Photophysical Properties, DNA Photocleavage, and Photocytotoxicity of a Series of Dppn Dirhodium(II,II) Complexes

Contrasting Photosensitized Processes of Ru(II) Polypyridyl Structural Isomers Containing Linear and Hooked Intercalating Ligands Bound to Guanine-Rich DNA

The DNA binding and cellular uptake of the lambda enantiomer of two bis-tetraazaphenanthrene (TAP) Ru(II) polypyridyl complexes containing either a linear dppn (1) or a hooked bdppz (2) benzodipyridophenazine ligand are reported, and the role of different charge-transfer states of the structural isomers in the photo-oxidation of guanine is explored. Both complexes possess characteristic metal-to-ligand charge-transfer (MLCT) bands between 400 and 500 nm and emission at ca. 630 nm in an aerated aqueous solution. Transient visible absorption (TrA) spectroscopy reveals that 400 nm excitation of 1 yields a dppn-based metal-to-ligand charge-transfer (MLCT) state, which in turn populates a dppn intraligand (3IL) state. In contrast, photoexcitation of 2 results in an MLCT state on the TAP ligand and not the intercalating bdppz ligand. Both 1 and 2 bind strongly to double-stranded guanine-rich DNA with a loss of emission. Combined TrA and time-resolved infrared (TRIR) spectroscopy confirms formation of the guanine radical cation when 2 is bound to the d(G5C5)2 duplex, which is not the case when 1 is bound to the same duplex and indicates a different mechanism of action in DNA. Utilizing the long-lived triplet excited lifetime, we show good uptake and localization of 2 in live cells as well as isolated chromosomes. The observed shortening of the excited-state lifetime of 2 when internalized in cell chromosomes is consistent with DNA binding and luminescent quenching due to guanine photo-oxidation.

A Comparison of In Vitro Studies between Cobalt(III) and Copper(II) Complexes with Thiosemicarbazone Ligands to Treat Triple Negative Breast Cancer

Metal complexes have gained significant attention as potential anti-cancer agents. The anti-cancer activity of [Co(phen)2(MeATSC)](NO3)3•1.5H2O•C2H5OH 1 (where phen = 1,10-phenanthroline and MeATSC = 9-anthraldehyde-N(4)-methylthiosemicarbazone) and [Cu(acetylethTSC)Cl]Cl•0.25C2H5OH 2 (where acetylethTSC = (E)-N-ethyl-2-[1-(thiazol-2-yl)ethylidene]hydrazinecarbothioamide) was investigated by analyzing DNA cleavage activity. The cytotoxic effect was analyzed using CCK-8 viability assay. The activities of caspase 3/7, 9, and 1, reactive oxygen species (ROS) production, cell cycle arrest, and mitochondrial function were further analyzed to study the cell death mechanisms. Complex 2 induced a significant increase in nicked DNA. The IC50 values of complex 1 were 17.59 μM and 61.26 μM in cancer and non-cancer cells, respectively. The IC50 values of complex 2 were 5.63 and 12.19 μM for cancer and non-cancer cells, respectively. Complex 1 induced an increase in ROS levels, mitochondrial dysfunction, and activated caspases 3/7, 9, and 1, which indicated the induction of intrinsic apoptotic pathway and pyroptosis. Complex 2 induced cell cycle arrest in the S phase, ROS generation, and caspase 3/7 activation. Thus, complex 1 induced cell death in the breast cancer cell line via activation of oxidative stress which induced apoptosis and pyroptosis while complex 2 induced cell cycle arrest through the induction of DNA cleavage.

Primary processes in photophysics and photochemistry of a potential light-activated anti-cancer dirhodium complex

Photophysics and photochemistry of a potential light-activated cytotoxic dirhodium complex [Rh2(µ-O2CCH3)2(bpy)(dppz)](O2CCH3)2, where bpy = 2,2'-bipyridine, dppz = dipyrido[3,2-a:2',3'-c]phenazine (Complex 1 or Rh2) in aqueous solutions was studied by means of stationary photolysis and time-resolved methods in time range from hundreds of femtoseconds to microseconds. According to the literature, Complex 1 demonstrates both oxygen-dependent (due to singlet oxygen formation) and oxygen-independent cytotoxicity. Photoexchange of an acetate ligand to a water molecule was the only observed photochemical reaction, which rate was increased by oxygen removal from solutions. Photoexcitation of Complex 1 results in the formation of the lowest triplet electronic excited state, which lifetime is less than 10 ns. This time is too short for diffusion-controlled quenching of the triplet state by dissolved oxygen resulting in 1O2 formation. We proposed that singlet oxygen is produced by photoexcitation of weakly bound van der Waals complexes [Rh2…O2], which are formed in solutions. If this is true, no oxygen-independent light-induced cytotoxicity of Complex 1 exists. Residual cytotoxicity deaerated solutions are caused by the remaining [Rh2…O2] complexes.

From Chemotherapy to Phototherapy - Changing the Therapeutic Action of a Metallo-Intercalating RuII -ReI Luminescent System by Switching its Sub-Cellular Location

The synthesis of a new heterodinuclear ReI RuII metallointercalator containing RuII (dppz) and ReI (dppn) moieties is reported. Cell-free studies reveal that the complex has similar photophysical properties to its homoleptic M(dppz) analogue and it also binds to DNA with a similar affinity. However, the newly reported complex has very different in-cell properties to its parent. In complete contrast to the homoleptic system, the RuII (dppz)/ReI (dppn) complex is not intrinsically cytotoxic but displays appreciable phototoxic, despite both complexes displaying very similar quantum yields for singlet oxygen sensitization. Optical microscopy suggests that the reason for these contrasting biological effects is that whereas the homoleptic complex localises in the nuclei of cells, the RuII (dppz)/ReI (dppn) complex preferentially accumulates in mitochondria. These observations illustrate how even small structural changes in metal based therapeutic leads can modulate their mechanism of action.

Digging into protein metalation differences triggered by fluorine containing-dirhodium tetracarboxylate analogues

Catalytic and biological properties of dirhodium tetracarboxylates ([Rh2(μ-O2CR)4L2], L=axial ligand, R=CH3-, CH3CH2-, etc) largely depend on the nature of the bridging carboxylate equatorial μ-O2CR ligands, which can be easily exchanged...

Zn Coordination and the Identity of the Halide Ancillary Ligand Dramatically Influence the Excited-State Dynamics and Bimolecular Reactions of 2,3-Di(pyridin-2-yl)benzo[g]quinoxaline

The optical properties of coordination complexes with ligands containing nitrogen heterocycles have been extensively studied for decades. One subclass of these materials, metal complexes utilizing substituted pyrazines and quinoxalines as ligands, has been employed in a variety of photochemical applications ranging from photodynamic therapy to organic light-emitting diodes. A vast majority of this work focuses on characterization of the metal-to-ligand charge-transfer states in these metal complexes; however, literature reports rarely investigate the photophysics of the parent pyrazine or quinoxaline ligand or perform control experiments utilizing metal complexes that lack low-lying charge-transfer (CT) states in order to determine how metal-atom coordination influences the photophysical properties of the ligand. With this in mind, we examined the steady-state and time-resolved photophysics of 2,3-di(pyridin-2-yl)benzo[g]quinoxaline (dpb) and explored how the coordination of ZnX₂ (X = Cl^-, Br^-, I^-) affects the photophysical properties of dpb. In dpb, we find that the dominant mode of deactivation from the singlet excited state is intersystem crossing (ISC). Coordination of ZnX₂ perturbs the relative energies of the ππ* and nπ* excited states of dpb, leading to drastically different rates of ISC as well as radiative and nonradiative decay in the [Zn(dpb)X₂] complexes compared to dpb. These differences in the rates change the dominant singlet-excited-state decay pathway from ISC in dpb to a mixture of ISC and fluorescence in [Zn(dpb)Cl₂] and [Zn(dpb)Br₂] and to nonradiative decay in [Zn(dpb)I₂]. Coordination of ZnX₂ and the choice of the halide ligand also have profound effects on the rate constants for excited-state bimolecular reactions, including triplet-triplet annihilation and oxygen quenching. These results demonstrate that metal coordination, even in complexes lacking low-lying CT states, and the choice of the ancillary ligand can dramatically alter the photophysical properties of chromophores containing nitrogen heterocycles.

Synthetic Strategies for Trapping the Elusive trans-Dirhodium(II,II) Formamidinate Isomer: Effects of Cis versus Trans Geometry on the Photophysical Properties

The cis- and trans-dirhodium(II,II) complexes cis-[Rh₂(μ-DTolF)₂(μ-np)(MeCN)₄][BF₄]₂ (1; DTolF = N,N'-di-p-tolylformamidinate and np = 1,8-naphthyridine), cis- and trans-[Rh₂(μ-DTolF)₂(μ-qxnp)(MeCN)₃][BF₄]₂ [2 and 3, respectively, where qxnp = 2-(1,8-naphthyridin-2-yl)quinoxaline], and trans-[Rh₂(μ-DTolF)₂(μ-qxnp)₂][BF₄]₂ (4) were synthesized and characterized. A new synthetic methodology was developed that consists of the sequential addition of π-accepting axially blocking ligands to favor formation of the first example of a bis-substituted formamidinate-bearing trans product. Isolation of the intermediates 2 and 3 provides insight into the mechanistic requirements for obtaining 4 and the cis analogue, cis-[Rh₂(μ-DTolF)₂(μ-qxnp)₂][BF₄]₂ (5). Density functional theory calculations provide support for the synthetic mechanism and proposed intermediates. The metal/ligand-to-ligand charge-transfer (ML-LCT) absorption maximum of the trans complex 4 at 832 nm is red-shifted by 1173 cm^-1 and exhibits shorter lifetimes of the ¹ML-LCT and ³ML-LCT excited states, 3 ps and 0.40 ns, respectively, compared to those of the cis analogue 5. The shorter excited-state lifetimes of 4 are attributed to the longer Rh-Rh bond of 2.4942(8) Å relative to that in 5, 2.4498(2) Å. A longer metal-metal bond reflects a decreased overlap of the Rh atoms, which leads to more accessible metal-centered excited states for radiationless deactivation. The ³ML-LCT excited states of 4 and 5 undergo reversible bimolecular charge transfer with the electron donor p-phenylenediamine when irradiated with low-energy light. These results indicate that trans isomers are a source of unexplored tunability for potential p-type semiconductor applications and, given their distinct geometric arrangement, constitute useful building blocks for supramolecular architectures with potentially interesting photophysical properties.

Mitigation of environmental pollution by genetically engineered bacteria - Current challenges and future perspectives

Industries are the paramount driving force for the economic and technological development of society. However, the flourishing industrialization and unimpeded growth of current production unit's result in widespread environmental pollution due to increased discharge of wastes loaded with baleful, hazardous, and carcinogenic contaminants. Physicochemical-based remediation means are costly, create a secondary disposal problem and remain inadequate for pollution mitigating because of the continuous emergence of new recalcitrant pollutants. Due to eco-friendly, social acceptance, and lesser health hazards, microbial bioremediation has received considerable global attention for pollution abatement. Moreover, with the recent advancement in biotechnology and microbiology, genetically engineered bacteria with high ability to remove environmental pollutants are widely used in the fields of environmental restoration, resulting in the bioremediation in a more viable and eco-friendly way. This review summarized the advantages of genetically engineered bacteria and their application in the treatment of a wide variety of environmental contaminants such as synthetic dyestuff, heavy metal, petroleum hydrocarbons, polychlorinated biphenyls, phenazines and agricultural chemicals which will include herbicides, pesticides, and fertilizers. Considering the risk of genetic material exchange by using genetically engineered bacteria, the challenges and limitations associated with the application of recombinant bacteria on contaminated sites are also discussed. An integrated microbiological, biological and ecological acquaintance accompanied by field engineering designs are the desired features for effective in situ bioremediation of hazardous waste polluted sites by recombinant bacteria.

Site-selective nitrenoid insertions utilizing postfunctionalized bifunctional rhodium(ii) catalysts

We report a new strategy for the preparation of dirhodium(ii) complexes with the general formula Rh2(A)4 that allows the isolation of a dirhodium tetracarboxylate complex with a free amino group available for postfunctionalization. The postfunctionalization of this complex enables the incorporation of a variety of functional groups, including double and triple bonds as well as nucleophilic moieties, thus paving the way to new classes of polymeric as well as bifunctional catalysts, and polymetallic complexes. Furthermore, we demonstrate that a urea containing dirhodium(ii) complex enables site-selective nitrenoid insertions by remote hydrogen bonding control.

Rhodium at the chemistry-biology interface

As a rare element with no known natural biological function, rhodium has a limited history in biological chemistry and chemical biology. However, rhodium complexes have unique structure and reactivity attributes, and chemists have increasingly used these attributes to probe and perturb living systems. This brief review focuses on recent advances in the use of rhodium complexes in biological contexts, including medicinal chemistry, protein science, and chemical biology. In particular, we highlight both structure- and reactivity-driven approaches to biological probes and discuss how coordination environment affects molecular properties in a biological environment.

Unbridged Rh(ii)–Rh(ii) complexes of N-heterocyclic carbenes and reactions with O2 to form dirhodium(μ–η1:η1-O2) complexes

Dimeric rhodium(ii) [Rh(L)(CH₃CN)]₂(PF₆)₄ and rhodium(iii) peroxide [Rh(L)(PPh₃)]₂(μ–η¹:η¹-O₂)(PF₆)₄ and [Rh(L)(PCy₃)]₂(μ–η¹:η¹-O₂)(PF₆)₄ (L = bis(N-pyridylimidazolylidenyl)methane) were reported.

New Ru(ii) complex for dual photochemotherapy: release of cathepsin K inhibitor and 1O2 production

A new complex, [Ru(tpy)(dppn)(Cbz-Leu-NHCH2CN)]2+ (1, tpy = 2,2':6',2''-terpyridine, dppn = benzo[i]dipyrido[3,2-a:2',3'-c]phenazine) was synthesized and its photochemical properties were investigated. This complex undergoes photorelease of the Cbz-Leu-NHCH2CN ligand, a known cathepsin K inhibitor, with a quantum yield, Φ450, of 0.0012(4) in water (λirr = 450 nm). In addition, 1 sensitizes the production of singlet oxygen upon visible light irradiation with quantum yield, ΦΔ, of 0.64(3) in CH3OH. The photophysical properties of 1 were compared with those of [Ru(tpy)(bpy)(Cbz-Leu-NHCH2CN)]2+ (2, bpy = 2,2'-bipyridine), [Ru(tpy)(dppn)(CH3CN)]2+ (3), and [Ru(tpy)(bpy)(CH3CN)]2+ (4) to evaluate the effect of the release of the Cbz-Leu-NHCH2CN inhibitor relative to the CH3CN ligand, as well as the role of dppn as the bidentate ligand for 1O2 production instead of bpy. Nanosecond transient absorption spectroscopy confirms the formation of the long-lived dppn-centered 3ππ* state in 1 and 3 with a maximum at ∼540 nm and τ ∼20 μs in deaerated acetonitrile. Complexes 1 and 3 are able to cause photoinduced damage to DNA (λirr ≥ 395 nm), whereas 2 and 4 do not photocleave DNA under similar experimental conditions. These results suggest that 1 is a promising agent for dual activity, both releasing a drug and producing singlet oxygen, and is poised to exhibit enhanced biological activity in phototochemotherapy upon irradiation with visible light.

Self-Assembled Multinuclear Complexes Incorporating 99m Tc

Multinuclear complexes or clusters are rarely investigated in medicinal inorganic chemistry although they represent structural intermediates between molecules and nanomaterials. We present in this report two strategies towards ^99m Tc-containing clusters. In a pre-assembly approach, the preformed but incomplete cluster fragment [Re₃ (μ₂ -OH)₃ (μ₃ -OH)(CO)₉ ]^- reacts with [^99m Tc(CO)₃ ]⁺ to the highly stable [^99m TcRe₃ (μ₃ -OH)₄ (CO)₁₂ ] cube. The same structure self-assembles when reacting the mononuclear Re and ^99m Tc precursors in one pot. Integrating the coordinating OH groups from Schiff bases in this concept leads straight to dinuclear, mixed-metal complexes of the type [^99m TcRe(μ₂ -O^N-R¹ )₂ (CO)₆ ] in quantitative yields. Both strategies are unprecedented and open a future path towards clusters, incorporating a ^99m Tc radiolabel while being decorated with targeting or cytotoxic moieties.

Identification of biphenyl 2, 3-dioxygenase and its catabolic role for phenazine degradation in Sphingobium yanoikuyae B1

Phenazines are important nitrogen-containing secondary metabolites that display a range of biological functionalities. However, these compounds have shown lethal effects on humans and, the fate of phenazine in the ecosystem remains uncertain. In this study, we investigated that Sphingobium yanoikuyae B1 could utilize phenazine as a sole carbon source for growth. Intermediate produced during phenazine degradation was purified and identified as 1, 2-dihydrogen 1, 2-dihydroxy phenazine. Biphenyl 2, 3-dioxygenase was determined to be the initial dioxygenase for phenazine degradation through gene cloning and whole cell transformation techniques. Phenazine was converted to 1, 2-dihydrogen 1, 2-dihydroxy phenazine through hydrogenation and hydroxylation, which then transformed to 2-hydroxy phenazine through spontaneous dehydration. ThebphA1fA2f, were evidenced to be the only genes encoding the initial dioxygenase for phenazine degradation. BphB (dihydrodiol dehydrogenase) and BphC (2,3-dihydroxybiphenyl 1,2-dioxygenase) did not exhibit any 1, 2-dihydrogen 1, 2-dihydroxy phenazine and 1, 2-dihydroxy phenazine degradation capability, suggesting no contribution in phenazine degradation. Phylogenetic analysis of the dioxygenases demonstrated enormous biodegradation potential in strain B1. In conclusion, this study opens up new possibilities in better understanding the phenazine degradation in the environment.

TDDFT Study of the Optical Excitation of Nucleic Acid Bases-C60 Complexes

The potential of C₆₀ as a nucleic acid base (NAB) optical sensor is theoretically explored. We investigate the adsorption of four NABs, namely, adenine, cytosine, guanine, and thymine, on C₆₀ in the gas phase. For the optimal NAB@C₆₀ adsorption configurations, obtained using a dispersion-corrected density functional, we calculate the vis-near-ultraviolet optical response using time-dependent density functional theory. While the isolated C₆₀ and NAB molecules do not exhibit visible optical excitation, we find that C₆₀/NAB conjugation gives rise to distinct spectral features in the visible range. These results suggest that C₆₀ conjugation can be applied for photodetection of individual NABs.

Dual Photoreactivity of a New Rh2(II,II) Complex for Biological Applications

A new Rh₂(II,II) complex containing one dppn (benzo[i]dipyrido[3,2-a:2,3-c]phenazine) ligand with an extended π-system, cis-H,H-[Rh₂(OCCH₃NH)₂(dppn)(CH₃CN)₂]²⁺ (2), was synthesized and characterized. The dppn ligand, which serves as a DNA base pair intercalator, chelates to a single Rh center and is positioned trans to the amidato N atoms of the bridging acetamide ligand. This ligand also possesses a low-lying dppn-centered ³ππ* state that is advantageous for the sensitization of singlet oxygen (¹O₂), which complex 2 produced with a quantum yield, Φ _¹O2⁴⁶⁰, of 0.22(7) with 460 nm excitation. In addition, one equivalent of CH₃CN is released from 2 upon irradiation with visible light, generating cis-H,H-[Rh₂(OCCH₃NH)₂(dppn)(H₂O)(CH₃CN)]²⁺ in aqueous media with photoinduced ligand exchange quantum yield, Φ_LE⁴⁵⁰, of 0.0033(1). Thermal denaturation and relative viscosity studies are consistent with a π-stacking interaction of 2 with double-stranded DNA together with covalent binding to the duplex upon irradiation with visible light. Therefore, 2 exhibits dual photoreactivity towards DNA, making it potentially useful for photochemotherapy with enhanced activity relative to compounds able to achieve only one mode of cell death upon irradiation.

Excited state investigation of a new Ru(II) complex for dual reactivity with low energy light

The new complex [Ru(tpy)(Me2dppn)(py)](2+) efficiently photodissociates py in CH3CN with Φ500 = 0.053(1) induced by steric bulk from methyl substituents and produces (1)O2 with ΦΔ = 0.69(9) from its long-lived (3)ππ* excited state. The unique excited state processes that result in dual reactivity were investigated using ultrafast transient absorption spectroscopy.

Triazolopyridopyrimidines: an emerging family of effective DNA photocleavers. DNA binding. Antileishmanial activity

Triazolopyridopyrimidines 3-phenyl-6,8-di(2-pyridyl)-[1,2,3]triazolo[5',1':6,1]pyrido[2,3-d]pyrimidine (1a), 6,8-di(pyridin-2-yl)-[1,2,3]triazolo[1',5':1,6]pyrido[2,3-d]pyrimidine (1b) and 3-methyl-6,8-di(2-pyridyl)-[1,2,3]triazolo[5',1':6,1]pyrido[2,3-d]pyrimidine (1c) were prepared and their electrochemical and luminescence properties were studied in depth. The DNA binding ability of this series of compounds has been investigated by means of UV-vis absorption and fluorescence titrations, steady-state emission quenching with ferrocyanide as well as viscosity measurements. Results have shown that triazolopyridopyrimidine 1a interacts strongly at DNA grooves. This compound also displays preferential binding to GC-rich sequences and the ability to photooxidize guanine. Moreover, these studies have revealed the key role of the phenyl substituent at the triazole ring in the binding affinity of 1a-c. Compounds 1b and 1c did not show appreciable propensity for DNA binding, however these triazolopyridopyrimidines demonstrated to present photoinduced DNA cleavage activity, 1b being more active than 1c. DNA photocleavage mediated by these compounds takes place mainly through single strand scission events and, in a minor extent, through double strand cuts. Mechanistic investigations using radical scavengers showed that both 1b and 1c generate reactive oxygen species (singlet oxygen, superoxide and hydroxyl radicals) upon irradiation. Both type I and type II mechanisms are involved in the photocleavage process. Furthermore, compounds 1a-c were tested for their antiprotozoal activity against four different Leishmania spp. (L. infantum, L. braziliensis, L. guyanensis and L. amazonensis). Triazolopyridopyrimidines 1a and 1c resulted to be more active and selective than the reference drug (miltefosine) in vitro against L. infantum amastigotes. Compound 1a exhibited high leishmanicidal activity against L. infantum spleen forms in the in vivo test.

Control and utilization of ruthenium and rhodium metal complex excited states for photoactivated cancer therapy

The use of visible light to produce highly selective and potent drugs through photodynamic therapy (PDT) holds much potential in the treatment of cancer. PDT agents can be designed to follow an O2-dependent mechanism by producing highly reactive species such as 1O2 and/or an O2 independent mechanism through processes such as excited state electron transfer, covalent binding to DNA or photoinduced drug delivery. Ru(II)-polypyridyl and Rh2(II,II) complexes represent an important class of compounds that can be tailored to exhibit desired photophysical properties and photochemical reactivity by judicious selection of the ligand set. Complexes with relatively long-lived excited states and planar, intercalating ligands localize on the DNA strand and photocleave DNA through 1O2 production or guanine oxidation by the excited state of the chromophore. Photoinduced ligand substitution occurs through the population of triplet metal centered (3MC) excited states and facilitates covalent binding of the metal complex to DNA in a mode similar to cisplatin. Ligand photodissociation also provides a route to selective drug delivery. The ability to construct metal complexes with desired light absorbing and excited state properties by ligand variation enables the design of PDT agents that can potentially provide combination therapy from a single metal complex.

Confocal fluorescence microscopy studies of a fluorophore-labeled dirhodium compound: visualizing metal-metal bonded molecules in lung cancer (A549) cells

The new dirhodium compound [Rh2(μ-O2CCH3)2(η(1)-O2CCH3)(phenbodipy)(H2O)3][O2CCH3] (1), which incorporates a bodipy fluorescent tag, was prepared and studied by confocal fluorescence microscopy in human lung adenocarcinoma (A549) cells. It was determined that 1 localizes mainly in lysosomes and mitochondria with no apparent nuclear localization in the 1-100 μM range. These results support the conclusion that cellular organelles rather than the nucleus can be targeted by modification of the ligands bound to the Rh2(4+) core. This is the first study of a fluorophore-labeled metal-metal bonded compound, work that opens up new venues for the study of intracellular distribution of dinuclear transition metal anticancer complexes.

Photochemistry and DNA photocleavage by a new unsupported dirhodium(II,II) complex

The new complex [Rh2(phen)2(CH3CN)6](BF4)4 (1) was synthesized and characterized in solution and its crystal structure was determined. Irradiation of 1 with visible light (λirr>590 nm) in water results in the release of two equatorial CH3CN ligands, CH3CNeq, as well as in the formation of mononuclear radical Rh(II) fragments stemming from the homolytic photocleavage of the metal-metal bond. The photoproducts, identified by electrospray ionization mass spectrometry, include [Rh(phen)(CH3CN)(OH)](+) and [Rh(phen)(CH3CN)(H2O)3(BF4)](+). The quantum yield for the photochemical transformation of 1 in H2O exceeds unity (Φ550 nm=1.38) indicative of dark reactions following the initial photoprocess. DNA photocleavage was observed for 1 (λirr>590 nm), whereas the complex is unreactive in the dark. This feature makes 1 a promising photodynamic therapy agent that does not operate via the production of singlet oxygen, 1O2.

Target-directed catalytic metallodrugs

Most drugs function by binding reversibly to specific biological targets, and therapeutic effects generally require saturation of these targets. One means of decreasing required drug concentrations is incorporation of reactive metal centers that elicit irreversible modification of targets. A common approach has been the design of artificial proteases/nucleases containing metal centers capable of hydrolyzing targeted proteins or nucleic acids. However, these hydrolytic catalysts typically provide relatively low rate constants for target inactivation. Recently, various catalysts were synthesized that use oxidative mechanisms to selectively cleave/inactivate therapeutic targets, including HIV RRE RNA or angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE). These oxidative mechanisms, which typically involve reactive oxygen species (ROS), provide access to comparatively high rate constants for target inactivation. Target-binding affinity, co-reactant selectivity, reduction potential, coordination unsaturation, ROS products (metal-associated vs metal-dissociated; hydroxyl vs superoxide), and multiple-turnover redox chemistry were studied for each catalyst, and these parameters were related to the efficiency, selectivity, and mechanism(s) of inactivation/cleavage of the corresponding target for each catalyst. Important factors for future oxidative catalyst development are 1) positioning of catalyst reduction potential and redox reactivity to match the physiological environment of use, 2) maintenance of catalyst stability by use of chelates with either high denticity or other means of stabilization, such as the square planar geometric stabilization of Ni- and Cu-ATCUN complexes, 3) optimal rate of inactivation of targets relative to the rate of generation of diffusible ROS, 4) targeting and linker domains that afford better control of catalyst orientation, and 5) general bio-availability and drug delivery requirements.

Ruthenium(II) polypyridyl complexes and DNA--from structural probes to cellular imaging and therapeutics

In the last few decades, coordination complexes based on d(6) metal centres and polypyridyl ligand architectures been developed as structure- and site-specific reversible DNA binding agents. Due to their attractive photophysical properties, much of this research has focused on complexes based on ruthenium(II) centres and, more recently, attention has turned to the use of these complexes in biological contexts. As the rules that govern the cellular uptake and cellular localisation of such systems are determined they are finding numerous applications ranging from imaging to therapeutics. This review illustrates how the interdisciplinary nature of this research-which takes in synthetic chemistry, biophysical and in cellulo studies-makes this an exciting area in which an array of further applications are likely to emerge.