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Planarians as models to investigate the bioactivity of gold(I) complexes in vivo

Luiza G Tunes1,2, John M Allen2, Ricardo M Zayas3

  • 1Instituto René Rachou - Fiocruz Minas, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil.

Scientific Reports
|November 3, 2018
PubMed

Insights

Gold(I) complexes show promise in treating diseases like cancer. In planarians, these compounds reduced negative effects of p53 gene silencing, extending survival and offering a new research model.

Area of Science:

  • Biomedical research
  • Pharmacology
  • Toxicology

Background:

  • Gold(I) complexes are investigated for rheumatoid arthritis, cancer, and parasitic infections.
  • Planarian Schmidtea mediterranea has tumor suppressor gene orthologues, including p53.
  • p53 gene silencing in planarians leads to deregulated cell proliferation and apoptosis.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate the in vivo bioactivity of two triethylphosphine-gold(I) complexes (AdO and AdT) in planarians.
  • To determine if gold(I) complexes can attenuate phenotypes resulting from p53 inhibition.
  • To establish planarians as a model for studying gold(I) complex mechanisms of action.

Main Methods:

  • Determined non-toxic drug concentrations for planarian survival and regeneration.
  • Assessed effects of gold(I) complexes on cell division and apoptosis.
  • Conducted simultaneous p53 RNA interference (RNAi) and gold(I) complex treatments.

Main Results:

  • AdT treatment reduced mitotic cell numbers; all treatments increased apoptotic cells.
  • Combined p53(RNAi) and gold(I) complex treatment increased survival threefold.
  • Gold(I) complex treatment attenuated the p53(RNAi) phenotype by decreasing apoptosis.

Conclusions:

  • Planarians can be effectively treated with gold(I) complexes.
  • Gold(I) complex treatment diminishes the p53(RNAi) phenotype and extends survival in planarians.
  • Planarians serve as a viable in vivo model for gold(I) complex research.

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