title: Mechanism of the synergistic cytotoxicity between pentachlorophenol and copper-1,10-phenanthroline complex: the formation of a lipophilic ternary complex.
abstract: When non- or sub-toxic levels of pentachlorophenol (PCP) and bis-(1, 10-phenanthroline)cupric complex, Cu(II)(OP)(2), were combined, a remarkable synergistic toxicity was observed as indicated by growth inhibition and bacterial inactivation. Similar synergistic cytotoxic effects were observed with other polychlorinated phenols and other positively charged cupric complexes. The synergism observed for these chemicals and similar reactive pairs of chemicals was found to be due to the formation of lipophilic ternary complexes which facilitated copper transport into the bacterial cells. The formation of ternary complexes of similar lipophilic character could be of relevance as a general mechanism of toxicity.
authors.affiliation: Department of Cellular Biochemistry, Hebrew University-Hadassah Schools of Medicine and Dental Medicine, 91120, Jerusalem, Israel. benzhan.zhu@orst.edu
authors.forename: B Z
authors.initials: BZ
authors.lastname: Zhu
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Chevion
mesh_terms: D001692:Biological Transport; D002455:Cell Division / Q000187:drug effects; D003300:Copper / Q000493:pharmacokinetics / Q000633:toxicity; D004357:Drug Synergism; D004926:Escherichia coli / Q000166:cytology / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000254:growth & development; D007700:Kinetics; D008956:Models, Chemical; D009942:Organometallic Compounds / Q000737:chemistry / Q000633:toxicity*; D010416:Pentachlorophenol / Q000737:chemistry / Q000633:toxicity*; D010618:Phenanthrolines / Q000737:chemistry / Q000633:toxicity*
chemical_list: D009942:Organometallic Compounds; D010618:Phenanthrolines; C078638:copper-neocuproine complex; D003300:Copper; D010416:Pentachlorophenol