Oxidation of Guanine in Double-Stranded DNA by [Ru(bpy)2dppz]Cl2in Cationic Reverse Micelles

Unprecedented enantio-selective live-cell mitochondrial DNA super-resolution imaging and photo-sensitizing by the chiral ruthenium polypyridyl DNA "light-switch"

Mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) is known to play a critical role in cellular functions. However, the fluorescent probe enantio-selectively targeting live-cell mtDNA is rare. We recently found that the well-known DNA 'light-switch' [Ru(phen)2dppz]Cl2 can image nuclear DNA in live-cells with chlorophenolic counter-anions via forming lipophilic ion-pairing complex. Interestingly, after washing with fresh-medium, [Ru(phen)2dppz]Cl2 was found to re-localize from nucleus to mitochondria via ABC transporter proteins. Intriguingly, the two enantiomers of [Ru(phen)2dppz]Cl2 were found to bind enantio-selectively with mtDNA in live-cells not only by super-resolution optical microscopy techniques (SIM, STED), but also by biochemical methods (mitochondrial membrane staining with Tomo20-dronpa). Using [Ru(phen)2dppz]Cl2 as the new mtDNA probe, we further found that each mitochondrion containing 1-8 mtDNA molecules are distributed throughout the entire mitochondrial matrix, and there are more nucleoids near nucleus. More interestingly, we found enantio-selective apoptotic cell death was induced by the two enantiomers by prolonged visible light irradiation, and in-situ self-monitoring apoptosis process can be achieved by using the unique 'photo-triggered nuclear translocation' property of the Ru complex. This is the first report on enantio-selective targeting and super-resolution imaging of live-cell mtDNA by a chiral Ru complex via formation and dissociation of ion-pairing complex with suitable counter-anions.

FLASH radiotherapy: A promising new method for radiotherapy

Among the treatments for malignant tumors, radiotherapy is of great significance both as a main treatment and as an adjuvant treatment. Radiation therapy damages cancer cells with ionizing radiation, leading to their death. However, radiation-induced toxicity limits the dose delivered to the tumor, thereby constraining the control effect of radiotherapy on tumor growth. In addition, the delayed toxicity caused by radiotherapy significantly harms the physical and mental health of patients. FLASH-RT, an emerging class of radiotherapy, causes a phenomenon known as the 'FLASH effect', which delivers radiotherapy at an ultra-high dose rate with lower toxicity to normal tissue than conventional radiotherapy to achieve local tumor control. Although its mechanism remains to be fully elucidated, this modality constitutes a potential new approach to treating malignant tumors. In the present review, the current research progress of FLASH-RT and its various particular effects are described, including the status of research on FLASH-RT and its influencing factors. The hypothetic mechanism of action of FLASH-RT is also summarized, providing insight into future tumor treatments.

Toward conditional control of Smac mimetic activity by RNA-templated reduction of azidopeptides on PNA or 2'-OMe-RNA

Oligonucleotide templated reactions can be used to control the activity of functional molecules based on the presence of a specific trigger sequence. We report an RNA-controlled reaction system to conditionally restore the N-terminal amino group and thus binding affinity of azide-modified Smac mimetic compounds (SMCs) for their target protein X-linked Inhibitor of Apoptosis Protein (XIAP). Two templated reactions were compared: Staudinger reduction with phosphines and a photocatalytic reaction with Ru(bpy)₂ (mcbpy). The latter proved faster and more efficient, especially for the activation of a bivalent SMC, which requires two consecutive reduction steps. The templated reaction proceeds with turnover when 2'-OMe-RNA probes are used, but is significantly more efficient with PNA, catalyzing a reaction in the presence of low, substoichiometric amounts (1%-3%, 10 nM) of target RNA.

Photophysical properties of amphiphilic ruthenium(II) complexes in micelles

Amphiphilic ruthenium(II) complexes II–IV were synthesized and their photophysical properties were investigated in the presence of anionic (SDS), cationic (CTAB) and neutral (Triton X-100) micelles. The absorption and emission spectral data in the presence of micelles show that these Ru(II) complexes are incorporated in the micelles. There are two types of interaction between complexes I–IV and the micelles: hydrophobic and electrostatic. In the case of cationic micelles (CTAB), the hydrophobic interactions are predominant over electrostatic repulsion for the binding of cationic complexes II–IV with CTAB. In the case of anionic micelles (SDS), electrostatic interactions seem to be important in the binding of II–IV to SDS. Hydrophobic interactions play a dominant role in the binding of II–IV to the neutral micelles, Triton X-100. Based on the steady state and luminescence experiments, the enhancement of luminescence intensity and lifetime in the presence of micelles is due to the protection of the complexes from exposure to water in this environment.

Light-driven artificial enzymes for selective oxidation of guanosine triphosphate using water-soluble POSS network polymers

The light-driven artificial enzymes were constructed to realize unnatural reactions concerning bio-significant molecules. In this manuscript, the guanosine triphosphate (GTP)-selective oxidation is reported using the network polymers composed of polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxane (POSS). We synthesized the water-soluble POSS network polymer containing the naphthyridine ligands to capture GTP inside the networks and the ruthenium complexes to oxidize the captured GTP under light irradiation. Initially, the binding affinities of the guanosine nucleosides to the naphthyridine ligand inside the POSS network polymer were evaluated from the emission quenching experiments. Accordingly, it was observed that the naphthyridine ligand can form the stable complex only with GTP (K(a) = 5.5 × 10(6) M(-1)). These results indicate that only GTP can be captured by the network polymer. Next, the photo-catalytic activity of the ruthenium complex-modified POSS network polymer was investigated. Finally, it was revealed that the network polymer can decompose GTP efficiently under light irradiation. This is the first example, to the best of our knowledge, to offer not only the GTP-selective host polymers but also the light-driven artificial enzyme for GTP oxidation.

Efficient degradation of organic pollutants in aqueous solution with bicarbonate-activated hydrogen peroxide

Bicarbonate anion is an efficient activator for hydrogen peroxide to generate many active oxygen species including peroxymonocarbonate (HCO(4)(-)), superoxide ion (O(2)(-)) and singlet oxygen ((1)O(2)). This study aims to understand the oxidative degradation of organic pollutants including methyl blue, methyl orange, rhodamine B, and 4-chlorophenol, with H(2)O(2) activated by sodium bicarbonate at room temperature. The obtained results indicate that such a method is apparently efficient in versatile pollutant degradation. Compared with using H(2)O(2) alone under similar pH conditions, the degradation rates of the pollutants were greatly enhanced through adding NaHCO(3). Through LC-MS, FT-IR and the TOC analysis, the degradation of methylene blue was revealed to proceed by the transformation of dimethylamino group in methylene blue to methylamino, aldehyde and nitro group, and the opening of phenyl ring into small molecular compounds and CO(2). The studies using the (1)O(2) scavenger sodium azide and the O(2)(-) indicator nitro blue tetrazolium suggest that the active O(2)(-) intermediate, generated from HCO(4)(-) decomposition, rather than (1)O(2) was involved in the pollutant degradation.