Are the metal identity and stoichiometry of metal complexes important for colchicine site binding and inhibition of tubulin polymerization?

Author(s)
Iuliana Besleaga, Renáta Raptová, Alexandru Constantin Stoica, Miljan N.M. Milunovic, Michal Zalibera, Ruoli Bai, Nóra Igaz, Jóhannes Reynisson, Mónika Kiricsi, Éva A. Enyedy, Peter Rapta, Ernest Hamel, Vladimir B. Arion
Abstract

Quite recently we discovered that copper(ii) complexes with isomeric morpholine-thiosemicarbazone hybrid ligands show good cytotoxicity in cancer cells and that the molecular target responsible for this activity might be tubulin. In order to obtain better lead drug candidates, we opted to exploit the power of coordination chemistry to (i) assemble structures with globular shape to better fit the colchicine pocket and (ii) vary the metal ion. We report the synthesis and full characterization of bis-ligand cobalt(iii) and iron(iii) complexes with 6-morpholinomethyl-2-formylpyridine 4N-(4-hydroxy-3,5-dimethylphenyl)-3-thiosemicarbazone (HL1), 6-morpholinomethyl-2-acetylpyridine 4N-(4-hydroxy-3,5-dimethylphenyl)-3-thiosemicarbazone (HL2), and 6-morpholinomethyl-2-formylpyridine 4N-phenyl-3-thiosemicarbazone (HL3), and mono-ligand nickel(ii), zinc(ii) and palladium(ii) complexes with HL1, namely [CoIII(HL1)(L1)](NO3)2 (1), [CoIII(HL2)(L2)](NO3)2 (2), [CoIII(HL3)(L3)](NO3)2 (3), [FeIII(L2)2]NO3 (4), [FeIII(HL3)(L3)](NO3)2 (5), [NiII(L1)]Cl (6), [Zn(L1)Cl] (7) and [PdII(HL1)Cl]Cl (8). We discuss the effect of the metal identity and metal complex stoichiometry on in vitro cytotoxicity and antitubulin activity. The high antiproliferative activity of complex 4 correlated well with inhibition of tubulin polymerization. Insights into the mechanism of antiproliferative activity were supported by experimental results and molecular docking calculations.

Organisation(s)
Department of Inorganic Chemistry
External organisation(s)
Slovak University of Technology in Bratislava, Technische Universität Graz, Petru Poni Institute of Macromolecular chemistry, National Institutes of Health (NIH), University of Szeged, Keele University
Journal
Dalton Transactions
Volume
53
Pages
12349-12369
No. of pages
21
ISSN
1477-9226
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1039/d4dt01469c
Publication date
2024
Peer reviewed
Yes
Austrian Fields of Science 2012
104003 Inorganic chemistry, 301904 Cancer research
ASJC Scopus subject areas
Inorganic Chemistry
Sustainable Development Goals
SDG 3 - Good Health and Well-being
Portal url
https://ucrisportal.univie.ac.at/en/publications/f8f715b6-a0b6-42a6-82bb-113db6c01827