RNA sequencing of A549 lung cancer cells treated with a copper(I) bisphosphine complex (Complex 1)

In this study, we evaluated a series of novel bisphosphine copper(I) thiocarbamide complexes and identified Complex 1, a bis(triphenylphosphine) copper(I) iodide complex bearing a thiocarbamide ligand, as exhibiting selective cytotoxicity toward lung cancer cells with reduced toxicity in normal fibroblasts.

To elucidate its mechanism of action, whole transcriptome profiling was conducted on A549 cells following treatment with Complex 1. Cells were treated with 5 µM Complex 1 or vehicle control (DMSO) for 72 hours prior to RNA extraction. Differential gene expression analysis revealed modulation of pathways associated with p53 signalling, NF-κB signalling, and cell cycle regulation.