Synthesis of fluorinated triphenylphosphonium analogs that improve cancer cell selectivity and in vivo detection

Abstract

Summary: Triphenylphosphonium (TPP+) compounds like mito-metformin (MMe) target cancer cells by exploiting their hyperpolarized mitochondrial membrane potential. Here, we present a protocol for synthesizing TPP+ analogs with selectivity for mammalian cancer cells, reduced toxicity, and quantifiability using fluorine-19 nuclear magnetic resonance (19F-NMR). We describe steps for treating mammalian cells with mitochondria-targeted compounds, treating and preparing mouse tissue with these compounds, and 19F-NMR detection of MMe analogs in cells and tissue. TPP+-conjugated metformin analogs include para-methoxy (pMeO-MMe) and para-trifluoromethyl MMe (pCF3-MMe) and meta-trifluoromethyl MMe (mCF3-MMe). : Publisher’s note: Undertaking any experimental protocol requires adherence to local institutional guidelines for laboratory safety and ethics.

Keywords

• Cancer
• Chemistry
• Metabolism
• Model Organisms
• NMR