Imaging Sites of Inhibition of Proteolysis in Pathomimetic Human Breast Cancer Cultures by Light-Activated Ruthenium Compound

<div><p>The cysteine protease cathepsin B has been causally linked to progression and metastasis of breast cancers. We demonstrate inhibition by a dipeptidyl nitrile inhibitor (compound <b>1)</b> of cathepsin B activity and also of pericellular degradation of dye-quenched collagen IV by living breast cancer cells. To image, localize and quantify collagen IV degradation in real-time we used 3D pathomimetic breast cancer models designed to mimic the <i>in vivo</i> microenvironment of breast cancers. We further report the synthesis and characterization of a caged version of compound <b>1</b>, [Ru(bpy)₂(<b>1</b>)₂](BF₄)₂ (compound <b>2</b>), which can be photoactivated with visible light. Upon light activation, compound <b>2</b>, like compound <b>1</b>, inhibited cathepsin B activity and pericellular collagen IV degradation by the 3D pathomimetic models of living breast cancer cells, without causing toxicity. We suggest that caged inhibitor <b>2</b> is a prototype for cathepsin B inhibitors that can control both the site and timing of inhibition in cancer.</p>