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Functionalized azobenzene platinum(II) complexes as putative anticancer compounds

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Abstract

The synthesis and characterization of four platinum(II) complexes using azobenzenes conveniently functionalized as ligands has been carried out. The characteristic photochemical behavior of the complexes due to the presence of azobenzene-type ligands and the role of the ligands in the activation of the complexes has been studied. Their promising cytotoxicity observed in HeLa cells prompted us to study the mechanism of action of these complexes as cytostatic agents. The interaction of the compounds with DNA, studied by circular dichroism, revealed a differential activity of the Pt(II) complexes upon irradiation. The intercalation abilities of the complexes as well as their reactivity with common proteins present in the blood stream allows to confirm some of the compounds obtained as good anticancer candidates.

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Acknowledgements

We acknowledge the Spanish Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovación for financial support (projects CTQ2010-15380, CTQ2013-41161-R, and the MINECO-FEDER (BIO2015-67358-C2-2-P and RTI2018-098027-B-C22). We are also members of the Grup de Recerca de la Generalitat de Catalunya, ref. 2017SGR-864. K. G. S. acknowledges to the UAB the PIF grant. We also thank the Servei d’Anàlisi Química (SAQ) at the Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona for allocating instrument time.

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  1. Departament de Química, Facultat de Ciències, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, 08193-Cerdanyola del Vallès, Barcelona, Spain

    Katia G. Samper, Mercè Capdevila, Òscar Palacios & Pau Bayón

  2. Institut de Biotecnologia i Biomedicina, Departments Bioquímica i Biologia Molecular, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, 08193-Cerdanyola del Vallès, Barcelona, Spain

    Julia Lorenzo

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Samper, K.G., Lorenzo, J., Capdevila, M. et al. Functionalized azobenzene platinum(II) complexes as putative anticancer compounds. J Biol Inorg Chem 26, 435–453 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00775-021-01865-9

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