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He F, Shi H, Hu S, Liu R. Regulation mechanisms of ferric ions release from iron-loaded transferrin protein caused by nano-sized polystyrene plastics-induced conformational and structural changes. JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS 2024; 465:133495. [PMID: 38232549 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2024.133495] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2023] [Revised: 01/06/2024] [Accepted: 01/09/2024] [Indexed: 01/19/2024]
Abstract
Currently, the binding of iron-binding protein transferrin (TF) with NPs and their interaction mechanisms have not been completely elucidated yet. Here, we probed the conformation-dependent release of Fe ions from TF induced by nano-sized polystyrene plastics (PS-NPs) using dialysis, ICP-MS, multi-spectroscopic techniques, and computational simulation. The results showed that the release of free Fe ions from TF was activated after PS-NPs binding, which displayed a clear dose-effect correlation. PS-NPs binding can induce the unfolding and loosening of polypeptide chain and backbone of TF. Alongside this we found that the TF secondary structure was destroyed, thereby causing TF protein misfolding and denaturation. In parallel, PS-NPs interacted with the chromophores, resulting in the occurrence of fluorescence sensitization effects and the disruption of the surrounding micro-environment of aromatic amino acids. Also, the binding of PS-NPs induced the formation of new aggregates in the PS-NPs-TF system. Further simulations indicated that PS-NPs exhibited a preference for binding to the hinge region that connects the C-lobe and N-lobe, which is responsible for the Fe ions release and structural alterations of TF. This finding provides a new understanding about the regulation of the release of Fe ions of iron-loaded TF through NPs-induced conformational and structural changes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Falin He
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Shandong University, China-America CRC for Environment & Health, 72# Jimo Binhai Road, Qingdao, Shandong 266237, PR China
| | - Huijian Shi
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Shandong University, China-America CRC for Environment & Health, 72# Jimo Binhai Road, Qingdao, Shandong 266237, PR China
| | - Shaoyang Hu
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Shandong University, China-America CRC for Environment & Health, 72# Jimo Binhai Road, Qingdao, Shandong 266237, PR China
| | - Rutao Liu
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Shandong University, China-America CRC for Environment & Health, 72# Jimo Binhai Road, Qingdao, Shandong 266237, PR China.
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2
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Sedenkova KN, Leschukov DN, Grishin YK, Zefirov NA, Gracheva YA, Skvortsov DA, Hrytseniuk YS, Vasilyeva LA, Spirkova EA, Shevtsov PN, Shevtsova EF, Lukmanova AR, Spiridonov VV, Markova AA, Nguyen MT, Shtil AA, Zefirova ON, Yaroslavov AA, Milaeva ER, Averina EB. Verubulin (Azixa) Analogues with Increased Saturation: Synthesis, SAR and Encapsulation in Biocompatible Nanocontainers Based on Ca 2+ or Mg 2+ Cross-Linked Alginate. Pharmaceuticals (Basel) 2023; 16:1499. [PMID: 37895970 PMCID: PMC10610134 DOI: 10.3390/ph16101499] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/14/2023] [Revised: 10/09/2023] [Accepted: 10/19/2023] [Indexed: 10/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Tubulin-targeting agents attract undiminished attention as promising compounds for the design of anti-cancer drugs. Verubulin is a potent tubulin polymerization inhibitor, binding to colchicine-binding sites. In the present work, a series of verubulin analogues containing a cyclohexane or cycloheptane ring 1,2-annulated with pyrimidine moiety and various substituents in positions 2 and 4 of pyrimidine were obtained and their cytotoxicity towards cancer and non-cancerous cell lines was estimated. The investigated compounds revealed activity against various cancer cell lines with IC50 down to 1-4 nM. According to fluorescent microscopy data, compounds that showed cytotoxicity in the MTT test disrupt the normal cytoskeleton of the cell in a pattern similar to that for combretastatin A-4. The hit compound (N-(4-methoxyphenyl)-N,2-dimethyl-5,6,7,8-tetrahydroquinazolin-4-amine) was encapsulated in biocompatible nanocontainers based on Ca2+ or Mg2+ cross-linked alginate and it was demonstrated that its cytotoxic activity was preserved after encapsulation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kseniya N Sedenkova
- Department of Chemistry, Lomonosov Moscow State University, 119991 Moscow, Russia
| | - Denis N Leschukov
- Department of Chemistry, Lomonosov Moscow State University, 119991 Moscow, Russia
| | - Yuri K Grishin
- Department of Chemistry, Lomonosov Moscow State University, 119991 Moscow, Russia
| | - Nikolay A Zefirov
- Department of Chemistry, Lomonosov Moscow State University, 119991 Moscow, Russia
| | - Yulia A Gracheva
- Department of Chemistry, Lomonosov Moscow State University, 119991 Moscow, Russia
| | - Dmitry A Skvortsov
- Department of Chemistry, Lomonosov Moscow State University, 119991 Moscow, Russia
| | | | - Lilja A Vasilyeva
- Faculty of Bioengineering and Bioinformatics, Lomonosov Moscow State University, 119991 Moscow, Russia
| | - Elena A Spirkova
- Institute of Physiologically Active Compounds at Federal Research Center of Problems of Chemical Physics and Medicinal Chemistry, Russian Academy of Sciences (IPAC RAS), 142432 Chernogolovka, Russia
| | - Pavel N Shevtsov
- Institute of Physiologically Active Compounds at Federal Research Center of Problems of Chemical Physics and Medicinal Chemistry, Russian Academy of Sciences (IPAC RAS), 142432 Chernogolovka, Russia
| | - Elena F Shevtsova
- Institute of Physiologically Active Compounds at Federal Research Center of Problems of Chemical Physics and Medicinal Chemistry, Russian Academy of Sciences (IPAC RAS), 142432 Chernogolovka, Russia
| | - Alina R Lukmanova
- Department of Chemistry, Lomonosov Moscow State University, 119991 Moscow, Russia
| | - Vasily V Spiridonov
- Department of Chemistry, Lomonosov Moscow State University, 119991 Moscow, Russia
| | - Alina A Markova
- Emanuel Institute of Biochemical Physics, Russian Academy of Sciences, 119334 Moscow, Russia
| | - Minh T Nguyen
- Emanuel Institute of Biochemical Physics, Russian Academy of Sciences, 119334 Moscow, Russia
| | - Alexander A Shtil
- Department of Chemistry, Lomonosov Moscow State University, 119991 Moscow, Russia
- Institute of Cyber Intelligence Systems, National Research Nuclear University MEPhI, 115409 Moscow, Russia
| | - Olga N Zefirova
- Department of Chemistry, Lomonosov Moscow State University, 119991 Moscow, Russia
| | | | - Elena R Milaeva
- Department of Chemistry, Lomonosov Moscow State University, 119991 Moscow, Russia
| | - Elena B Averina
- Department of Chemistry, Lomonosov Moscow State University, 119991 Moscow, Russia
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3
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Zhang C, Zhao M, Wang G, Li Y. Recent Progress on Microtubule Degradation Agents. J Med Chem 2023; 66:13354-13368. [PMID: 37748178 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.3c00517] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/27/2023]
Abstract
Targeted protein degradation (TPD) has emerged as the most promising approach for the specific knockdown of disease-associated proteins and is achieved by exploiting the cellular quality control machinery. TPD technologies are highly advantageous in overcoming drug resistance as they degrade the whole target protein. Microtubules play important roles in many cellular processes and are among the oldest and most well-established targets for tumor chemotherapy. However, the development of drug resistance, risk of hypersensitivity reactions, and intolerable toxicities severely restrict the clinical applications of microtubule-targeting agents (MTAs). Microtubule degradation agents (MDgAs) operate via completely different mechanisms compared with traditional MTAs and are capable of overcoming drug resistance. The emergence of MDgAs has expanded the scope of TPD and provided new avenues for the discovery of tubulin-targeted drugs. Herein, we summarized the development of MDgAs, and discussed their degradation mechanisms, mechanisms of action on the binding sites, potential opportunities, and challenges.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chufeng Zhang
- Innovation Center of Nursing Research, Nursing Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, West China Hospital, and Collaborative Innovation Center of Biotherapy, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, Sichuan, China
| | - Min Zhao
- Laboratory of Metabolomics and Drug-Induced Liver Injury, Department of Gastroenterology & Hepatology, Frontiers Science Center for Disease-Related Molecular Network, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, Sichuan, China
| | - Guan Wang
- Innovation Center of Nursing Research, Nursing Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, West China Hospital, and Collaborative Innovation Center of Biotherapy, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, Sichuan, China
| | - Yong Li
- Innovation Center of Nursing Research, Nursing Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, West China Hospital, and Collaborative Innovation Center of Biotherapy, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, Sichuan, China
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4
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Chatterjee I, Ali K, Panda G. A Synthetic Overview of Benzoxazines and Benzoxazepines as Anticancer Agents. ChemMedChem 2023; 18:e202200617. [PMID: 36598081 DOI: 10.1002/cmdc.202200617] [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: 11/15/2022] [Revised: 12/27/2022] [Accepted: 12/30/2022] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
Abstract
Benzoxazines and benzoxazepines are nitrogen and oxygen-containing six and seven-membered benzo-fused heterocyclic scaffolds, respectively. Benzoxazepines and benzoxazines are well-known pharmacophores in pharmaceutical chemistry, which are of significant interest and have been extensively studied because of their promising activity against various diseases including their wide range of anticancer activity. Several reports are known for synthesizing benzoxazine and benzoxazepine-based compounds in the literature. Herein this review provides a critical analysis of synthetic strategies towards benzoxazines and benzoxazepines along with various ranges of anticancer activities based on these molecules that have been reported from 2010 onwards. This review also focuses on the structure-activity relationship of the benzoxazine and benzoxazepine scaffolds containing bioactive compounds and describes how the structural modification affects their anticancer activity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Indranil Chatterjee
- Medicinal and Process Chemistry Division, CSIR-Central Drug Research Institute Sector-10, Jankipuram Extension, Lucknow, 226031, India
| | - Kasim Ali
- Medicinal and Process Chemistry Division, CSIR-Central Drug Research Institute Sector-10, Jankipuram Extension, Lucknow, 226031, India.,AcSIR-Academy of Scientific & Innovative Research (AcSIR), Ghaziabad, Uttar Pradesh, 201002, India
| | - Gautam Panda
- Medicinal and Process Chemistry Division, CSIR-Central Drug Research Institute Sector-10, Jankipuram Extension, Lucknow, 226031, India.,AcSIR-Academy of Scientific & Innovative Research (AcSIR), Ghaziabad, Uttar Pradesh, 201002, India
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5
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In Silico Analysis of Peptide-Based Derivatives Containing Bifunctional Warheads Engaging Prime and Non-Prime Subsites to Covalent Binding SARS-CoV-2 Main Protease (Mpro). COMPUTATION 2022. [DOI: 10.3390/computation10050069] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Despite the progress of therapeutic approaches for treating COVID-19 infection, the interest in developing effective antiviral agents is still high, due to the possibility of the insurgence of viable SARS-CoV-2-resistant strains. Accordingly, in this article, we describe a computational protocol for identifying possible SARS-CoV-2 Mpro covalent inhibitors. Combining several in silico techniques, we evaluated the potential of the peptide-based scaffold with different warheads as a significant alternative to nitriles and aldehyde electrophilic groups. We rationally designed four potential inhibitors containing difluorstatone and a Michael acceptor as warheads. In silico analysis, based on molecular docking, covalent docking, molecular dynamics simulation, and FEP, indicated that the conceived compounds could act as covalent inhibitors of Mpro and that the investigated warheads can be used for designing covalent inhibitors against serine or cysteine proteases such as SARS-CoV-2 Mpro. Our work enriches the knowledge on SARS-CoV-2 Mpro, providing a novel potential strategy for its inhibition, paving the way for the development of effective antivirals.
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6
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Moghadam ES, Mireskandari K, Abdel-Jalil R, Amini M. An approach to pharmacological targets of pyrrole family from a medicinal chemistry viewpoint. Mini Rev Med Chem 2022; 22:2486-2561. [PMID: 35339175 DOI: 10.2174/1389557522666220325150531] [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: 11/27/2021] [Revised: 01/12/2022] [Accepted: 01/30/2022] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Pyrrole is one of the most widely used heterocycles in the pharmaceutical industry. Due to the importance of pyrrole structure in drug design and development, herein, we tried to conduct an extensive review of the bioactive pyrrole based compounds reported recently. The bioactivity of pyrrole derivatives varies, so in the review, we categorized them based on their direct pharmacologic targets. Therefore, readers are able to find the variety of biologic targets for pyrrole containing compounds easily. This review explains around seventy different biologic targets for pyrrole based derivatives, so, it is helpful for medicinal chemists in design and development novel bioactive compounds for different diseases. This review presents an extensive meaningful structure activity relationship for each reported structure as much as possible. The review focuses on papers published between 2018 and 2020.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ebrahim Saeedian Moghadam
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran14176, Iran.
- The Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences (TIPS), Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
- Department of Chemistry, College of Science, Sultan Qaboos University, Muscat, P.O. Box 36, P.C. 123, Sultanate of Oman
| | - Katayoon Mireskandari
- Department of Pharmaceutics, Faculty of Pharmacy, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran 1417614411, Iran
| | - Raid Abdel-Jalil
- Department of Chemistry, College of Science, Sultan Qaboos University, Muscat, P.O. Box 36, P.C. 123, Sultanate of Oman
| | - Mohsen Amini
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran14176, Iran.
- The Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences (TIPS), Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
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7
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Campiani G, Khan T, Ulivieri C, Staiano L, Papulino C, Magnano S, Nathwani S, Ramunno A, Lucena-Agell D, Relitti N, Federico S, Pozzetti L, Carullo G, Casagni A, Brogi S, Vanni F, Galatello P, Ghanim M, McCabe N, Lamponi S, Valoti M, Ibrahim O, O'Sullivan J, Turkington R, Kelly VP, VanWemmel R, Díaz JF, Gemma S, Zisterer D, Altucci L, De Matteis A, Butini S, Benedetti R. Design and synthesis of multifunctional microtubule targeting agents endowed with dual pro-apoptotic and anti-autophagic efficacy. Eur J Med Chem 2022; 235:114274. [PMID: 35344902 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2022.114274] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/19/2022] [Revised: 02/28/2022] [Accepted: 03/08/2022] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Autophagy is a lysosome dependent cell survival mechanism and is central to the maintenance of organismal homeostasis in both physiological and pathological situations. Targeting autophagy in cancer therapy attracted considerable attention in the past as stress-induced autophagy has been demonstrated to contribute to both drug resistance and malignant progression and recently interest in this area has re-emerged. Unlocking the therapeutic potential of autophagy modulation could be a valuable strategy for designing innovative tools for cancer treatment. Microtubule-targeting agents (MTAs) are some of the most successful anti-cancer drugs used in the clinic to date. Scaling up our efforts to develop new anti-cancer agents, we rationally designed multifunctional agents 5a-l with improved potency and safety that combine tubulin depolymerising efficacy with autophagic flux inhibitory activity. Through a combination of computational, biological, biochemical, pharmacokinetic-safety, metabolic studies and SAR analyses we identified the hits 5i,k. These MTAs were characterised as potent pro-apoptotic agents and also demonstrated autophagy inhibition efficacy. To measure their efficacy at inhibiting autophagy, we investigated their effects on basal and starvation-mediated autophagic flux by quantifying the expression of LC3II/LC3I and p62 proteins in oral squamous cell carcinoma and human leukaemia through western blotting and by immunofluorescence study of LC3 and LAMP1 in a cervical carcinoma cell line. Analogues 5i and 5k, endowed with pro-apoptotic activity on a range of hematological cancer cells (including ex-vivo chronic lymphocytic leukaemia (CLL) cells) and several solid tumor cell lines, also behaved as late-stage autophagy inhibitors by impairing autophagosome-lysosome fusion.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giuseppe Campiani
- Department of Biotechnology, Chemistry and Pharmacy, DoE Department of Excellence 2018-2022, University of Siena, via Aldo Moro 2, 53100, Siena, Italy.
| | - Tuhina Khan
- Department of Biotechnology, Chemistry and Pharmacy, DoE Department of Excellence 2018-2022, University of Siena, via Aldo Moro 2, 53100, Siena, Italy
| | - Cristina Ulivieri
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Siena, via Aldo Moro 2, 53100, Siena, Italy; Istituto Toscano Tumori, University of Siena, via Aldo Moro 2, I, 53100, Siena, Italy
| | - Leopoldo Staiano
- Cell Biology and Disease Mechanisms, Telethon Institute of Genetics and Medicine, Via Campi Flegrei, 34, 80078, Pozzuoli, Naples, Italy; Institute for Genetic and Biomedical Research, National Research Council (CNR), via Fratelli Cervi 93, 20054, Segrate, Milan, Italy
| | - Chiara Papulino
- Department of Precision Medicine, University of Campania Luigi Vanvitelli, Vico L, De Crecchio 7, 80138, Naples, IT, Italy
| | - Stefania Magnano
- School of Biochemistry and Immunology, Trinity Biomedical Sciences Institute, Trinity College Dublin, 152-160, Pearse Street, Dublin 2, Ireland
| | - Seema Nathwani
- School of Biochemistry and Immunology, Trinity Biomedical Sciences Institute, Trinity College Dublin, 152-160, Pearse Street, Dublin 2, Ireland
| | - Anna Ramunno
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Salerno, via G. Paolo II 132, 84084, Fisciano (SA), Italy
| | - Daniel Lucena-Agell
- Centro de Investigaciones Biologicas Margarita Salas, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Cientificas, Ramiro de Maeztu 9, 28040, Madrid, Spain
| | - Nicola Relitti
- IRBM Science Park, Via Pontina km 30, 600, 00071, Pomezia, Rome, Italy
| | - Stefano Federico
- Department of Biotechnology, Chemistry and Pharmacy, DoE Department of Excellence 2018-2022, University of Siena, via Aldo Moro 2, 53100, Siena, Italy
| | - Luca Pozzetti
- Department of Biotechnology, Chemistry and Pharmacy, DoE Department of Excellence 2018-2022, University of Siena, via Aldo Moro 2, 53100, Siena, Italy
| | - Gabriele Carullo
- Department of Biotechnology, Chemistry and Pharmacy, DoE Department of Excellence 2018-2022, University of Siena, via Aldo Moro 2, 53100, Siena, Italy
| | - Alice Casagni
- Department of Biotechnology, Chemistry and Pharmacy, DoE Department of Excellence 2018-2022, University of Siena, via Aldo Moro 2, 53100, Siena, Italy
| | - Simone Brogi
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Pisa, 56126, Pisa, Italy
| | - Francesca Vanni
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Siena, via Aldo Moro 2, 53100, Siena, Italy
| | - Paola Galatello
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Salerno, via G. Paolo II 132, 84084, Fisciano (SA), Italy
| | - Magda Ghanim
- School of Biochemistry and Immunology, Trinity Biomedical Sciences Institute, Trinity College Dublin, 152-160, Pearse Street, Dublin 2, Ireland
| | - Niamh McCabe
- School of Medicine, Dentistry and Biomedical Sciences, Queen's University Belfast, 97 Lisburn Road, Health Sciences Building, BT9 7BL, Belfast, United Kingdom
| | - Stefania Lamponi
- Department of Biotechnology, Chemistry and Pharmacy, DoE Department of Excellence 2018-2022, University of Siena, via Aldo Moro 2, 53100, Siena, Italy
| | - Massimo Valoti
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Siena, via Aldo Moro 2, 53100, Siena, Italy
| | - Ola Ibrahim
- School of Dental Science, Trinity College Dublin, Lincoln Place, Dublin 2, Ireland
| | - Jeffrey O'Sullivan
- School of Dental Science, Trinity College Dublin, Lincoln Place, Dublin 2, Ireland
| | - Richard Turkington
- School of Medicine, Dentistry and Biomedical Sciences, Queen's University Belfast, 97 Lisburn Road, Health Sciences Building, BT9 7BL, Belfast, United Kingdom
| | - Vincent P Kelly
- School of Biochemistry and Immunology, Trinity Biomedical Sciences Institute, Trinity College Dublin, 152-160, Pearse Street, Dublin 2, Ireland
| | - Ruben VanWemmel
- Centro de Investigaciones Biologicas Margarita Salas, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Cientificas, Ramiro de Maeztu 9, 28040, Madrid, Spain
| | - J Fernando Díaz
- Centro de Investigaciones Biologicas Margarita Salas, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Cientificas, Ramiro de Maeztu 9, 28040, Madrid, Spain
| | - Sandra Gemma
- Department of Biotechnology, Chemistry and Pharmacy, DoE Department of Excellence 2018-2022, University of Siena, via Aldo Moro 2, 53100, Siena, Italy
| | - Daniela Zisterer
- School of Biochemistry and Immunology, Trinity Biomedical Sciences Institute, Trinity College Dublin, 152-160, Pearse Street, Dublin 2, Ireland
| | - Lucia Altucci
- Department of Precision Medicine, University of Campania Luigi Vanvitelli, Vico L, De Crecchio 7, 80138, Naples, IT, Italy; Biogem Institute of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Via Camporeale, 83031, Ariano Irpino, Italy
| | - Antonella De Matteis
- Cell Biology and Disease Mechanisms, Telethon Institute of Genetics and Medicine, Via Campi Flegrei, 34, 80078, Pozzuoli, Naples, Italy
| | - Stefania Butini
- Department of Biotechnology, Chemistry and Pharmacy, DoE Department of Excellence 2018-2022, University of Siena, via Aldo Moro 2, 53100, Siena, Italy; Istituto Toscano Tumori, University of Siena, via Aldo Moro 2, I, 53100, Siena, Italy.
| | - Rosaria Benedetti
- Department of Precision Medicine, University of Campania Luigi Vanvitelli, Vico L, De Crecchio 7, 80138, Naples, IT, Italy
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8
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Wang J, Miller DD, Li W. Molecular interactions at the colchicine binding site in tubulin: An X-ray crystallography perspective. Drug Discov Today 2022; 27:759-776. [PMID: 34890803 PMCID: PMC8901563 DOI: 10.1016/j.drudis.2021.12.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/04/2021] [Revised: 07/27/2021] [Accepted: 12/02/2021] [Indexed: 01/02/2023]
Abstract
Tubulin is an important cancer drug target. Compounds that bind at the colchicine site in tubulin have attracted significant interest as they are generally less affected by multidrug resistance than other potential drugs. Modeling is useful in understanding the interactions between tubulin and colchicine binding site inhibitors (CBSIs), but because the colchicine binding site contains two flexible loops whose conformations are highly ligand-dependent, modeling has its limitations. X-ray crystallography provides experimental pictures of tubulin-ligand interactions at this challenging colchicine site. Since 2004, when the first X-ray structure of tubulin in complex with N-deacetyl-N-(2-mercaptoacetyl)-colchicine (DAMA-colchicine) was published, many X-ray crystal structures have been reported for tubulin complexes involving the colchicine binding site. In this review, we summarize the crystal structures of tubulin in complexes with various CBSIs, aiming to facilitate the discovery of new generations of tubulin inhibitors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiaxing Wang
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, TN 38163, USA
| | - Duane D Miller
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, TN 38163, USA
| | - Wei Li
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, TN 38163, USA.
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9
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Sadovnikov KS, Vasilenko DA, Gracheva YA, Zefirov NA, Radchenko EV, Palyulin VA, Grishin YK, Vasilichin VA, Shtil AA, Shevtsov PN, Shevtsova EF, Kuznetsova TS, Kuznetsov SA, Bunev AS, Zefirova ON, Milaeva ER, Averina EB. Novel substituted 5-methyl-4-acylaminoisoxazoles as antimitotic agents: Evaluation of selectivity to LNCaP cancer cells. Arch Pharm (Weinheim) 2022; 355:e2100425. [PMID: 35103336 DOI: 10.1002/ardp.202100425] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/29/2021] [Revised: 12/20/2021] [Accepted: 01/11/2022] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
Abstract
A series of novel antimitotic agents was designed using the replacement of heterocyclic cores in two tubulin-targeting lead molecules with the acylated 4-aminoisoxazole moiety. Target compounds were synthesized via heterocyclization of β-aryl-substituted vinylketones by tert-butyl nitrite in the presence of water as a key step. 4-Methyl-N-[5-methyl-3-(3,4,5-trimethoxyphenyl)isoxazol-4-yl]benzamide (1aa) was found to stimulate partial depolymerization of microtubules of human lung carcinoma A549 cells at a high concentration of 100 µM and to totally inhibit cell growth (IC50 = 0.99 µM) and cell viability (IC50 = 0.271 µM) in the nanomolar to submicromolar concentration range. These data provide evidence of the multitarget profile of the cytotoxic action of compound 1aa. The SAR study demonstrated that the 3,4,5-trimethoxyphenyl residue is the key structural parameter determining the efficiency both towards tubulin and other molecular targets. The cytotoxicity of 3-methyl-N-[5-methyl-3-(3,4,5-trimethoxyphenyl)isoxazol-4-yl]benzamide (1ab) to the androgen-sensitive human prostate adenocarcinoma cancer cell line LNCaP (IC50 = 0.301 µM) was approximately one order of magnitude higher than that to the conditionally normal cells lines WI-26 VA4 (IC50 = 2.26 µM) and human umbilical vein endothelial cells (IC50 = 5.58 µM) and significantly higher than that to primary fibroblasts (IC50 > 75 µM).
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Affiliation(s)
- Kirill S Sadovnikov
- Department of Chemistry, Lomonosov Moscow State University, Moscow, Russian Federation
| | - Dmitry A Vasilenko
- Department of Chemistry, Lomonosov Moscow State University, Moscow, Russian Federation
| | - Yulia A Gracheva
- Department of Chemistry, Lomonosov Moscow State University, Moscow, Russian Federation
| | - Nikolay A Zefirov
- Department of Chemistry, Lomonosov Moscow State University, Moscow, Russian Federation
| | - Eugene V Radchenko
- Department of Chemistry, Lomonosov Moscow State University, Moscow, Russian Federation
| | - Vladimir A Palyulin
- Department of Chemistry, Lomonosov Moscow State University, Moscow, Russian Federation
| | - Yuri K Grishin
- Department of Chemistry, Lomonosov Moscow State University, Moscow, Russian Federation
| | | | - Alexander A Shtil
- Department of Chemistry, Lomonosov Moscow State University, Moscow, Russian Federation.,Blokhin National Medical Research Center of Oncology, Moscow, Russian Federation
| | - Pavel N Shevtsov
- Institute of Physiologically Active Compounds, Chernogolovka MR, Russian Federation
| | - Elena F Shevtsova
- Institute of Physiologically Active Compounds, Chernogolovka MR, Russian Federation
| | - Tamara S Kuznetsova
- Department of Chemistry, Lomonosov Moscow State University, Moscow, Russian Federation
| | - Sergei A Kuznetsov
- Institute of Biological Sciences, Cell Biology and Biosystems Technology, University of Rostock, Rostock, Germany
| | - Alexander S Bunev
- Medicinal Chemistry Center, Togliatti State University, Togliatti, Russian Federation
| | - Olga N Zefirova
- Department of Chemistry, Lomonosov Moscow State University, Moscow, Russian Federation
| | - Elena R Milaeva
- Department of Chemistry, Lomonosov Moscow State University, Moscow, Russian Federation
| | - Elena B Averina
- Department of Chemistry, Lomonosov Moscow State University, Moscow, Russian Federation
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10
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Virtual Combinatorial Library Screening of Quinadoline B Derivatives against SARS-CoV-2 RNA-Dependent RNA Polymerase. COMPUTATION 2022. [DOI: 10.3390/computation10010007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Abstract
The unprecedented global health threat of SARS-CoV-2 has sparked a continued interest in discovering novel anti-COVID-19 agents. To this end, we present here a computer-based protocol for identifying potential compounds targeting RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (RdRp). Starting from our previous study wherein, using a virtual screening campaign, we identified a fumiquinazolinone alkaloid quinadoline B (Q3), an antiviral fungal metabolite with significant activity against SARS-CoV-2 RdRp, we applied in silico combinatorial methodologies for generating and screening a library of anti-SARS-CoV-2 candidates with strong in silico affinity for RdRp. For this study, the quinadoline pharmacophore was subjected to structural iteration, obtaining a Q3-focused library of over 900,000 unique structures. This chemical library was explored to identify binders of RdRp with greater affinity with respect to the starting compound Q3. Coupling this approach with the evaluation of physchem profile, we found 26 compounds with significant affinities for the RdRp binding site. Moreover, top-ranked compounds were submitted to molecular dynamics to evaluate the stability of the systems during a selected time, and to deeply investigate the binding mode of the most promising derivatives. Among the generated structures, five compounds, obtained by inserting nucleotide-like scaffolds (1, 2, and 5), heterocyclic thiazolyl benzamide moiety (compound 3), and a peptide residue (compound 4), exhibited enhanced binding affinity for SARS-CoV-2 RdRp, deserving further investigation as possible antiviral agents. Remarkably, the presented in silico procedure provides a useful computational procedure for hit-to-lead optimization, having implications in anti-SARS-CoV-2 drug discovery and in general in the drug optimization process.
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11
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Van de Walle T, Cools L, Mangelinckx S, D'hooghe M. Recent contributions of quinolines to antimalarial and anticancer drug discovery research. Eur J Med Chem 2021; 226:113865. [PMID: 34655985 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2021.113865] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/09/2021] [Revised: 09/01/2021] [Accepted: 09/20/2021] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
Quinoline, a privileged scaffold in medicinal chemistry, has always been associated with a multitude of biological activities. Especially in antimalarial and anticancer research, quinoline played (and still plays) a central role, giving rise to the development of an array of quinoline-containing pharmaceuticals in these therapeutic areas. However, both diseases still affect millions of people every year, pointing to the necessity of new therapies. Quinolines have a long-standing history as antimalarial agents, but established quinoline-containing antimalarial drugs are now facing widespread resistance of the Plasmodium parasite. Nevertheless, as evidenced by a massive number of recent literature contributions, they are still of great value for future developments in this field. On the other hand, the number of currently approved anticancer drugs containing a quinoline scaffold are limited, but a strong increase and interest in quinoline compounds as potential anticancer agents can be seen in the last few years. In this review, a literature overview of recent contributions made by quinoline-containing compounds as potent antimalarial or anticancer agents is provided, covering publications between 2018 and 2020.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tim Van de Walle
- SynBioC Research Group, Department of Green Chemistry and Technology, Faculty of Bioscience Engineering, Ghent University, Coupure Links 653, B-9000, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Lore Cools
- SynBioC Research Group, Department of Green Chemistry and Technology, Faculty of Bioscience Engineering, Ghent University, Coupure Links 653, B-9000, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Sven Mangelinckx
- SynBioC Research Group, Department of Green Chemistry and Technology, Faculty of Bioscience Engineering, Ghent University, Coupure Links 653, B-9000, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Matthias D'hooghe
- SynBioC Research Group, Department of Green Chemistry and Technology, Faculty of Bioscience Engineering, Ghent University, Coupure Links 653, B-9000, Ghent, Belgium.
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12
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Liu JT, Jaunky DB, Larocque K, Chen F, Mckibbon K, Sirouspour M, Taylor S, Shafeii A, Campbell D, Braga H, Piekny A, Forgione P. Design, structure-activity relationship study and biological evaluation of the thieno[3,2-c]isoquinoline scaffold as a potential anti-cancer agent. Bioorg Med Chem Lett 2021; 52:128327. [PMID: 34416378 DOI: 10.1016/j.bmcl.2021.128327] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/05/2021] [Revised: 08/09/2021] [Accepted: 08/10/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Several derivatives of a series that share a thienoisoquinoline scaffold have demonstrated potent activity against cancer cell lines A549, HeLa, HCT-116, and MDA-MB-231 in the submicromolar concentration range. Structure-activity relationship (SAR) studies on a range of derivatives aided in identifying key pharmacophores in the lead compound. A series of compounds have been identified as the most promising with submicromolar IC50 values against a lung cancer cell line (A549). Microscopy studies of cancer cells treated with the lead compound revealed that it causes mitotic arrest and disrupts microtubules. Further evaluation via an in vitro microtubule polymerization assay and competition studies indicate that the lead compound binds to tubulin via the colchicine site.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiang Tian Liu
- Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry, Concordia University, 7141 rue Sherbrooke O., Montréal, QC H4B 1R6, Canada
| | - Dilan B Jaunky
- Department of Biology, Concordia University, 7141 rue Sherbrooke O., Montréal, QC H4B 1R6, Canada
| | - Kevin Larocque
- Department of Biology, Concordia University, 7141 rue Sherbrooke O., Montréal, QC H4B 1R6, Canada
| | - Fei Chen
- Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry, Concordia University, 7141 rue Sherbrooke O., Montréal, QC H4B 1R6, Canada
| | - Keegan Mckibbon
- Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry, Concordia University, 7141 rue Sherbrooke O., Montréal, QC H4B 1R6, Canada
| | - Mehdi Sirouspour
- Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry, Concordia University, 7141 rue Sherbrooke O., Montréal, QC H4B 1R6, Canada
| | - Sarah Taylor
- Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry, Concordia University, 7141 rue Sherbrooke O., Montréal, QC H4B 1R6, Canada
| | - Alexandre Shafeii
- Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry, Concordia University, 7141 rue Sherbrooke O., Montréal, QC H4B 1R6, Canada
| | - Donald Campbell
- Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry, Concordia University, 7141 rue Sherbrooke O., Montréal, QC H4B 1R6, Canada
| | - Helena Braga
- Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry, Concordia University, 7141 rue Sherbrooke O., Montréal, QC H4B 1R6, Canada
| | - Alisa Piekny
- Department of Biology, Concordia University, 7141 rue Sherbrooke O., Montréal, QC H4B 1R6, Canada
| | - Pat Forgione
- Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry, Concordia University, 7141 rue Sherbrooke O., Montréal, QC H4B 1R6, Canada; Center for Green Chemistry and Catalysis, Department of Chemistry, McGill University, 801 rue Sherbrooke O., Montréal, QC H3A 0B8, Canada.
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13
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A novel class of oxazepine-based anti-cancer agents induces cell death in primary human CLL cells and efficiently reduces tumor growth in Eμ-TCL1 mice through the JNK/STAT4/p66Shc axis. Pharmacol Res 2021; 174:105965. [PMID: 34732370 DOI: 10.1016/j.phrs.2021.105965] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/16/2021] [Revised: 10/11/2021] [Accepted: 10/27/2021] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
Survival and expansion of malignant B cells in chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) are highly dependent both on intrinsic defects in the apoptotic machinery and on the interactions with cells and soluble factors in the lymphoid microenvironment. The adaptor protein p66Shc is a negative regulator of antigen receptor signaling, chemotaxis and apoptosis whose loss in CLL B cells contributes to their extended survival and poor prognosis. Hence, the identification of compounds that restore p66Shc expression and function in malignant B cells may pave the way to a new therapeutic approach for CLL. Here we show that a novel oxazepine-based compound (OBC-1) restores p66Shc expression in primary human CLL cells by promoting JNK-dependent STAT4 activation without affecting normal B cells. Moreover, we demonstrate that the potent pro-apoptotic activity of OBC-1 in human leukemic cells directly correlates with p66Shc expression levels and is abrogated when p66Shc is genetically deleted. Preclinical testing of OBC-1 and the novel analogue OBC-2 in Eμ-TCL1 tumor-bearing mice resulted in a significantly longer overall survival and a reduction of the tumor burden in the spleen and peritoneum. Interestingly, OBCs promote leukemic cell mobilization from the spleen to the blood, which correlates with upregulation of sphingosine-1-phosphate receptor expression. In summary, our work identifies OBCs as a promising class of compounds that, by boosting p66Shc expression through the activation of the JNK/STAT4 pathway, display dual therapeutic effects for CLL intervention, namely the ability to mobilize cells from secondary lymphoid organs and a potent pro-apoptotic activity against circulating leukemic cells.
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Green Synthesis of New Pyrrolo [1,2-a] quinoxalines as Antiproliferative Agents in GPER-expressing Breast Cancer Cells. J CHEM-NY 2021. [DOI: 10.1155/2021/5596816] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
4,5-Dihydropyrrolo [1,2-a]quinoxalines are interesting druggable scaffolds, with multifaceted biological properties, including anticancer properties targeting the G protein-coupled estrogen receptor 1 (GPER). In this work, the synthesis and preliminary antiproliferative activity of a small set of new 4,5-dihydropyrrolo[1,2-a]quinoxalines (18-20) and pyrrolo[1,2-a]quinoxalines (21, 22) has been reported, inspired by known antiproliferative agents (G-1, G-15, and G-36). The synthesis of the pyrroloquinoxalinic core was employed following the Pictet–Spengler reaction, using the surfactant p-dodecylbenzene sulphonic acid (p-DBSA), as catalyst. It demonstrated efficiency in the catalysis of the 4-phenylpyrrole [1,2-a] quinoxaline type compound formation in mild solvents such as water, ethanol, and hydroalcoholic solutions. In addition, the reactions proceeded in a short time (between 15 and 120 minutes) at room temperature and with high yields. The in vitro MTT assays showed that the presence of isopropyl groups furnished promising antiproliferative compounds. Although, the acetyl group provided also antiproliferative effects, breaking down its responsibility in the GPER transactivation. Nevertheless, it is possible to conclude that the 4,5-dihydropyrrolo[1,2-a]quinoxalines remain a feasible scaffold to develop anticancer agents against GPER-expressing cells.
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The Design, Synthesis, and Biological Activities of Pyrrole-Based Carboxamides: The Novel Tubulin Inhibitors Targeting the Colchicine-Binding Site. Molecules 2021; 26:molecules26195780. [PMID: 34641324 PMCID: PMC8510300 DOI: 10.3390/molecules26195780] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/03/2021] [Revised: 09/20/2021] [Accepted: 09/21/2021] [Indexed: 01/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Microtubule targeting agents (MTAs) that interfere with the dynamic state of the mitotic spindle are well-known and effective chemotherapeutic agents. These agents interrupt the microtubule network via polymerization or depolymerization, halting the cell cycle progression and leading to apoptosis. We report two novel pyrrole-based carboxamides (CAs) (CA-61 and -84) as the compounds exhibiting potent anti-cancer properties against a broad spectrum of epithelial cancer cell lines, including breast, lung, and prostate cancer. The anti-cancer activity of CAs is due to their ability to interfere with the microtubules network and inhibit tubulin polymerization. Molecular docking demonstrated an efficient binding between these ligands and the colchicine-binding site on the tubulin. CA-61 formed two hydrogen bond interactions with THR 179 (B) and THR 353 (B), whereas two hydrogen bonds with LYS 254 (B) and 1 with ASN 101 (A) were identified for CA-84. The binding energy for CA-84 and CA-61 was −9.910 kcal/mol and −9.390 kcal/mol. A tubulin polymerization assay revealed a strong inhibition of tubulin polymerization induced by CA-61 and -84. The immunofluorescence data revealed the disruption of the tubulin assembly in CA-treated cancer cells. As an outcome of the tubulin inhibition, these compounds halted the cell cycle progression in the G2/M phase, leading to the accumulation of the mitotic cells, and further induced apoptosis. Lastly, the in vivo study indicated that CAs significantly inhibited the HCC1806 breast cancer xenograft tumor growth in a nude mouse model. Collectively, we identified the novel CAs as potent MTAs, inhibiting tubulin polymerization via binding to the colchicine-binding site, disrupting the microtubule network, and exhibiting potent pro-apoptotic activities against the epithelial cancer cell lines both in vitro and in vivo.
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16
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Stefaniak M, Olszewska B. 1,5-Benzoxazepines as a unique and potent scaffold for activity drugs: A review. Arch Pharm (Weinheim) 2021; 354:e2100224. [PMID: 34368985 DOI: 10.1002/ardp.202100224] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/18/2021] [Revised: 07/15/2021] [Accepted: 07/17/2021] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
Benzoxazepines constitute a huge number of organic compounds widely described in the literature. Many of them are distinguished by their biological properties. Among them, our attention was drawn to 1,5-benzoxazepine derivatives due to their interesting pharmacological properties. As is reported in the literature, these compounds are not only good building blocks in organic synthesis but also have interesting biological and pharmacological properties. This article is the first review publication to describe the synthesis methods and unique properties of 1,5-benzoxazepines. Literature reports widely describe the biological properties of 1,5-benzoxazepine, like anticancer, antibacterial, or antifungal activities. 1,5-Benzoxazepine derivatives can also interact with G-protein-coupled receptors and could be incorporated into new potential drugs, among others, in treating neuronal disorders like Alzheimer's and Parkinson's disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Monika Stefaniak
- Department of Synthesis and Technology of Drugs, Medical University of Lodz, Łódź, Poland
| | - Beata Olszewska
- Department of Synthesis and Technology of Drugs, Medical University of Lodz, Łódź, Poland
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17
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Mondal SK, Mukhoty S, Kundu H, Ghosh S, Sen MK, Das S, Brogi S. In silico analysis of RNA-dependent RNA polymerase of the SARS-CoV-2 and therapeutic potential of existing antiviral drugs. Comput Biol Med 2021; 135:104591. [PMID: 34216889 PMCID: PMC8220294 DOI: 10.1016/j.compbiomed.2021.104591] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/25/2021] [Revised: 06/17/2021] [Accepted: 06/17/2021] [Indexed: 01/18/2023]
Abstract
The continued sustained threat of the SARS-CoV-2 virus world-wide, urgently calls for far-reaching effective therapeutic strategies for treating this emerging infection. Accordingly, this study explores mode of action and therapeutic potential of existing antiviral drugs. Multiple sequence alignment and phylogenetic analyses indicate that the RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (RdRp) of SARS-CoV-2 was mutable and similar to bat coronavirus RaTG13. Successive interactions between RdRp (nsp12 alone or in complex with cofactors nsp7-8) and viral RNA demonstrated that the binding affinity values remained the same, but the sites of interaction of RdRp (highly conserved for homologous sequences from different organisms) were altered in the presence of selected antiviral drugs such as Remdesivir, and Sofosbuvir. The antiviral drug Sofosbuvir reduced the number of hydrogen bonds formed between RdRp and RNA. Remdesivir bound more tightly to viral RNA than viral RdRp alone or the nsp12-7-8 hexadecameric complex, resulting in a significant number of hydrogen bonds being formed in the uracil-rich region. The interaction between nsp12-7-8 complex and RNA was mediated by specific interaction sites of nsp7-8. Therefore, the conserved nature of RdRp interaction sites, and alterations due to drug intervention indicate the therapeutic potential of the selected drugs. In this article, we provide additional focus on the interacting amino acids of the nsp7-8 complex and highlight crucial regions that could be targeted for precluding a correct recognition of subunits involved in the hexadecameric assembly, to rationally design molecules endowed with a significant antiviral profile.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sunil Kanti Mondal
- Department of Biotechnology, The University of Burdwan, Burdwan, 713104, West Bengal, India.
| | - Samyabrata Mukhoty
- Department of Biotechnology, The University of Burdwan, Burdwan, 713104, West Bengal, India
| | - Himangsu Kundu
- Department of Biotechnology, The University of Burdwan, Burdwan, 713104, West Bengal, India
| | - Subhajit Ghosh
- Department of Biotechnology, The University of Burdwan, Burdwan, 713104, West Bengal, India
| | - Madhab Kumar Sen
- Department of Agroecology and Crop Production, Faculty of Agrobiology, Food and Natural Resources, Czech University of Life Sciences Prague, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Suvankar Das
- Department of Genetics, University of Calcutta, 35 Ballygunge Circular Road, Kolkata, 700019, India
| | - Simone Brogi
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Pisa, Via Bonanno 6, 56126, Pisa, Italy.
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18
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Sundriyal S, Eeda V, Lagisetty P, Awasthi V. Tubulin inhibitory activity of a novel colchicine-binding compounds based on a dinaphthospiropyranran scaffold. Bioorg Med Chem 2021; 29:115874. [PMID: 33223461 DOI: 10.1016/j.bmc.2020.115874] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/24/2020] [Revised: 11/08/2020] [Accepted: 11/09/2020] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Spiropyrans have been investigated for their thermo- and photochromic characteristics, but their biotherapeutic properties have not been addressed. We report anti-proliferative properties of a novel dinaphthospiropyran analogue (1). The compound 1 was synthesized by a simple and expedient method using a one-pot acid-catalyzed aldol condensation of 2-hydroxy-1-naphthaldehyde with 4-piperidone followed by an acetalization reaction. Compound 1 was submitted to anticancer drug screen in the National Cancer Institute's panel of 60 human tumor cell lines. The average concentration of 1 to inhibit 50% cell growth was 5.4 ± 0.23 µM. All cell lines responded at almost the same concentration, suggesting that the action of 1 is not selective for cancer of origin. COMPARE analysis of dose-response data revealed interaction with tubulin as the possible mechanism of action of 1. At molecular level, 1 induced tubulin reorganization in colon cancer HCT-116 cells. Under cell-free conditions, the efficacy of 1 to inhibit tubulin polymerization was comparable to that of paclitaxel and vinblastine. Molecular docking showed that compound 1 binds to the colchicine-binding site of tubulin. We conclude that dinaphthospiropyrans present a novel scaffold for the development of tubulin inhibitors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sandeep Sundriyal
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, 1110 N. Stonewall Avenue, Oklahoma City, OK 73117, USA
| | - Venkateswararao Eeda
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, 1110 N. Stonewall Avenue, Oklahoma City, OK 73117, USA
| | - Pallavi Lagisetty
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, 1110 N. Stonewall Avenue, Oklahoma City, OK 73117, USA
| | - Vibhudutta Awasthi
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, 1110 N. Stonewall Avenue, Oklahoma City, OK 73117, USA.
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da Silva ER, Come JAADSS, Brogi S, Calderone V, Chemi G, Campiani G, Oliveira TMFDS, Pham TN, Pudlo M, Girard C, Maquiaveli CDC. Cinnamides Target Leishmania amazonensis Arginase Selectively. MOLECULES (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2020; 25:molecules25225271. [PMID: 33198198 PMCID: PMC7696938 DOI: 10.3390/molecules25225271] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/16/2020] [Revised: 11/02/2020] [Accepted: 11/06/2020] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
Caffeic acid and related natural compounds were previously described as Leishmania amazonensis arginase (L-ARG) inhibitors, and against the whole parasite in vitro. In this study, we tested cinnamides that were previously synthesized to target human arginase. The compound caffeic acid phenethyl amide (CAPA), a weak inhibitor of human arginase (IC50 = 60.3 ± 7.8 μM) was found to have 9-fold more potency against L-ARG (IC50 = 6.9 ± 0.7 μM). The other compounds that did not inhibit human arginase were characterized as L-ARG, showing an IC50 between 1.3–17.8 μM, and where the most active was compound 15 (IC50 = 1.3 ± 0.1 μM). All compounds were also tested against L. amazonensis promastigotes, and only the compound CAPA showed an inhibitory activity (IC50 = 80 μM). In addition, in an attempt to gain an insight into the mechanism of competitive L-ARG inhibitors, and their selectivity over mammalian enzymes, we performed an extensive computational investigation, to provide the basis for the selective inhibition of L-ARG for this series of compounds. In conclusion, our results indicated that the compounds based on cinnamoyl or 3,4-hydroxy cinnamoyl moiety could be a promising starting point for the design of potential antileishmanial drugs based on selective L-ARG inhibitors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Edson Roberto da Silva
- Laboratório de Farmacologia e Bioquímica (LFBq), Departamento de Medicina Veterinária, Universidade de São Paulo Faculdade de Zootecnia e Engenharia de Alimentos, Pirassununga, SP 13635-900, Brazil; (J.A.A.d.S.S.C.); (T.M.F.d.S.O.)
- Correspondence: (E.R.d.S.); (S.B.); (C.G.); (C.d.C.M.)
| | - Júlio Abel Alfredo dos Santos Simone Come
- Laboratório de Farmacologia e Bioquímica (LFBq), Departamento de Medicina Veterinária, Universidade de São Paulo Faculdade de Zootecnia e Engenharia de Alimentos, Pirassununga, SP 13635-900, Brazil; (J.A.A.d.S.S.C.); (T.M.F.d.S.O.)
- Departamento de Pré-Clínicas, Universidade Eduardo Mondlane, Faculdade de Veterinária, Av. de Moçambique, Km 1.5, Maputo CP 257, Mozambique
| | - Simone Brogi
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Pisa, via Bonanno 6, 56126 Pisa, Italy;
- Correspondence: (E.R.d.S.); (S.B.); (C.G.); (C.d.C.M.)
| | - Vincenzo Calderone
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Pisa, via Bonanno 6, 56126 Pisa, Italy;
| | - Giulia Chemi
- Department of Biotechnology, Chemistry, and Pharmacy, DoE Department of Excellence 2018–2022 Università degli Studi di Siena via Aldo Moro 2, 53100 Siena, Italy; (G.C.); (G.C.)
| | - Giuseppe Campiani
- Department of Biotechnology, Chemistry, and Pharmacy, DoE Department of Excellence 2018–2022 Università degli Studi di Siena via Aldo Moro 2, 53100 Siena, Italy; (G.C.); (G.C.)
| | - Trícia Maria Ferrreira de Sousa Oliveira
- Laboratório de Farmacologia e Bioquímica (LFBq), Departamento de Medicina Veterinária, Universidade de São Paulo Faculdade de Zootecnia e Engenharia de Alimentos, Pirassununga, SP 13635-900, Brazil; (J.A.A.d.S.S.C.); (T.M.F.d.S.O.)
| | - Thanh-Nhat Pham
- PEPITE EA4267, University Bourgogne Franche-Comté, F-25000 Besançon, France; (T.-N.P.); (M.P.)
| | - Marc Pudlo
- PEPITE EA4267, University Bourgogne Franche-Comté, F-25000 Besançon, France; (T.-N.P.); (M.P.)
| | - Corine Girard
- PEPITE EA4267, University Bourgogne Franche-Comté, F-25000 Besançon, France; (T.-N.P.); (M.P.)
- Correspondence: (E.R.d.S.); (S.B.); (C.G.); (C.d.C.M.)
| | - Claudia do Carmo Maquiaveli
- Laboratório de Farmacologia e Bioquímica (LFBq), Departamento de Medicina Veterinária, Universidade de São Paulo Faculdade de Zootecnia e Engenharia de Alimentos, Pirassununga, SP 13635-900, Brazil; (J.A.A.d.S.S.C.); (T.M.F.d.S.O.)
- Correspondence: (E.R.d.S.); (S.B.); (C.G.); (C.d.C.M.)
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Ranjan Dwivedi A, Kumar V, Kaur H, Kumar N, Prakash Yadav R, Poduri R, Baranwal S, Kumar V. Anti-proliferative potential of triphenyl substituted pyrimidines against MDA-MB-231, HCT-116 and HT-29 cancer cell lines. Bioorg Med Chem Lett 2020; 30:127468. [PMID: 32768647 DOI: 10.1016/j.bmcl.2020.127468] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/15/2020] [Revised: 07/26/2020] [Accepted: 08/03/2020] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
A series of triphenyl substituted pyrimidines as analogous of colchicine and combretastatin A-4 was synthesized and evaluated for the antiproliferative potential. The compounds were screened against MDA-MB-231, HCT-116 and HT-29 cell lines using MTT assay. Most of the compounds displayed antiproliferative activity in low to sub micro molar concentration. Amongst the synthesized derivatives, compounds HK-2, HK-10 and HK-13 were found to be effective against all the three cancer cell lines. HK-2 exhibited IC50 values of 3.39 µM, 4.78 µM and 4.23 µM, HK-10 showed IC50 values of 0.81 µM, 5.89 µM, 4.96 µM and HK-13 showed IC50 values 3.24 µM, 4.93 µM and 4.73 µM against MDA-MB-231, HCT-116 and HT-29 cancer cell lines, respectively. HK-10 was found to be the most potent compound in the series with IC50 values of 0.81 µM against MDA-MB-231. In the cell cycle analysis, HK-2 and HK-10 showed cell arrest at G2/M phase of the cell cycle while HK-13 inhibited cell growth at the G1/G0 phase. All the three compounds showed cell death induced through apoptosis. In the docking studies, HK-2, HK-10 and HK-13 were found to fit well in the colchicine binding site of the tubulin. Some of the compounds in the current series were found to be promising against all the three cancer cell lines and may act as potent leads for further development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ashish Ranjan Dwivedi
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences and Natural Products, Central University of Punjab, Bathinda, Punjab 151001, India
| | - Vijay Kumar
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences and Natural Products, Central University of Punjab, Bathinda, Punjab 151001, India
| | - Harmeet Kaur
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences and Natural Products, Central University of Punjab, Bathinda, Punjab 151001, India
| | - Naveen Kumar
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences and Natural Products, Central University of Punjab, Bathinda, Punjab 151001, India
| | - Ravi Prakash Yadav
- Department of Microbiology, School of Basic and Applied Sciences, Central University of Punjab, Bathinda, Punjab 151001, India
| | - Ramarao Poduri
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences and Natural Products, Central University of Punjab, Bathinda, Punjab 151001, India
| | - Somesh Baranwal
- Department of Microbiology, School of Basic and Applied Sciences, Central University of Punjab, Bathinda, Punjab 151001, India.
| | - Vinod Kumar
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences and Natural Products, Central University of Punjab, Bathinda, Punjab 151001, India; Laboratory of Organic and Medicinal Chemistry, Department of Chemistry, Central University of Punjab, Bathinda, Punjab 151001, India.
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Li Petri G, Spanò V, Spatola R, Holl R, Raimondi MV, Barraja P, Montalbano A. Bioactive pyrrole-based compounds with target selectivity. Eur J Med Chem 2020; 208:112783. [PMID: 32916311 PMCID: PMC7455853 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2020.112783] [Citation(s) in RCA: 95] [Impact Index Per Article: 23.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/21/2020] [Revised: 08/19/2020] [Accepted: 08/21/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
The discovery of novel synthetic compounds with drug-like properties is an ongoing challenge in medicinal chemistry. Natural products have inspired the synthesis of compounds for pharmaceutical application, most of which are based on N-heterocyclic motifs. Among these, the pyrrole ring is one of the most explored heterocycles in drug discovery programs for several therapeutic areas, confirmed by the high number of pyrrole-based drugs reaching the market. In the present review, we focused on pyrrole and its hetero-fused derivatives with anticancer, antimicrobial, and antiviral activities, reported in the literature between 2015 and 2019, for which a specific target was identified, being responsible for their biological activity. It emerges that the powerful pharmaceutical and pharmacological features provided by the pyrrole nucleus as pharmacophore unit of many drugs are still recognized by medicinal chemists. Pyrrole nucleus is one of the most explored heterocycle in drug discovery. Pyrrole derivatives exhibit antitumor, antimicrobial and antiviral activities. Targets involved in their biological activities were identified. SAR to underline their most important features were discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giovanna Li Petri
- Department of Biological, Chemical and Pharmaceutical Sciences and Technologies (STEBICEF), University of Palermo, Via Archirafi 32, 90123, Palermo, Italy
| | - Virginia Spanò
- Department of Biological, Chemical and Pharmaceutical Sciences and Technologies (STEBICEF), University of Palermo, Via Archirafi 32, 90123, Palermo, Italy
| | - Roberto Spatola
- Department of Biological, Chemical and Pharmaceutical Sciences and Technologies (STEBICEF), University of Palermo, Via Archirafi 32, 90123, Palermo, Italy
| | - Ralph Holl
- Department of Chemistry, Institute of Organic Chemistry, University of Hamburg, Martin-Luther-King-Platz 6, 20146, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Maria Valeria Raimondi
- Department of Biological, Chemical and Pharmaceutical Sciences and Technologies (STEBICEF), University of Palermo, Via Archirafi 32, 90123, Palermo, Italy.
| | - Paola Barraja
- Department of Biological, Chemical and Pharmaceutical Sciences and Technologies (STEBICEF), University of Palermo, Via Archirafi 32, 90123, Palermo, Italy
| | - Alessandra Montalbano
- Department of Biological, Chemical and Pharmaceutical Sciences and Technologies (STEBICEF), University of Palermo, Via Archirafi 32, 90123, Palermo, Italy
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22
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Yang D, Wang H, Fan Z, Li Z, Zhou S, Hao Z, Lv Y, Kalinina TA, Glukhareva TV. Design, synthesis and antifungal activity of (E)-3-acyl-5-(methoxyimino)-1,5-dihydrobenzo[e][1,2]oxazepin-4(3H)-one analogues. Mol Divers 2020; 25:159-169. [PMID: 31965437 DOI: 10.1007/s11030-020-10035-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2019] [Accepted: 01/08/2020] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Nitrogen- or oxygen-containing organic compounds which have significant antifungal activity, twenty one novel nitrogen or oxygen-containing (E)-3-acyl-5-(methoxyimino)-1,5-dihydrobenzo[e][1,2]oxazepin-4(3H)-one analogues were designed and synthesized, and their structures were confirmed by 1H NMR, 13C NMR and HRMS. Preliminary bioassay showed that most of them exhibited certain-to-good antifungal activity. Compounds 5k-2, 5n, 5p and 5r exhibited over 80% inhibitory rate against Sclerotinia sclerotiorum at 50 μg/mL, and 5r exhibited good antifungal activity against S. sclerotiorum with EC50 of 7.21 μg/mL. Compounds 5a and 5r also showed over 90% inhibition against Botrytis cinerea. In particular, 5r showed significant higher activity with the lowest EC50 of 7.92 μg/mL than the positive control trifloxystrobin (21.96 μg/mL) and azoxystrobin (9.43 μg/mL). Providing a practical method for the synthesis of new scaffolds 1,2-Benzoxazepinone and systematically investigate their antifungal activity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dongyan Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Elemento-Organic Chemistry, College of Chemistry, Nankai University, No. 94, Weijin Road, Nankai District, Tianjin, 300071, People's Republic of China
| | - Haixia Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Elemento-Organic Chemistry, College of Chemistry, Nankai University, No. 94, Weijin Road, Nankai District, Tianjin, 300071, People's Republic of China
| | - Zhijin Fan
- State Key Laboratory of Elemento-Organic Chemistry, College of Chemistry, Nankai University, No. 94, Weijin Road, Nankai District, Tianjin, 300071, People's Republic of China.
| | - Zhengming Li
- State Key Laboratory of Elemento-Organic Chemistry, College of Chemistry, Nankai University, No. 94, Weijin Road, Nankai District, Tianjin, 300071, People's Republic of China.
| | - Shuang Zhou
- State Key Laboratory of Elemento-Organic Chemistry, College of Chemistry, Nankai University, No. 94, Weijin Road, Nankai District, Tianjin, 300071, People's Republic of China
| | - Zesheng Hao
- State Key Laboratory of Elemento-Organic Chemistry, College of Chemistry, Nankai University, No. 94, Weijin Road, Nankai District, Tianjin, 300071, People's Republic of China
| | - You Lv
- State Key Laboratory of Elemento-Organic Chemistry, College of Chemistry, Nankai University, No. 94, Weijin Road, Nankai District, Tianjin, 300071, People's Republic of China
| | - Tatiana A Kalinina
- The Ural Federal University Named After the First President of Russia B. N. Yeltsin, Ekaterinburg, Russia, 620002
| | - Tatiana V Glukhareva
- The Ural Federal University Named After the First President of Russia B. N. Yeltsin, Ekaterinburg, Russia, 620002.
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23
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Brogi S, Sirous H, Calderone V, Chemi G. Amyloid β fibril disruption by oleuropein aglycone: long-time molecular dynamics simulation to gain insight into the mechanism of action of this polyphenol from extra virgin olive oil. Food Funct 2020; 11:8122-8132. [DOI: 10.1039/d0fo01511c] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
Insight into the mechanism of action of oleuropein aglycone as a potent anti-amyloidogenic agent.
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Affiliation(s)
- Simone Brogi
- Department of Pharmacy
- University of Pisa
- 56126 Pisa
- Italy
| | - Hajar Sirous
- Bioinformatics Research Center
- School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences
- Isfahan University of Medical Sciences
- 81746-73461 Isfahan
- Iran
| | | | - Giulia Chemi
- Wellcome Centre for Anti-Infectives Research
- Drug Discovery Unit
- Division of Biological Chemistry and Drug Discovery
- University of Dundee
- DD1 5EH Dundee
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24
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Zhou Y, Di B, Niu MM. Structure-Based Pharmacophore Design and Virtual Screening for Novel Tubulin Inhibitors with Potential Anticancer Activity. Molecules 2019; 24:E3181. [PMID: 31480625 PMCID: PMC6749218 DOI: 10.3390/molecules24173181] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/09/2019] [Revised: 08/28/2019] [Accepted: 08/29/2019] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Tubulin inhibitors have been considered as potential drugs for cancer therapy. However, their drug resistance and serious side-effects are the main reasons for clinical treatment failure. Therefore, there is still an urgent need to develop effective therapeutic drugs. Herein, a structure-based pharmacophore model was developed based on the co-crystallized structures of the tubulin with a high resolution. The model including one hydrogen-bond acceptor feature, two aromatic features, and one hydrophobic feature was further validated using the Gunner-Henry score method. Virtual screening was performed by an integrated protocol that combines drug-likeness analysis, pharmacophore mapping, and molecular docking approaches. Finally, five hits were selected for biological evaluation. The results indicated that all these hits at the concentration of 40 μM showed an inhibition of more than 50% against five human tumor cells (MCF-7, U87MG, HCT-116, MDA-MB-231, and HepG2). Particularly, hit 1 effectively inhibited the proliferation of these tumor cells, with inhibition rates of more than 80%. The results of tubulin polymerization and colchicine-site competition assays suggested that hit 1 significantly inhibited tubulin polymerization by binding to the colchicine site. Thus, hit 1 could be used as a potential chemotherapeutic agent for cancer treatment. This work also demonstrated the potential of our screening protocol to identify biologically active compounds.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yunjiang Zhou
- State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines, School of Basic Medicine and Clinical Pharmacy, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 210009, China
| | - Bin Di
- Department of Pharmaceutical Analysis, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 210009, China.
| | - Miao-Miao Niu
- Department of Pharmaceutical Analysis, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 210009, China.
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25
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Sirous H, Chemi G, Gemma S, Butini S, Debyser Z, Christ F, Saghaie L, Brogi S, Fassihi A, Campiani G, Brindisi M. Identification of Novel 3-Hydroxy-pyran-4-One Derivatives as Potent HIV-1 Integrase Inhibitors Using in silico Structure-Based Combinatorial Library Design Approach. Front Chem 2019; 7:574. [PMID: 31457006 PMCID: PMC6700280 DOI: 10.3389/fchem.2019.00574] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/26/2019] [Accepted: 07/29/2019] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
We describe herein the development and experimental validation of a computational protocol for optimizing a series of 3-hydroxy-pyran-4-one derivatives as HIV integrase inhibitors (HIV INIs). Starting from a previously developed micromolar inhibitors of HIV integrase (HIV IN), we performed an in-depth investigation based on an in silico structure-based combinatorial library designing approach. This method allowed us to combine a combinatorial library design and side chain hopping with Quantum Polarized Ligand Docking (QPLD) studies and Molecular Dynamics (MD) simulation. The combinatorial library design allowed the identification of the best decorations for our promising scaffold. The resulting compounds were assessed by the mentioned QPLD methodology using a homology model of full-length binary HIV IN/DNA for retrieving the best performing compounds acting as HIV INIs. Along with the prediction of physico-chemical properties, we were able to select a limited number of drug-like compounds potentially displaying potent HIV IN inhibition. From this final set, based on the synthetic accessibility, we further shortlisted three representative compounds for the synthesis. The compounds were experimentally assessed in vitro for evaluating overall HIV-1 IN inhibition, HIV-1 IN strand transfer activity inhibition, HIV-1 activity inhibition and cellular toxicity. Gratifyingly, all of them showed relevant inhibitory activity in the in vitro tests along with no toxicity. Among them HPCAR-28 represents the most promising compound as potential anti-HIV agent, showing inhibitory activity against HIV IN in the low nanomolar range, comparable to that found for Raltegravir, and relevant potency in inhibiting HIV-1 replication and HIV-1 IN strand transfer activity. In summary, our results outline HPCAR-28 as a useful optimized hit for the potential treatment of HIV-1 infection by targeting HIV IN.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hajar Sirous
- Bioinformatics Research Center, School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran
| | - Giulia Chemi
- Department of Biotechnology, Chemistry and Pharmacy, Department of Excellence 2018-2022, University of Siena, Siena, Italy
| | - Sandra Gemma
- Department of Biotechnology, Chemistry and Pharmacy, Department of Excellence 2018-2022, University of Siena, Siena, Italy
| | - Stefania Butini
- Department of Biotechnology, Chemistry and Pharmacy, Department of Excellence 2018-2022, University of Siena, Siena, Italy
| | - Zeger Debyser
- Molecular Medicine, K.U. Leuven and IRC KULAK, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Frauke Christ
- Molecular Medicine, K.U. Leuven and IRC KULAK, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Lotfollah Saghaie
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran
| | - Simone Brogi
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - Afshin Fassihi
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran
| | - Giuseppe Campiani
- Department of Biotechnology, Chemistry and Pharmacy, Department of Excellence 2018-2022, University of Siena, Siena, Italy
| | - Margherita Brindisi
- Department of Pharmacy, Department of Excellence 2018-2022, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy
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