In vitro structure-specific Zn(II)-induced adipogenesis and structure-function bioreactivity correlations

The advent of Zn(II) metallodrugs in metabolic syndrome pathologies generates a strong challenge toward synthetic endeavors targeting well-defined, atoxic and biologically active binary/ternary species of Zn(II). Proper formulation of that metal ion's coordination sphere sets the stage for construction of appropriately configured Schiff ligands based on tromethamine and variably modified vanillin core components. The arising Schiff ligands react with Zn(II) in a defined stoichiometry, thereby delivering new binary Zn(II)-L species with defined physicochemical properties. Analytical (elemental), spectroscopic (FT-IR, Thermogravimetric Analysis) and crystallographic techniques attest to the distinct nature of the derived binary-ternary materials, bearing defined Zn(II):L molecular stoichiometry, variable nuclearity, charge, bulk and balance mix of hydrophilicity-hydrophobicity, thereby providing the physicochemical profile based on which biological studies could ensue. The structurally based selection of species was applied onto in vitro 3T3-L1 cultures, essentially exploring toxicity, migration, morphology, cell differentiation and maturation. The systematic effort toward comparative work on appropriately defined Zn(II) species and insulin in inducing adipogenesis reveals the salient structural features in the Schiff family of ligands configuring Zn(II) so as to promote complex formation sufficient to engage biomolecular targets during the process of initiation and maturation. Molecular targets of importance in adipogenesis were examined under the influence of Zn(II) and their expression levels suggest the structural composition that a Zn(II) ion might have to optimally pursue cell differentiation. Thus, a well-defined selection of binary Zn(II)-L species is tightly associated with the incurred bioactivity, thereby setting the stage for the development of efficient Zn(II) metallodrugs to combat Diabetes mellitus II.