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Dougherty PG, Karpurapu M, Koley A, Lukowski JK, Qian Z, Nirujogi TS, Rusu L, Chung S, Hummon AB, Li HW, Christman JW, Pei D. A Peptidyl Inhibitor that Blocks Calcineurin-NFAT Interaction and Prevents Acute Lung Injury. J Med Chem 2020; 63:12853-12872. [PMID: 33073986 PMCID: PMC8011862 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.0c01236] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/22/2023]
Abstract
Acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) is an inflammatory lung disease with a high morbidity and mortality rate, for which no pharmacologic treatment is currently available. Our previous studies discovered that a pivotal step in the disease process is the activation of the nuclear factor of activated T cells (NFAT) c3 in lung macrophages, suggesting that inhibitors against the upstream protein phosphatase calcineurin should be effective for prevention/treatment of ARDS. Herein, we report the development of a highly potent, cell-permeable, and metabolically stable peptidyl inhibitor, CNI103, which selectively blocks the interaction between calcineurin and NFATc3, through computational and medicinal chemistry. CNI103 specifically inhibited calcineurin signaling in vitro and in vivo and exhibited a favorable pharmacokinetic profile, broad tissue distribution following different routes of administration, and minimal toxicity. Our data indicate that CNI103 is a promising novel treatment for ARDS and other inflammatory diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Patrick G. Dougherty
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, The Ohio State University, 484 West 12 Ave., Columbus, OH 43210, United States
- Entrada Therapeutics, 50 Northern Avenue, Boston, MA 02210, United States
| | - Manjula Karpurapu
- Department of Medicine, Division of Pulmonary, Critical Care and Sleep Medicine, Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, Davis Heart and Lung Research Institute, Columbus, Ohio 43210, United States
| | - Amritendu Koley
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, The Ohio State University, 484 West 12 Ave., Columbus, OH 43210, United States
| | - Jessica K. Lukowski
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, IN 46556, United States
| | - Ziqing Qian
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, The Ohio State University, 484 West 12 Ave., Columbus, OH 43210, United States
- Entrada Therapeutics, 50 Northern Avenue, Boston, MA 02210, United States
| | - Teja Srinivas Nirujogi
- Department of Medicine, Division of Pulmonary, Critical Care and Sleep Medicine, Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, Davis Heart and Lung Research Institute, Columbus, Ohio 43210, United States
- East Liverpool City Hospital, 425 W 5th Street, East Liverpool, Ohio 43920, United States
| | - Luiza Rusu
- Department of Medicine, Division of Pulmonary, Critical Care and Sleep Medicine, Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, Davis Heart and Lung Research Institute, Columbus, Ohio 43210, United States
| | - Sangwoon Chung
- Department of Medicine, Division of Pulmonary, Critical Care and Sleep Medicine, Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, Davis Heart and Lung Research Institute, Columbus, Ohio 43210, United States
| | - Amanda B. Hummon
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, The Ohio State University, 484 West 12 Ave., Columbus, OH 43210, United States
- Comprehensive Cancer Center, The Ohio State University, Columbus OH, 43210, United States
| | - Hao W. Li
- Columbia Center for Translational Immunology, Columbia University, 650 W. 168 Street, New York, New York 10032, United States
| | - John W. Christman
- Department of Medicine, Division of Pulmonary, Critical Care and Sleep Medicine, Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, Davis Heart and Lung Research Institute, Columbus, Ohio 43210, United States
| | - Dehua Pei
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, The Ohio State University, 484 West 12 Ave., Columbus, OH 43210, United States
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Hizartzidis L, Gilbert J, Gordon CP, Sakoff JA, McCluskey A. Synthesis and Cytotoxicity of Octahydroepoxyisoindole‐7‐carboxylic Acids and Norcantharidin–Amide Hybrids as Norcantharidin Analogues. ChemMedChem 2019; 14:1152-1161. [DOI: 10.1002/cmdc.201900180] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/19/2019] [Indexed: 01/17/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Lacey Hizartzidis
- Chemistry, School of Environmental & Life Sciences The University of Newcastle 1 University Drive Callaghan NSW 2308 Australia
| | - Jayne Gilbert
- Experimental Therapeutics Group, Department of Medical Oncology Calvary Mater Hospital Edith Street Waratah NSW 2298 Australia
| | - Christopher P. Gordon
- Chemistry, School of Environmental & Life Sciences The University of Newcastle 1 University Drive Callaghan NSW 2308 Australia
- Present address: Department: School of Science and Health Western Sydney University Locked Bag 1797 Penrith South DC NSW 2750 Australia
| | - Jennette A. Sakoff
- Experimental Therapeutics Group, Department of Medical Oncology Calvary Mater Hospital Edith Street Waratah NSW 2298 Australia
| | - Adam McCluskey
- Chemistry, School of Environmental & Life Sciences The University of Newcastle 1 University Drive Callaghan NSW 2308 Australia
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Seabrooks L, Hu L. Insects: an underrepresented resource for the discovery of biologically active natural products. Acta Pharm Sin B 2017; 7:409-426. [PMID: 28752026 PMCID: PMC5518667 DOI: 10.1016/j.apsb.2017.05.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 63] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/06/2017] [Revised: 04/27/2017] [Accepted: 05/02/2017] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Nature has been the source of life-changing and -saving medications for centuries. Aspirin, penicillin and morphine are prime examples of Nature׳s gifts to medicine. These discoveries catalyzed the field of natural product drug discovery which has mostly focused on plants. However, insects have more than twice the number of species and entomotherapy has been in practice for as long as and often in conjunction with medicinal plants and is an important alternative to modern medicine in many parts of the world. Herein, an overview of current traditional medicinal applications of insects and characterization of isolated biologically active molecules starting from approximately 2010 is presented. Insect natural products reviewed were isolated from ants, bees, wasps, beetles, cockroaches, termites, flies, true bugs, moths and more. Biological activities of these natural products from insects include antimicrobial, antifungal, antiviral, anticancer, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory effects.
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Ren J, Li G, Zhao W, Lin L, Ye T. Norcantharidin combined with ABT-737 for hepatocellular carcinoma: Therapeutic effects and molecular mechanisms. World J Gastroenterol 2016; 22:3962-3968. [PMID: 27099439 PMCID: PMC4823246 DOI: 10.3748/wjg.v22.i15.3962] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2015] [Revised: 12/30/2015] [Accepted: 01/18/2016] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
AIM: To study the therapeutic effect of norcantharidin (NCTD) combined with ABT-737 on hepatocellular carcinoma cells and the molecular mechanism.
METHODS: Two hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) cell lines, HepG2 and SMMC-7721, were selected. ABT-737 and NCTD were allocated into groups to be used alone or in combination. HepG2 and SMMC-7721 cells were cultured in vitro. Liver cancer cells in the logarithmic phase of growth were vaccinated and cultured to the cell wall stage; these cells were treated for 48 h with different concentrations of NCTD, or ABT-737, or NCTD combined with ABT-737. The cell proliferation inhibition rate was detected by methyl thiazolyl tetrazolium. The expression of Mcl in HCC cells was detected by Western Blotting, and the cells in each group after treatment had apoptosis detected by flow cytometry. The proliferation inhibition rate, the expression of Mcl-1 in cells and the apoptosis inducing effect of treatment were observed in each group, and the effect of NCTD on ABT-737 in the treatment of HCC and its mechanism of action were analyzed.
RESULTS: As the concentration of NCTD increased, the cell proliferation inhibition rate gradually decreased; and the treatment effect of ABT-737 1-3 μm combined with NCTD on cell proliferation inhibition was stronger than that of ABT-737 alone. The difference was statistically significant (P < 0.05). In observing the expression of Mcl-1 in cells after the treatment of different concentrations of NCTD, this was partially inhibited after treatment with NCTD 15 μm, and the expression of Mcl-1 was almost undetectable after treatment with NCTD 30 μm and 60 μm. The effect on inducing apoptosis with the treatment of ABT-737 or NCTD alone for 48 h was lower than that of the control group. The difference was not statistically significant (P > 0.05). The effect on inducing apoptosis in HepG2 and SMMC-7721 cells with the treatment of ABT-737 combined with NCTD for 48 h was greater than that of ABT-737 or NCTD alone. The difference was statistically significant (P < 0.05).
CONCLUSION: NCTD combined with ABT-737 has a positive role in the treatment of HCC, and it has great value in clinical research.
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N-Farnesyloxy-norcantharimide inhibits progression of human leukemic Jurkat T cells through regulation of mitogen-activated protein kinase and interleukin-2 production. Anticancer Drugs 2015; 26:1034-42. [PMID: 26288134 PMCID: PMC4588604 DOI: 10.1097/cad.0000000000000284] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
This study investigated the anticancer effects of N-farnesyloxy-norcantharimide (NOC15), a newly synthesized norcantharidin (NCTD) analogue, on human leukemic Jurkat T cells and the signaling pathway underlying its effects. We found that the half maximal inhibitory concentration (IC50) of NOC15 on Jurkat T cells is 1.4 μmol/l, which is 11.14-fold (=15.6÷1.4) smaller than the 15.6 μmol/l of NCTD on Jurkat T cells, whereas the IC50 of NOC15 on human normal lymphoblast (HNL) is 207.9 μmol/l, which is 8.17-fold (=1698.0÷207.8) smaller than the 1698.0 μmol/l of NCTD on HNL cells. These results indicated that NOC15 exerts a higher anticancer effect on Jurkat T cells and has higher toxicity toward HNL cells than NCTD. Thus, NOC15 is 1.36-fold (=11.14÷8.17) beneficial as an anticancer agent toward Jurkat T cells compared with NCTD. Moreover, NOC15 can increase the percentage of cells in the sub-G1 phase and reduce the cell viability of Jurkat T cells, stimulate p38 and extracellular signal-regulated protein kinase 1/2 (ERK1/2) of mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs) signaling pathway, and inhibit calcineurin expression and interleukin-2 (IL-2) production. However, NOC15 exerted no effects on the Jun-N-terminal kinase 1/2 (JNK1/2) signaling pathway, the production of IL-8, and tumor necrosis factor-α. We conclude that the anticancer activity of the newly synthesized NOC15 is 1.36-fold beneficial than NCTD as an anticancer agent and that NOC15 can increase the percentage of cells in the sub-G1 phase through the stimulation of p38 and ERK1/2 of the MAPK signaling pathway and the inhibition of calcineurin expression and IL-2 production. The NOC15 may have the potential of being developed into an anticancer agent in the future.
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Hirai G, Sodeoka M. Focused library with a core structure extracted from natural products and modified: application to phosphatase inhibitors and several biochemical findings. Acc Chem Res 2015; 48:1464-73. [PMID: 25894598 DOI: 10.1021/acs.accounts.5b00048] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
Abstract
Synthesis of a focused library is an important strategy to create novel modulators of specific classes of proteins. Compounds in a focused library are composed of a common core structure and different diversity structures. In this Account, we describe our design and synthesis of libraries focused on selective inhibitors of protein phosphatases (PPases). We considered that core structures having structural and electronic features similar to those of PPase substrates, phosphate esters, would be a reasonable choice. Therefore, we extracted core structures from natural products already identified as PPase inhibitors. Since many PPases share similar active-site structures, such phosphate-mimicking core structures should interact with many enzymes in the same family, and therefore the choice of diversity structures is pivotal both to increase the binding affinity and to achieve specificity for individual enzymes. Here we present case studies of application of focused libraries to obtain PPase inhibitors, covering the overall process from selection of core structures to identification and evaluation of candidates in the focused libraries. To synthesize a library focused on protein serine-threonine phosphatases (PPs), we chose norcantharidin as a core structure, because norcantharidin dicarboxylate shows a broad inhibition profile toward several PPs. From the resulting focused library, we identified a highly selective PP2B inhibitor, NCA-01. On the other hand, to find inhibitors of dual-specificity protein phosphatases (DSPs), we chose 3-acyltetronic acid extracted from natural product RK-682 as a core structure, because its structure resembles the transition state in the dephosphorylation reaction of DSPs. However, a highly selective inhibitor was not found in the resulting focused library. Furthermore, an inherent drawback of compounds having the highly acidic 3-acyltetronic acid as a core structure is very weak potency in cellulo, probably due to poor cell membrane permeability. Therefore, we next modified the core structure from acidic to neutral by transformation to the enamine derivative and constructed a second-generation focused library (RE derivatives). The resulting compounds showed dramatically improved cell membrane permeability and inhibitory selectivity and included VHR (vaccinia VH1-related)-selective RE12 and CDC25A/B (cell division cycle 25A/B)-selective RE44. These inhibitors act on target enzymes in cellulo and do not generate reactive oxygen species, which is a potential problem with quinoid-type inhibitors of CDC25s. The cellular activity of RE12 was further improved by replacement of the side chain to afford RE176, which showed more potent antiproliferative activity than RE12 against HeLa cells. The dramatic change of inhibitory selectivity obtained by core structure modification from 3-acyltetronic acid to its enamine derivative was associated with a change in the mode of action. Namely, RE derivatives were found to be noncompetitive inhibitors with respect to a small-molecular substrate of CDC25A/B, whereas RK-682 was a competitive inhibitor of VHR. We identified the binding site of RE derivatives on the CDC25A as a pocket adjacent to the active site; this appears to be a promising target site for development of further novel inhibitors of CDC25s.
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Affiliation(s)
- Go Hirai
- Synthetic Organic Chemistry
Laboratory, RIKEN, 2-1 Hirosawa, Wako-shi, Saitama 351-0198, Japan
- RIKEN Center for Sustainable Resource Science, 2-1 Hirosawa, Wako-shi, Saitama 351-0198, Japan
- CREST-JST, 4-1-8 Honcho, Kawaguchi, Saitama 332-0012, Japan
| | - Mikiko Sodeoka
- Synthetic Organic Chemistry
Laboratory, RIKEN, 2-1 Hirosawa, Wako-shi, Saitama 351-0198, Japan
- RIKEN Center for Sustainable Resource Science, 2-1 Hirosawa, Wako-shi, Saitama 351-0198, Japan
- CREST-JST, 4-1-8 Honcho, Kawaguchi, Saitama 332-0012, Japan
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Foster RW, Benhamou L, Porter MJ, Bučar DK, Hailes HC, Tame CJ, Sheppard TD. Irreversible endo-selective diels-alder reactions of substituted alkoxyfurans: a general synthesis of endo-cantharimides. Chemistry 2015; 21:6107-14. [PMID: 25756502 PMCID: PMC4406157 DOI: 10.1002/chem.201406286] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2014] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
The [4+2] cycloaddition of 3-alkoxyfurans with N-substituted maleimides provides the first general route for preparing endo-cantharimides. Unlike the corresponding reaction with 3H furans, the reaction can tolerate a broad range of 2-substitued furans including alkyl, aromatic, and heteroaromatic groups. The cycloaddition products were converted into a range of cantharimide products with promising lead-like properties for medicinal chemistry programs. Furthermore, the electron-rich furans are shown to react with a variety of alternative dienophiles to generate 7-oxabicyclo[2.2.1]heptane derivatives under mild conditions. DFT calculations have been performed to rationalize the activation effect of the 3-alkoxy group on a furan Diels-Alder reaction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robert W Foster
- Department of Chemistry, University College London, Christopher Ingold Laboratories20 Gordon Street, London, WC1H 0AJ (UK)
| | - Laure Benhamou
- Department of Chemistry, University College London, Christopher Ingold Laboratories20 Gordon Street, London, WC1H 0AJ (UK)
| | - Michael J Porter
- Department of Chemistry, University College London, Christopher Ingold Laboratories20 Gordon Street, London, WC1H 0AJ (UK)
| | - Dejan-Krešimir Bučar
- Department of Chemistry, University College London, Christopher Ingold Laboratories20 Gordon Street, London, WC1H 0AJ (UK)
| | - Helen C Hailes
- Department of Chemistry, University College London, Christopher Ingold Laboratories20 Gordon Street, London, WC1H 0AJ (UK)
| | - Christopher J Tame
- GlaxoSmithKline, Medicines Research CentreGunnels Wood Road, Stevenage, Herts, SG1 2NY (UK)
| | - Tom D Sheppard
- Department of Chemistry, University College London, Christopher Ingold Laboratories20 Gordon Street, London, WC1H 0AJ (UK)
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N-Farnesyloxy-norcantharimide and N-farnesyl-norcantharimide inhibit the progression of leukemia and increase survival days in a syngeneic mouse leukemia model. Anticancer Drugs 2015; 26:508-17. [PMID: 25588161 DOI: 10.1097/cad.0000000000000210] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/28/2023]
Abstract
This study investigated the anticancer effects of two newly synthesized norcantharidin analogs, N-farnesyloxy-norcantharimide (NOC15) and N-farnesyl-norcantharimide (NC15), in L1210 cells and in a syngeneic mouse leukemia model (L1210 cell line plus DBA/2 mice). We found that the half-maximal inhibitory concentration (IC50) of NOC15 and NC15 on L1210 cells is 1.56 and 2.62 μmol/l, respectively, and that the IC50 of NOC15 and NC15 on human normal lymphoblast is 207.9 and 2569 μmol/l, respectively. In cell cycle analysis, NOC15 could increase the sub-G1 phase, whereas NC15 could induce G2/M arrest. Annexin-V apoptosis assay indicated that both NOC15 and NC15 could induce cell apoptosis. In the syngeneic mouse leukemia model, both NOC15 and NC15 could increase the survival days of mice and decrease the tumor weight. Moreover, both NOC15 and NC15 could retard the increase in peripheral blood leukocyte count due to L1210 cells. In the subcutaneous (s.c.) group, the treatment with NOC15 could retard the decrease in the weight of the liver and the spleen caused by L1210 cells, whereas the treatment with NC15 could retard the decrease in the weight of the spleen caused by L1210 cells. We conclude that the new compounds NOC15 and NC15 have strong anticancer activity and low toxicity both in vitro and in vivo. NOC15 and NC15 may have the potential to be developed into anticancer agents in the future.
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