Jove
Visualize
Contact Us
JoVE
x logofacebook logolinkedin logoyoutube logo
ABOUT JoVE
OverviewLeadershipBlogJoVE Help Center
AUTHORS
Publishing ProcessEditorial BoardScope & PoliciesPeer ReviewFAQSubmit
LIBRARIANS
TestimonialsSubscriptionsAccessResourcesLibrary Advisory BoardFAQ
RESEARCH
JoVE JournalMethods CollectionsJoVE Encyclopedia of ExperimentsArchive
EDUCATION
JoVE CoreJoVE BusinessJoVE Science EducationJoVE Lab ManualFaculty Resource CenterFaculty Site
Terms & Conditions of Use
Privacy Policy
Policies

Related Concept Videos

Electron Transport Chain: Complex I and II01:46

Electron Transport Chain: Complex I and II

19.3K
The mitochondrial electron transport chain (ETC) is the main energy generation system in the eukaryotic cells. However, mitochondria also produce cytotoxic reactive oxygen species (ROS) due to the large electron flow during oxidative phosphorylation. While Complex I is one of the primary sources of superoxide radicals, ROS production by Complex II is uncommon and may only be observed in cancer cells with mutated complexes.
ROS generation is regulated and maintained at moderate levels necessary...
19.3K
The Electron Transport Chain01:30

The Electron Transport Chain

20.8K
The electron transport chain or oxidative phosphorylation is an exothermic process in which free energy released during electron transfer reactions is coupled to ATP synthesis. This process is a significant source of energy in aerobic cells, and therefore inhibitors of the electron transport chain can be detrimental to the cell's metabolic processes.
Inhibitors of the electron transport chain
Rotenone, a widely used pesticide, prevents electron transfer from Fe-S cluster to ubiquinone or Q...
20.8K
The Inner Mitochondrial Membrane01:28

The Inner Mitochondrial Membrane

4.9K
The inner mitochondrial membrane is the primary site of ATP synthesis. The inner membrane domain that forms a smooth layer adjacent to the outer membrane is called the inner boundary membrane. This domain contains membrane transporters that drive metabolites in and out of the mitochondria.  In contrast, the inner membrane network that invaginates into the matrix space is called the cristae membrane. This domain accounts for principle mitochondrial function as it accommodates the protein...
4.9K
Electron Transport Chain: Complex III and IV01:43

Electron Transport Chain: Complex III and IV

9.5K
During the electron transport chain, electrons from NADH and FADH2 are first transferred to complexes I and II, respectively. These two complexes then transfer the electrons to ubiquinol, which carries them further to complex III. Complex III passes the electrons across the intermembrane space to Cyt c, which carries them further to complex IV. Complex IV donates electrons to oxygen and reduces it to water. As electrons pass through complexes I, III, and IV, the energy released aids the pumping...
9.5K
Translocation of Proteins into the Mitochondria01:19

Translocation of Proteins into the Mitochondria

13.6K
Mitochondrial precursors are translocated to the internal subcompartments via independent mechanisms involving distinct protein machineries called translocases.
Sorting of outer membrane proteins:
Mitochondrial outer membrane proteins are of two types: the transmembrane, beta-barrel porins, and the membrane-anchored, alpha-helical proteins. Beta-barrel porin precursors are translocated by the TOM complex and inserted into the outer mitochondrial membrane by the SAM complex. In contrast,...
13.6K

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by
Same author

A molecularly engineered rhenium platform triggers a self-enhancing RNS storm to disrupt tumor hypoxia and resultant immunosuppression.

Chemical science·2026
Same author

Visible Light-Induced Alkyne-Carbonyl Metathesis in Multicomponent Reactions.

Chemistry (Weinheim an der Bergstrasse, Germany)·2026
Same author

Targeting microglia-mediated neuroinflammation in Alzheimer's disease: mechanisms and therapeutic approaches.

Frontiers in immunology·2026
Same author

β-Carboline Alkaloids from Tetrastigma hemsleyanum and Their Bioactivity Against Cardiomyocytes Injury: An in Silico, in Vitro, and in Vivo Study Focusing on Ferroptosis.

Phytomedicine : international journal of phytotherapy and phytopharmacology·2026
Same author

Discovery of a Novel Tetrahydro-β-Carboline Mcl-1 Inhibitor with Antitumor Activity and Capability to Overcome Cisplatin Resistance.

Journal of medicinal chemistry·2026
Same author

Activation of Synergistic Ferroptosis and Apoptosis by a Cu(II) Complex through Concurrent Amplification of Endoplasmic Reticulum Stress and Mitochondrial Dysfunction.

Journal of medicinal chemistry·2026

Related Experiment Video

Updated: Mar 10, 2026

Synthesis and Evaluation of a Ruthenium-based Mitochondrial Calcium Uptake Inhibitor
07:12

Synthesis and Evaluation of a Ruthenium-based Mitochondrial Calcium Uptake Inhibitor

Published on: October 26, 2017

8.2K

Ester-Modified Cyclometalated Iridium(III) Complexes as Mitochondria-Targeting Anticancer Agents.

Fang-Xin Wang1, Mu-He Chen1, Xiao-Ying Hu1

  • 1MOE Key Laboratory of Bioinorganic and Synthetic Chemistry, School of Chemistry, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou 510275, China.

Scientific Reports
|December 14, 2016
PubMed
Summary

New iridium complexes show promise as anticancer drugs. Ester modification enhances their potency and effectiveness against drug-resistant cancers by targeting mitochondria and inducing cell death.

More Related Videos

Functionalized Spirocyclic Heterocycle Synthesis and Cytotoxicity Assay
05:17

Functionalized Spirocyclic Heterocycle Synthesis and Cytotoxicity Assay

Published on: February 9, 2021

2.1K
Anticancer Metal Complexes: Synthesis and Cytotoxicity Evaluation by the MTT Assay
11:14

Anticancer Metal Complexes: Synthesis and Cytotoxicity Evaluation by the MTT Assay

Published on: November 10, 2013

59.0K

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Mar 10, 2026

Synthesis and Evaluation of a Ruthenium-based Mitochondrial Calcium Uptake Inhibitor
07:12

Synthesis and Evaluation of a Ruthenium-based Mitochondrial Calcium Uptake Inhibitor

Published on: October 26, 2017

8.2K
Functionalized Spirocyclic Heterocycle Synthesis and Cytotoxicity Assay
05:17

Functionalized Spirocyclic Heterocycle Synthesis and Cytotoxicity Assay

Published on: February 9, 2021

2.1K
Anticancer Metal Complexes: Synthesis and Cytotoxicity Evaluation by the MTT Assay
11:14

Anticancer Metal Complexes: Synthesis and Cytotoxicity Evaluation by the MTT Assay

Published on: November 10, 2013

59.0K

Area of Science:

  • Organometallic Chemistry
  • Medicinal Chemistry
  • Cancer Biology

Background:

  • Organometallic iridium complexes offer alternative mechanisms to traditional platinum-based chemotherapy.
  • Cyclometalated iridium(III) complexes with bipyridine ligands are explored for their anticancer potential.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To design and synthesize novel phosphorescent cyclometalated iridium(III) complexes with ester-modified ligands.
  • To evaluate the anticancer activity and mechanisms of these complexes, particularly against cisplatin-resistant cancer cells.
  • To investigate the role of ester group modification in tuning drug-like properties and biological efficacy.

Main Methods:

  • Synthesis of ten iridium(III) complexes featuring 2,2'-bipyridine-4,4'-dicarboxylic acid diester derivatives.
  • Assessment of photophysical properties (quantum yields, emission lifetimes) and their correlation with ester substituents.
  • In vitro cytotoxicity assays against a panel of cancer cell lines, including cisplatin-resistant strains.
  • Mechanism studies involving ester bond hydrolysis, mitochondrial accumulation, and induction of cell death pathways (autophagy, apoptosis).

Main Results:

  • Ester modification of iridium(III) complexes influences their photophysical properties and cytotoxicity.
  • Complexes 4a and 4b exhibit high activity against diverse cancer cells, including resistant ones.
  • Mechanism studies confirm ester hydrolysis, mitochondrial localization, and induction of apoptosis and autophagy.
  • Cytotoxicity correlates with the length of the ester groups, suggesting a structure-activity relationship.

Conclusions:

  • Ester modification is an effective strategy to enhance the anticancer potency of iridium(III) complexes.
  • The synthesized complexes demonstrate potential as novel chemotherapeutic agents with unique mechanisms of action.
  • Targeting mitochondria and inducing both apoptosis and autophagy are key mechanisms contributing to their efficacy.