Gold-based drug encapsulation within a ferritin nanocage: X-ray structure and biological evaluation as a potential anticancer agent of the Auoxo3-loaded protein

Chem Commun (Camb). 2016 Jul 21;52(61):9518-21. doi: 10.1039/c6cc02516a.

Abstract

Auoxo3, a cytotoxic gold(iii) compound, was encapsulated within a ferritin nanocage. Inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry, circular dichroism, UV-Vis absorption spectroscopy and X-ray crystallography confirm the potential-drug encapsulation. The structure shows that naked Au(i) ions bind to the side chains of Cys48, His49, His114, His114 and Cys126, Cys126, His132, His147. The gold-encapsulated nanocarrier has a cytotoxic effect on different aggressive human cancer cells, whereas it is significantly less cytotoxic for non-tumorigenic cells.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Antineoplastic Agents / administration & dosage
  • Antineoplastic Agents / chemistry*
  • Antineoplastic Agents / pharmacology*
  • Cell Line
  • Cell Proliferation / drug effects
  • Cell Survival / drug effects
  • Crystallography, X-Ray
  • Dose-Response Relationship, Drug
  • Drug Carriers / chemistry*
  • Drug Screening Assays, Antitumor
  • Ferritins / chemistry*
  • Gold / administration & dosage*
  • Gold / chemistry
  • Gold / pharmacology*
  • Humans
  • Models, Molecular
  • Molecular Structure
  • Nanoparticles / chemistry*
  • Organogold Compounds / administration & dosage
  • Organogold Compounds / chemistry
  • Organogold Compounds / pharmacology*
  • Rats
  • Structure-Activity Relationship

Substances

  • Antineoplastic Agents
  • Drug Carriers
  • Organogold Compounds
  • Gold
  • Ferritins