Two-Photon Photodegradation of E3 Ubiquitin Ligase Cereblon by a Ru(II) Complex: Inducing Ferroptosis in Cisplatin-Resistant Tumor Cells

J Med Chem. 2024 May 23;67(10):8372-8382. doi: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.4c00545. Epub 2024 May 15.

Abstract

Using photodynamic therapy (PDT) to trigger nonconventional cell death pathways has provided a new scheme for highly efficient and non-side effects to drug-resistant cancer therapies. Nonetheless, the unclear targets of available photosensitizers leave the manner of PDT-induced tumor cell death relatively unpredictable. Herein, we developed a novel Ru(II)-based photosensitizer, Ru-Poma. Possessing the E3 ubiquitin ligase CRBN-targeting moiety and high singlet oxygen yield of 0.96, Ru-Poma was demonstrated to specifically photodegrade endogenous CRBN, increase lipid peroxide, downregulate GPX4 and GAPDH expression, and consequently induce ferroptosis in cisplatin-resistant cancerous cells. Furthermore, with the deep penetration of two-photon excitation, Ru-Poma achieved drug-resistant circumvention in a 3D tumor cell model. Thus, we describe the first sample of the CRBN-targeting Ru(II) complex active in PDT.

MeSH terms

  • Adaptor Proteins, Signal Transducing / metabolism
  • Antineoplastic Agents* / chemical synthesis
  • Antineoplastic Agents* / chemistry
  • Antineoplastic Agents* / pharmacology
  • Cell Line, Tumor
  • Cisplatin* / pharmacology
  • Coordination Complexes / chemical synthesis
  • Coordination Complexes / chemistry
  • Coordination Complexes / pharmacology
  • Drug Resistance, Neoplasm* / drug effects
  • Ferroptosis* / drug effects
  • Humans
  • Photochemotherapy*
  • Photons
  • Photosensitizing Agents* / chemical synthesis
  • Photosensitizing Agents* / chemistry
  • Photosensitizing Agents* / pharmacology
  • Ruthenium* / chemistry
  • Ruthenium* / pharmacology
  • Ubiquitin-Protein Ligases* / metabolism

Substances

  • Ubiquitin-Protein Ligases
  • Antineoplastic Agents
  • Cisplatin
  • Photosensitizing Agents
  • Ruthenium
  • CRBN protein, human
  • Coordination Complexes
  • Adaptor Proteins, Signal Transducing