What Does the Future Hold for Photo-Oxidizing RuII Complexes with Polyazaaromatic Ligands in Medicinal Chemistry?

Jonathan      Ghesquiere; Stephane      Le Gac; Lionel      Marcelis; Cecile      Moucheron; Andree      Kirsch - De Mesmaeker

doi:10.2174/156802612799079008

Abstract

Since the discovery of cisplatin, the search for diagnostic or therapeutic agents based on other metals, has expanded intensively owing to the numerous possibilities offered by coordination chemistry. This mini-review focuses on recent advances in the search for RuII polyazaaromatic complexes of potential interest as molecular tools applied to cellular diagnostics or as specific cellular photo-reagents for future biomedical applications. The interaction of RuII polyazaaromatic complexes with living cells is reported, as well as the photo-reaction mechanisms of photo-oxidizing RuII complexes with nucleic acids. The novel strategies currently developed to improve their reactivity and specificity towards DNA, more particularly in the gene-silencing framework, are also discussed.

Keywords: Diagnostic agent, DNA, oligonucleotide, photo-therapeutic agent, ruthenium, living cells, specific cellular photo-reagents, photo-oxidizing RuII complexes, nucleic acids, luminescent probes, luminophores for biomolecules, hydrophobic complexes, emission wavelengths, cell-viability, gel electrophoresis analyses