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Updated: Jun 30, 2025

Synthesis and Evaluation of a Ruthenium-based Mitochondrial Calcium Uptake Inhibitor
Published on: October 26, 2017
A Ruthenium(II) Polypyridyl Complex Disrupts Actin Cytoskeleton Assembly and Blocks Cytokinesis
Martin R Gill1, Paul J Jarman2, Vanessa Hearnden3
1Department of Chemistry Faculty of Science and Engineering Swansea University UK.
Abstract:
The dinuclear RuII complex [(Ru(phen)2)2(tpphz)]4+ (phen=1,10-phenanthroline, tpphz=tetrapyridophenazine) "RuRuPhen" blocks the transformation of G-actin monomers to F-actin filaments with no disassembly of pre-formed F-actin. Molecular docking studies indicate multiple RuRuPhen molecules bind to the surface of G-actin but not the binding pockets of established actin polymerisation inhibitors. In cells, addition of RuRuPhen causes rapid disruption to actin stress fibre organisation, compromising actomyosin contractility and cell motility; due to this effect RuRuPhen interferes with late-stage cytokinesis. Immunofluorescent microscopy reveals that RuRuPhen causes cytokinetic abscission failure by interfering with endosomal sorting complexes required for transport (ESCRT) complex recruitment.
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