Expanding the DNA damaging potential of artificial metallo-nucleases with click chemistry

TL;DR

This paper explores using click chemistry to create copper-based DNA-damaging agents for cancer therapy.

Contribution

The study introduces Tri-Click ligands with planar N-donors as a novel class of artificial metallo-nucleases for DNA damage.

Findings

Tri-Click ligands with planar N-donors show high DNA-damaging potential.

Cu3-TC-Py is identified as a lead compound with strong DNA reactivity.

The compound's activity is validated through multiple experimental and computational methods.

Abstract

Recently, copper(I)-catalysed azide-alkyne cycloaddition (CuAAC) click chemistry has emerged as a promising approach for designing new artificial metallo-nucleases (AMNs) with DNA-damaging properties. By functionalising a central organic azide with three alkyne donors, Tri-Click (TC) ligands capable of chelating three copper ions through the donor group and triazole linker can be generated. However, the versatility of this approach along with the influence of specific donors on metal binding, DNA recognition, and cellular DNA damage in an anticancer context remains poorly understood. Here, we prepare a series of Tri-Click ligands incorporating systematic cyclic and acyclic N-, O-, and S-donors and evaluate their AMN activities. Screening experiments pinpoint planar N-donor ligands as high value agents. Among these, the copper complex of Tri-Click-Pyridine (Cu3-TC-Py) displays significant potential. We characterise its activity using single-molecule imaging, microscale thermophoresis, FRET-based binding assays, molecular dynamics, and intracellular DNA interaction studies in human and functional bacterial cells. We report the emergence of Cu3-TC-Py as a lead AMN with high reactivity for DNA damage applications central to anticancer therapy.

New strategies to synthesise metal-based anticancer agents are critical for advancing chemotherapy. Here, the authors apply click chemistry to derive copper complexes that induce DNA strand breaks in recalcitrant cancer cells, validating an innovative route for metallodrug design.

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