This article is a short review that presents a short review of photosubstitution reactions of Ru(II) imine complexes and illustrates their use in the development of therapeutic agents. The review begins with an overview of the photophysical behavior and common photoreactions of Ru(II) imine complexes, with select examples from the literature since the 1960s. It is followed by a more detailed picture of the application of knowledge gained over the years in the development of Ru(II) complexes for photobiology and photodynamic therapy.
New Ru(II)-caged abiraterone complexes were synthesized that exhibit strong absorption in the visible region and release the steroidal CYP17A1 inhibitor abiraterone upon exposure to low energy visible light in buffer and prostate cancer cells. Photoinduced release results in abiraterone binding to its CYP17A1 target in an inhibitory mode.
Photochemical control over irreversible inhibition was shown using Ru(II)-caged inhibitors of cathepsin L. Levels of control were dependent on where the Ru(II) complex was attached to the organic inhibitor, reaching >10:1 with optimal placement. A new strategy for photoreleasing Ru(II) fragments from inhibitor-enzyme conjugates is also reported.
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