Naples, Italy
- Department of Chemical, Materials, and Industrial Production Engineering (DICMaPI), University of Naples Federico II, 80125 Naples, Italy
| | - Valeria Panzetta
- Department of Chemical, Materials, and Industrial Production Engineering (DICMaPI), University of Naples Federico II, 80125 Naples, Italy
- Interdisciplinary Research Centre on Biomaterials (CRIB), University of Naples Federico II, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, 80125 Naples, Italy
| | - Paolo A Netti
- Department of Chemical, Materials, and Industrial Production Engineering (DICMaPI), University of Naples Federico II, 80125 Naples, Italy
- Interdisciplinary Research Centre on Biomaterials (CRIB), University of Naples Federico II, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, 80125 Naples, Italy
| | - Francesco Ruffo
- Department of Chemical Sciences, University of Naples Federico II, 80126 Naples, Italy
| | - Daniela Marasco
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Naples Federico II, 80131 Naples, Italy
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Hacker RM, Grimard DM, Morgan KA, Saleh E, Wrublik MM, Meiss CJ, Kant CC, Jones MA, Brennessel WW, Webb MI. Ru(II)-arene azole complexes as anti-amyloid-β agents. Dalton Trans 2024. [PMID: 39093049 DOI: 10.1039/d4dt01740d] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/04/2024]
Abstract
With the recent clinical success of anti-amyloid-β (Aβ) monoclonal antibodies, there is a renewed interest in agents which target the Aβ peptide of Alzheimer's disease (AD). Metal complexes are particularly well-suited for this development, given their structural versatility and ability to form stabile interactions with soluble Aβ. In this report, a small series of ruthenium-arene complexes were evaluated for their respective ability to modulate both the aggregation and cytotoxicity of Aβ. First, the stability of the complexes was evaluated in a variety of aqueous media where the complexes demonstrated exceptional stability. Next, the ability to coordinate and modulate the Aβ peptide was evaluated using several spectroscopic methods, including thioflavin T (ThT) fluorescence, dynamic light scattering (DLS), and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Overall, the complex RuBO consistently gave the greatest inhibitory action towards Aβ aggregation, which correlated with its ability to coordinate to Aβ in solution. Furthermore, RuBO also had the lowest affinity for serum albumin, which is a key consideration for a neurotherapeutic, as this protein does not cross the blood brain barrier. Lastly, RuBO also displayed promising neuroprotective properties, as it had the greatest inhibition of Aβ-inducted cytotoxicity.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ryan M Hacker
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, SUNY Geneseo, Geneseo, NY, 14454, USA.
| | - Daniela M Grimard
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, SUNY Geneseo, Geneseo, NY, 14454, USA.
| | - Katie A Morgan
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, SUNY Geneseo, Geneseo, NY, 14454, USA.
| | - Eaman Saleh
- Department of Chemistry, Illinois State University, Normal, IL, 61790, USA
| | - Morgan M Wrublik
- Department of Chemistry, Illinois State University, Normal, IL, 61790, USA
| | - Cade J Meiss
- Department of Chemistry, Illinois State University, Normal, IL, 61790, USA
| | - Caitlyn C Kant
- Department of Chemistry, Illinois State University, Normal, IL, 61790, USA
| | - Marjorie A Jones
- Department of Chemistry, Illinois State University, Normal, IL, 61790, USA
| | | | - Michael I Webb
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, SUNY Geneseo, Geneseo, NY, 14454, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Grcic L, Leech G, Kwan K, Storr T. Targeting misfolding and aggregation of the amyloid-β peptide and mutant p53 protein using multifunctional molecules. Chem Commun (Camb) 2024; 60:1372-1388. [PMID: 38204416 DOI: 10.1039/d3cc05834d] [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: 01/12/2024]
Abstract
Biomolecule misfolding and aggregation play a major role in human disease, spanning from neurodegeneration to cancer. Inhibition of these processes is of considerable interest, and due to the multifactorial nature of these diseases, the development of drugs that act on multiple pathways simultaneously is a promising approach. This Feature Article focuses on the development of multifunctional molecules designed to inhibit the misfolding and aggregation of the amyloid-β (Aβ) peptide in Alzheimer's disease (AD), and the mutant p53 protein in cancer. While for the former, the goal is to accelerate the removal of the Aβ peptide and associated aggregates, for the latter, the goal is reactivation via stabilization of the active folded form of mutant p53 protein and/or aggregation inhibition. Due to the similar aggregation pathway of the Aβ peptide and mutant p53 protein, a common therapeutic approach may be applicable.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Lauryn Grcic
- Department of Chemistry, Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, British Columbia V5A 1S6, Canada.
| | - Grace Leech
- Department of Chemistry, Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, British Columbia V5A 1S6, Canada.
| | - Kalvin Kwan
- Department of Chemistry, Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, British Columbia V5A 1S6, Canada.
| | - Tim Storr
- Department of Chemistry, Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, British Columbia V5A 1S6, Canada.
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Ehlbeck JT, Grimard DM, Hacker RM, Garcia JA, Wall BJ, Bothwell PJ, Jones MA, Webb MI. Finding the best location: Improving the anti-amyloid ability of ruthenium(III) complexes with pyridine ligands. J Inorg Biochem 2024; 250:112424. [PMID: 37952508 DOI: 10.1016/j.jinorgbio.2023.112424] [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: 08/30/2023] [Revised: 10/12/2023] [Accepted: 10/30/2023] [Indexed: 11/14/2023]
Abstract
Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a devastating neurological disorder where one of the primary pathological hallmarks are aggregate deposits of the peptide amyloid-beta (Aβ). Although the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has recently approved therapeutics that specifically target Aβ, resulting in the removal of these deposits, the associated costs of such treatments create a need for effective, yet cheaper, alternatives. Metal-based compounds are propitious therapeutic candidates as they exploit the metal-binding properties of Aβ, forming stable interactions with the peptide, thereby limiting its aggregation and toxicity. Previously, ruthenium-based complexes have shown a strong ability to modulate the aggregation and cytotoxicity of Aβ, where the incorporation of a primary amine on the coordinated heterocyclic ligand gave the greatest activity. To determine the importance of the location of the primary amine on the pyridine ligand, thereby establishing structure-activity relationships (SAR), four complexes (RuP1-4) were prepared and evaluated for their ability to coordinate and subsequently modulate the aggregation and cytotoxicity of Aβ. Coordination to Aβ was determined using three complementary spectroscopic methods: UV-Vis, 1H NMR, and circular dichroism (CD). Similarly, the impact of the complexes on Aβ aggregation was evaluated using three sequential methods of turbidity, dynamic light scattering (DLS), and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Overall, the location of the primary amine on the pyridine ligand did affect the resultant anti-Aβ performance, with the 2-aminopyridine complex (RuP2) being the most active. This SAR will provide another guiding principle in the design of future metal-based anti-Aβ complexes.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Johanna T Ehlbeck
- Department of Chemistry, Illinois State University, Normal, IL 61790, United States of America
| | - Daniela M Grimard
- Department of Chemistry, SUNY Geneseo, Geneseo, NY 14454, United States of America
| | - Ryan M Hacker
- Department of Chemistry, SUNY Geneseo, Geneseo, NY 14454, United States of America
| | - Jimmy A Garcia
- Department of Chemistry, Illinois State University, Normal, IL 61790, United States of America
| | - Brendan J Wall
- Department of Chemistry, Illinois State University, Normal, IL 61790, United States of America
| | - Paige J Bothwell
- Core Microscope Facility, Department of Biological Sciences, Northern Illinois University, DeKalb, IL 60115, United States of America
| | - Marjorie A Jones
- Department of Chemistry, Illinois State University, Normal, IL 61790, United States of America
| | - Michael I Webb
- Department of Chemistry, Illinois State University, Normal, IL 61790, United States of America; Department of Chemistry, SUNY Geneseo, Geneseo, NY 14454, United States of America.
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
D’Amato A, Mariconda A, Iacopetta D, Ceramella J, Catalano A, Sinicropi MS, Longo P. Complexes of Ruthenium(II) as Promising Dual-Active Agents against Cancer and Viral Infections. Pharmaceuticals (Basel) 2023; 16:1729. [PMID: 38139855 PMCID: PMC10747139 DOI: 10.3390/ph16121729] [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: 11/23/2023] [Revised: 12/13/2023] [Accepted: 12/13/2023] [Indexed: 12/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Poor responses to medical care and the failure of pharmacological treatment for many high-frequency diseases, such as cancer and viral infections, have been widely documented. In this context, numerous metal-based substances, including cisplatin, auranofin, various gold metallodrugs, and ruthenium complexes, are under study as possible anticancer and antiviral agents. The two Ru(III) and Ru(II) complexes, namely, BOLD-100 and RAPTA-C, are presently being studied in a clinical trial and preclinical studies evaluation, respectively, as anticancer agents. Interestingly, BOLD-100 has also recently demonstrated antiviral activity against SARS-CoV-2, which is the virus responsible for the COVID-19 pandemic. Over the last years, much effort has been dedicated to discovering new dual anticancer-antiviral agents. Ru-based complexes could be very suitable in this respect. Thus, this review focuses on the most recent studies regarding newly synthesized Ru(II) complexes for use as anticancer and/or antiviral agents.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Assunta D’Amato
- Department of Chemistry and Biology, University of Salerno, Via Giovanni Paolo II, 132, 84084 Fisciano, Italy; (A.D.); (P.L.)
| | | | - Domenico Iacopetta
- Department of Pharmacy, Health and Nutritional Sciences, University of Calabria, 87036 Arcavacata di Rende, Italy; (D.I.); (J.C.); (M.S.S.)
| | - Jessica Ceramella
- Department of Pharmacy, Health and Nutritional Sciences, University of Calabria, 87036 Arcavacata di Rende, Italy; (D.I.); (J.C.); (M.S.S.)
| | - Alessia Catalano
- Department of Pharmacy-Drug Sciences, University of Bari “Aldo Moro”, 70126 Bari, Italy
| | - Maria Stefania Sinicropi
- Department of Pharmacy, Health and Nutritional Sciences, University of Calabria, 87036 Arcavacata di Rende, Italy; (D.I.); (J.C.); (M.S.S.)
| | - Pasquale Longo
- Department of Chemistry and Biology, University of Salerno, Via Giovanni Paolo II, 132, 84084 Fisciano, Italy; (A.D.); (P.L.)
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Wu CY, Chen HJ, Wu YC, Tsai SW, Liu YH, Bhattacharya U, Lin D, Tai HC, Kong KV. Highly Efficient Singlet Oxygen Generation by BODIPY-Ruthenium(II) Complexes for Promoting Neurite Outgrowth and Suppressing Tau Protein Aggregation. Inorg Chem 2023; 62:1102-1112. [PMID: 36622931 DOI: 10.1021/acs.inorgchem.2c03017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/11/2023]
Abstract
Singlet oxygen (1O2) has been recently identified as a key molecule against toxic Aβ aggregation, which is associated with the currently incurable Alzheimer's disease (AD). However, limited research has studied its efficiency against tau protein aggregation, the other major hallmark of AD. Herein, we designed and synthesized boron-dipyrromethene (BODIPY)-ruthenium conjugates and isolated three isomers. Under visible-light irradiation, the ε isomer can be photoactivated and efficiently generate singlet oxygen. Particularly, the complex demonstrated successful results in attenuating tauopathy─an appreciable decrease to 43 ± 2% at 100 nM. The photosensitizer was further found to remarkably promote neurite outgrowth and significantly increased the length and number of neurites in nerve cells. As a result of effective photoinduced singlet oxygen generation and proactive neurite outgrowth, the hybrid design has great potential for therapeutics for Alzheimer's disease.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Cheng-Yun Wu
- Department of Chemistry, National Taiwan University, Taipei 10617, Taiwan
| | - Hsin-Jou Chen
- Department of Chemistry, National Taiwan University, Taipei 10617, Taiwan
| | - Yun-Chin Wu
- Department of Chemistry, National Taiwan University, Taipei 10617, Taiwan
| | - Shu-Wei Tsai
- Department of Chemistry, National Taiwan University, Taipei 10617, Taiwan
| | - Yi-Hung Liu
- Department of Chemistry, National Taiwan University, Taipei 10617, Taiwan
| | | | - Duo Lin
- Key Laboratory of OptoElectronic Science and Technology for Medicine, Ministry of Education, Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory for Photonics Technology, Digital Fujian Internet-of-Things Laboratory of Environment Monitoring, Fujian Normal University, Fuzhou 350007, China
| | - Hwan-Ching Tai
- State Key Laboratory of Molecular Vaccinology and Molecular Diagnostics, Department of Laboratory Medicine, School of Public Health, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361102, China
| | - Kien Voon Kong
- Department of Chemistry, National Taiwan University, Taipei 10617, Taiwan
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Levina A, Crans DC, Lay PA. Advantageous Reactivity of Unstable Metal Complexes: Potential Applications of Metal-Based Anticancer Drugs for Intratumoral Injections. Pharmaceutics 2022; 14:790. [PMID: 35456624 PMCID: PMC9026487 DOI: 10.3390/pharmaceutics14040790] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2022] [Revised: 03/24/2022] [Accepted: 03/29/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Injections of highly cytotoxic or immunomodulating drugs directly into the inoperable tumor is a procedure that is increasingly applied in the clinic and uses established Pt-based drugs. It is advantageous for less stable anticancer metal complexes that fail administration by the standard intravenous route. Such hydrophobic metal-containing complexes are rapidly taken up into cancer cells and cause cell death, while the release of their relatively non-toxic decomposition products into the blood has low systemic toxicity and, in some cases, may even be beneficial. This concept was recently proposed for V(V) complexes with hydrophobic organic ligands, but it can potentially be applied to other metal complexes, such as Ti(IV), Ga(III) and Ru(III) complexes, some of which were previously unsuccessful in human clinical trials when administered via intravenous injections. The potential beneficial effects include antidiabetic, neuroprotective and tissue-regenerating activities for V(V/IV); antimicrobial activities for Ga(III); and antimetastatic and potentially immunogenic activities for Ru(III). Utilizing organic ligands with limited stability under biological conditions, such as Schiff bases, further enhances the tuning of the reactivities of the metal complexes under the conditions of intratumoral injections. However, nanocarrier formulations are likely to be required for the delivery of unstable metal complexes into the tumor.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Aviva Levina
- School of Chemistry, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia
| | - Debbie C. Crans
- Department of Chemistry and the Cell and Molecular Biology Program, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO 80523, USA
| | - Peter A. Lay
- School of Chemistry, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia
| |
Collapse
|