Novel mixed-ligand copper(I) complexes: role of diimine ligands on cytotoxicity and genotoxicity

J Med Chem. 2013 Sep 26;56(18):7416-30. doi: 10.1021/jm400965m. Epub 2013 Sep 10.

Abstract

Novel tetrahedral copper(I) mixed-ligand complexes of the type [Cu(X)(N(∩)N)(PCN)], 3-10, where X = Cl or Br, N(∩)N = 2,2'-bipyridine (bipy), 1,10-phenanthroline (phen), 5,6-dimethyl-1,10-phenanthroline (dmp), and dipyrido-[3,2-d:2',3'-f]-quinoxaline (dpq), and PCN = tris-(2-cyanoethyl)phosphine, have been synthetized and characterized by NMR, ESI-MS, and X-ray diffraction on two representative examples, [CuCl(phen)(PCN)]·DMF (5·DMF) and [CuBr(dpq)(PCN)]·2DMF (10·2DMF). Cu(I) complexes were evaluated for their in vitro antitumor properties against a panel of human cancer cell lines, including cisplatin- and multidrug-resistant sublines. The most effective complex, [CuCl(dpq)(PCN)] (9), exhibited nanomolar cytotoxicity toward both sensitive and resistant cancer cells, but it significantly inhibited the growth of cultured normal cells. In vitro DNA assays and single cell gel electrophoresis revealed that 9 induced DNA fragmentation resulting in cell apoptosis. In parallel, fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) micronucleus assay attested high levels of genotoxicity following treatment of peripheral blood lymphocytes with complex 9, suggesting that the potential risk posed by diimine metal complexes should be carefully reconsidered.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Aneugens / adverse effects
  • Aneugens / chemistry
  • Aneugens / metabolism
  • Aneugens / pharmacology
  • Antineoplastic Agents / adverse effects
  • Antineoplastic Agents / chemistry
  • Antineoplastic Agents / metabolism
  • Antineoplastic Agents / pharmacology
  • Biological Transport
  • Cell Cycle / drug effects
  • Cell Line, Tumor
  • Copper / chemistry*
  • DNA / genetics
  • DNA / metabolism
  • DNA Fragmentation / drug effects
  • Humans
  • Imines / chemistry*
  • Ligands
  • Micronucleus Tests
  • Models, Molecular
  • Molecular Conformation
  • Organometallic Compounds / adverse effects*
  • Organometallic Compounds / chemistry
  • Organometallic Compounds / metabolism
  • Organometallic Compounds / pharmacology*
  • Structure-Activity Relationship

Substances

  • Aneugens
  • Antineoplastic Agents
  • Imines
  • Ligands
  • Organometallic Compounds
  • Copper
  • DNA