A Dual-Pronged Approach: A Ruthenium(III) Complex That Modulates Amyloid-β Aggregation and Disrupts Its Formed Aggregates

Inorg Chem. 2022 Feb 14;61(6):2733-2744. doi: 10.1021/acs.inorgchem.1c01651. Epub 2022 Feb 1.

Abstract

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a devastating neurological disorder for which soluble oligomers of the peptide amyloid-β (Aβ) are now recognized as the neurotoxic species. Metal-based therapeutics are uniquely suited to target Aβ, with ruthenium-based (Ru) complexes emerging as propitious candidates. Recently, azole-based Ru(III) complexes were observed to modulate the aggregation of Aβ in solution, where the inclusion of a primary amine proximal to the ligand coordination site improved the activity of the complexes. To advance these structure-activity relationships, a series of oxazole-based Ru complexes were prepared and evaluated for their ability to modulate Aβ aggregation. From these studies, a lead candidate, Oc, emerged that had superior activity relative to its azole predecessors in modulating the aggregation of soluble Aβ and diminishing its cytotoxicity. Further evaluation of Oc demonstrated its ability to disrupt formed Aβ aggregates, resulting in smaller amorphous species. Because altering both sides of the aggregation equilibrium for Aβ has not been previously suggested for metal-based complexes for AD, this work represents an exciting new avenue for improved therapeutic success.

MeSH terms

  • Alzheimer Disease / drug therapy*
  • Alzheimer Disease / metabolism
  • Amyloid beta-Peptides / antagonists & inhibitors*
  • Amyloid beta-Peptides / metabolism
  • Animals
  • Cell Survival
  • Coordination Complexes / chemical synthesis
  • Coordination Complexes / chemistry
  • Coordination Complexes / pharmacology*
  • Dose-Response Relationship, Drug
  • Humans
  • Models, Molecular
  • Molecular Conformation
  • Neuroprotective Agents / chemical synthesis
  • Neuroprotective Agents / chemistry
  • Neuroprotective Agents / pharmacology*
  • Oxazoles / chemistry
  • Oxazoles / pharmacology*
  • Protein Aggregates / drug effects
  • Rats
  • Ruthenium / chemistry
  • Ruthenium / pharmacology*
  • Structure-Activity Relationship
  • Tumor Cells, Cultured

Substances

  • Amyloid beta-Peptides
  • Coordination Complexes
  • Neuroprotective Agents
  • Oxazoles
  • Protein Aggregates
  • Ruthenium