Metal complexes that catalyze inactivation and degradation of biomolecular targets can be developed into novel therapeutics (catalytic metallodrugs) against a variety of diseases. Despite recent advances in the field, a lack of substrate selectivity is a major hindrance to the development of catalytic metallodrugs for application in clinical practice. Improved targeting can minimize nonselective activity and the potential for side effects. Herein, we focus on recent developments toward novel metal catalysts that exhibit substrate selectivity against a variety of therapeutically relevant biomolecules. Design strategies for developing selective catalytic metallodrugs are also highlighted.
The development of metal complexes that promote degradation of nucleic acids has garnered significant interest as a result of their broad range of potential application. This review focuses on recent progress in the design and synthesis of metal complexes as artificial nucleases that promote either hydrolytic or oxidative cleavage of nucleic acids. Illustrative examples demonstrate the versatility of artificial nucleases for in vitro applications as molecular tools to address biochemical problems, as well as their potential use as therapeutic agents. We also address future challenges for improvement and avenues for further investigation.
Telomeric DNA represents a novel target for the development of anticancer drugs. By application of a catalytic metallodrug strategy, a copper–acridine–ATCUN complex (CuGGHK-Acr) has been designed that targets G-quadruplex telomeric DNA. Both fluorescence solution assays and gel sequencing demonstrate the CuGGHK-Acr catalyst to selectively bind and cleave the G-quadruplex telomere sequence. The cleavage pathway has been mapped by matrix assisted laser desorption ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS) experiments. CuGGHK-Acr promotes significant inhibition of cancer cell proliferation and shortening of telomere length. Both senescence and apoptosis are induced in the breast cancer cell line MCF7.
The solution behaviors of sodium bis(2-ethylhexyl) phosphate (NaDEHP) in n-heptane were investigated by light-scattering and viscosity measurements. NaDEHP forms giant rodlike reversed micelles, with a radius of gyration as large as 53 nm, which violently contrasts with the literature view that the average micellar aggregation numbers in nonaqueous or apolar media are much smaller (seldom exceeding 20) than those in aqueous media. Significantly, a small amount of water plays the role of an antimicellar growth agent; i.e., the reversed micellar size decreases remarkably when "dry" solutions are exposed to humid air from which water vapor is absorbed or when bulk water is directly added-a behavior which is distinctly opposite to that for sodium bis(2-ethylhexyl) sulfosuccinate/apolar medium systems. Thus, the literature views that large micelles can only be found in aqueous media and that the surfactant headgroups in reversed micelles are linked together by hydrogen bonds are misleading. It is suggested that the primary contribution to the driving force for the growth of rodlike NaDEHP reversed micelles is long-range electrostatic interactions among the headgroups of the surfactant molecules and their counterions, and a possible mechanism for the effect of water is also discussed.
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