Application of metallomics and metalloproteomics for understanding the molecular mechanism of action of metal-based drugs

Abstract

Metals play a significant role in biological processes, and metal-based drugs nowadays have been commonly used for therapeutic and diagnostic purposes. However, due to severe side effects with metallodrugs and acquired drug resistance, more metallodrugs are being developed, with improved pharmacological profiles and less side effects. With the rapid development of metallomic strategies in understanding metals in complex biological systems, their successful application in the field of medicinal inorganic chemistry has led to significant progresses in understanding the mechanisms of actions of metal-based drugs. This chapter introduces the concepts and research techniques in metallomics and metalloproteomics and expatiates the fate of metal-based drugs as well as metallic nanoparticles in biological systems revealed by metallomic studies.