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Laskowski T, Kosno M, Andrałojć W, Frackowiak JE, Borzyszkowska-Bukowska J, Szczeblewski P, Radoń N, Świerżewska M, Woźny A, Paluszkiewicz E, Mazerska Z. The interactions of monomeric acridines and unsymmetrical bisacridines (UAs) with DNA duplexes: an insight provided by NMR and MD studies. Sci Rep 2023; 13:3431. [PMID: 36859494 PMCID: PMC9977845 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-30587-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/02/2022] [Accepted: 02/27/2023] [Indexed: 03/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Members of a novel class of anticancer compounds, exhibiting high antitumor activity, i.e. the unsymmetrical bisacridines (UAs), consist of two heteroaromatic ring systems. One of the ring systems is an imidazoacridinone moiety, with the skeleton identical to the structural base of Symadex. The second one is a 1-nitroacridine moiety, hence it may be regarded as Nitracrine's structural basis. These monoacridine units are connected by an aminoalkyl linker, which vary in structure. In theory, these unsymmetrical dimers should act as double-stranded DNA (dsDNA) bis-intercalators, since the monomeric units constituting the UAs were previously reported to exhibit an intercalating mode of binding into dsDNA. On the contrary, our earlier, preliminary studies have suggested that specific and/or structurally well-defined binding of UAs into DNA duplexes might not be the case. In this contribution, we have revisited and carefully examined the dsDNA-binding properties of monoacridines C-1305, C-1311 (Symadex), C-283 (Ledakrin/Nitracrine) and C-1748, as well as bisacridines C-2028, C-2041, C-2045 and C-2053 using advanced NMR techniques, aided by molecular modelling calculations and the analysis of UV-VIS spectra, decomposed by chemometric techniques. These studies allowed us to explain, why the properties of UAs are not a simple sum of the features exhibited by the acridine monomers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tomasz Laskowski
- Department of Pharmaceutical Technology and Biochemistry and BioTechMed Centre, Faculty of Chemistry, Gdańsk University of Technology, Gabriela Narutowicza Str. 11/12, 80-233, Gdańsk, Poland.
| | - Michał Kosno
- grid.6868.00000 0001 2187 838XDepartment of Pharmaceutical Technology and Biochemistry and BioTechMed Centre, Faculty of Chemistry, Gdańsk University of Technology, Gabriela Narutowicza Str. 11/12, 80-233 Gdańsk, Poland
| | - Witold Andrałojć
- grid.413454.30000 0001 1958 0162Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Polish Academy of Sciences, Zygmunta Noskowskiego Str. 12/14, 61-704 Poznań, Poland
| | - Joanna E. Frackowiak
- grid.6868.00000 0001 2187 838XDepartment of Pharmaceutical Technology and Biochemistry and BioTechMed Centre, Faculty of Chemistry, Gdańsk University of Technology, Gabriela Narutowicza Str. 11/12, 80-233 Gdańsk, Poland
| | - Julia Borzyszkowska-Bukowska
- grid.6868.00000 0001 2187 838XDepartment of Pharmaceutical Technology and Biochemistry and BioTechMed Centre, Faculty of Chemistry, Gdańsk University of Technology, Gabriela Narutowicza Str. 11/12, 80-233 Gdańsk, Poland
| | - Paweł Szczeblewski
- grid.6868.00000 0001 2187 838XDepartment of Pharmaceutical Technology and Biochemistry and BioTechMed Centre, Faculty of Chemistry, Gdańsk University of Technology, Gabriela Narutowicza Str. 11/12, 80-233 Gdańsk, Poland
| | - Nikola Radoń
- grid.6868.00000 0001 2187 838XDepartment of Pharmaceutical Technology and Biochemistry and BioTechMed Centre, Faculty of Chemistry, Gdańsk University of Technology, Gabriela Narutowicza Str. 11/12, 80-233 Gdańsk, Poland
| | - Maria Świerżewska
- grid.6868.00000 0001 2187 838XDepartment of Pharmaceutical Technology and Biochemistry and BioTechMed Centre, Faculty of Chemistry, Gdańsk University of Technology, Gabriela Narutowicza Str. 11/12, 80-233 Gdańsk, Poland
| | - Anna Woźny
- grid.6868.00000 0001 2187 838XFaculty of Applied Physics and Mathematics, Gdańsk University of Technology, Gabriela Narutowicza Str. 11/12, 80-233 Gdańsk, Poland
| | - Ewa Paluszkiewicz
- grid.6868.00000 0001 2187 838XDepartment of Pharmaceutical Technology and Biochemistry and BioTechMed Centre, Faculty of Chemistry, Gdańsk University of Technology, Gabriela Narutowicza Str. 11/12, 80-233 Gdańsk, Poland
| | - Zofia Mazerska
- grid.6868.00000 0001 2187 838XDepartment of Pharmaceutical Technology and Biochemistry and BioTechMed Centre, Faculty of Chemistry, Gdańsk University of Technology, Gabriela Narutowicza Str. 11/12, 80-233 Gdańsk, Poland
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Kosno M, Laskowski T, Frackowiak JE, Potęga A, Kurdyn A, Andrałojć W, Borzyszkowska-Bukowska J, Szwarc-Karabyka K, Mazerska Z. Acid–Base Equilibrium and Self-Association in Relation to High Antitumor Activity of Selected Unsymmetrical Bisacridines Established by Extensive Chemometric Analysis. Molecules 2022; 27:molecules27133995. [PMID: 35807234 PMCID: PMC9268451 DOI: 10.3390/molecules27133995] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/03/2022] [Revised: 06/18/2022] [Accepted: 06/19/2022] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Unsymmetrical bisacridines (UAs) represent a novel class of anticancer agents previously synthesized by our group. Our recent studies have demonstrated their high antitumor potential against multiple cancer cell lines and human tumor xenografts in nude mice. At the cellular level, these compounds affected 3D cancer spheroid growth and their cellular uptake was selectively modulated by quantum dots. UAs were shown to undergo metabolic transformations in vitro and in tumor cells. However, the physicochemical properties of UAs, which could possibly affect their interactions with molecular targets, remain unknown. Therefore, we selected four highly active UAs for the assessment of physicochemical parameters under various pH conditions. We determined the compounds’ pKa dissociation constants as well as their potential to self-associate. Both parameters were determined by detailed and complex chemometric analysis of UV-Vis spectra supported by nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy. The obtained results indicate that general molecular properties of UAs in aqueous media, including their protonation state, self-association ratio, and solubility, are strongly pH-dependent, particularly in the physiological pH range of 6 to 8. In conclusion, we describe the detailed physicochemical characteristics of UAs, which might contribute to their selectivity towards tumour cells as opposed to their effect on normal cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michał Kosno
- Department of Pharmaceutical Technology and Biochemistry and BioMedTech Centre, Faculty of Chemistry, Gdańsk University of Technology, Gabriela Narutowicza Str. 11/12, 80-233 Gdańsk, Poland; (M.K.); (J.E.F.); (A.P.); (A.K.); (J.B.-B.)
| | - Tomasz Laskowski
- Department of Pharmaceutical Technology and Biochemistry and BioMedTech Centre, Faculty of Chemistry, Gdańsk University of Technology, Gabriela Narutowicza Str. 11/12, 80-233 Gdańsk, Poland; (M.K.); (J.E.F.); (A.P.); (A.K.); (J.B.-B.)
- Correspondence: (T.L.); (Z.M.); Tel.: +48-58-347-20-79 (T.L.); +48-58-347-24-07 (Z.M.)
| | - Joanna E. Frackowiak
- Department of Pharmaceutical Technology and Biochemistry and BioMedTech Centre, Faculty of Chemistry, Gdańsk University of Technology, Gabriela Narutowicza Str. 11/12, 80-233 Gdańsk, Poland; (M.K.); (J.E.F.); (A.P.); (A.K.); (J.B.-B.)
| | - Agnieszka Potęga
- Department of Pharmaceutical Technology and Biochemistry and BioMedTech Centre, Faculty of Chemistry, Gdańsk University of Technology, Gabriela Narutowicza Str. 11/12, 80-233 Gdańsk, Poland; (M.K.); (J.E.F.); (A.P.); (A.K.); (J.B.-B.)
| | - Agnieszka Kurdyn
- Department of Pharmaceutical Technology and Biochemistry and BioMedTech Centre, Faculty of Chemistry, Gdańsk University of Technology, Gabriela Narutowicza Str. 11/12, 80-233 Gdańsk, Poland; (M.K.); (J.E.F.); (A.P.); (A.K.); (J.B.-B.)
| | - Witold Andrałojć
- Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Polish Academy of Sciences, Zygmunta Noskowskiego Str. 12/14, 61-704 Poznań, Poland;
| | - Julia Borzyszkowska-Bukowska
- Department of Pharmaceutical Technology and Biochemistry and BioMedTech Centre, Faculty of Chemistry, Gdańsk University of Technology, Gabriela Narutowicza Str. 11/12, 80-233 Gdańsk, Poland; (M.K.); (J.E.F.); (A.P.); (A.K.); (J.B.-B.)
| | - Katarzyna Szwarc-Karabyka
- Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Laboratory, Gdańsk University of Technology, Gabriela Narutowicza Str. 11/12, 80-233 Gdańsk, Poland;
| | - Zofia Mazerska
- Department of Pharmaceutical Technology and Biochemistry and BioMedTech Centre, Faculty of Chemistry, Gdańsk University of Technology, Gabriela Narutowicza Str. 11/12, 80-233 Gdańsk, Poland; (M.K.); (J.E.F.); (A.P.); (A.K.); (J.B.-B.)
- Correspondence: (T.L.); (Z.M.); Tel.: +48-58-347-20-79 (T.L.); +48-58-347-24-07 (Z.M.)
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A comprehensive review on acridone based derivatives as future anti-cancer agents and their structure activity relationships. Eur J Med Chem 2022; 239:114527. [PMID: 35717872 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2022.114527] [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: 06/15/2021] [Revised: 05/27/2022] [Accepted: 06/07/2022] [Indexed: 11/03/2022]
Abstract
The development of drug resistance and severe side-effects has reduced the clinical efficacy of the existing anti-cancer drugs available in the market. Thus, there is always a constant need to develop newer anti-cancer drugs with minimal adverse effects. Researchers all over the world have been focusing on various alternative strategies to discover novel, potent, and target specific molecules for cancer therapy. In this direction, several heterocyclic compounds are being explored but amongst them one promising heterocycle is acridone which has attracted the attention of medicinal chemists and gained huge biological importance as acridones are found to act on different therapeutically proven molecular targets, overcome ABC transporters mediated drug resistance and DNA intercalation in cancer cells. Some of these acridone derivatives have reached clinical studies as these heterocycles have shown huge potential in cancer therapeutics and imaging. Here, the authors have attempted to compile and make some recommendations of acridone based derivatives concerning their cancer biological targets and in vitro-cytotoxicity based on drug design and novelty to increase their therapeutic potential. This review also provides some important insights on the design, receptor targeting and future directions for the development of acridones as possible clinically effective anti-cancer agents.
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c-Myc Protein Level Affected by Unsymmetrical Bisacridines Influences Apoptosis and Senescence Induced in HCT116 Colorectal and H460 Lung Cancer Cells. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23063061. [PMID: 35328482 PMCID: PMC8955938 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23063061] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2022] [Revised: 03/01/2022] [Accepted: 03/10/2022] [Indexed: 12/04/2022] Open
Abstract
Unsymmetrical bisacridines (UAs) are highly active antitumor compounds. They contain in their structure the drugs previously synthesized in our Department: C-1311 and C-1748. UAs exhibit different properties than their monomer components. They do not intercalate to dsDNA but stabilize the G-quadruplex structures, particularly those of the MYC and KRAS genes. Since MYC and KRAS are often mutated and constitutively expressed in cancer cells, they can be used as therapeutic targets. Herein, we investigate whether UAs can affect the expression and protein level of c-Myc and K-Ras in HCT116 and H460 cancer cells, and if so, what are the consequences for the UAs-induced cellular response. UAs did not affect K-Ras, but they strongly influenced the expression and translation of the c-Myc protein, and in H460 cells, they caused its full inhibition. UAs treatment resulted in apoptosis, as confirmed by the morphological changes, the presence of sub-G1 population and active caspase-3, cleaved PARP, annexin-V/PI staining and a decrease in mitochondrial potential. Importantly, apoptosis was induced earlier and to a greater extent in H460 compared to HCT116 cells. Moreover, accelerated senescence occurred only in H460 cells. In conclusion, the strong inhibition of c-Myc by UAs in H460 cells may participate in the final cellular response (apoptosis, senescence).
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Laskowski T, Andrałojć W, Grynda J, Gwarda P, Mazerski J, Gdaniec Z. A strong preference for the TA/TA dinucleotide step discovered for an acridine-based, potent antitumor dsDNA intercalator, C-1305: NMR-driven structural and sequence-specificity studies. Sci Rep 2020; 10:11697. [PMID: 32678133 PMCID: PMC7366671 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-68609-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/20/2020] [Accepted: 06/29/2020] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Triazoloacridinone C-1305, a potent antitumor agent recommended for Phase I clinical trials, exhibits high activity towards a wide range of experimental colon carcinomas, in many cases associated with complete tumor regression. C-1305 is a well-established dsDNA intercalator, yet no information on its mode of binding into DNA is available to date. Herein, we present the NMR-driven and MD-refined reconstruction of the 3D structures of the d(CGATATCG)2:C-1305 and d(CCCTAGGG)2:C-1305 non-covalent adducts. In both cases, the ligand intercalates at the TA/TA site, forming well-defined dsDNA:drug 1:1 mol/mol complexes. Orientation of the ligand within the binding site was unambiguously established by the DNA/ligand proton-proton NOE contacts. A subsequent, NMR-driven study of the sequence-specificity of C-1305 using a series of DNA duplexes, allowed us to confirm a strong preference towards TA/TA dinucleotide steps, followed by the TG/CA steps. Interestingly, no interaction at all was observed with duplexes containing exclusively the AT/AT, GG/CC and GA/TC steps.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tomasz Laskowski
- Department of Pharmaceutical Technology and Biochemistry, Faculty of Chemistry, Gdańsk University of Technology, Gabriela Narutowicza Str. 11/12, 80-233, Gdańsk, Poland.
| | - Witold Andrałojć
- Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Polish Academy of Sciences, Zygmunta Noskowskiego Str. 12/14, 61-704, Poznań, Poland.
| | - Jakub Grynda
- Department of Pharmaceutical Technology and Biochemistry, Faculty of Chemistry, Gdańsk University of Technology, Gabriela Narutowicza Str. 11/12, 80-233, Gdańsk, Poland
| | - Paulina Gwarda
- Department of Pharmaceutical Technology and Biochemistry, Faculty of Chemistry, Gdańsk University of Technology, Gabriela Narutowicza Str. 11/12, 80-233, Gdańsk, Poland
| | - Jan Mazerski
- Department of Pharmaceutical Technology and Biochemistry, Faculty of Chemistry, Gdańsk University of Technology, Gabriela Narutowicza Str. 11/12, 80-233, Gdańsk, Poland
| | - Zofia Gdaniec
- Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Polish Academy of Sciences, Zygmunta Noskowskiego Str. 12/14, 61-704, Poznań, Poland
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