Supramolecular photodynamic agents for simultaneous oxidation of NADH and generation of superoxide radical.

Abstract

Given that Type-I photosensitizers (PSs) have hypoxia tolerance, developing general approaches to prepare Type-I PSs is of great importance, but remains a challenge. Here, we report a supramolecular strategy for the preparation of Type-I photodynamic agents, which simultaneously generate strong oxidizing cationic radicals and superoxide radicals, by introducing electron acceptors to the existing Type-II PSs. As a proof-of-concept, three electron acceptors were designed and co-assembled with a classical PS to produce quadruple hydrogen-bonded supramolecular photodynamic agents. The photo-induced electron transfer from the PS to the adjacent electron acceptor occurs efficiently, leading to the generation of a strong oxidizing PS+• and an anionic radical of the acceptor, which further transfers an electron to oxygen to form O2-•. In addition, these photodynamic agents induce direct photocatalytic oxidation of NADH with a turnover frequency as high as 53.7 min-1, which offers an oxygen-independent mechanism to damage tumors.

• Authors: Kun-Xu Teng, Li-Ya Niu, Nan Xie, Qing-Zheng Yang
• Journal: Nature communications (Nat Commun) Vol. 13 Issue 1 Pg. 6179 (10 19 2022) ISSN: 2041-1723 [Electronic] England
• PMID: 36261451 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)
• Copyright: © 2022. The Author(s).

Chemical References

• Superoxides
• Photosensitizing Agents
• NAD
• Oxygen
• Hydrogen

Topics

• Superoxides
• Photosensitizing Agents (pharmacology)
• NAD (metabolism)
• Oxidation-Reduction
• Oxygen
• Hydrogen
• Photochemotherapy