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Chiaverini L, Baglini E, Mannelli M, Poggetti V, Da Settimo F, Taliani S, Gamberi T, Barresi E, La Mendola D, Marzo T. A complex bearing TSPO PIGA ligand coordinated to the [Au(PEt 3)] + pharmacophore is highly cytotoxic against ovarian cancer cells. Biometals 2023; 36:961-968. [PMID: 36869967 PMCID: PMC10545567 DOI: 10.1007/s10534-023-00496-8] [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: 12/19/2022] [Accepted: 02/09/2023] [Indexed: 03/05/2023]
Abstract
Auranofin ([1-(thio-κS)-β-D-glucopyranose-2,3,4,6-tetraacetato](triethylphosphine)-gold) is a leading gold-based drug clinically used to treat arthritis. In the last years, it entered various drug reprofiling programs, and it has been found promising against various forms of tumor, including ovarian cancer. Evidence showed as its antiproliferative profile mainly depends on the inhibition of thioredoxin reductase (TrxR), being this mitochondrial system its main target. In this context, we report here the synthesis and biological evaluation of a novel complex designed as auranofin analogue obtained through the conjugation of a phenylindolylglyoxylamide ligand (which belongs to the so-called PIGA TSPO ligand family) with the auranofin-derived cationic fragment [Au(PEt3)]+. This complex is characterized by two parts. The phenylindolylglyoxylamide moiety, owing to its high affinity for TSPO (in the low nM range) should drive the compound to target mitochondria, whereas the [Au(PEt3)]+ cation is the actual anticancer-active molecular fragment. Overall, we wanted to offer the proof-of-concept that by coupling PIGA ligands to anticancer gold active moieties, it is possible to preserve and even improve anticancer effects, opening the avenue to a reliable approach for targeted therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lorenzo Chiaverini
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Pisa, Via Bonanno Pisano 6, 56126, Pisa, Italy
| | - Emma Baglini
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Pisa, Via Bonanno Pisano 6, 56126, Pisa, Italy
| | - Michele Mannelli
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Biomedical Sciences "Mario Serio", University of Florence, Viale GB Morgagni 50, 50134, Florence, Italy
| | - Valeria Poggetti
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Pisa, Via Bonanno Pisano 6, 56126, Pisa, Italy
| | - Federico Da Settimo
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Pisa, Via Bonanno Pisano 6, 56126, Pisa, Italy
| | - Sabrina Taliani
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Pisa, Via Bonanno Pisano 6, 56126, Pisa, Italy
| | - Tania Gamberi
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Biomedical Sciences "Mario Serio", University of Florence, Viale GB Morgagni 50, 50134, Florence, Italy.
| | - Elisabetta Barresi
- 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
- University Consortium for Research in the Chemistry of Metal Ions in Biological Systems (CIRCMSB), Via Celso Ulpiani 27, 70126, Bari, Italy
| | - Tiziano Marzo
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Pisa, Via Bonanno Pisano 6, 56126, Pisa, Italy
- University Consortium for Research in the Chemistry of Metal Ions in Biological Systems (CIRCMSB), Via Celso Ulpiani 27, 70126, Bari, Italy
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