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

18.1K
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...
18.1K
Epigenetic Regulation01:37

Epigenetic Regulation

3.6K
Epigenetic changes alter the physical structure of the DNA without changing the genetic sequence and often regulate whether genes are turned on or off. This regulation ensures that each cell produces only proteins necessary for its function. For example, proteins that promote bone growth are not produced in muscle cells. Epigenetic mechanisms play an essential role in healthy development. Conversely, precisely regulated epigenetic mechanisms are disrupted in diseases like cancer.
X-chromosome...
3.6K
Epigenetic Regulation01:46

Epigenetic Regulation

33.2K
Epigenetic mechanisms play an essential role in healthy development. Conversely, precisely regulated epigenetic mechanisms are disrupted in diseases like cancer.
33.2K
Targeted Cancer Therapies02:57

Targeted Cancer Therapies

8.5K
The targeted cancer therapies, also known as “molecular targeted therapies,” take advantage of the molecular and genetic differences between the cancer cells and the normal cells. It needs a thorough understanding of the cancer cells to develop drugs that can target specific molecular aspects that drive the growth, progression, and spread of cancer cells without affecting the growth and survival of other normal cells in the body.
There are several types of targeted therapies against...
8.5K
Combination Therapies and Personalized Medicine02:50

Combination Therapies and Personalized Medicine

5.7K
Combining two or more treatment methods increases the life span of cancer patients while reducing damage to vital organs or tissue from the overuse of a single treatment. Combination therapy also targets different cancer-inducing pathways, thus reducing the chances of developing resistance to treatment.
The combination of the drug acetazolamide and sulforaphane is a good example of combination therapy to treat cancer. The cells in the interior of a large tumor often die due to the hypoxic and...
5.7K
Cancer Therapies02:49

Cancer Therapies

9.7K
Cancer therapies are various modes of treatment, such as surgery, radiation therapy, and chemotherapy that are administered to cancer patients.
However, cancer treatments can pose several challenges, as therapies used to kill cancer cells are generally also toxic to normal cells. Moreover, cancer cells mutate rapidly and can develop resistance to chemical agents or radiation therapy. Besides, all types of cancer cells may not respond to the same therapy. Some cancer cells respond to one...
9.7K

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

Rational Design of Schiff Base Copper Chelators as Potent Necroptosis Inducers for Anticancer Therapy.

Journal of medicinal chemistry·2026
Same author

Outwitting the Hypoxic Fortress: Self-Assembled Glucose-Powered Mitochondria-Targeting Ru Nanoassemblies for Triad Chemo-Sonodynamic Immunotherapy.

Journal of medicinal chemistry·2026
Same author

Phosphorescent iridium complexes activated by endogenous zinc as a mitochondrial DNA nuclease for stimulation of the cGAS-STING pathway.

Chemical science·2025
Same author

Ir(III) Complexes Convert Cold to Hot Tumors via Ferroptosis/Necroptosis-Driven Immunogenic Cell Death and Photosensitized CD47 Downregulation.

Advanced science (Weinheim, Baden-Wurttemberg, Germany)·2025
Same author

Ru(II) Complex-Mediated Phase Separation Amplifies Photocatalytic RNA Damage to Stimulate RIG‑I Immunotherapy.

JACS Au·2025

Related Experiment Video

Updated: Dec 15, 2025

Author Spotlight: Transmitochondrial Cybrid Generation Using Cancer Cell Lines
07:49

Author Spotlight: Transmitochondrial Cybrid Generation Using Cancer Cell Lines

Published on: March 17, 2023

3.0K

Recoding the Cancer Epigenome by Intervening in Metabolism and Iron Homeostasis with Mitochondria-Targeted Rhenium(I)

Zheng-Yin Pan1, Cai-Ping Tan1, Lu-Si Rao1

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

Angewandte Chemie (International Ed. in English)
|July 8, 2020
PubMed
Summary

This study introduces a novel rhenium(I) complex, DFX-Re3, that targets cancer cell mitochondria. DFX-Re3 elevates epigenetic modifications, induces immunogenic cell death, and shows potent antitumor activity.

Keywords:
anticancerdrug discoveryepigeneticsmetabolismrhenium

More Related Videos

Author Spotlight: Assessing the Impact of Novel Iron Chelators on Cancer Cell Metabolism
05:36

Author Spotlight: Assessing the Impact of Novel Iron Chelators on Cancer Cell Metabolism

Published on: February 23, 2024

788
Genome-Wide CRISPR Screen for Unveiling Radiosensitive and Radioresistant Genes
08:32

Genome-Wide CRISPR Screen for Unveiling Radiosensitive and Radioresistant Genes

Published on: May 23, 2025

910

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Dec 15, 2025

Author Spotlight: Transmitochondrial Cybrid Generation Using Cancer Cell Lines
07:49

Author Spotlight: Transmitochondrial Cybrid Generation Using Cancer Cell Lines

Published on: March 17, 2023

3.0K
Author Spotlight: Assessing the Impact of Novel Iron Chelators on Cancer Cell Metabolism
05:36

Author Spotlight: Assessing the Impact of Novel Iron Chelators on Cancer Cell Metabolism

Published on: February 23, 2024

788
Genome-Wide CRISPR Screen for Unveiling Radiosensitive and Radioresistant Genes
08:32

Genome-Wide CRISPR Screen for Unveiling Radiosensitive and Radioresistant Genes

Published on: May 23, 2025

910

Area of Science:

  • Biochemistry
  • Oncology
  • Pharmacology

Background:

  • Cancer development and malignancy are linked to epigenetic alterations.
  • Mitochondrial metabolism and iron homeostasis play crucial roles in cancer progression.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To design and evaluate a mitochondria-targeted rhenium(I) complex (DFX-Re3) for epigenetic reprogramming in cancer.
  • To investigate the effects of DFX-Re3 on epigenetic modifications, cellular pathways, and antitumor activity.

Main Methods:

  • Synthesis of a mitochondria-targeted rhenium(I) complex (DFX-Re3) incorporating deferasirox.
  • Assessment of DFX-Re3's impact on histone, DNA, and RNA methylation levels.
  • Analysis of DFX-Re3's effects on apoptosis, RNA polymerases, and T-cell receptor signaling.
  • In vivo evaluation of DFX-Re3's antitumor efficacy and induction of immunogenic cell death.

Main Results:

  • DFX-Re3 successfully relocates iron to mitochondria, altering metabolic species.
  • Elevated methylation levels of histone, DNA, and RNA were observed.
  • DFX-Re3 modulated apoptosis, RNA polymerases, and T-cell receptor signaling pathways.
  • DFX-Re3 demonstrated potent in vivo antitumor activity and induced immunogenic apoptotic cell death.

Conclusions:

  • DFX-Re3 represents a novel epigenetic drug candidate targeting cancer.
  • Intervention in mitochondrial metabolism and iron homeostasis offers a new strategy for cancer epigenome recoding.
  • The study provides a new approach for designing epigenetic drugs with antitumor potential.