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Del Rosario H, Saavedra E, Brouard I, González-Santana D, García C, Spínola-Lasso E, Tabraue C, Quintana J, Estévez F. Structure-activity relationships reveal a 2-furoyloxychalcone as a potent cytotoxic and apoptosis inducer for human U-937 and HL-60 leukaemia cells. Bioorg Chem 2022; 127:105926. [PMID: 35717804 DOI: 10.1016/j.bioorg.2022.105926] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/07/2022] [Revised: 05/25/2022] [Accepted: 06/01/2022] [Indexed: 11/02/2022]
Abstract
Synthetic flavonoids with new substitution patterns have attracted attention as potential anticancer drugs. Here, twelve chalcones were synthesized and their antiproliferative activities against five human tumour cells were evaluated. This series of chalcone derivatives was characterized by the presence of an additional aromatic or heterocyclic ring linked by an ether, in the case of a benzyl radical, or an ester or amide functional group in the case of a furoyl radical. In addition, the influence on cytotoxicity by the presence of one or three methoxy groups or a 2,4-dimethoxy-3-methyl system on the B ring of the chalcone scaffold was also explored. The results revealed that the most cytotoxic chalcones contain a furoyl substituent linked by an ester or an amide through the 2'-hydroxy or the 2'-amino group of the A ring of the chalcone skeleton, with IC50 values between 0.2 ± 0.1 μM and 1.3 ± 0.1 μM against human leukaemia cells. The synthetic chalcone 2'-furoyloxy-4-methoxychalcone (FMC) was, at least, ten-fold more potent than the antineoplastic agent etoposide against U-937 cells and displayed less cytotoxicity against human peripheral blood mononuclear cells. Treatment of U-937 and HL-60 cells with FMC induced cell cycle arrest at the G2-M phase, an increase in the percentage of sub-G1 and annexin-V positive cells, the release of mitochondrial cytochrome c, activation of caspase and poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase cleavage. In addition, it inhibited tubulin polymerization in vitro in a concentration dependent manner. Cell death triggered by this chalcone was decreased by the pan-caspase inhibitor z-VAD-fmk and was dependent of the generation of reactive oxygen species. We conclude that this furoyloxychalcone may be useful in the development of a potential anti-leukaemia strategy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Henoc Del Rosario
- Departamento de Bioquímica y Biología Molecular, Fisiología, Genética e Inmunología, Instituto Universitario de Investigaciones Biomédicas y Sanitarias (IUIBS), Grupo de Química Orgánica y Bioquímica, Universidad de Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Unidad Asociada al Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC), 35016 Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Spain
| | - Ester Saavedra
- Departamento de Bioquímica y Biología Molecular, Fisiología, Genética e Inmunología, Instituto Universitario de Investigaciones Biomédicas y Sanitarias (IUIBS), Grupo de Química Orgánica y Bioquímica, Universidad de Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Unidad Asociada al Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC), 35016 Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Spain; Instituto Canario de Investigación del Cáncer, 35016 Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Spain
| | - Ignacio Brouard
- Instituto de Productos Naturales y Agrobiología, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (IPNA-CSIC), 38206 La Laguna, Tenerife, Spain
| | - Daniel González-Santana
- Instituto de Productos Naturales y Agrobiología, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (IPNA-CSIC), 38206 La Laguna, Tenerife, Spain; Facultad de Farmacia. Universidad de La Laguna, Tenerife, Spain
| | - Celina García
- Instituto Universitario de Bio-orgánica AG, Departamento de Química Orgánica, Universidad de La Laguna, Tenerife, Spain
| | - Elena Spínola-Lasso
- Departamento de Bioquímica y Biología Molecular, Fisiología, Genética e Inmunología, Instituto Universitario de Investigaciones Biomédicas y Sanitarias (IUIBS), Grupo de Química Orgánica y Bioquímica, Universidad de Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Unidad Asociada al Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC), 35016 Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Spain
| | - Carlos Tabraue
- Departamento de Morfología, Grupo de Investigación Medio Ambiente y Salud (GIMAS), Instituto Universitario de Investigaciones Biomédicas y Sanitarias (IUIBS), Universidad de Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Spain
| | - José Quintana
- Departamento de Bioquímica y Biología Molecular, Fisiología, Genética e Inmunología, Instituto Universitario de Investigaciones Biomédicas y Sanitarias (IUIBS), Grupo de Química Orgánica y Bioquímica, Universidad de Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Unidad Asociada al Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC), 35016 Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Spain
| | - Francisco Estévez
- Departamento de Bioquímica y Biología Molecular, Fisiología, Genética e Inmunología, Instituto Universitario de Investigaciones Biomédicas y Sanitarias (IUIBS), Grupo de Química Orgánica y Bioquímica, Universidad de Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Unidad Asociada al Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC), 35016 Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Spain.
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Saavedra E, Del Rosario H, Brouard I, Hernández-Garcés J, García C, Quintana J, Estévez F. The synthetic flavanone 6-methoxy-2-(naphthalen-1-yl)chroman-4-one induces apoptosis and activation of the MAPK pathway in human U-937 leukaemia cells. Bioorg Chem 2019; 94:103450. [PMID: 31785856 DOI: 10.1016/j.bioorg.2019.103450] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/14/2019] [Revised: 09/19/2019] [Accepted: 11/14/2019] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Synthetic flavonoids containing a naphthalene ring have attracted attention as potential cytotoxic compounds. Here, we synthesized ten chalcones and their corresponding flavanones and evaluated their antiproliferative activity against the human tumour cell line U-937. This series of chalcone derivatives was characterized by the presence of a naphthalene ring which was kept unaltered- and attached to the β carbon of the 1-phenyl-2-propen-1-one framework. The structure-activity relationship of these chalcone derivatives and their corresponding cyclic compounds was investigated by the introduction of different substituents (methyl, methoxy, benzyloxy, chlorine) or by varying the position of the methoxy or benzyloxy groups on the A ring. The results revealed that both the chalcone containing the methoxy group at 5' position of the A ring as well as its corresponding flavanone [6-methoxy-2-(naphthalen-1-yl)chroman-4-one] were the most cytotoxic compounds, with IC50 values of 2.8 ± 0.2 and 1.3 ± 0.2 μM, respectively, against U-937 cells. This synthetic flavanone was as cytotoxic as the antitumor etoposide in U-937 cells and displayed strong cytotoxicity against additional human leukaemia cell lines, including HL-60, MOLT-3 and NALM-6. Human peripheral blood mononuclear cells were more resistant than leukaemia cells to the cytotoxic effects of the flavanone. Treatment of U-937 cells with this compound induced G2-M cell cycle arrest, an increase in sub-G1 ratio and annexin-V positive cells, mitochondrial cytochrome c release, caspase activation and poly(ADP-ribose)polymerase processing. Apoptosis induction triggered by this flavonoid was blocked by overexpression of the anti-apoptotic protein Bcl-2. This flavanone induces phosphorylation of p38 mitogen-activated protein kinases, extracellular-signal regulated kinases and c-jun N-terminal kinases/stress-activated protein kinases (JNK/SAPK) following different kinetics. Moreover, cell death was attenuated by the inhibition of mitogen-activated extracellular kinases and JNK/SAPK and was independent of reactive oxygen species generation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ester Saavedra
- Departamento de Bioquímica y Biología Molecular, Unidad Asociada al Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC), Instituto Universitario de Investigaciones Biomédicas y Sanitarias (IUIBS), Universidad de las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Spain
| | - Henoc Del Rosario
- Departamento de Bioquímica y Biología Molecular, Unidad Asociada al Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC), Instituto Universitario de Investigaciones Biomédicas y Sanitarias (IUIBS), Universidad de las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Spain
| | - Ignacio Brouard
- Instituto de Productos Naturales y Agrobiología, CSIC, La Laguna, Tenerife, Spain
| | - Judith Hernández-Garcés
- Instituto Universitario de Bio-orgánica AG, Departamento de Química Orgánica, Universidad de La Laguna, Tenerife, Spain
| | - Celina García
- Instituto Universitario de Bio-orgánica AG, Departamento de Química Orgánica, Universidad de La Laguna, Tenerife, Spain
| | - José Quintana
- Departamento de Bioquímica y Biología Molecular, Unidad Asociada al Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC), Instituto Universitario de Investigaciones Biomédicas y Sanitarias (IUIBS), Universidad de las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Spain
| | - Francisco Estévez
- Departamento de Bioquímica y Biología Molecular, Unidad Asociada al Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC), Instituto Universitario de Investigaciones Biomédicas y Sanitarias (IUIBS), Universidad de las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Spain.
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Duan YT, Sangani CB, Liu W, Soni KV, Yao Y. New Promises to Cure Cancer and Other Genetic Diseases/Disorders: Epi-drugs Through Epigenetics. Curr Top Med Chem 2019; 19:972-994. [DOI: 10.2174/1568026619666190603094439] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/07/2019] [Revised: 05/05/2019] [Accepted: 05/27/2019] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
All the heritable alterations in gene expression and chromatin structure due to chemical modifications that do not involve changes in the primary gene nucleotide sequence are referred to as epigenetics. DNA methylation, histone modifications, and non-coding RNAs are distinct types of epigenetic inheritance. Epigenetic patterns have been linked to the developmental stages, environmental exposure, and diet. Therapeutic strategies are now being developed to target human diseases such as cancer with mutations in epigenetic regulatory genes using specific inhibitors. Within the past two decades, seven epigenetic drugs have received regulatory approval and many others show their candidature in clinical trials. The current article represents a review of epigenetic heritance, diseases connected with epigenetic alterations and regulatory approved epigenetic drugs as future medicines.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yong-Tao Duan
- Henan Provincial Key Laboratory of Children's Genetics and Metabolic Diseases, Zhengzhou Children's Hospital, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou 450018, China
| | - Chetan B. Sangani
- Shri Maneklal M. Patel Institute of Sciences and Research, Kadi Sarva Vishwavidyalaya University, Gandhinagar, Gujarat, 362024, India
| | - Wei Liu
- Henan Provincial Key Laboratory of Children's Genetics and Metabolic Diseases, Zhengzhou Children's Hospital, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou 450018, China
| | - Kunjal V. Soni
- Shri Maneklal M. Patel Institute of Sciences and Research, Kadi Sarva Vishwavidyalaya University, Gandhinagar, Gujarat, 362024, India
| | - Yongfang Yao
- Collaborative Innovation Center of New Drug Research and Safety Evaluation, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, 450001, China
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Viscosine: A new microbial flavonoid from marine-derived,Streptomycessp. RMS518F. VIETNAM JOURNAL OF CHEMISTRY 2019. [DOI: 10.1002/vjch.201900034] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
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Mitsui T, Hotta S, Tazawa S, Arai Y, Kato K, Ichihara K. Chemical constituents of Brazilian Propolis from the state of Bahia and their growth inhibitory activities against cancer cells. Biosci Biotechnol Biochem 2018; 82:417-421. [DOI: 10.1080/09168451.2018.1427550] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
Abstract
Abstract
A novel 2-phenoxychromone (1) and five known flavones (2-6) were isolated from northeastern Brazilian propolis in the state of Bahia. The chemical structures of these six compounds were determined by spectroscopic investigations and single-crystal X-ray analysis. The isolated compounds showed growth-inhibitory activities, in varying degrees, against human tumor cell lines. This is the first report on the discovery of a novel 2-phenoxychromone from propolis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Taichi Mitsui
- Nagaragawa Research Center, Api Co. Ltd., Gifu, Japan
| | - Sho Hotta
- Nagaragawa Research Center, Api Co. Ltd., Gifu, Japan
| | | | - Yasuko Arai
- Nagaragawa Research Center, Api Co. Ltd., Gifu, Japan
| | - Kenji Kato
- Nagaragawa Research Center, Api Co. Ltd., Gifu, Japan
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Abstract
Studies over the past two decades have identified ceramide as a multifunctional central molecule in the sphingolipid biosynthetic pathway. Given its diverse tumor suppressive activities, molecular understanding of ceramide action will produce fundamental insights into processes that limit tumorigenesis and may identify key molecular targets for therapeutic intervention. Ceramide can be activated by a diverse array of stresses such as heat shock, genotoxic damage, oxidative stress and anticancer drugs. Ceramide triggers a variety of tumor suppressive and anti-proliferative cellular programs such as apoptosis, autophagy, senescence, and necroptosis by activating or repressing key effector molecules. Defects in ceramide generation and metabolism in cancer contribute to tumor cell survival and resistance to chemotherapy. The potent and versatile anticancer activity profile of ceramide has motivated drug development efforts to (re-)activate ceramide in established tumors. This review focuses on our current understanding of the tumor suppressive functions of ceramide and highlights the potential downstream targets of ceramide which are involved in its tumor suppressive action.
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Burmistrova O, Perdomo J, Simões MF, Rijo P, Quintana J, Estévez F. The abietane diterpenoid parvifloron D from Plectranthus ecklonii is a potent apoptotic inducer in human leukemia cells. PHYTOMEDICINE : INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF PHYTOTHERAPY AND PHYTOPHARMACOLOGY 2015; 22:1009-1016. [PMID: 26407943 DOI: 10.1016/j.phymed.2015.06.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/21/2015] [Revised: 06/15/2015] [Accepted: 06/17/2015] [Indexed: 06/05/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Abietane diterpenes have attracted much attention because they display a wide range of biological activities, including antitumor activities. These compounds are the most diverse of the diterpenoids isolated from species of Plectranthus. Naturally occurring diterpene parvifloron D is the main phytochemical constituent of Plectranthus ecklonii. To examine the therapeutic potential of the plant, we evaluated whether parvifloron D displays cytotoxicity against human tumor cells. METHODS The cytotoxicity was analyzed by colorimetric 3-(4,5-dimethyl-2-thiazolyl)-2,5-diphenyl-2H-tetrazolium bromide assay. Apoptosis was evaluated by fluorescent microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, flow cytometric analysis of annexin V-FITC and propidium iodide-stained cells and DNA fragmentation. Protein expression and processing and release of mitochondrial proteins were analyzed by Western blot. Caspase activity was determined using colorimetric substrates. The membrane potential and intracellular reactive oxygen species were detected by flow cytometry. RESULTS Parvifloron D displays strong cytotoxic properties against leukemia cells (HL-60, U-937, MOLT-3 and K-562) and in particular P-glycoprotein-overexpressing K-562/ADR cells, but has only weak cytotoxic effects on peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs). Overexpression of the protective mitochondrial proteins Bcl-2 and Bcl-xL did not confer resistance to parvifloron D-induced cytotoxicity. Growth inhibition of HL-60 cells that was triggered by parvifloron D was found to be caused by a rapid induction of apoptotic cell death. This apoptosis was prevented by the non-specific caspase inhibitor z-VAD-fmk, and by the selective caspase-9 inhibitor z-LEHD-fmk. Cell death induced by parvifloron D was found to be (i) associated with the dissipation of the mitochondrial membrane potential and the release of cytochrome c, (ii) amplified by inhibition of extracellular signal-regulated kinases (ERKs) 1/2 signaling and (iii) caused by a mechanism dependent on intracellular reactive oxygen species generation. CONCLUSION Parvifloron D is a potent cytotoxic compound against several human tumor cells and also a fast and potent apoptotic inducer in leukemia cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Olga Burmistrova
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Plaza Dr. Pasteur s/n, 35016 Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Spain
| | - Juan Perdomo
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Plaza Dr. Pasteur s/n, 35016 Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Spain
| | - M Fátima Simões
- Faculdade de Farmácia da Universidade de Lisboa, iMed.ULisboa, Av. Prof. Gama Pinto, 1649-003 Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Patricia Rijo
- Faculdade de Farmácia da Universidade de Lisboa, iMed.ULisboa, Av. Prof. Gama Pinto, 1649-003 Lisboa, Portugal; C BIOS, Universidade Lusófona, Campo Grande 376, 1749-024 Lisboa, Portugal
| | - José Quintana
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Plaza Dr. Pasteur s/n, 35016 Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Spain
| | - Francisco Estévez
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Plaza Dr. Pasteur s/n, 35016 Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Spain.
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Burmistrova O, Simões MF, Rijo P, Quintana J, Bermejo J, Estévez F. Antiproliferative activity of abietane diterpenoids against human tumor cells. JOURNAL OF NATURAL PRODUCTS 2013; 76:1413-1423. [PMID: 23865778 DOI: 10.1021/np400172k] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/02/2023]
Abstract
In the present study, the cytotoxicity of 30 diterpenoids with an abietane or a halimane skeleton was determined against five human tumor cell lines (HL-60, U937, Molt-3, SK-MEL-1, and MCF-7). Diterpenoids containing an abietane skeleton including taxodone (1) and taxodione (2), as well as the semisynthetic derivatives 12, 14, 15, 17, and 22, were the most cytotoxic compounds for human leukemia cells. Overexpression of the protective mitochondrial proteins Bcl-2 and Bcl-x(L) did not confer resistance to abietane diterpene-induced cytotoxicity. Studies performed on HL-60 cells indicated that growth inhibition triggered by compounds 1, 12, 14, and 15 was caused by induction of apoptosis. This was prevented by the nonspecific caspase inhibitor Z-VAD-FMK and, in the case of compounds 14 and 15, reduced by the selective caspase-8 inhibitor Z-IETD-FMK. Cell death induced by these abietane diterpenes was found to be associated with the release of mitochondrial proteins, including cytochrome c, Smac/DIABLO, and AIF (apoptosis-inducing factor), accompanied by dissipation of the mitochondrial membrane potential (ΔΨ), and modulated by inhibition of extracellular signal-regulated kinases signaling and the p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase pathway.
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Affiliation(s)
- Olga Burmistrova
- Departamento de Bioquímica y Biología Molecular, Unidad Asociada al Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas-CSIC, Instituto Canario de Investigación del Cáncer, Universidad de Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Plaza Dr. Pasteur s/n, 35016 Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Spain
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2′-Nitroflavone induces apoptosis and modulates mitogen-activated protein kinase pathways in human leukaemia cells. Anticancer Drugs 2012; 23:815-26. [DOI: 10.1097/cad.0b013e328353f947] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
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10
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Triana J, López M, Pérez FJ, León F, Quintana J, Estévez F, Hernández JC, González-Platas J, Brouard I, Bermejo J. Secondary Metabolites from Two Species of Pulicaria and Their Cytotoxic Activity. Chem Biodivers 2011; 8:2080-9. [DOI: 10.1002/cbdv.201000324] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
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Torres F, Quintana J, Estévez F. 5,7,3'-Trihydroxy-3,4'-dimethoxyflavone inhibits the tubulin polymerization and activates the sphingomyelin pathway. Mol Carcinog 2010; 50:113-22. [PMID: 21229608 DOI: 10.1002/mc.20693] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/16/2010] [Revised: 09/01/2010] [Accepted: 09/17/2010] [Indexed: 02/03/2023]
Abstract
Flavonoids are polyphenolic compounds which display a vast array of biological activities and are among the most promising anti-cancer agents. The derivative of quercetin, 5,7,3'-trihydroxy-3,4'-dimethoxyflavone (THDF), is a natural flavonoid that inhibits cell proliferation and induces apoptosis in human leukemia cells. Here we show that THDF induces cell-cycle arrest in the M phase and inhibits tubulin polymerization. This was associated with the accumulation of cyclin B1 and p21(Cip1) , changes in the phosphorylation status of cyclin B1, Cdk1, Cdc25C, and MPM-2, and activation of the acidic sphingomyelinase (ASMase). Moreover, desipramine attenuated THDF-mediated cell death, indicating a crucial role of ASMase in the mechanism of cell death. In vivo studies on the athymic nude mouse xenograft model also confirmed that THDF inhibits growth of human leukemia cells and suggest that this compound may have therapeutic value.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fernando Torres
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Spain
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12
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Tiberio P, Cavadini E, Abolafio G, Formelli F, Appierto V. 4-oxo-N-(4-hydroxyphenyl)retinamide: two independent ways to kill cancer cells. PLoS One 2010; 5:e13362. [PMID: 20976277 PMCID: PMC2954786 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0013362] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/09/2010] [Accepted: 09/20/2010] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Background The retinoid 4-oxo-N-(4-hydroxyphenyl)retinamide (4-oxo-4-HPR) is a polar metabolite of fenretinide (4-HPR) very effective in killing cancer cells of different histotypes, able to inhibit 4-HPR-resistant cell growth and to act synergistically in combination with the parent drug. Unlike 4-HPR and other retinoids, 4-oxo-4-HPR inhibits tubulin polymerization, leading to multipolar spindle formation and mitotic arrest. Here we investigated whether 4-oxo-4-HPR, like 4-HPR, triggered cell death also via reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation and whether its antimicrotubule activity was related to a ROS-dependent mechanism in ovarian (A2780), breast (T47D), cervical (HeLa) and neuroblastoma (SK-N-BE) cancer cell lines. Methodology/Principal Findings We provided evidence that 4-oxo-4-HPR, besides acting as an antimicrotubule agent, induced apoptosis through a signaling cascade starting from ROS generation and involving endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress response, Jun N-terminal Kinase (JNK) activation, and upregulation of the proapoptotic PLAcental Bone morphogenetic protein (PLAB). Through time-course analysis and inhibition of the ROS-related signaling pathway (upstream by vitamin C and downstream by PLAB silencing), we demonstrated that the antimitotic activity of 4-oxo-4-HPR was independent from the oxidative stress induced by the retinoid. In fact, ROS generation occurred earlier than mitotic arrest (within 30 minutes and 2 hours, respectively) and abrogation of the ROS-related signaling pathway did not prevent the 4-oxo-4-HPR-induced mitotic arrest. Conclusions/Significance These data indicate that 4-oxo-4-HPR anticancer activity is due to at least two independent mechanisms and provide an explanation of the ability of 4-oxo-4-HPR to be more potent than the parent drug and to be effective also in 4-HPR-resistant cell lines. In addition, the double mechanism of action could allow 4-oxo-4-HPR to efficiently target tumour and to eventually counteract the development of drug resistance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paola Tiberio
- Department of Experimental Oncology and Molecular Medicine, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Milan, Italy.
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Torres F, Quintana J, Estévez F. 5,7,3'-trihydroxy-3,4'-dimethoxyflavone-induced cell death in human leukemia cells is dependent on caspases and activates the MAPK pathway. Mol Carcinog 2010; 49:464-75. [PMID: 20175127 DOI: 10.1002/mc.20619] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
Flavonoids are polyphenolic compounds which display a vast array of biological activities and are promising anticancer agents. In this study we investigated the effect of 5,7,3'-trihydroxy-3,4'-dimethoxyflavone (THDF) on viability of nine human tumor cell lines and found that it was highly cytotoxic against leukemia cells. THDF induced G(2)-M phase cell-cycle arrest and apoptosis through a caspase-dependent mechanism involving cytochrome c release, processing of multiple caspases (caspase-3, -6, -7, and -9) and cleavage of poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase. Overexpression of the protective mitochondrial proteins Bcl-2 and Bcl-x(L) conferred partial resistance to THDF-induced apoptosis. This flavonoid induced the phosphorylation of members of the mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs) family and cell death was attenuated by inhibition of c-jun N-terminal kinases/stress-activated protein kinases (JNK/SAPK) and of extracellular signal-regulated kinases (ERK) 1/2. In the present study we report that THDF-induced cell death is mediated by an intrinsic dependent apoptotic event involving mitochondria and MAPKs, and through a mechanism independent of the generation of reactive oxygen species. The results suggest that THDF could be useful in the development of novel anticancer agents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fernando Torres
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Spain
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14
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Negrín G, Eiroa JL, Morales M, Triana J, Quintana J, Estévez F. Naturally occurring asteriscunolide A induces apoptosis and activation of mitogen-activated protein kinase pathway in human tumor cell lines. Mol Carcinog 2010; 49:488-99. [PMID: 20232365 DOI: 10.1002/mc.20629] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
Sesquiterpene lactones have attracted much attention because they display a wide range of biological activities, including antitumor properties. Here, we show the effects of the naturally occurring sesquiterpene lactone asteriscunolide A (AS) on viability of human melanoma, leukemia and cells that overexpress antiapoptotic proteins, namely Bcl-2 and Bcl-x(L). All cell lines were sensitive to this compound, with IC(50) values of approximately 5 microM. The cytotoxic effects of AS were accompanied by a G(2)-M phase arrest of the cell cycle and a concentration- and time-dependent appearance of apoptosis as determined by DNA fragmentation, translocation of phosphatidylserine to the cell surface and sub-G(1) ratio. Apoptosis was associated with caspase-3 activity and poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase cleavage and was prevented by the nonspecific caspase inhibitor z-VAD-fmk, indicating that caspases are essential components in this pathway. The apoptotic effect of AS was also associated with (i) the release of cytochrome c from mitochondria which was accompanied by dissipation of the mitochondrial membrane potential (Delta Psi(m)) and (ii) the activation of the mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs) pathway. AS-induced cell death was potentiated by inhibition of extracellular signal-regulated kinases (ERK) 1/2 signaling with U0126 and PD98059. Intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) seem to play a pivotal role in this process since high levels of ROS were produced early (1 h) and apoptosis was completely blocked by the free radical scavenger N-acetyl-L-cysteine (NAC). The present study demonstrates that AS-induced cell death is mediated by an intrinsic-dependent apoptotic event involving mitochondria and MAPKs, and through a mechanism dependent on ROS generation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gledy Negrín
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Instituto Canario de Investigación del Cáncer (ICIC), University of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Plaza Dr. Pasteur s/n, Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Spain
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