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Release after transmission: Arginine-rich, cell-penetrating peptides (CPPs) mediate cytoplasmic delivery of trimethoprim (TMP)-terbium complex conjugates and selective, intracellular labeling of E. coli dihydrofolate reductase (eDHFR) fusion proteins. A disulfide bond linking CPP and cargo is reduced following uptake. CPP conjugation can be used to deliver otherwise cell-impermeable, ligand-fluorophore conjugates.

Texaphyrins are pentaaza expanded porphyrins with the ability to form stable complexes with a variety of metal cations, particularly those of the lanthanide series. In biological milieus, texaphyrins act as redox mediators and mediate the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS). In this review, newer studies involving texaphyrin complexes targeting several different applications in anticancer therapy are described. In particular, the preparation of bismuth and lead texaphyrin complexes as potential α-core emitters for radiotherapy is detailed, as are gadolinium texaphyrin functionalized magnetic nanoparticles with features that make them of interest as dual-mode magnetic resonance imaging contrast agents and as constructs with anticancer activity mediated through ROS-induced sensitization and concurrent hyperthermia. Also discussed are gadolinium texaphyrin complexes as possible carrier systems for the targeted delivery of platinum payloads.

The synthesis and binding properties of two types of amine-containing, cytosine-based ditopic receptors, 4-amino-1-[4-[N,N-bis [2-(N,N-diethylamino) ethyl] amino] butyl]-2(1H)-pyrimidione (1) and 4-amino-1-[4-(N,N-diethylamino) butyl]-2 (1H)-pyrimidinone (2a), 4-amino-1-[5-(N,N-diethylamino) pentyl]-2(1H)-pyrimidinone (2b), and 4-amino-1-[6-(N,N-diethylamino) hexyl]-2(1H)-pyrimidinone (2c), are described. The four cytosine derivatives 1 and 2a-c contain both base pairing and ammonium electrostatic binding subunits. As such, they were expected to act as efficient ditopic receptors for the complexation of guanosine 5'-monophosphate (GMP), a prototypical purine-derived substrate