Interactions between proteins and Ru compounds of medicinal interest: A structural perspective

• Structures of adducts formed between Ru compounds and proteins are summarized.
• The effect of Ru compound binding on the protein structure is discussed.
• Recurrent features in the structures of Ru-protein adducts are highlighted.

Ruthenium compounds have unique physicochemical properties that can be efficiently exploited in medicinal chemistry. These molecules can act using both DNA or enzymes as target. The molecular bases that govern DNA versus protein binding selectivity are not known, but a number of investigations has allowed one to obtain significant information on these recognition processes. Here we review some relevant crystallographic studies focused on the characterization of the interaction between proteins and selected ruthenium compounds of medicinal interest. Details of the interactions between Ru compounds and protein residues are described and the reactivity of the compounds towards different targets is compared with that observed analyzing analogous Pt-based drugs-protein adducts. Data provide important information that can be useful to a deeper understanding of the mechanism of actions of the analyzed compounds.

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