NHC-gold(I)-alkyne complexes induced hepatocellular carcinoma cell death through bioorthogonal activation by palladium complex in living system

• DOI: 10.1016/j.cclet.2023.108413
• Publication Date: 2023-03-31T06:54:18Z
• Authors: Yunlong Lu; Yuanhao Liu; Zhenlin Liang; Xiaoyan Ma; Lijuan Liu; Zhenfan Wen; Iogann Tolbatov; Alessandro Marrone; Wukun Liu

Bioorthogonal reactions can take place in biological environments without interfering with biochemical processes. In this study, Pd(PPh3)2Cl2 was used as a bioorthogonal catalyst to in situ transform the stable N-heterocyclic carbene (NHC)-gold(I)-alkyne complex 5 to its active species which can effectively inhibit thioredoxin reductase (TrxR) and exhibit significant anticancer bioactivity in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).