Resumen: The alkynyl gold(I) derivative Au(C=CPh)(PTA)] (PTA = 1, 3, 5-triaza-7-phosphaadamantane) induces apoptosis in colorectal carcinoma tumour cells (Caco-2) without affecting to normal enterocytes. Au(C=CPh)(PTA)] is a slight lipophilic drug, stable in PBS (Phosphate Buffered Saline) and able to bind BSA (Bovin Serum Albumin) by hydrophobic interactions. Once inside the cell, Au(C=CPh)(PTA)] targets seleno proteins such as Thioredoxin Reductase 1, increasing ROS (Reactive Oxygen Species) levels, reducing cell viability and proliferation and inducing mitochondrial apoptotic pathway, pro-apoptotic and anti-apoptotic protein imbalance, loss of mitochondrial membrane potential, cytochrome c release and activation of caspases 9 and 3. Moreover, unlike other metal-based drugs such as cisplatin, Au(C=CPh)(PTA)] does not target nucleic acid, reducing the risk of side mutation in the DNA. In consequence, our results predict a promising future for Au(C=CPh)(PTA)] as a chemotherapeutic agent for colorectal carcinoma. Idioma: Inglés DOI: 10.1016/j.jinorgbio.2016.11.009 Año: 2017 Publicado en: JOURNAL OF INORGANIC BIOCHEMISTRY 166 (2017), 108-121 ISSN: 0162-0134 Factor impacto JCR: 3.063 (2017) Categ. JCR: CHEMISTRY, INORGANIC & NUCLEAR rank: 10 / 45 = 0.222 (2017) - Q1 - T1 Categ. JCR: BIOCHEMISTRY & MOLECULAR BIOLOGY rank: 137 / 292 = 0.469 (2017) - Q2 - T2 Factor impacto SCIMAGO: 0.743 - Inorganic Chemistry (Q2) - Biochemistry (Q3)