Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 9, 2026

The Synthesis, Characterization and Reactivity of a Series of Ruthenium N-triphosPh Complexes
Published on: April 10, 2015
A ruthenium(II) β-carboline complex induced p53-mediated apoptosis in cancer cells
Yu Chen1, Meng-Ying Qin, Lei Wang
1State Key Laboratory of Biocontrol, Department of Biochemistry, College of Life Sciences, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510006, PR China.
Abstract:
A ruthenium(II) β-carboline complex [Ru(tpy)(Nh)3](2+) (tpy = 2,2':6',2″-terpyridine, Nh = Norharman, Ru1) has been synthesized and characterized. This complex induced apoptosis against various cancer cell lines and had high selectivity between tumor cells and normal cells. In vivo examination indicated Ru1 decreased mouse MCF-7 and HepG2 tumor growth. Signaling pathways analysis demonstrated that this complex induced apoptosis via the mitochondrial pathway, as evidenced by the loss of mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP, ΔΨm) and the release of cytochrome c. The resulting accumulation of p53 proteins from phosphorylation at Ser-15 and Ser-392 correlated with an increase in p21 and caspase activation. Taken together, these findings suggest that Ru1 exhibits high and selective cytotoxicity induced p53-mediated apoptosis and may contribute to the future development of improved chemotherapeutics against human cancers.
Related Concept Videos
Abnormal Proliferation
Negative Regulator Molecules
The Intrinsic Apoptotic Pathway
DNA Damage Can Stall the Cell Cycle
DNA Damage can Stall the Cell Cycle
Electron Transport Chain: Complex I and II
ROS generation is regulated and maintained at moderate levels necessary...

