Transfer hydrogenation catalysis in cells

Abstract

Recent developments in transfer hydrogenation catalysis and photocatalysis in cancer cells by synthetic metal complexes are reviewed. They offer exciting new ways to modulate biochemical pathways for drug development and biotechnology.

Osmium(ii) tethered half-sandwich complexes: pH-dependent aqueous speciation and transfer hydrogenation in cells

“…28 Transfer hydrogenation (TH) by transition metal compounds of Ru(II), 8,26,[55][56][57] Rh(III), 58 and Ir(III), 8,10,27 are attracting much attention in bioinorganic chemistry since they have demonstrated the potential of catalytically consuming or producing important metabolites, such as NADH, that are vital for a number of cellular processes. [59][60][61][62] In particular, lactate and pyruvate are key cell metabolites that the tumour cell requires to promote cancer invasion as they help circulating tumour cells to survive by enhancing their resistance against oxidative stress. 63 Osmium(II) arene [Os(η 6 -p-cymene)(impy-NMe 2 )Cl/I]PF 6 (impy = iminopyridine) can oxidize NADH to NAD + by Os-driven hydride abstraction.…”

Comparison of Solution Chemical Properties and Biological Activity of Ruthenium Complexes of Selected β-Diketone, 8-Hydroxyquinoline and Pyrithione Ligands

“…It is also well-known that the dissociation of the monodentate (often chlorido) co-ligand (Z) may facilitate the reactions with biological macromolecules such as proteins or DNA. Numerous organoruthenium(II) complexes have been developed and extensively investigated, and some structure-activity relationship analyses have been also conducted to identify the key structural features [2,[9][10][11][12][13][14]. These types of comparative studies are highly important for the development of novel, more efficient and selective anticancer complexes.…”

Half-sandwich organometallic Ru and Rh complexes of (N,N) donor compounds: effect of ligand methylation on solution speciation and anticancer activity

“…9 The group of Sadler proved the occurrence of intracellular catalysis by halfsandwich complexes of (N,N) donor ligands, such as ethylenediamine, 2,2'-bipyridine (bpy) and 1,10-phenanthroline (phen). 10 The reaction of these organometallic complexes with the NAD + /NADH pair was found in the presence of formate ions.…”