A focus on the biological targets for coinage metal-NHCs as potential anticancer complexes.

Metal complexes of N-heterocyclic carbene (NHC) ligands are the object of increasing attention for therapeutic purposes. Among the different metal centres, interest on Au-based compounds started with the application as anti-arthritis drugs. On the other hand, Ag(I) antimicrobial properties have been known for a long time. For Au(I)/Au(III)-NHC and Ag(I)-NHC anti-tumour and anti-proliferative properties have been quite recently demonstrated. In addition to these and as for Group 11, copper is a much less investigated metal centre, but a few papers underline its pharmacological potential. This review wants to focus on the different biological targets for these metal-based compounds. It is divided into chapters which are respectively devoted on: i) mitochondria and thiol oxidoreductase systems; ii) other relevant enzymes; iii) nucleic acids. Examples of representative coinage NHCs for each of the targets are provided together with significant references on recent advances on the topic. Moreover, a final comment summarises the aspects enlightened by each chapter and provides some hints to better understand the metal-NHCs mechanistic behaviour based on structure-activity relationships. N-heterocyclic carbene ligands find application as potential anticancer compounds, and group 11 metal complexes give very promising results. This review is divided into Chapters which focus on the targets for the probe. The researcher finds information for directing it towards mitochondria and thiol oxidoreductase systems, other enzymes or nucleic acids. [Display omitted] • Cellular targets for N-heterocyclic carbenes (NHCs) metal-complexes are reviewed. • For each target, representative Au(I)/Au(III)/Ag(I)/Cu(II)-NHCs are presented. • The modes-of-action are described at a molecular level. • Structure-activity relationships are elucidated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]