Metallo‐Drugs and Their Action
James C. Dabrowiak · 2017
This chapter presents a brief overview of basic protein and DNA structure, detailing which amino acid groups on proteins and nucleic bases of DNA are important targets for metallo-drug binding. Since some of the components in blood and other fluids are common, well-known metal-binding ligands, a brief overview of the effects of these agents on the speciation of metal complexes in the biological milieu is presented. In addition to highlighting some of the chemical and biochemical aspects of metallo-drugs in the biological system, it is important to briefly discuss how the pharmacological effects of these agents are measured. While cell studies remain the mainstay in testing the cytotoxicity of compounds that aspire to become drugs, studies in animals are required for more meaningful preclinical evaluation before the lengthy drug approval process can even be initiated.