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

The synthesis of a new heterodinuclear Re Ru metallointercalator containing Ru (dppz) and Re (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.

A Ruthenium(II) Polypyridyl Complex Disrupts Actin Cytoskeleton Assembly and Blocks Cytokinesis.

The dinuclear Ru complex [(Ru(phen))(tpphz)] (phen=1,10-phenanthroline, tpphz=tetrapyridophenazine) "RuRuPhen" blocks the transformation of G-actin monomers to F-actin filaments with no disassembly of pre-formed F-actin. Molecular docking studies indicate multiple RuRuPhen molecules bind to the surface of G-actin but not the binding pockets of established actin polymerisation inhibitors. In cells, addition of RuRuPhen causes rapid disruption to actin stress fibre organisation, compromising actomyosin contractility and cell motility; due to this effect RuRuPhen interferes with late-stage cytokinesis.

A Ruthenium(II) Polypyridyl Complex Disrupts Actin Cytoskeleton Assembly and Blocks Cytokinesis.

The dinuclear Ru complex [(Ru(phen) ) (tpphz)] (phen=1,10-phenanthroline, tpphz=tetrapyridophenazine) "RuRuPhen" blocks the transformation of G-actin monomers to F-actin filaments with no disassembly of pre-formed F-actin. Molecular docking studies indicate multiple RuRuPhen molecules bind to the surface of G-actin but not the binding pockets of established actin polymerisation inhibitors. In cells, addition of RuRuPhen causes rapid disruption to actin stress fibre organisation, compromising actomyosin contractility and cell motility; due to this effect RuRuPhen interferes with late-stage cytokinesis.

Making the Right Link to Theranostics: The Photophysical and Biological Properties of Dinuclear Ru-Re dppz Complexes Depend on Their Tether.

The synthesis of new dinuclear complexes containing linked Ru(dppz) and Re(dppz) moieties is reported. The photophysical and biological properties of the new complex, which incorporates a ,'-bis(4-pyridylmethyl)-1,6-hexanediamine tether ligand, are compared to a previously reported Ru/Re complex linked by a simple dipyridyl alkane ligand. Although both complexes bind to DNA with similar affinities, steady-state and time-resolved photophysical studies reveal that the nature of the linker affects the excited state dynamics of the complexes and their DNA photocleavage properties.

Using Nanoscopy To Probe the Biological Activity of Antimicrobial Leads That Display Potent Activity against Pathogenic, Multidrug Resistant, Gram-Negative Bacteria.

Medicinal leads that are also compatible with imaging technologies are attractive, as they facilitate the development of therapeutics through direct mechanistic observations at the molecular level. In this context, the uptake and antimicrobial activities of several luminescent dinuclear Ru complexes against E. coli were assessed and compared to results obtained for another ESKAPE pathogen, the Gram-positive major opportunistic pathogen Enterococcus faecalis, V583.

Exploring the Cytotoxicity, Uptake, Cellular Response, and Proteomics of Mono- and Dinuclear DNA Light-Switch Complexes.

Drug resistance to platinum chemotherapeutics targeting DNA often involves abrogation of apoptosis and has emerged as a significant challenge in modern, non-targeted chemotherapy. Consequently, there is great interest in the anti-cancer properties of metal complexes-particularly those that interact with DNA-and mechanisms of consequent cell death. Herein we compare a parent cytotoxic complex, [Ru(phen)(tpphz)] [phen = 1,10-phenanthroline, tpphz = tetrapyridyl[3,2- a:2',3'- c:3″,2″- h:2‴,3‴- j]phenazine], with a mononuclear analogue with a modified intercalating ligand, [Ru(phen)(taptp)] [taptp = 4,5,9,18-tetraazaphenanthreno[9,10- b] triphenylene], and two structurally related dinuclear, tpphz-bridged, heterometallic complexes, RuRe and RuPt.

In-labelled polymeric nanoparticles incorporating a ruthenium-based radiosensitizer for EGFR-targeted combination therapy in oesophageal cancer cells.

Radiolabelled, drug-loaded nanoparticles may combine the theranostic properties of radionuclides, the controlled release of chemotherapy and cancer cell targeting. Here, we report the preparation of poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) nanoparticles surface conjugated to DTPA-hEGF (DTPA = diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid, hEGF = human epidermal growth factor) and encapsulating the ruthenium-based DNA replication inhibitor and radiosensitizer Ru(phen)2(tpphz)2+ (phen = 1,10-phenanthroline, tpphz = tetrapyridophenazine) Ru1. The functionalized PLGA surface incorporates the metal ion chelator DTPA for radiolabelling and the targeting ligand for EGF receptor (EGFR).

A three-in-one-bullet for oesophageal cancer: replication fork collapse, spindle attachment failure and enhanced radiosensitivity generated by a ruthenium(ii) metallo-intercalator.

Substitutionally inert ruthenium(ii) polypyridyl complexes have been developed as DNA intercalating agents yet cellular DNA damage responses to this binding modality are largely unexplored. Here, we show the nuclear-targeting complex [Ru(phen)(tpphz)] (phen = 1,10-phenanthroline, tpphz = tetrapyridophenazine) generates rapid and pronounced stalling of replication fork progression in p53-deficient human oesophageal cancer cells. In response, replication stress and double-strand break (DSB) DNA damage response (DDR) pathways are activated and cell proliferation is inhibited by growth arrest.

Mitochondria-localising DNA-binding biscyclometalated phenyltriazole iridium(iii) dipyridophenazene complexes: syntheses and cellular imaging properties.

Two new biscyclometalated complexes [Ir(ptzR)2(dppz)]+ (dppz = dipyridophenazene; ptzRH = 4-phenyl-1-benzyl-1,2,3-triazole (1+) and 4-phenyl-1-propyl-1,2,3-triazole (2+)) have been prepared. The hexafluorophosphate salts of these complexes have been fully characterized and, in one case, the X-ray structure of a nitrate salt was obtained. The DNA binding properties of the chloride salts of the complexes were investigated, as well as their cellular uptake by A2780 and MCF7 cell lines.

Homo- and Heteroleptic Phototoxic Dinuclear Metallo-Intercalators Based on Ru (dppn) Intercalating Moieties: Synthesis, Optical, and Biological Studies.

Using a new mononuclear "building block," for the first time, a dinuclear Ru (dppn) complex and a heteroleptic system containing both Ru (dppz) and Ru (dppn) moieties are reported. The complexes, including the mixed dppz/dppn system, are O sensitizers. However, unlike the homoleptic dppn systems, the mixed dppz/dppn complex also displays a luminescence "switch on" DNA light-switch effect.

A Self-Assembled Metallomacrocycle Singlet Oxygen Sensitizer for Photodynamic Therapy.

Although metal-ion-directed self-assembly has been widely used to construct a vast number of macrocycles and cages, it is only recently that the biological properties of these systems have begun to be explored. However, up until now, none of these studies have involved intrinsically photoexcitable self-assembled structures. Herein we report the first metallomacrocycle that functions as an intracellular singlet oxygen sensitizer.

A Cytostatic Ruthenium(II)-Platinum(II) Bis(terpyridyl) Anticancer Complex That Blocks Entry into S Phase by Up-regulating p27(KIP1).

Cytostatic agents that interfere with specific cellular components to prevent cancer cell growth offer an attractive alternative, or complement, to traditional cytotoxic chemotherapy. Here, we describe the synthesis and characterization of a new binuclear Ru(II) -Pt(II) complex [Ru(tpy)(tpypma)Pt(Cl)(DMSO)](3+) (tpy=2,2':6',2''-terpyridine and tpypma=4-([2,2':6',2''-terpyridine]-4'-yl)-N-(pyridin-2-ylmethyl)aniline), VR54, which employs the extended terpyridine tpypma ligand to link the two metal centres. In cell-free conditions, VR54 binds DNA by non-intercalative reversible mechanisms (Kb =1.