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Targeted Photoredox Catalysis in Cancer Cells

Targeted Photoredox Catalysis in Cancer Cells

Huaiyi Huang, Samya Banerjee, Kangqiang Qiu, Pingyu Zhang, Olivier Blacque, Thomas Malcomson, Martin J Paterson, Guy J Clarkson, Michael Staniforth, Vasilios G Stavros, Gilles Gasser, Hui Chao, Peter J Sadler

Nat Chem. 2019 Nov;11(11):1041-1048.

PMID: 31548671

Abstract:

Hypoxic tumours are a major problem for cancer photodynamic therapy. Here, we show that photoredox catalysis can provide an oxygen-independent mechanism of action to combat this problem. We have designed a highly oxidative Ir(III) photocatalyst, [Ir(ttpy)(pq)Cl]PF6 ([1]PF6, where 'ttpy' represents 4'-(p-tolyl)-2,2':6',2''-terpyridine and 'pq' represents 3-phenylisoquinoline), which is phototoxic towards both normoxic and hypoxic cancer cells. Complex 1 photocatalytically oxidizes 1,4-dihydronicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NADH)-an important coenzyme in living cells-generating NAD• radicals with a high turnover frequency in biological media. Moreover, complex 1 and NADH synergistically photoreduce cytochrome c under hypoxia. Density functional theory calculations reveal π stacking in adducts of complex 1 and NADH, facilitating photoinduced single-electron transfer. In cancer cells, complex 1 localizes in mitochondria and disrupts electron transport via NADH photocatalysis. On light irradiation, complex 1 induces NADH depletion, intracellular redox imbalance and immunogenic apoptotic cancer cell death. This photocatalytic redox imbalance strategy offers a new approach for efficient cancer phototherapy.

Chemicals Related in the Paper:

Catalog Number	Product Name	Structure	CAS Number	Price
AP37993763	3-Phenylisoquinoline		37993-76-3	Price

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