Synthesis and cytotoxic activities of novel copper and silver complexes of 1,3-diaryltriazene-substituted sulfonamides

In this study, a series of 10 novel copper (II) and silver complexes of 1,3-diaryltriazene-substituted sulfonamides was synthesised. All the synthesised ligands and their metal complexes were assessed for in vitro cytotoxicity against human colorectal adenocarcinoma (DLD-1), cervix carcinoma (HeLa), breast adenocarcinoma (MDA-MB-231), colon adenocarcinoma (HT-29), endometrial adenocarcinoma (ECC-1), prostate cancer (DU-145 and PC-3), normal embryonic kidney (HEK-293), normal prostate epithelium (PNT-1A), and normal retinal pigment epithelium (ARPE-19) cells. Most of the metal complexes from the series showed to be more active against all cancerous cells than the uncomplexed 1,3-diaryltriazene-substituted sulfonamides, and lower cytotoxic effects observed on normal cells. Most of the Cu (II) and Ag (I) metal complexes from the presented series showed high cytotoxic activity against HeLa cells with IC₅₀ values ranging from 2.08 to >300?µM. Specifically, compound L₃-Ag showed one of the highest cytotoxicity against all cancer cell lines with IC₅₀ values between 3.30 to 16.18?µM among other tested compounds.     

Terpenoids from Zingiber officinale (Ginger) Induce Apoptosis in Endometrial Cancer Cells through the Activation of p53

Novel strategies are necessary to improve chemotherapy response in advanced and recurrent endometrial cancer. Here, we demonstrate that terpenoids present in the Steam Distilled Extract of Ginger (SDGE) are potent inhibitors of proliferation of endometrial cancer cells. SDGE, isolated from six different batches of ginger rhizomes, consistently inhibited proliferation of the endometrial cancer cell lines Ishikawa and ECC-1 at IC₅₀ of 1.25 µg/ml. SDGE also enhanced the anti-proliferative effect of radiation and cisplatin. Decreased proliferation of Ishikawa and ECC-1 cells was a direct result of SDGE-induced apoptosis as demonstrated by FITC-Annexin V staining and expression of cleaved caspase 3. GC/MS analysis identified a total of 22 different terpenoid compounds in SDGE, with the isomers neral and geranial constituting 30–40%. Citral, a mixture of neral and geranial inhibited the proliferation of Ishikawa and ECC-1 cells at an IC₅₀ 10 µM (2.3 µg/ml). Phenolic compounds such as gingerol and shogaol were not detected in SDGE and 6-gingerol was a weaker inhibitor of the proliferation of the endometrial cancer cells. SDGE was more effective in inducing cancer cell death than citral, suggesting that other terpenes present in SDGE were also contributing to endometrial cancer cell death. SDGE treatment resulted in a rapid and strong increase in intracellular calcium and a 20–40% decrease in the mitochondrial membrane potential. Ser-15 of p53 was phosphorylated after 15 min treatment of the cancer cells with SDGE. This increase in p53 was associated with 90% decrease in Bcl2 whereas no effect was observed on Bax. Inhibitor of p53, pifithrin-α, attenuated the anti-cancer effects of SDGE and apoptosis was also not observed in the p53^neg SKOV-3 cells. Our studies demonstrate that terpenoids from SDGE mediate apoptosis by activating p53 and should be therefore be investigated as agents for the treatment of endometrial cancer.     

Synthesis and Characterization of the Hemi‐Salen Ligands and Their Triboron Complexes: Spectroscopy and Examination of Anticancer Properties

The synthesis, spectroscopic properties, and in vitro cytotoxicity activity of a series of various salen‐based triboron complexes have been designed and prepared from hemi‐salen ( L ₁ H ₃  –  L ₄ H ₃ ) ligands and BF₃·Et₂O or BPh₃ under simple reaction conditions. The hemi‐salen ( L ₁ H ₃  –  L ₄ H ₃ ) ligands and their BF₂ or BPh₂ chelating triboron complexes were characterized by means of NMR (¹H, ¹³C, ¹⁹F, and ¹¹B) spectra, FT‐IR spectra, UV/VIS spectra, fluorescence spectra, mass spectra, melting point, as well as elemental analysis. The triboron [L _{(1  –  4)} (BF ₂ ) ₃ ] and [L _{(1  –  4)} (BPh ₂ ) ₃ ] complexes were investigated for their absorption and emission properties, and these complexes are also good chelates towards boron(III) fragments such as BF₂ or BPh₂ quantum yield in solution reaching up to 38%. The hemi‐salen ( L ₁ H ₃  –  L ₄ H ₃ ) ligands and their BF₂ or BPh₂ chelating triboron complexes were tested for the in vitro anticancer activity against various cancer and normal cells (HeLa, DLD‐1, ECC‐1, PC‐3, PNT‐1A, and CRL‐4010), and it was found that the cell viability of cancer cells was decreased while most of the healthy cells could still be viable. Also, the cytotoxicity studies showed that anticancer activity of hemi‐salen ( L ₁ H ₃  –  L ₄ H ₃ ) ligands is higher than that of triboron [L _{(1  –  4)} (BF ₂ ) ₃ ] and [L _{(1  –  4)} ( BP h ₂ ) ₃ ] complexes. The hemi‐salen ( L ₁ H ₃  –  L ₄ H ₃ ) ligands showing the strongest cytotoxic effect in PC ‐3 cells were found to exhibit anticancer activity with apoptosis by increasing the level of ROS in the PC ‐3 cells.     

ECC-1 cells: a well-differentiated steroid-responsive endometrial cell line with characteristics of luminal epithelium

Endometrial cancer cell lines have provided a valuable model to study endometrial epithelial cells in vitro. Since the first development of HEC1B over 35 yr ago, many different cell lines have been isolated and described. One valuable cell line that maintains hormone responsiveness and unique stability over time is the ECC-1 cell line, developed originally by the late P.G. Satyaswaroop. In this study, we investigated some of the properties of these cells and present their salient characteristics. Like Ishikawa cells, ECC-1 cells maintain both estrogen receptors (ESR1 [ER alpha] and ESR2 [ER beta]), progesterone receptors (PR A and B; PGRs), and androgen receptors (ARs), along with the p160 steroid receptor coactivators NCOA1 (formerly SRC1), NCOA2 (formerly TIF2), and NCOA3 (formerly AIB1). The karyotype of these cells is abnormal, with multiple structural rearrangements in all cells analyzed. Unlike Ishikawa cells that express glandular epithelial antigens, ECC-1 cells maintain a luminal phenotype, with expression of KRT13 (cytokeratin 13) and KRT18 (cytokeratin 18). Apparent differences in the regulation of ESR2 also were evident in ECC-1 cells compared to Ishikawa cells. Like other endometrial cell lines, ECC-1 cells express the steroid receptor coactivators and exhibit epidermal growth factor-stimulated expression of known luminal proteins thought to be involved in implantation, including the hyaluronate receptor CD44 and SPP1 (formerly osteopontin) and CD55 (decay-accelerating factor). These characteristics appear to be stable and persistent over multiple cell passages, making this well-differentiated cell line an excellent choice to study endocrine and paracrine regulation of endometrial epithelium in vitro.     

Novel carbon-centered heteroscorpionate ligands: Cu(I) complexes and luminescence properties

Herein, we describe the synthesis of N,N′,S donor ligands 2-(1-(3,5-diisopropyl-1H-pyrazol-1-yl)-3-(methythio)propyl)-4-methoxy-3,5-dimethylpyridine (L1) and 2-(1-(3,5-diisopropyl-1H-pyrazol-1-yl)-2-(methythio)ethyl)-4-methoxy-3,5-dimethylpyridine (L2). Cu(I) complexes were prepared by reacting L1 or L2 with [Cu(CH₃CN)₄]BF₄ or CuCl. The coordination behavior of the thioether arm of the ligands was found to determine the nuclearity of the resulting complexes, in which [Cu(L1)PPh₃]BF₄ (1) is polynuclear, [Cu(L2)PPh₃]BF₄ (2) is mononuclear, while [Cu(L1)]₂(BF₄)₂ (3), [Cu(L2)CH₃CN]₂(BF₄)₂ (4), and [Cu(L1)Cl]₂ (5) are dinuclear. In the dimeric complex [Cu(L2)Cl]₂ (6), the sulfur atoms are not metal-bound. Rather, the two bridging chloride ions link the two copper centers. Compounds 4-6 are luminescent in the solid state, and exhibit emission bands centered at 490 nm (4), 544 nm (5), and 562 nm (6), respectively. Their excitation spectra display bands at 280 nm and 380 nm. According to DFT calculations, the HOMO is distributed partially over the metal centers and partially over the chloride anions (5 and 6) or the sulfur atoms (4) of the ligands, while the LUMO is a π∗ antibonding pyridine orbital. This suggests that the emission properties are derived from metal-to-ligand charge-transfer (MLCT), halide-to-ligand charge-transfer (XLCT), and ligand-to-ligand charge-transfer (LLCT) excited states.     

Estrogen regulates DNA methyltransferase 3B expression in Ishikawa endometrial adenocarcinoma cells

It is well-known that exposure to unopposed estrogen is considered as an important risk factor for endometrial cancer. Recent studies have shown that over-expression of DNA methyltransferases (DNMTs) are involved in the development of endometrial cancer. Therefore, the present study was undertaken to elucidate the impact of estrogen on the expression of DNMTs in endometrial cancer. Ishikawa cell line was used. Flow cytometry analysis demonstrated that 17 β-estradiol (E₂) enhanced the cell proliferation with a peak at 10⁻⁸ M. Over-expression of DNMT3B treated with E₂ was confirmed by real-time PCR and western blotting analysis. Furthermore, the up-regulation of DNMT3B expression induced by E₂ was suppressed by the addition of ICI182780. However, we did not observe changes in the expression of DNMT1. Our study suggests that estrogen up-regulating the expression of DNMT3B in an ER-dependent pathway may be a possible mechanism for estrogen facilitates the malignant transformation of endometrial cancer cells.     

Cell Cycle Arrest and Induction of Apoptosis in Colon Adenocarcinoma Cells by a DNA Intercalative Quinoline Derivative, 4-Morpholinopyrimido [4′,5′:4,5] Selenolo (2,3-b) Quinoline

Circular dichroism, topological studies, molecular docking, absorbance, and fluorescence spectral titrations were employed to study the interaction of 4-morpholinopyrimido [4′,5′:4,5] selenolo (2,3-b) quinoline (MPSQ) with DNA. The association constants of MPSQ–DNA interactions were of the order of 10⁴ M^?1. Melting temperature, topological, and docking studies confirmed that the mode of interaction was by intercalation with preference to d(GpC)–d(CpG) site of DNA. Cytotoxicity studies showed the MPSQ-induced dose-dependent inhibitory effect on the proliferation of different cancer cells. Colon adenocarcinoma (COLO 205) cells are more sensitive among the cell lines tested, with an IC₅₀ value of 15 μM. Flow cytometry revealed that MPSQ affects the cell cycle progression by arresting at G2M phase. Further, Annexin V staining, mitochondrial membrane potential assay, and caspase-3 activity assay confirmed that MPSQ leads to mitochondria-mediated apoptotic cell death in COLO 205 cells.     

Coordination chemistry of two new tetraaza Ni(II) and Cu(II) macrocyclic and two new Co(II) and Zn(II) macroacyclic Schiff base complexes containing piperazine moiety: X-ray crystal structures of Ni(II) and Zn(II) complexes

A new potentially tetradentate (N₄) Schiff base ligand (L), 1,9,12,20-tetraazatetracyclo[18.2.2.02,7.014,19]tetracosa-2(7),3,5,8,12,14(19),15,17-octaene containing a piperazine moiety is described. Macrocyclic Schiff base complexes, [NiL](ClO₄)₂ (1) and [CuL](ClO₄)₂ (2) have been obtained from equimolar amounts of ligand (L) with nickel(II) and copper(II) metal ions. While the equilibrium reaction in the presence of cobalt(II) and zinc(II) metal ions with ligand L in a 1:1 molar ratio yielded the open-chain Schiff base complexes, [CoL′](ClO₄)₂ (3) and [ZnL′](ClO₄)₂ (4) containing two terminal primary amino groups. The ligand L′ is 1,4-bis(2-(2-aminoethyliminomethyl)phenyl)piperazine. The crystal structures of (1) and (4) have been also determined by X-ray diffraction. It was shown that the Ni(II) is coordinated to the ligand L by two nitrogen atoms of piperazine group and two nitrogen atoms of the imine groups, in a slightly distorted square-planar geometry. Also single crystal X-ray analysis of (4) confirmed a distorted octahedral arrangement in the vicinity of Zn atom with N₆ donor set. The spectroscopic characterization of all complexes is consistent with their crystal structures.     

Cell death induced by N-methyl-N-nitrosourea, a model SN1 methylating agent, in two lung cancer cell lines of human origin

New therapeutic approaches are needed for lung cancer, the leading cause of cancer death. Methylating agents constitute a widely used class of anticancer drugs, the effect of which on human non small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) has not been adequately studied. N-methyl-N-nitrosourea (MNU), a model S_N1 methylating agent, induced cell death through a distinct mechanism in two human NSCLC cell lines studied, A549(p53^wt) and H157(p53^null). In A549(p53^wt), MNU induced G2/M arrest, accompanied by cdc25A degradation, hnRNP B1 induction, hnRNP C1/C2 downregulation. Non-apoptotic cell death was confirmed by the lack of increase in the sub-G1 DNA content, Poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase cleavage and caspase-3, -7 activation. In H157(p53^null), MNU induced apoptotic cell death, confirmed by cytofluorometry of DNA content and immunodetection of apoptotic markers, accompanied by overexpression of hnRNP B1 and C1/C2. Thus, the mechanism of the cell death induced by S_N1 methylating agents is cell type-dependent and must be assessed prior treatment.     

Surfactant–copper(II) Schiff base complexes: synthesis,structural investigation,DNA interaction,docking studies,and cytotoxic activity

A series of surfactant–copper(II) Schiff base complexes (1–6) of the general formula, [Cu(sal-R₂)₂] and [Cu(5-OMe-sal-R₂)₂], {where, sal?=?salicylaldehyde, 5-OMe-sal?=?5-methoxy- salicylaldehyde, and R₂?=?dodecylamine (DA), tetradecylamine (TA), or cetylamine (CA)} have been synthesized and characterized by spectroscopic, ESI-MS, and elemental analysis methods. For a special reason, the structure of one of the complexes (2) was resolved by single crystal X-ray diffraction analysis and it indicates the presence of a distorted square-planar geometry in the complex. Analysis of the binding of these complexes with DNA has been carried out adapting UV-visible-, fluorescence-, as well as circular dichroism spectroscopic methods and viscosity experiments. The results indicate that the complexes bind via minor groove mode involving the hydrophobic surfactant chain. Increase in the length of the aliphatic chain of the ligands facilitates the binding. Further, molecular docking calculations have been performed to understand the nature as well as order of binding of these complexes with DNA. This docking analysis also suggested that the complexes interact with DNA through the alkyl chain present in the Schiff base ligands via the minor groove. In addition, the cytotoxic property of the surfactant–copper(II) Schiff base complexes have been studied against a breast cancer cell line. All six complexes reduced the visibility of the cells but complexes 2, 3, 5, and 6 brought about this effect at fairly low concentrations. Analyzed further, but a small percentage of cells succumbed to necrosis. Of these complexes (6) proved to be the most efficient aptotoxic agent.     

TFCP2L1在子宫内膜癌细胞增殖及侵袭中的作用

摘要 目的：研究人子宫内膜癌中TFCP2L1的表达情况以及分析TFCP2L1对子宫内膜癌细胞增殖及迁移能力的影响。方法：（1）通过TCGA 及GTEx数据库分析子宫内膜癌中TFCP2L1的表达水平及患者生存期。采用Western blot验证正常子宫内膜上皮细胞与多种子宫内膜癌细胞系中TFCP2L1的表达情况。（2）使用CRISPR-Cas9技术敲除Ishikawa细胞系的TFCP2L1,并用流式分选技术筛选单个细胞进行培养,形成单克隆细胞系,以此来研究TFCP2L1对子宫内膜癌的细胞周期和细胞增殖的影响。通过 Western blot 及细胞免疫荧光检测细胞周期相关蛋白的表达,检测细胞增殖情况,采用平板克隆实验及CCK8实验。（3）通过Transwell小室及划痕实验对侵袭和转移能力进行检测。结果：TCGA 及GTEx数据库分析发现TFCP2L1在子宫内膜癌中高表达且与肿瘤患者预后不良相关。敲除TFCP2L1后,Ki67、Cyclin D1 和 Cyclin D2的蛋白水平显著下调,CCK8及平板克隆实验结果表明,敲除TFCP2L1能够显著降低子宫内膜癌细胞的增殖能力。划痕实验及Transwell侵袭实验结果表明敲除TFCP2L1的子宫内膜癌细胞侵袭迁移能力均减弱。结论：本研究证明了TFCP21L1是子宫内膜癌的促癌因子。TFCP2L1的高表达可能与子宫内膜癌预后不良相关。敲除TFCP2L1可以抑制子宫内膜癌的侵袭和转移。     

The effects of estradiol and selective estrogen receptor modulators on gene expression and messenger RNA stability in immortalized sheep endometrial stromal cells and human endometrial adenocarcinoma cells

The purpose of this study was to identify an endometrial cell line that maintained the E2 up-regulation of estrogen receptor (ER) mRNA by enhanced message stability and to assess its dependence on ER protein. Estradiol (E2) effects on gene expression were measured in three cell lines: one immortalized from sheep endometrial stroma (ST) and two from human endometrial adenocarcinomas (Ishikawa and ECC-1). E2 up-regulated ER mRNA levels in ST and Ishikawa cells, but down-regulated ER mRNA levels in ECC-1 cells. E2 up-regulated progesterone receptor (PR), glyceraldehyde 3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPDH), and transforming growth factor-alpha (TGF-alpha) in both Ishikawa and ECC-1 cells. The selective estrogen receptor modulator ICI 182,780 antagonized the E2-induced up-regulation of ER and/or PR mRNA levels in all three cells, while another, GW 5638, antagonized the up-regulation of PR mRNA in Ishikawa and ECC-1 cells. In mechanistic studies, E2 had no effect on ER mRNA stability in ST cells and it destabilized ER mRNA in ECC-1 cells. Thus, Ishikawa cells appear to be the most physiologically relevant cell line in which to study the up-regulation of ER mRNA levels by enhanced mRNA stability. Its antagonism by ICI 182,780 reveals that ER protein is involved in this E2 response.     

Endoplasmic reticulum stress,autophagic and apoptotic cell death,and immune activation by a natural triterpenoid in human prostate cancer cells

Though the current therapies are effective at clearing an early stage prostate cancer, they often fail to treat late-stage metastatic disease. We aimed to investigate the molecular mechanisms underlying the anticancer effects of a natural triterpenoid, ganoderic acid DM (GA-DM), on two human prostate cancer cell lines: the androgen-independent prostate carcinoma (PC-3), and androgen-sensitive prostate adenocarcinoma (LNCaP). Cell viability assay showed that GA-DM was relatively more toxic to LNCaP cells than to PC-3 cells (IC₅₀s ranged 45-55 µM for PC-3, and 20-25 µM for LNCaP), which may have occurred due to differential expression of p53. Hoechst DNA staining confirmed detectable nuclear fragmentation in both cell lines irrespective of the p53 status. GA-DM treatment decreased Bcl-2 proteins while it upregulated apoptotic Bax and autophagic Beclin-1, Atg5, and LC-3 molecules, and caused an induction of both early and late events of apoptotic cell death. Biochemical analyses of GA-DM-treated prostate cancer cells demonstrated that caspase-3 cleavage was notable in GA-DM-treated PC-3 cells. Interestingly, GA-DM treatment altered cell cycle progression in the S phase with a significant growth arrest in the G2 checkpoint and enhanced CD4 ⁺ T cell recognition of prostate tumor cells. Mechanistic study of GA-DM-treated prostate cancer cells further demonstrated that calpain activation and endoplasmic reticulum stress contributed to cell death. These findings suggest that GA-DM is a candidate for future drug design for prostate cancer as it activates multiple pathways of cell death and immune recognition.     

Oxovanadium(IV) complexes with Knoevenagel Schiff base condensate as impending chemotherapeutic agents: Synthesis,characterization, biological screening and anti-proliferative assay

Two novel oxovanadium(IV) complexes [VOL1]SO₄ (1) and [VOL2]SO₄ (2) containing Knoevenagel condensate Schiff base ligand (L1/L2) have been synthesized and characterized by physical, spectral and analytical methods. These complexes are reported as ionic in nature on the basis of elemental composition and molar conductance, and possess square pyramidal geometry around the central metal ions. The binding interactions of (1) and (2) with calf thymus DNA (CT DNA) were explored by absorption spectrophotometric titration, cyclic voltammetry data and viscosity measurements. The calculated intrinsic binding constant values (K_b) for (1) and (2) obtained from UV–Vis absorption studies are 0.4 × 10⁵ and 5.6 × 10⁵ (M⁻¹) respectively. These experimental results indicate that (1) and (2) are intercalative binders and avid binder to CT DNA with different affinities. These complexes exhibit significant oxidative cleavage of supercoiled plasmid (pUC18) DNA in the presence of activators. In particular, the in vitro antimicrobial efficacy of oxovanadium(IV) complexes reveal that they are more active than free ligands. Besides, the in vitro cytotoxic effect of the titled complexes were examined on a bundle of human tumor cell lines such as MCF-7 and HeLa cancerous cell lines by the MTT method. Interestingly, complex (2) exhibits more potent cytotoxic activity than the other complex and standard drug (cisplatin). The mode of cell death was assessed by Hoechst 33258 staining morphological studies.     

The first total synthesis and biological evaluation of marine natural products ma’edamines A and B

We have developed the first total syntheses of marine natural products ma’edamines A (18) and B (20). Structurally, they contain a pyrazine-2-(1H)-one core and were screened for antiproliferative activity on several cancer cell lines. Out of the six cell lines tested, ma’edamines A and B showed significant cytotoxicity against human colon cancer line COLO 205 (IC₅₀ 7.9 and 10.3 μM, respectively), breast cancer cell line MCF-7 (IC₅₀: 6.9 and 10.5 μM, respectively) and human lung adenocarcinoma cell line A549 (IC₅₀: 12.2 and 15.4 μM, respectively). The apoptotic effect of ma’edamines was confirmed by comet assay. Hence ma’edamines are likely to be useful as leads for development of a new class of anti-cancer agents.     

MiR-1297下调PTEN的表达参与子宫内膜癌变

已有研究证明,抑癌子PTEN（phosphatase and tensin homolog）缺失或表达下调可引起子宫内膜癌变;在喉鳞状细胞癌中miR-1297可下调PTEN的表达。然而,miR-1297下调PTEN的机制,以及是否miR-1297靶向抑制PTEN参与子宫内膜癌变尚未见报道。本研究证明,miR-1297靶向抑制PTEN基因的表达参与子宫内膜癌变。收集临床病理检查确诊为子宫内膜腺癌的癌组织及癌旁组织18例。实时定量PCR（RT-qPCR）及Western印迹结果显示,与癌旁子宫内膜比较,子宫内膜癌组织miR-1297高表达,而PTEN则呈低表达或缺失。内膜癌和癌旁内膜组织中,miR-1297与PTEN表达水平的散点图分析揭示,miR-1297的表达水平与PTEN的表达水平呈明显的负相关（内膜癌：miR-1297与PTEN的相关系数r=-0.6928,P=0.0438;癌旁组织：相关系数r=-0.4085,P < 0.0001)。报告酶活性测定显示,与对照比较,pGL3-PTEN-3′-UTR-1/2/3加miR-1297模拟物共转染后,荧光素酶活性在转染的Ishikawa和ECC-1细胞中分别降低了约21%（P=0.0196）和17%（P=0.0306）;相反,转染miR-1297抑制物后,两种细胞的荧光素酶活性分别升高约59%（Ishikawa：P=0.0014）和50%（ECC-1： P=0.0025）。结果提示,miR-1297可通过特异识别PTEN mRNA的3′-UTR,抑制PTEN的表达。基因转染结合Western印迹结果证明,在原代子宫内膜细胞中,过表达miR-1297模拟物导致PTEN蛋白表达下调,而其下游底物分子--磷酸化的AKT（p-AKT）表达上调;而过表达miR-1297抑制物后,PTEN表达上调,p-AKT表达下调。Connexin V/PI双染结合流式分析证明,与对照细胞（3%细胞凋亡）比较,在子宫内膜癌细胞系Ishikawa中,敲减miR-1297表达后细胞调亡明显增加（至10%）,这可能与抑制miR-1297后PTEN的表达上调有关。上述结果提示,miR-1297在子宫内膜癌高表达,而PTEN低表达。上述结果还提示,miR-1297作为一个促癌子可通过特异识别PTEN mRNA的3′-UTR,抑制PTEN的表达,促进AKT磷酸化/激活,从而促进内膜癌的发生,这可能是子宫内膜癌变的发生原因之一。     

Ruthenium methylimidazole complexes induced apoptosis in lung cancer A549 cells through intrinsic mitochondrial pathway

Ruthenium(II) methylimidazole complexes, with the general formula [Ru(MeIm)₄(N?N)]²⁺ (N?N = tip (RMC1), iip (RMC2), dppz (RMC3), dpq (RMC4); MeIm = 1-methylimidazole, tip = 2-(thiophene-2-yl)-1H-imidazo [4,5-f] [1,10]phenanthroline, iip = 2-(1H-imidazol-4-yl)-1H-imidazo [4,5-f] [1,10]phenanthroline, dppz = dipyrido[3,2-a:2′,3′-c]phenazine, dpq = pyrazino [2,3-f] [1,10]phenanthroline), were synthesized and characterized. As determined by MTT (3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide) assay, these complexes displayed potent anti-proliferation activity against various cancer cells. RMC1 inhibited the growth of A549 (human lung adenocarcinoma) lung cells through induction of apoptotic cell death, as evidenced by the accumulation of cell population in sub-G1 phase. RMC1 also induced the depletion of mitochondrial membrane potential in A549 cells by regulating the expression of pro-survival and pro-apoptotic Bcl-2 family members. Another experiment showed that Bid protein was also activated by RMC1, which implied that RMC1 could existed two pathways crosstalk, namely, have exogenous death receptor signaling pathway. These results demonstrated that RMC1 induced cancer cell death by acting on both mitochondrial and death receptor apoptotic pathways, suggesting that RMC1 could be a candidate for further evaluation as a chemotherapeutic agent against human cancers.     

Two new 4′,4′′-disubstituted dipyrazolylpyridine derivatives, and the structures and spin states of their iron(II) complexes

Reaction of 2 equiv of the sodium salt of ethyl pyrazole-4-carboxylate, with 1 equiv of 2,6-dibromopyridine, in diglyme at 130 °C for 5 days yields 2,6-di[4-(ethylcarboxy)pyrazol-1-yl]pyridine (L¹), with 2-bromo-6-[4-(ethylcarboxy)pyrazol-1-yl]pyridine (L²) as a significant byproduct. Reduction of L¹ with excess NaBH₄ in thf affords 2,6-di[4-(hydroxymethyl)pyrazol-1-yl]pyridine (L³) in low yield. The crystalline complex [Fe(L¹)₂][BF₄]₂ · 2CF₃CH₂OH is low-spin at 150 K, while bulk samples with this formula are approximately 10% high-spin and 90% low-spin at room temperature. This ratio does not vary significantly on cooling from its magnetic susceptibility, suggesting that the material might be contaminated by a second, minor high-spin phase. Single crystals of [Fe(L³)₂][BF₄]₂·1.4CH₃CN have a mixed spin-state population, with the low-spin state predominating at 150 K. The [Fe(L³)₂(BF₄)]⁺ moieties in the lattice associate into 1-D chains through intermolecular O-H?O and O-H?F hydrogen bonding. Bulk samples of [Fe(L³)₂][BF₄]₂ · H₂O are fully low-spin below 200 K, but the magnetic data imply the onset of a gradual thermal spin-transition centred above room temperature. DSC and TGA measurements imply that this transition is centred at 322 K, and involves loss of lattice water. Both complexes undergo spin-crossover in (CD₃)₂CO solution, with transition midpoints near 250 K.     

Electrochemical synthesis and crystal structure of iron(II), cobalt(II), nickel(II) and copper(II) complexes of dianionic tetradentate N4 Schiff base ligand

The electrochemical oxidation of anodic metal (iron, cobalt, nickel and copper) in an acetonitrile solution of the potentially chelating Schiff base N,N(dithiodiethylenebis-(aminylydenemethylydene)-bis(1,2-phenylene)ditosylamide (H₂L) afforded stable complexes of empirical formula [ML]. The compounds obtained have been characterized by microanalysis, IR spectroscopy and ES-MS mass spectrometry. The crystal and molecular structures of [FeL]·CH₃CN (1) [CoL]·CH₃CN (2), [NiL]·CH₃CN (3) and [CuL]·CH₃CN (4) have been determined by X-ray diffraction in all complexes, the metal atom is in a distorted tetrahedral environment with the Schiff base acting as a tetradentate N4 donor.