Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 1, 2026
08:22
Studying Copper Nanoparticle-Induced Programmed Cell Death in Bacteria
Published on: May 16, 2025
645
Metallomics insights into the programmed cell death induced by metal-based anticancer compounds
Cai-Ping Tan1, Yi-Ying Lu, Liang-Nian Ji
1MOE Key Laboratory of Bioinorganic and Synthetic Chemistry, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510275, P. R. China. cesmzw@mail.sysu.edu.cn.
Metallomics : Integrated Biometal Science
|March 27, 2014
Summary
Metal-based anticancer drugs can induce programmed cell death (PCD) through various pathways beyond apoptosis. This review explores metallomics studies on apoptosis, autophagy, and necroptosis, offering new cancer treatment strategies.
Area of Science:
- Biochemistry
- Pharmacology
- Oncology
Background:
- Metal-based anticancer agents, like cisplatin, have been researched for over 40 years.
- Apoptosis induction is a primary mechanism for metal-based cancer drugs, but resistance is common.
- Alternative cell death pathways are crucial for overcoming cancer resistance to apoptosis.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review metallomics studies on metal-induced cell death pathways.
- To highlight alternative programmed cell death (PCD) mechanisms beyond apoptosis.
- To discuss the potential of metal complexes targeting these alternative pathways for cancer therapy.
Main Methods:
- Review of recent metallomics studies.
- Analysis of metal-based drugs' mechanisms of action.
- Focus on three major PCD pathways: apoptosis, autophagy, and necroptosis.
Main Results:
- Metal complexes can induce cell death via non-apoptotic pathways.
- Autophagy and regulated necrosis (necroptosis) are significant alternative PCD routes.
- Metallomics provides insights into drug-target interactions and cell death induction.
Conclusions:
- Metal complexes offer diverse strategies for cancer treatment by targeting multiple cell death pathways.
- Understanding alternative PCD mechanisms is key to developing effective cancer therapies.
- Metallomics is essential for elucidating the action of novel metal-based anticancer drugs.
Related Concept Videos
01:30Overview of Cell Death
7.7K
Cell death is an essential process where the body gets rid of old or damaged cells. Cell proliferation and death need to be balanced, as an imbalance between the two may lead to cancer or autoimmune diseases.
Cell death was observed in the early 19th century, but there was no experimental evidence to prove it. In 1842, Carl Vogt first discovered cell death in a metamorphic toad; however, it was not termed ‘cell death.’ Scientists discovered different cell death pathways only in the...
Cell death was observed in the early 19th century, but there was no experimental evidence to prove it. In 1842, Carl Vogt first discovered cell death in a metamorphic toad; however, it was not termed ‘cell death.’ Scientists discovered different cell death pathways only in the...
7.7K
01:22Cellular Injury V: Apoptosis and Autophagy
99
Cells respond to damage and stress through highly coordinated processes that decide whether they survive or undergo controlled self-destruction. Two major pathways involved in this regulation are apoptosis, a type of programmed cell death, and autophagy, a survival mechanism that helps cells adapt to adverse conditions.ApoptosisApoptosis removes aged or injured cells to maintain tissue balance. During this process, the cell shrinks, chromatin condenses and fragments, and membrane-bound...
99
01:18Autophagic Cell Death
3.3K
Christian de Duve discovered “autophagy,” a process in which cellular components are engulfed by membrane-bound organelles called autophagosomes. The autophagosomes then fuse with lysosomes to digest the enclosed contents. Autophagy is generally activated in cells to prevent cell death. However, cell death is triggered when the damage is beyond repair.
Autophagy and Apoptosis
Autophagy can activate apoptosis. In normal conditions, the autophagy activating protein Beclin-1 and...
Autophagy and Apoptosis
Autophagy can activate apoptosis. In normal conditions, the autophagy activating protein Beclin-1 and...
3.3K
01:30Apoptosis
12.0K
Apoptosis is a combination of two Greek words, 'apo' and 'ptosis,' meaning separation and falling off, respectively. Hippocrates used this word to describe gangrene, which was caused due to bandaging of fractured bones. Apoptosis was distinguished from necrosis in 1970 when John Kerr reported observations of morphological changes occurring during apoptosis. During one experiment, he observed that the disruption of blood supply to the liver tissue resulted in a size...
12.0K
01:11Cellular Injury IlI: Cellular Death
70
Cell death is the irreversible loss of cellular structure and function, representing the final stage of severe injury. It plays a key role in both normal physiology and disease.Types of Cell DeathThe two main types are necrosis and apoptosis, though others like necroptosis and pyroptosis also exist.Necrosis:Necrosis is an unregulated form of cell death caused by severe injury such as trauma, toxins, or ischemia. It is characterized by cell swelling, membrane loss, rupture, and leakage of...
70
01:31The Intrinsic Apoptotic Pathway
6.2K
Internal cellular stress, such as cellular injury or hypoxia, triggers intrinsic apoptosis. The B-cell lymphoma 2 (Bcl-2) family of proteins are the primary regulators of the intrinsic apoptotic pathway. For example, during DNA damage, checkpoint proteins, such as Ataxia Telangiectasia Mutated (ATM protein) and Checkpoints Factor-2 (Chk2) proteins, are activated. These proteins phosphorylate p53 which further activates pro-apoptotic proteins, such as Bax, Bak, PUMA, and Noxa, and inhibits...
6.2K