A Short Peptide-Ru(2,2’-bpy)32+ Conjugate as an Anti-Cancer Therapeutic Agent

Parvin, Sabana (2025) A Short Peptide-Ru(2,2’-bpy)32+ Conjugate as an Anti-Cancer Therapeutic Agent. Masters thesis, Indian Institute of Science Education and Research Kolkata.

Text (MS Dissertation of Sabana Parvin (23MP024)) 23MP024_Thesis_file.pdf - Submitted Version Restricted to Repository staff only Download (1MB)

Abstract

The Golgi apparatus (GA) plays a crucial role in protein trafficking, post-translational modifications, and redox control in cancer cells. So, targeting GA has become a viable approach for targeted cancer therapy. In this work, we reported a novel dual-treatment strategy that combines organelle-specific drug administration with photodynamic therapy (PDT) by employing a ruthenium–peptide conjugate. After enzymatic hydrolysis by GA-associated thio-esterases, the thioester moiety acts as a trigger for Golgi targeting, resulting in intracellular self-assembly and selective accumulation in the GA. Whereas, the ruthenium polypyridyl complex generates cytotoxic singlet oxygen when activated by light. Generation of ROS causes oxidative stress and apoptosis. This system operates through a dual mechanism: disrupting Golgi function via peptide self-assembly and inducing localized photo-induced cell death. Together, these effects result in highly selective cytotoxicity toward cancer cells with minimal off-target damage to healthy cells. Initial in vitro assays confirm efficient singlet oxygen generation by the compound upon light activation, underscoring the potential of this enzyme-responsive system as a Golgi-targeted approach for future photodynamic cancer therapy.

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