Dual mode of cell death upon the photo-irradiation of a Ru^II polypyridyl complex in interphase or mitosis.

ABSTRACT: Photodynamic therapy (PDT) is an attractive, complementary medical technique to chemotherapy. Among the different photosensitizers (PSs) employed, Ru(ii) polypyridyl complexes were found to be valid substitutes to porphyrin-based or phthalocyanine-based PSs. Here, we confirm that one such complex, namely [Ru(bipy)₂-dppz-7-methoxy][PF₆]₂ (Ru65), which localizes in the nucleus of various cancer and normal cells, displays cytotoxicity only upon UV-A irradiation. Importantly, we disclose the molecular mechanism of the UV-A mediated cytotoxic action of Ru65. We demonstrate that Ru65 intercalates in DNA and, upon light irradiation, promotes guanine oxidation, resulting in nicks in the double helix. We confirm this mechanism of action in living cells, showing that

SUBMITTER: Pierroz V 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5032677 | biostudies-literature | 2016 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature