Masking the Bioactivity of Hydroxamic Acids by Coordination to Cobalt: Towards Bioreductive Anticancer Agents

The clinical use of many potent anticancer agents is limited by their non-selective toxicity to healthy tissue. One of these examples is vorinostat (SAHA), a pan histone deacetylase inhibitor, which shows high cytotoxicity with limited discrimination for cancerous over healthy cells. In an attempt to improve tumor selectivity, we exploited the properties of cobalt(III) as a redox-active metal center through stabilization with cyclen and cyclam tetraazamacrocycles, masking the anticancer activity of SAHA and other hydroxamic acid derivatives to allow for the complex to reach the hypoxic microenvironment of the tumor. Biological assays demonstrated the desired low in vitro anticancer activity of the complexes, suggesting effective masking of the activity of SAHA. Once in the tumor, the bioactive moiety may be released through the reduction of the CoIII center. Investigations revealed long-term stability of the complexes, with cyclic voltammetry and chemical reduction experiments supporting the design hypothesis of SAHA release through the reduction of the CoIII prodrug. The results highlight the potential for further developing this complex class as novel anticancer agents by masking the high cytotoxicity of a given drug, however, the cellular uptake needs to be improved.

Platinum (II) complex of isopentyl glycine ligand: DNA binding, molecular dynamic, and anticancer activity against breast cancer

In this paper, we performed thorough experimental and theoretical calculations to examine the interaction between Pt derivative, as an anticancer, and ct-DNA. The mode of DNA binding with [Pt(NH3)2(Isopentylgly)]NO3, where Isopentylgly is Isopentyl glycine, was evaluated by various spectroscopic methods, docking, and molecular dynamics simulation studies. UV-Vis and fluorescence spectroscopic titration results and CD spectra of DNA-drug showed this interaction is via groove binding. Also, thermal stability studies or DNA melting temperature changes (ΔTm), as well as the quenching emissions monitoring proved it. Also, the thermodynamic parameter and binding constant displayed that complex-DNA formation is a spontaneous process, and H-binding and also groove binding were found to be the main forces. Theoretical studies stated [Pt(NH3)2(Isopentylgly)]NO3-DNA formation occurs on C-G center on DNA, along with rising DNA-compound stability. IC50 value against the human breast cell line probably is due to the Isopentyl glycine ligand in the structure of the Pt compound, and it was obtained more than cisplatin and less than carboplatin against the MCF7 cell.Communicated by Ramaswamy H. Sarma.

Spectroscopy and molecular dynamic study of the interaction of calf thymus DNA by anticancer Pt complex with butyl glycine ligand

Despite the past few decades since the discovery of anticancer drugs, there is still no definitive treatment for its treatment. Cisplatin is a chemotherapy medication used to treat some cancers. In this research, the DNA binding affinity of Pt complex with butyl glycine ligand was studied by various spectroscopy methods and simulation studies. Fluorescence and UV-Vis spectroscopic data showed groove binding in ct-DNA-[Pt(NH₃)₂(butylgly)]NO₃ complex formation by the spontaneous process. The results were also confirmed by small changes in CD spectra and thermal study (T_m), as well as the quenching emission of [Pt(NH₃)₂(butylgly)]NO₃ complex on DNA. Finally, thermodynamic and binding parameters displayed that hydrophobic forces are the main forces. Based on docking simulation, [Pt(NH₃)₂(butylgly)]NO₃ could bind to DNA and via minor groove binding on C-G center on DNA, formed a stable DNA complex.

BODIPY-dipicolylamine complexes of platinum(II): X-ray structure, cellular imaging and organelle-specific near-IR light type-II PDT

Dipicolylamine (dpa) based platinum(II) complexes [Pt(L1-3)Cl]Cl (1-3), where L2 and L3 are green and red light BODIPY-tagged dpa ligands and L1 is a benzyl derivative of dpa, were synthesized and characterized and their in vitro cytotoxicity was studied. The perchlorate salt of complex 2 was structurally characterized. It showed a PtN₃Cl core with a deformed square-planar geometry. At pH 7.2, complexes 2 and 3 showed strong absorption bands at 500 nm (ε ∼6.8 × 10⁴ dm³ mol^-1 cm^-1) and 653 nm (ε ∼1.0 × 10⁵ dm³ mol^-1 cm^-1) in a 1 : 1 (v/v) mixture of dimethyl sulfoxide and Dulbecco's phosphate-buffered saline (DMSO/DPBS), respectively. They displayed respective emission bands at 515 and 677 nm having fluorescence quantum yield values of 0.36 and 0.25. Complex 3 generated singlet oxygen, as evidenced from the 1,3-diphenylisobenzofuran titration experiments and mechanistic DNA photocleavage study. It showed high photocytotoxicity in red light (600-720 nm) with half-maximal inhibitory concentration (IC₅₀) values of 1.73 and 2.67 μM in HeLa and A549 cells. The complexes showed significantly reduced chemo-PDT activity in a non-cancerous HPL1D cell line and in the dark. The 2',7'-dichlorofluorescein diacetate assay revealed reactive oxygen species-mediated type-II photodynamic therapy (PDT) activity. Cellular imaging of A549 cancer cells using complexes 2 and 3 revealed their preferential localization in mitochondria and endoplasmic reticulum. The annexin V-FITC/PI assay confirmed apoptotic cell damage. Cell cycle analysis indicated arrest in the G1 phase upon red light irradiation. Pt-DNA adduct formation was proposed from a DNA binding experiment with green light active complex 2 and 9-ethylguanine as a nucleobase from the mass spectral study.

Luminescent terpyridine appended geminal bisazide and bistriazoles: multinuclear Pt(II) complexes and AIPE-based DNA detection with the naked eye

We report square planar Pt(ii) complexes as luminescent biosensors for DNA detection in solution. The sensing is attributed to the aggregation induced bright red photoluminescence (AIPE) of the complexes in the presence of DNA that can be seen with the naked eye using only a 360 nm light source. Terpyridine appended luminescent geminal bistriazoles (L1-L4, from geminal bisazide A through azide-alkyne 'click' cycloaddition) with versatile chelating sites were explored for metal coordination and reaction with Pt(dmso)2Cl2 yielding tetranuclear and dinuclear complexes of Pt(ii) with different N∩N ligand environments. Thermally stable gem-bisazide and bistriazoles are hardly reported in the literature and this is the first report of terpyridine appended geminal bisazide and bistriazoles.

A new rhodium(I) NHC complex inhibits TrxR: In vitro cytotoxicity and in vivo hepatocellular carcinoma suppression

Thioredoxin reductase (TrxR) is often overexpressed in different types of cancer cells including hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) cells and regarded as a target with great promise for anticancer drug research and development. Here, we have synthesized and characterized nine new designed rhodium(I) N-heterocyclic carbene (NHC) complexes. All of them were effective towards cancer cells, especially complex 1e was more active than cisplatin and manifested strong antiproliferative activity against HCC cells. In vivo anticancer studies showed that 1e significantly repressed tumor growth in an HCC nude mouse model and ameliorated liver lesions in a chronic HCC model caused by CCl₄. Notably, a mechanistic study revealed that 1e can strongly inhibit TrxR system both in vitro and in vivo. Furthermore, 1e promoted intracellular ROS accumulation, damaged mitochondrial membrane potential, promoted cancer cell apoptosis and blocked the cells in the G1 phase.

(Bio)chemical Strategies To Modulate Amyloid-β Self-Assembly

Amyloid plaques are one of the two hallmarks of Alzheimer's disease (AD). They consist mainly of fibrils made of self-assembled amyloid-β (Aβ) peptides. Aβ is produced in healthy brains from proteolytic cleavage of the amyloid precursor protein. Aβ aggregates, in particular smaller, soluble aggregates, are toxic to cells. Hence, modulating the self-assembly of Aβ became a very active field of research, with the aim to reduce the amount of the toxic aggregates of Aβ or to block their toxic action. A great variety of molecules, chemical and biological, are able to modify the aggregation of Aβ. Here we give an overview of the different mechanistic ways to modulate Aβ aggregation and on which step in the self-assembly molecules can interfere. We discuss the aggregation modulators according to different important parameters, including the type of interaction (weak interaction, coordination or covalent bonds), the importance of kinetics and thermodynamics, the size of the modulating molecules, and binding specificity.

Pyriplatin-Boron-Dipyrromethene Conjugates for Imaging and Mitochondria-Targeted Photodynamic Therapy

Monofunctional pyriplatin analogues cis-[Pt(NH₃)₂(L)Cl](NO₃) (1-3) having boron-dipyrromethene (BODIPY) pendants (L) with 1,3,5,7-tetramethyl-8-(4-pyridyl)-4,4'-difluoroboradiazaindacene moieties were designed and synthesized, and their photocytotoxic properties were studied. The Pt-BODIPY conjugates displayed an absorption band within 505-550 nm and a green emissive band near 535 nm in 1% DMSO/DMEM (Dulbecco's modified Eagle's medium) buffer. Complex cis-[Pt(NH₃)₂(4-Me-py)Cl](NO₃) (4) was used as a control for determining the structural aspects by X-ray crystallography. The mono- and diiodinated BODIPY complexes 2 and 3 showed generation of singlet oxygen on light activation as evidenced from the 1,3-diphenylisobenzofuran (DPBF) titration experiments. The cytotoxicity of the BODIPY complexes was tested against A549 (human lung cancer), MCF-7 (human breast cancer), and HaCaT (human skin keratinocyte) cells in dark and visible light (400-700 nm, 10 J cm^-2). While complexes 2 and 3 showed excellent photocytotoxicity (IC₅₀ ≈ 0.05 μM), they remained essentially nontoxic in the dark (IC₅₀ > 100 μM). The emissive bands of 1 and 2 were used for cellular imaging by confocal microscopy study, which showed their mitochondrial localization. This was further supported by platinum estimation from isolated mitochondria and mitochondrial depolarization through a JC-1 assay. The photomediated apoptotic cell death was evidenced from flow cytometric assays, annexin-V/FITC-PI (fluorescein isothiocyanate-propidium iodide) and cell cycle arrest in sub-G1 and G2/M phases. The complexes bind to 9-ethylguanine as a model nucleobase to form monoadducts. A mechanistic study on DNA photocleavage activity using pUC19 DNA showed singlet oxygen as the reactive oxygen species (ROS). The combination of photodynamic therapy with DNA cross-linking property enhanced the anticancer potential of the monofunctional BODIPY-conjugates of pyriplatins.

Comparative studies of oxaliplatin-based platinum(iv) complexes in different in vitro and in vivo tumor models

Using platinum(iv) prodrugs of clinically established platinum(ii) compounds is a strategy to overcome side effects and acquired resistances. We studied four oxaliplatin-derived platinum(iv) complexes with varying axial ligands in various in vitro and in vivo settings. The ability to interfere with DNA (pUC19) in the presence and absence of a reducing agent (ascorbic acid) was investigated in cell-free experiments. Cytotoxicity was compared under normoxic and hypoxic conditions in monolayer cultures and multicellular spheroids of colon carcinoma cell lines. Effects on the cell cycle were investigated by flow cytometry, and the capacity of inducing apoptosis was confirmed by flow cytometry and Western blotting. The anti-cancer activity of one complex was studied in vivo in immunodeficient and immunocompetent mice, and the platinum levels in various organs and the tumor after treatment were quantified. The results demonstrate that modification of the axial ligands can improve the cytotoxic potency. The complexes are able to interfere with plasmid DNA, which is enhanced by co-incubation with a reducing agent, and cause cell cycle perturbations. At higher concentrations, they induce apoptosis, but generate only low levels of reactive oxygen species. Two of the complexes increase the life span of leukemia (L1210) bearing mice, and one showed effects similar to oxaliplatin in a CT26 solid tumor model, despite the low platinum levels in the tumor. As in the case of oxaliplatin, activity in the latter model depends on an intact immune system. These findings show new perspectives for the development of platinum(iv) prodrugs of the anticancer agent oxaliplatin, combining bioreductive properties and immunogenic aspects.

The contrasting catalytic efficiency and cancer cell antiproliferative activity of stereoselective organoruthenium transfer hydrogenation catalysts

The rapidly growing area of catalytic ruthenium chemistry has provided new complexes with potential as organometallic anticancer agents with novel mechanisms of action.

From Traditional Drug Design to Catalytic Metallodrugs: A Brief History of the Use of Metals in Medicine

Traditional drug design has been effective in the development of therapies for a variety of disease states but there is a need for new approaches that will tackle new challenges and complement current paradigms. The use of metals in medicine has resulted in several successes and allows for the introduction of properties that cannot be achieved by use of organic compounds alone, but also introduces new challenges that can be addressed by a careful understanding of the principles of inorganic chemistry. Toward this end, the unique structural and coordination chemistry, as well as the reactivity of metals, has been used to design novel classes of therapeutic and diagnostic agents. This review briefly summarizes progress in the field of therapeutics, from the earliest use of metals to more recent efforts to design catalytic metallodrugs that promote the irreversible inactivation of therapeutically relevant targets.

Intrinsic acid-base properties of a hexa-2'-deoxynucleoside pentaphosphate, d(ApGpGpCpCpT): neighboring effects and isomeric equilibria

The intrinsic acid-base properties of the hexa-2'-deoxynucleoside pentaphosphate, d(ApGpGpCpCpT) [=(A1∙G2∙G3∙C4∙C5∙T6)=(HNPP)⁵⁻] have been determined by ¹H NMR shift experiments. The pKa values of the individual sites of the adenosine (A), guanosine (G), cytidine (C), and thymidine (T) residues were measured in water under single-strand conditions (i.e., 10% D₂O, 47 °C, I=0.1 M, NaClO₄). These results quantify the release of H⁺ from the two (N7)H⁺ (G∙G), the two (N3)H⁺ (C∙C), and the (N1)H⁺ (A) units, as well as from the two (N1)H (G∙G) and the (N3)H (T) sites. Based on measurements with 2'-deoxynucleosides at 25 °C and 47 °C, they were transferred to pKa values valid in water at 25 °C and I=0.1 M. Intramolecular stacks between the nucleobases A1 and G2 as well as most likely also between G2 and G3 are formed. For HNPP three pKa clusters occur, that is those encompassing the pKa values of 2.44, 2.97, and 3.71 of G2(N7)H⁺, G3(N7)H⁺, and A1(N1)H⁺, respectively, with overlapping buffer regions. The tautomer populations were estimated, giving for the release of a single proton from five-fold protonated H₅(HNPP)(±) , the tautomers (G2)N7, (G3)N7, and (A1)N1 with formation degrees of about 74, 22, and 4%, respectively. Tautomer distributions reveal pathways for proton-donating as well as for proton-accepting reactions both being expected to be fast and to occur practically at no "cost". The eight pKa values for H₅(HNPP)(±) are compared with data for nucleosides and nucleotides, revealing that the nucleoside residues are in part affected very differently by their neighbors. In addition, the intrinsic acidity constants for the RNA derivative r(A1∙G2∙G3∙C4∙C5∙U6), where U=uridine, were calculated. Finally, the effect of metal ions on the pKa values of nucleobase sites is briefly discussed because in this way deprotonation reactions can easily be shifted to the physiological pH range.