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Kapoor R, Saini A, Sharma D. Indispensable role of microbes in anticancer drugs and discovery trends. Appl Microbiol Biotechnol 2022; 106:4885-4906. [PMID: 35819512 DOI: 10.1007/s00253-022-12046-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2021] [Revised: 06/15/2022] [Accepted: 06/18/2022] [Indexed: 11/02/2022]
Abstract
Recent years have seen an increased focus on the advancement of naturally derived products for the treatment of cancer. Since the beginning of recorded history, nature has provided a variety of medicinal agents, and an overwhelming number of drugs that we have today are derived from natural sources. Such natural agents are prominently used to treat several diseases such as diabetes, malaria, Alzheimer's, pulmonary disorders, etc. with cancer being the highlight of this review. Due to the rapid development of resistance to chemotherapeutic drugs, the hunt for effective novel drugs is still a paramount concern in cancer treatment. Moreover, many chemotherapy drugs typically have high toxicity and adverse side effects, which necessitates the need to develop anti-tumor drugs that can be employed to treat deadly tumors with fewer negative effects on health and better efficacy. Isolation of several chemotherapeutic drugs has been conducted from a wide range of natural sources which include plants, microbes, fungi, and marine microorganisms. Considering the trends of previous decades, microbial diversity has grown to play a significant role in the formulation of pharmaceuticals and drugs, especially antibiotics and anti-cancer medications. Microbe-derived antitumor antibiotics such as anthracycline, epothilones, bleomycin, actinomycin, and staurosporine are amongst the widely used cancer chemotherapeutic agents. This review deals majorly with microbe-derived anticancer drugs taking into account their derivatives, mechanism of action, isolation procedures, limitations, and tumors targeted by them. This article also reports the phase of clinical study these drugs are undergoing. Moreover, it intends to portray the indispensable part that these microbes have been playing since time immemorial in the odyssey of chemotherapeutic agents. KEY POINTS: • Microbial diversity contributes heavily towards the formulation of anticancer drugs. • Polypeptides, carbohydrates, and alkaloids are prevalent microbe-based drug classes. • Microbe-derived anticancer agents target various sarcomas, carcinomas, and lymphomas.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ridam Kapoor
- Department of Anatomy and Physiology, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, 3010, Australia.,Institute of Nano Science and Technology, Knowledge City, Sector 81, Mohali, Punjab, 140306, India
| | - Anamika Saini
- Amity Institute of Biotechnology, Amity University, Jaipur, Rajasthan, 302006, India.,Institute of Nano Science and Technology, Knowledge City, Sector 81, Mohali, Punjab, 140306, India
| | - Deepika Sharma
- Institute of Nano Science and Technology, Knowledge City, Sector 81, Mohali, Punjab, 140306, India.
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2
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Seedorf T, Kirschning A, Solga D. Natural and Synthetic Oligoarylamides: Privileged Structures for Medical Applications. Chemistry 2021; 27:7321-7339. [PMID: 33481284 PMCID: PMC8251530 DOI: 10.1002/chem.202005086] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/24/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
The term "privileged structure" refers to a single molecular substructure or scaffold that can serve as a starting point for high-affinity ligands for more than one receptor type. In this report, a hitherto overlooked group of privileged substructures is addressed, namely aromatic oligoamides, for which there are natural models in the form of cystobactamids, albicidin, distamycin A, netropsin, and others. The aromatic and heteroaromatic core, together with a flexible selection of substituents, form conformationally well-defined scaffolds capable of specifically binding to conformationally well-defined regions of biomacromolecules such as helices in proteins or DNA often by acting as helices mimics themselves. As such, these aromatic oligoamides have already been employed to inhibit protein-protein and nucleic acid-protein interactions. This article is the first to bring together the scattered knowledge about aromatic oligoamides in connection with biomedical applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tim Seedorf
- Institut für Organische Chemie und Biomolekulares Wirkstoffzentrum, (BMWZ)Leibniz Universität HannoverSchneiderberg 1B30167HannoverGermany
| | - Andreas Kirschning
- Institut für Organische Chemie und Biomolekulares Wirkstoffzentrum, (BMWZ)Leibniz Universität HannoverSchneiderberg 1B30167HannoverGermany
| | - Danny Solga
- Institut für Organische Chemie und Biomolekulares Wirkstoffzentrum, (BMWZ)Leibniz Universität HannoverSchneiderberg 1B30167HannoverGermany
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3
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Gomez DLM, Armando RG, Cerrudo CS, Ghiringhelli PD, Gomez DE. Telomerase as a Cancer Target. Development of New Molecules. Curr Top Med Chem 2017; 16:2432-40. [PMID: 26873194 PMCID: PMC4997958 DOI: 10.2174/1568026616666160212122425] [Citation(s) in RCA: 53] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2015] [Revised: 09/15/2015] [Accepted: 10/25/2015] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
Telomeres are the terminal part of the chromosome containing a long repetitive and non-codifying sequence that has as function protecting the chromosomes. In normal cells, telomeres lost part of such repetitive sequence in each mitosis, until telomeres reach a critical point, triggering at that time senescence and cell death. However, in most of tumor cells in each cell division a part of the telomere is lost, however the appearance of an enzyme called telomerase synthetize the segment that just has been lost, therefore conferring to tumor cells the immortality hallmark. Telomerase is significantly overexpressed in 80–95% of all malignant tumors, being present at low levels in few normal cells, mostly stem cells. Due to these characteristics, telomerase has become an attractive target for new and more effective anticancer agents. The capability of inhibiting telomerase in tumor cells should lead to telomere shortening, senescence and apoptosis. In this work, we analyze the different strategies for telomerase inhibition, either in development, preclinical or clinical stages taking into account their strong points and their caveats. We covered strategies such as nucleosides analogs, oligonucleotides, small molecule inhibitors, G-quadruplex stabilizers, immunotherapy, gene therapy, molecules that affect the telomere/telomerase associated proteins, agents from microbial sources, among others, providing a balanced evaluation of the status of the inhibitors of this powerful target together with an analysis of the challenges ahead.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | - D E Gomez
- Laboratory of Molecular Oncology, Department of Science and Technology. Quilmes National University, Bernal, Buenos Aires, Argentina. R. Saenz Peña 352, (1876) Buenos Aires, Argentina.
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Musumeci D, Amato J, Zizza P, Platella C, Cosconati S, Cingolani C, Biroccio A, Novellino E, Randazzo A, Giancola C, Pagano B, Montesarchio D. Tandem application of ligand-based virtual screening and G4-OAS assay to identify novel G-quadruplex-targeting chemotypes. Biochim Biophys Acta Gen Subj 2017; 1861:1341-1352. [PMID: 28130159 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbagen.2017.01.024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/23/2016] [Revised: 01/16/2017] [Accepted: 01/23/2017] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND G-quadruplex (G4) structures are key elements in the regulation of cancer cell proliferation and their targeting is deemed to be a promising strategy in anticancer therapy. METHODS A tandem application of ligand-based virtual screening (VS) calculations together with the experimental G-quadruplex on Oligo Affinity Support (G4-OAS) assay was employed to discover novel G4-targeting compounds. The interaction of the selected compounds with the investigated G4 in solution was analysed through a series of biophysical techniques and their biological activity investigated by immunofluorescence and MTT assays. RESULTS A focused library of 60 small molecules, designed as putative G4 groove binders, was identified through the VS. The G4-OAS experimental screening led to the selection of 7 ligands effectively interacting with the G4-forming human telomeric DNA. Evaluation of the biological activity of the selected compounds showed that 3 ligands of this sub-library induced a marked telomere-localized DNA damage response in human tumour cells. CONCLUSIONS The combined application of virtual and experimental screening tools proved to be a successful strategy to identify new bioactive chemotypes able to target the telomeric G4 DNA. These compounds may represent useful leads for the development of more potent and selective G4 ligands. GENERAL SIGNIFICANCE Expanding the repertoire of the available G4-targeting chemotypes with improved physico-chemical features, in particular aiming at the discovery of novel, selective G4 telomeric ligands, can help in developing effective anti-cancer drugs with fewer side effects. This article is part of a Special Issue entitled "G-quadruplex" Guest Editor: Dr. Concetta Giancola and Dr. Daniela Montesarchio.
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Affiliation(s)
- Domenica Musumeci
- Department of Chemical Sciences, University of Naples Federico II, Naples 80126, Italy
| | - Jussara Amato
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Naples Federico II, Naples 80131, Italy
| | - Pasquale Zizza
- Oncogenomic and Epigenetic Unit, Regina Elena National Cancer Institute, Rome 00144, Italy
| | - Chiara Platella
- Department of Chemical Sciences, University of Naples Federico II, Naples 80126, Italy
| | | | - Chiara Cingolani
- Oncogenomic and Epigenetic Unit, Regina Elena National Cancer Institute, Rome 00144, Italy
| | - Annamaria Biroccio
- Oncogenomic and Epigenetic Unit, Regina Elena National Cancer Institute, Rome 00144, Italy
| | - Ettore Novellino
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Naples Federico II, Naples 80131, Italy
| | - Antonio Randazzo
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Naples Federico II, Naples 80131, Italy
| | - Concetta Giancola
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Naples Federico II, Naples 80131, Italy
| | - Bruno Pagano
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Naples Federico II, Naples 80131, Italy.
| | - Daniela Montesarchio
- Department of Chemical Sciences, University of Naples Federico II, Naples 80126, Italy.
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5
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Chen Y, Zhang Y. Functional and mechanistic analysis of telomerase: An antitumor drug target. Pharmacol Ther 2016; 163:24-47. [DOI: 10.1016/j.pharmthera.2016.03.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/04/2016] [Accepted: 03/29/2016] [Indexed: 01/26/2023]
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6
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Human telomerase inhibitors from microbial source. World J Microbiol Biotechnol 2015; 31:1329-41. [DOI: 10.1007/s11274-015-1893-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/20/2015] [Accepted: 06/18/2015] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
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7
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Maji B, Bhattacharya S. Advances in the molecular design of potential anticancer agents via targeting of human telomeric DNA. Chem Commun (Camb) 2014; 50:6422-38. [DOI: 10.1039/c4cc00611a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 105] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Telomerase is an attractive drug target to develop new generation drugs against cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Basudeb Maji
- Department of Organic Chemistry
- Indian Institute of Science
- Bangalore-560012, India
| | - Santanu Bhattacharya
- Department of Organic Chemistry
- Indian Institute of Science
- Bangalore-560012, India
- Chemical Biology Unit
- Jawaharlal Nehru Centre for Advanced Scientific Research
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8
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Biver T. Stabilisation of non-canonical structures of nucleic acids by metal ions and small molecules. Coord Chem Rev 2013. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ccr.2013.04.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
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9
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Abstract
G-quadruplex ligands are potential anticancer agents as telomerase inhibitors and potential transcriptional regulators of oncogenes. The search for best-in-class drugs is addressed to identify small molecules able to promote and stabilize G-quadruplex structures. What features should the G-quadruplex ligands possess? They should have selective antiproliferative effects on cancer cells and induce telomerase inhibition or oncogene suppression. One of the main challenges in their design and synthesis is to make the ligands selective for G-quadruplex DNA. These features should be amplified by careful analyses of physico-chemical aspects of G-quadruplex-drug interactions. In particular, the study of the energetics of G-quadruplex-drug interactions can enhance drug design by providing thermodynamic parameters that give quantitative information on the biomolecular interactions important for binding. The main methodologies used to gain information on energetics of binding are based on spectroscopic or calorimetric principles. Spectroscopic techniques such as fluorescence and circular dichroism are rapid and cheap methods, but are not sufficient to characterize completely the thermodynamics of interaction. Calorimetric techniques such as isothermal titration calorimetry offer a direct measure of binding enthalpy, in addition to the stoichiometry and affinity constants. With the complete thermodynamic signature of drug-target interaction, dissecting the enthalpic and entropic components of binding is possible, which can be a useful aid to decision-making during drug optimization.
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Affiliation(s)
- Concetta Giancola
- Dipartimento di Scienze Chimiche, Università degli Studi di Napoli "Federico II", Via Cintia, 80126, Napoli, Italy,
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10
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Jain AK, Bhattacharya S. Interaction of G-Quadruplexes with Nonintercalating Duplex-DNA Minor Groove Binding Ligands. Bioconjug Chem 2011; 22:2355-68. [DOI: 10.1021/bc200268a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 63] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Akash K. Jain
- Department
of Organic Chemistry, Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore 560 012, India
| | - Santanu Bhattacharya
- Department
of Organic Chemistry, Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore 560 012, India
- Chemical Biology Unit, Jawaharlal Nehru Centre for Advanced Scientific Research, Bangalore 560 012, India
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11
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Marverti G, Guaitoli G, Ligabue A, Frassineti C, Monti MG, Lombardi P, Costi MP. Distamycin A and derivatives as synergic drugs in cisplatin-sensitive and -resistant ovarian cancer cells. Amino Acids 2011; 42:641-53. [PMID: 21814787 DOI: 10.1007/s00726-011-1039-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/19/2011] [Accepted: 05/25/2011] [Indexed: 01/13/2023]
Abstract
Acquired resistance to cisplatin (cDDP) is a multifactorial process that represents one of the main problems in ovarian cancer therapy. Distamycin A is a minor groove DNA binder whose toxicity has limited its use and prompted the synthesis of derivatives such as NAX001 and NAX002, which have a carbamoyl moiety and different numbers of pyrrolamidine groups. Their interaction with a B-DNA model and with an extended-TATA box model, [Polyd(AT)], was investigated using isothermal titration calorimetry (ITC) to better understand their mechanism of interaction with DNA and therefore better explain their cellular effects. Distamycin A interactions with Dickerson and Poly[d(AT)(6)] oligonucleotides show a different thermodynamic with respect to NAX002. The bulkier distamycin A analogue shows a non optimal binding to DNA due to its additional pyrrolamidine group. Cellular assays performed on cDDP-sensitive and -resistant cells showed that these compounds, distamycin A in particular, affect the expression of folate cycle enzymes even at cellular level. The optimal interaction of distamycin A with DNA may account for the down-regulation of both dihydrofolate reductase (DHFR) and thymidylate synthase (TS) and the up-regulation of spermidine/spermine N1-acetyltransferase (SSAT) caused by this compound. These effects seem differently modulated by the cDDP-resistance phenotype. NAX002 which presents a lower affinity to DNA and slightly affected these enzymes, showed a synergic inhibition profile in combination with cDDP. In addition, their combination with cDDP or polyamine analogues increased cell sensitivity to the drugs suggesting that these interactions may have potential for development in the treatment of ovarian carcinoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gaetano Marverti
- Dipartimento di Scienze Biomediche, Sezione di Chimica Biologica, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Via Campi 287, 41100, Modena, Italy.
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12
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Characterization of arsenic-induced cytogenetic alterations in acute promyelocytic leukemia cell line, NB4. Med Oncol 2011; 29:1209-16. [DOI: 10.1007/s12032-011-9946-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/24/2011] [Accepted: 04/04/2011] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
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13
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Pagano B, Fotticchia I, De Tito S, Mattia CA, Mayol L, Novellino E, Randazzo A, Giancola C. Selective Binding of Distamycin A Derivative to G-Quadruplex Structure [d(TGGGGT)](4). J Nucleic Acids 2010; 2010. [PMID: 20725616 PMCID: PMC2915651 DOI: 10.4061/2010/247137] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/21/2010] [Accepted: 03/07/2010] [Indexed: 02/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Guanine-rich nucleic acid sequences can adopt G-quadruplex structures stabilized by layers of four Hoogsteen-paired guanine residues. Quadruplex-prone sequences are found in many regions of human genome and in the telomeres of all eukaryotic organisms. Since small molecules that target G-quadruplexes have been found to be effective telomerase inhibitors, the identification of new specific ligands for G-quadruplexes is emerging as a promising approach to develop new anticancer drugs. Distamycin A is known to bind to AT-rich sequences of duplex DNA, but it has recently been shown to interact also with G-quadruplexes. Here, isothermal titration calorimetry (ITC) and NMR techniques have been employed to characterize the interaction between a dicationic derivative of distamycin A (compound 1) and the [d(TGGGGT)](4) quadruplex. Additionally, to compare the binding behaviour of netropsin and compound 1 to the same target, a calometric study of the interaction between netropsin and [d(TGGGGT)](4) has been performed. Experiments show that netropsin and compound 1 are able to bind to [d(TGGGGT)](4) with good affinity and comparable thermodynamic profiles. In both cases the interactions are entropically driven processes with a small favourable enthalpic contribution. Interestingly, the structural modifications of compound 1 decrease the affinity of the ligand toward the duplex, enhancing the selectivity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bruno Pagano
- Dipartimento di Scienze Farmaceutiche, Università di Salerno, Via Ponte don Melillo, 84084 Fisciano, Italy
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14
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Pagano B, Mattia CA, Giancola C. Applications of isothermal titration calorimetry in biophysical studies of G-quadruplexes. Int J Mol Sci 2009; 10:2935-2957. [PMID: 19742177 PMCID: PMC2738904 DOI: 10.3390/ijms10072935] [Citation(s) in RCA: 69] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/05/2009] [Revised: 06/29/2009] [Accepted: 06/29/2009] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
G-quadruplexes are higher-order nucleic acids structures formed by G-rich sequences that are stabilized by tetrads of hydrogen-bonded guanine bases. Recently, there has been growing interest in the study of G-quadruplexes because of their possible involvement in many biological processes. Isothermal titration calorimetry (ITC) has been proven to be a useful tool to study the energetic aspects of G-quadruplex interactions. Particularly, ITC has been applied many times to determine the thermodynamic properties of drug-quadruplex interactions to screening among various drugs and to address drug design. In the present review, we will focus on the ITC studies of G-quadruplex structures and their interaction with proteins and drugs and the most significant results will be discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bruno Pagano
- Dipartimento di Scienze Farmaceutiche, Università di Salerno, Via Ponte Don Melillo, 84084, Fisciano (SA), Italy; E-Mail:
(C.M.)
- Authors to whom correspondence should be addressed; E-Mail:
(B.P.); Tel. +39-089-969759; Fax: +39-089-969602; E-Mail:
(C.G.); Tel. +39-081-674266; Fax: +39-081-674257
| | - Carlo Andrea Mattia
- Dipartimento di Scienze Farmaceutiche, Università di Salerno, Via Ponte Don Melillo, 84084, Fisciano (SA), Italy; E-Mail:
(C.M.)
| | - Concetta Giancola
- Dipartimento di Chimica, Università di Napoli Federico II, via Cintia, 80126, Napoli, Italy
- Authors to whom correspondence should be addressed; E-Mail:
(B.P.); Tel. +39-089-969759; Fax: +39-089-969602; E-Mail:
(C.G.); Tel. +39-081-674266; Fax: +39-081-674257
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15
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Targeting DNA quadruplexes with distamycin A and its derivatives: An ITC and NMR study. Biochimie 2008; 90:1224-32. [DOI: 10.1016/j.biochi.2008.03.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/10/2007] [Accepted: 03/14/2008] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
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16
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Song WL, Wang D, Li XH, Wang DC. Ethyl 4-amino-3-methyl-benzoate. Acta Crystallogr Sect E Struct Rep Online 2008; 64:o785. [PMID: 21202278 PMCID: PMC2961301 DOI: 10.1107/s1600536808005989] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/27/2008] [Accepted: 03/04/2008] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
Abstract
The asymmetric unit of the title compound, C10H13NO2, contains two molecules which are linked via an N—H⋯N hydrogen bonds to form a dimer. These dimers are further linked via N—H⋯O intermolecular hydrogen bonds.
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17
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Pagano B, Mattia CA, Virno A, Randazzo A, Mayol L, Giancola C. Thermodynamic analysis of quadruplex DNA-drug interaction. NUCLEOSIDES NUCLEOTIDES & NUCLEIC ACIDS 2008; 26:761-5. [PMID: 18066897 DOI: 10.1080/15257770701499069] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
Abstract
This work studies the binding properties of distamycin and its carbamoyl analog, containing four pyrrole units, with the [d(TGGGGT)](4) quadruplex by means of isothermal titration calorimetry (ITC). Analysis of the ITC data reveals that drug/quadruplex binding stoichiometry is 1:1 for both interactions and that distamycin analog gives approximately a 10-fold increase in the quadruplex affinity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bruno Pagano
- Dipartimento di Scienze Farmaceutiche, Università di Salerno, Fisciano SA, Italy
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18
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Baraldi PG, Preti D, Fruttarolo F, Tabrizi MA, Romagnoli R. Hybrid molecules between distamycin A and active moieties of antitumor agents. Bioorg Med Chem 2007; 15:17-35. [PMID: 17081759 DOI: 10.1016/j.bmc.2006.07.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/24/2006] [Revised: 06/29/2006] [Accepted: 07/01/2006] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
Abstract
The DNA minor groove is an attractive target for the design and development of molecules able to specifically recognize predetermined DNA sequences. The pyrrole-amide skeleton of distamycin A has been also used as DNA sequence selective vehicle for the delivery of alkylating functions to DNA targets. Selectivity for specific sequences may be of particular importance in affecting the activity of regulatory genes (oncogenes and tumor suppressor genes). Recent work on a number of hybrid compounds, in which known antitumor compounds or simple active moieties of known antitumor agents have been tethered to distamycin frame or hairpin polyamides derived from distamycin, is reviewed. The DNA alkylating and growth inhibition activities against several tumor cell lines are reported and discussed in terms of their structural differences in relation to both the number of N-methyl pyrrolic rings and the type of the alkylating unit tethered to the oligopyrrolic frame.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pier Giovanni Baraldi
- University of Ferrara, Dipartimento di Scienze Farmaceutiche, Via Fossato di Mortara 17/19, 44100 Ferrara, Italy.
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Emerald BS, Chen Y, Zhu T, Zhu Z, Lee KO, Gluckman PD, Lobie PE. AlphaCP1 mediates stabilization of hTERT mRNA by autocrine human growth hormone. J Biol Chem 2006; 282:680-90. [PMID: 17085453 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.m600224200] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
We herein demonstrate that autocrine human growth hormone production in human mammary carcinoma cells results in increased telomerase activity as a result of specific up-regulation of telomerase catalytic subunit (human telomerase reverse transcriptase (hTERT)) mRNA and protein. This increase in hTERT gene expression is not due to increased transcriptional activation of the hTERT promoter but is the result of increased stability of hTERT mRNA exerted by CU-rich cis-regulatory sequences present in the 3'-untranslated region of TERT mRNA. Autocrine human growth hormone up-regulates two poly(C)-binding proteins, alphaCP1 and alphaCP2, which bind to these cis-regulatory elements and stabilize hTERT mRNA. We have therefore demonstrated that post-transcriptional modulation of the level of hTERT mRNA is one mechanism for regulation of cellular telomerase activity.
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Affiliation(s)
- B Starling Emerald
- Liggins Institute and the National Research Centre for Growth and Development, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
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Olaussen KA, Dubrana K, Domont J, Spano JP, Sabatier L, Soria JC. Telomeres and telomerase as targets for anticancer drug development. Crit Rev Oncol Hematol 2006; 57:191-214. [PMID: 16469501 DOI: 10.1016/j.critrevonc.2005.08.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 63] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/26/2005] [Revised: 08/10/2005] [Accepted: 08/11/2005] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
In most human cancers, the telomere erosion problem has been bypassed through the activation of a telomere maintenance system (usually activation of telomerase). Therefore, telomere and telomerase are attractive targets for anti-cancer therapeutic interventions. Here, we review a large panel of strategies that have been explored to date, from small inhibitors of the catalytic sub-unit of telomerase to anti-telomerase immunotherapy and gene therapy. The many positive results that are reported from anti-telomere/telomerase assays suggest a prudent optimism for a possible clinical application in a close future. However, we discuss some of the main limits for these approaches of antitumour drug development and why significant work remains before a clinically useful drug can be proposed to patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ken André Olaussen
- Laboratory of Radiobiology and Oncology, DSV/DRR/LRO, CEA, Fontenay aux Roses, France
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Moore MJB, Cuenca F, Searcey M, Neidle S. Synthesis of distamycin A polyamides targeting G-quadruplex DNA. Org Biomol Chem 2006; 4:3479-88. [PMID: 17036143 DOI: 10.1039/b607707b] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
A number of amide-linked oligopyrroles based on distamycin molecules have been synthesized by solid-state methods, and their interactions with a human intramolecular G-quadruplex have been measured by a melting procedure. Several of these molecules show an enhanced ratio of quadruplex vs. duplex DNA binding compared to distamycin itself, including one with a 2,5-disubstituted pyrrole group. Quadruplex affinity increases with the number of pyrrole groups, and it is suggested that this is consistent with a mixed groove/G-quartet stacking binding mode.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael J B Moore
- Cancer Research UK Biomolecular Structure Group, The School of Pharmacy, University of London, 29-39 Brunswick Square, London, UK WC1N 1AX
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22
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Djojosubroto MW, Chin AC, Go N, Schaetzlein S, Manns MP, Gryaznov S, Harley CB, Rudolph KL. Telomerase antagonists GRN163 and GRN163L inhibit tumor growth and increase chemosensitivity of human hepatoma. Hepatology 2005; 42:1127-36. [PMID: 16114043 DOI: 10.1002/hep.20822] [Citation(s) in RCA: 94] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
Most cancer cells have an immortal growth capacity as a consequence of telomerase reactivation. Inhibition of this enzyme leads to increased telomere dysfunction, which limits the proliferative capacity of tumor cells; thus, telomerase inhibition represents a potentially safe and universal target for cancer treatment. We evaluated the potential of two thio-phosphoramidate oligonucleotide inhibitors of telomerase, GRN163 and GRN163L, as drug candidates for the treatment of human hepatoma. GRN163 and GRN163L were tested in preclinical studies using systemic administration to treat flank xenografts of different human hepatoma cell lines (Hep3B and Huh7) in nude mice. The studies showed that both GRN163 and GRN163L inhibited telomerase activity and tumor cell growth in a dose-dependent manner in vitro and in vivo. The potency and efficacy of the lipid-conjugated antagonist, GRN163L, was superior to the nonlipidated parent compound, GRN163. Impaired tumor growth in vivo was associated with critical telomere shortening, induction of telomere dysfunction, reduced rate of cell proliferation, and increased apoptosis in the treatment groups. In vitro, GRN163L administration led to higher prevalence of chromosomal telomere-free ends and DNA damage foci in both hepatoma cell lines. In addition, in vitro chemosensitivity assay showed that pretreatment with GRN163L increased doxorubicin sensitivity of Hep3B. In conclusion, our data support the development of GRN163L, a novel lipidated conjugate of the telomerase inhibitor GRN163, for systemic treatment of human hepatoma. In addition to limiting the proliferative capacity of hepatoma, GRN163L might also increase the sensitivity of this tumor type to conventional chemotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Meta W Djojosubroto
- Department of Gastroenterology, Hepatology, and Endocrinology, Medical School Hannover, Hannover, Germany
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Uziel O, Fenig E, Nordenberg J, Beery E, Reshef H, Sandbank J, Birenbaum M, Bakhanashvili M, Yerushalmi R, Luria D, Lahav M. Imatinib mesylate (Gleevec) downregulates telomerase activity and inhibits proliferation in telomerase-expressing cell lines. Br J Cancer 2005; 92:1881-91. [PMID: 15870711 PMCID: PMC2361771 DOI: 10.1038/sj.bjc.6602592] [Citation(s) in RCA: 62] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Imatinib mesylate (IM) is a tyrosine kinase inhibitor, which inhibits phosphorylation of downstream proteins involved in BCR-ABL signal transduction. It has proved beneficial in treating patients with chronic myeloid leukaemia (CML). In addition, IM demonstrates activity against malignant cells expressing c-kit and platelet-derived growth factor receptor (PDGF-R). The activity of IM in the blastic crisis of CML and against various myeloma cell lines suggests that this drug may also target other cellular components. In the light of the important role of telomerase in malignant transformation, we evaluated the effect of IM on telomerase activity (TA) and regulation in various malignant cell lines. Imatinib mesylate caused a dose-dependent inhibition of TA (up to 90% at a concentration of 15 μM IM) in c-kit-expressing SK-N-MC (Ewing sarcoma), SK-MEL-28 (melanoma), RPMI 8226 (myeloma), MCF-7 (breast cancer) and HSC 536/N (Fanconi anaemia) cells as well as in ba/F3 (murine pro-B cells), which do not express c-kit, BCR-ABL or PDGF-R. Imatinib mesylate did not affect the activity of other DNA polymerases. Inhibition of TA was associated with 50% inhibition of proliferation. The inhibition of proliferation was associated with a decrease in the S-phase of the cell cycle and an accumulation of cells in the G2/M phase. No apoptosis was observed. Inhibition of TA was caused mainly by post-translational modifications: dephosphorylation of AKT and, to a smaller extent, by early downregulation of hTERT (the catalytic subunit of the enzyme) transcription. Other steps of telomerase regulation were not affected by IM. This study demonstrates an additional cellular target of IM, not necessarily mediated via known tyrosine kinases, that causes inhibition of TA and cell proliferation.
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Affiliation(s)
- O Uziel
- Felsenstein Medical Research Center, Beilinson Campus, Sackler School of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Petah-Tikva, Israel
| | - E Fenig
- Felsenstein Medical Research Center, Beilinson Campus, Sackler School of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Petah-Tikva, Israel
- Institute of Oncology, Beilinson Campus, Sackler School of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Petah-Tikva, Israel
| | - J Nordenberg
- Felsenstein Medical Research Center, Beilinson Campus, Sackler School of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Petah-Tikva, Israel
| | - E Beery
- Felsenstein Medical Research Center, Beilinson Campus, Sackler School of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Petah-Tikva, Israel
| | - H Reshef
- Felsenstein Medical Research Center, Beilinson Campus, Sackler School of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Petah-Tikva, Israel
| | - J Sandbank
- Institute of Pathology, Assaf Harofeh Medical Center, Zerifin, Israel
| | - M Birenbaum
- Institute of Pathology, Assaf Harofeh Medical Center, Zerifin, Israel
| | - M Bakhanashvili
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Sheba Medical Center, Tel-Hashomer, Israel
| | - R Yerushalmi
- Institute of Oncology, Beilinson Campus, Sackler School of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Petah-Tikva, Israel
| | - D Luria
- Felsenstein Medical Research Center, Beilinson Campus, Sackler School of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Petah-Tikva, Israel
| | - M Lahav
- Felsenstein Medical Research Center, Beilinson Campus, Sackler School of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Petah-Tikva, Israel
- Medicine A, Rabin Medical Center, Beilinson Campus, Sackler School of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Petah-Tikva, Israel
- Department of Medicine A, Rabin Medical Center, Beilinson Campus, Sackler School of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Petah-Tikva 49100, Israel. E-mail:
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Abstract
Telomeres are specialized high-order chromatin structures that cap the ends of eukaryotic chromosomes. In vertebrates, telomeric DNA is composed of repetitions of the TTAGGG hexanucleotide, is bound to a set of specific proteins, and is elongated by the reverse transcriptase enzyme telomerase. Telomerase activity is promptly detected in cells with an indefinite replicative potential, such as cancer cells, while is almost undetectable in normal cells, which are characterized by a limited life span. Mounting evidence indicates that the maintenance of telomere integrity and telomerase protect cells from apoptosis. Disruption of the telomere capping function and (or) telomerase inhibition elicit an apoptotic response in cancer cells, while restoration of telomerase activity in somatic cells confers resistance to apoptosis. The possible mechanisms linking telomeres, telomerase and apoptosis are discussed in this review, together with the impact of this field in anticancer research.
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Dominick PK, Keppler BR, Legassie JD, Moon IK, Jarstfer MB. Nucleic acid-binding ligands identify new mechanisms to inhibit telomerase. Bioorg Med Chem Lett 2005; 14:3467-71. [PMID: 15177454 DOI: 10.1016/j.bmcl.2004.04.055] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/2004] [Revised: 04/16/2004] [Accepted: 04/19/2004] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
Abstract
We screened a small library of known nucleic acid-binding ligands in order to identify novel inhibitors of recombinant human telomerase. Inhibitory compounds were classified into two groups: Group I inhibitors had a notably greater effect when added prior to telomerase assemblage and Group II inhibitors displayed comparable inhibition when added before or after telomerase assemblage. Hoechst 33258, a Group I inhibitor, was found to interact tightly (KD = 0.36 microM) with human telomerase RNA (hTR) leading us to propose that hTR is the molecular target for this and other Group I inhibitors. Our results suggest that hTR can be exploited as a small-molecule drug target and provide several new structural motifs for the further development of novel telomerase inhibitors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pamela K Dominick
- School of Pharmacy, Division of Medicinal Chemistry and Natural Products, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599-7360, USA
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Sumer H, Saffery R, Wong N, Craig JM, Choo KHA. Effects of Scaffold/Matrix Alteration on Centromeric Function and Gene Expression. J Biol Chem 2004; 279:37631-9. [PMID: 15220334 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.m401051200] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
We have previously described a 3.5-Mb domain of enhance scaffold/matrix attachment region (S/MAR) at a human neocentromere, and normal expression of underlying genes within this region. We also reported that partial inhibition of histone deacetylation using 33 nmtrichostatin A (TSA) resulted in a shift in the position of the CENP-A-binding domain within the neocentromere, with no noticeable effects on mitotic segregation function. In this study, 33 nM TSA caused a reduction in the size of the enhanced S/MAR domain of one-half to 1.7 Mb. Treatment with a DNA-intercalating drug distamycin A (DST) at 75 microg/ml resulted in a size reduction of the enhanced S/MAR domain at the neocentromere of two-thirds to 1.2 Mb, and that of the CENP-A-binding domain of 40%, from 330 to 196 kb, with no significant shift in the position of the latter domain. Other DST effects include mitotic chromosomal missegregation, reduction in the levels of Topo IIalpha, CENP-A, CENP-C, and HP1alpha, and an increase in mitotic checkpoint protein BubR1. TSA or DST treatment similarly resulted in a significant reduction, by approximately 20 and 50%, respectively, in the size of the enhanced S/MAR domain at the alpha-satellite DNA of a native chromosome 10 centromere. Transcriptional competence within the neocentromere is overall not noticeably altered by either TSA or DST treatment, as is evident from the absence of any significant increase or decrease in the expression levels of 47 underlying genes tested. These results suggest that a substantial contraction of the S/MAR domain may not be deleterious to centromere function, that disruption of the S/MAR domain directly affects the binding properties of a host of scaffold/matrix and centromeric/pericentric proteins, and that the overall competence and regulation of transcription at the neocentromeric chromatin is similar to those found at the corresponding normal genomic sites.
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Affiliation(s)
- Huseyin Sumer
- Murdoch Childrens Research Institute, Department of Pediatrics, Royal Children's Hospital, Flemington Road, Melbourne 3052, Australia
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Cocco MJ, Hanakahi LA, Huber MD, Maizels N. Specific interactions of distamycin with G-quadruplex DNA. Nucleic Acids Res 2003; 31:2944-51. [PMID: 12771220 PMCID: PMC156726 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkg392] [Citation(s) in RCA: 81] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2002] [Revised: 03/19/2003] [Accepted: 04/04/2003] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Distamycin binds the minor groove of duplex DNA at AT-rich regions and has been a valuable probe of protein interactions with double-stranded DNA. We find that distamycin can also inhibit protein interactions with G-quadruplex (G4) DNA, a stable four-stranded structure in which the repeating unit is a G-quartet. Using NMR, we show that distamycin binds specifically to G4 DNA, stacking on the terminal G-quartets and contacting the flanking bases. These results demonstrate the utility of distamycin as a probe of G4 DNA-protein interactions and show that there are (at least) two distinct modes of protein-G4 DNA recognition which can be distinguished by sensitivity to distamycin.
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Affiliation(s)
- Melanie J Cocco
- Department of Molecular Biophysics and Biochemistry, Yale University, New Haven, CT 06520, USA.
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28
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Abstract
The unique biology of telomeres and telomerase plays important roles in many aspects of mammalian cell physiology. Over the past decade, several lines of evidence have confirmed that the maintenance of telomeres and telomerase participate actively in the pathogenesis of human cancer. Specifically, activation of telomerase is strongly associated with cancer, and recent observations confirm that telomeres and telomerase perform important roles in both suppressing and facilitating malignant transformation by regulating genomic stability and cell lifespan. In addition, recent evidence suggests that telomerase activation contributes to tumorigenesis independently of its role in maintaining telomere length. Here we review recent developments in our understanding of the relationships among telomeres, telomerase, and cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kenkichi Masutomi
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, 44 Binney Street, Dana 710C, Boston, MA 02115, USA
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