1
|
Wallace-Povirk A, O'Connor C, Dekhne AS, Bao X, Nayeen MJ, Schneider M, Katinas JM, Wong-Roushar J, Kim S, Polin L, Li J, Back JB, Dann CE, Gangjee A, Hou Z, Matherly LH. Mitochondrial and Cytosolic One-Carbon Metabolism Is a Targetable Metabolic Vulnerability in Cisplatin-Resistant Ovarian Cancer. Mol Cancer Ther 2024; 23:809-822. [PMID: 38377173 PMCID: PMC11150100 DOI: 10.1158/1535-7163.mct-23-0550] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/28/2023] [Revised: 01/16/2024] [Accepted: 02/12/2024] [Indexed: 02/22/2024]
Abstract
One-carbon (C1) metabolism is compartmentalized between the cytosol and mitochondria with the mitochondrial C1 pathway as the major source of glycine and C1 units for cellular biosynthesis. Expression of mitochondrial C1 genes including SLC25A32, serine hydroxymethyl transferase (SHMT) 2, 5,10-methylene tetrahydrofolate dehydrogenase 2, and 5,10-methylene tetrahydrofolate dehydrogenase 1-like was significantly elevated in primary epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC) specimens compared with normal ovaries. 5-Substituted pyrrolo[3,2-d]pyrimidine antifolates (AGF347, AGF359, AGF362) inhibited proliferation of cisplatin-sensitive (A2780, CaOV3, IGROV1) and cisplatin-resistant (A2780-E80, SKOV3) EOC cells. In SKOV3 and A2780-E80 cells, colony formation was inhibited. AGF347 induced apoptosis in SKOV3 cells. In IGROV1 cells, AGF347 was transported by folate receptor (FR) α. AGF347 was also transported into IGROV1 and SKOV3 cells by the proton-coupled folate transporter (SLC46A1) and the reduced folate carrier (SLC19A1). AGF347 accumulated to high levels in the cytosol and mitochondria of SKOV3 cells. By targeted metabolomics with [2,3,3-2H]L-serine, AGF347, AGF359, and AGF362 inhibited SHMT2 in the mitochondria. In the cytosol, SHMT1 and de novo purine biosynthesis (i.e., glycinamide ribonucleotide formyltransferase, 5-aminoimidazole-4-carboxamide ribonucleotide formyltransferase) were targeted; AGF359 also inhibited thymidylate synthase. Antifolate treatments of SKOV3 cells depleted cellular glycine, mitochondrial NADH and glutathione, and showed synergistic in vitro inhibition toward SKOV3 and A2780-E80 cells when combined with cisplatin. In vivo studies with subcutaneous SKOV3 EOC xenografts in SCID mice confirmed significant antitumor efficacy of AGF347. Collectively, our studies demonstrate a unique metabolic vulnerability in EOC involving mitochondrial and cytosolic C1 metabolism, which offers a promising new platform for therapy.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Adrianne Wallace-Povirk
- Department of Oncology, Wayne State University School of Medicine, and the Barbara Ann Karmanos Cancer Institute, Detroit, Michigan
| | - Carrie O'Connor
- Department of Oncology, Wayne State University School of Medicine, and the Barbara Ann Karmanos Cancer Institute, Detroit, Michigan
| | - Aamod S Dekhne
- Department of Oncology, Wayne State University School of Medicine, and the Barbara Ann Karmanos Cancer Institute, Detroit, Michigan
| | - Xun Bao
- Department of Oncology, Wayne State University School of Medicine, and the Barbara Ann Karmanos Cancer Institute, Detroit, Michigan
| | - Md Junayed Nayeen
- Division of Medicinal Chemistry, Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Duquesne University, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
| | - Mathew Schneider
- Department of Oncology, Wayne State University School of Medicine, and the Barbara Ann Karmanos Cancer Institute, Detroit, Michigan
| | - Jade M Katinas
- Department of Chemistry, Indiana University, Bloomington, Indiana
| | | | - Seongho Kim
- Department of Oncology, Wayne State University School of Medicine, and the Barbara Ann Karmanos Cancer Institute, Detroit, Michigan
| | - Lisa Polin
- Department of Oncology, Wayne State University School of Medicine, and the Barbara Ann Karmanos Cancer Institute, Detroit, Michigan
| | - Jing Li
- Department of Oncology, Wayne State University School of Medicine, and the Barbara Ann Karmanos Cancer Institute, Detroit, Michigan
| | - Jessica B Back
- Department of Oncology, Wayne State University School of Medicine, and the Barbara Ann Karmanos Cancer Institute, Detroit, Michigan
| | - Charles E Dann
- Department of Chemistry, Indiana University, Bloomington, Indiana
| | - Aleem Gangjee
- Division of Medicinal Chemistry, Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Duquesne University, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
| | - Zhanjun Hou
- Department of Oncology, Wayne State University School of Medicine, and the Barbara Ann Karmanos Cancer Institute, Detroit, Michigan
| | - Larry H Matherly
- Department of Oncology, Wayne State University School of Medicine, and the Barbara Ann Karmanos Cancer Institute, Detroit, Michigan
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Zhang Y, Luo Z, Guo L, Zhang H, Su T, Tan Z, Ren Q, Zhang C, Fu Y, Xing R, Guo R, Shi X, Guo H, Liu Y, Wang L. Discovery of novel tumor-targeted near-infrared probes with 6-substituted pyrrolo[2,3-d]pyrimidines as targeting ligands. Eur J Med Chem 2023; 262:115914. [PMID: 37925763 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2023.115914] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2023] [Revised: 10/19/2023] [Accepted: 10/24/2023] [Indexed: 11/07/2023]
Abstract
Since the overexpression of folate receptors (FRs) in certain types of cancers, a variety of FR-targeted fluorescent probes for tumor detection have been developed. However, the reported probes almost all have the same targeting ligand of folic acid with various fluorophores and/or linkers. In the present study, a series of novel tumor-targeted near-infrared (NIR) molecular fluorescent probes were designed and synthesized based on previously reported 6-substituted pyrrolo[2,3-d]pyrimidine antifolates. All newly synthesized probes showed specific FR binding in vitro, whereas GT-NIR-4 and GT-NIR-5 with a benzene and a thiophene ring, respectively, on the side chain of pyrrolo[2,3-d]pyrimidine exhibited better FR binding affinity than that of GT-NIR-6 with folic acid as targeting ligand. GT-NIR-4 also showed high tumor uptake in KB tumor-bearing mice with good pharmacokinetic properties and biological safety. This work demonstrates the first attempt to replace folic acid with antifolates as targeting ligands for tumor-targeted NIR probes.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yining Zhang
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, School of Pharmacy, Hebei Medical University, 361 East Zhongshan Road, Shijiazhuang, 050017, PR China
| | - Zijun Luo
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, School of Pharmacy, Hebei Medical University, 361 East Zhongshan Road, Shijiazhuang, 050017, PR China
| | - Lixiao Guo
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, School of Pharmacy, Hebei Medical University, 361 East Zhongshan Road, Shijiazhuang, 050017, PR China
| | - Haofeng Zhang
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, School of Pharmacy, Hebei Medical University, 361 East Zhongshan Road, Shijiazhuang, 050017, PR China
| | - Tongdan Su
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, School of Pharmacy, Hebei Medical University, 361 East Zhongshan Road, Shijiazhuang, 050017, PR China
| | - Zhenzhen Tan
- Department of Toxicology, School of Public Health, Hebei Medical University, 361 East Zhongshan Road, Shijiazhuang, 050017, PR China
| | - Qian Ren
- Department of Toxicology, School of Public Health, Hebei Medical University, 361 East Zhongshan Road, Shijiazhuang, 050017, PR China
| | - Can Zhang
- Department of Toxicology, School of Public Health, Hebei Medical University, 361 East Zhongshan Road, Shijiazhuang, 050017, PR China
| | - Yan Fu
- Core Facilities and Centers, Hebei Medical University, 361 East Zhongshan Road, Shijiazhuang, 050017, PR China
| | - Ruijuan Xing
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, School of Pharmacy, Hebei Medical University, 361 East Zhongshan Road, Shijiazhuang, 050017, PR China
| | - Ran Guo
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, School of Pharmacy, Hebei Medical University, 361 East Zhongshan Road, Shijiazhuang, 050017, PR China
| | - Xiaowei Shi
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, School of Pharmacy, Hebei Medical University, 361 East Zhongshan Road, Shijiazhuang, 050017, PR China
| | - Huicai Guo
- Department of Toxicology, School of Public Health, Hebei Medical University, 361 East Zhongshan Road, Shijiazhuang, 050017, PR China
| | - Yi Liu
- Department of Toxicology, School of Public Health, Hebei Medical University, 361 East Zhongshan Road, Shijiazhuang, 050017, PR China; Hebei Key Laboratory of Environment and Human Health, Shijiazhuang, 050017, PR China.
| | - Lei Wang
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, School of Pharmacy, Hebei Medical University, 361 East Zhongshan Road, Shijiazhuang, 050017, PR China; Hebei Key Laboratory of Innovative Drug Research and Evaluation, Shijiazhuang, 050017, PR China.
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Kaku K, Ravindra MP, Tong N, Choudhary S, Li X, Yu J, Karim M, Brzezinski M, O’Connor C, Hou Z, Matherly LH, Gangjee A. Discovery of Tumor-Targeted 6-Methyl Substituted Pemetrexed and Related Antifolates with Selective Loss of RFC Transport. ACS Med Chem Lett 2023; 14:1682-1691. [PMID: 38116433 PMCID: PMC10726441 DOI: 10.1021/acsmedchemlett.3c00326] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/26/2023] [Revised: 11/09/2023] [Accepted: 11/10/2023] [Indexed: 12/21/2023] Open
Abstract
Pemetrexed and related 5-substituted pyrrolo[2,3-d]pyrimidine antifolates are substrates for the ubiquitously expressed reduced folate carrier (RFC), and the proton-coupled folate transporter (PCFT) and folate receptors (FRs) which are more tumor-selective. A long-standing goal has been to discover tumor-targeted therapeutics that draw from one-carbon metabolic vulnerabilities of cancer cells and are selective for transport by FRs and PCFT over RFC. We discovered that a methyl group at the 6-position of the pyrrole ring in the bicyclic scaffold of 5-substituted 2-amino-4-oxo-pyrrolo[2,3-d]pyrimidine antifolates 1-4 (including pemetrexed) abolished transport by RFC with modest impacts on FRs or PCFT. From molecular modeling, loss of RFC transport involves steric repulsion in the scaffold binding site due to the 6-methyl moiety. 6-Methyl substitution preserved antiproliferative activities toward human tumor cells (KB, IGROV3) with selectivity over IOSE 7576 normal ovary cells and inhibition of de novo purine biosynthesis. Thus, adding a 6-methyl moiety to 5-substituted pyrrolo[2,3-d]pyrimidine antifolates affords tumor transport selectivity while preserving antitumor efficacy.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Krishna Kaku
- Division
of Medicinal Chemistry, Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Duquesne University, 600 Forbes Avenue, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15282, United States
| | - Manasa P. Ravindra
- Division
of Medicinal Chemistry, Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Duquesne University, 600 Forbes Avenue, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15282, United States
| | - Nian Tong
- Division
of Medicinal Chemistry, Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Duquesne University, 600 Forbes Avenue, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15282, United States
| | - Shruti Choudhary
- Division
of Medicinal Chemistry, Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Duquesne University, 600 Forbes Avenue, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15282, United States
| | - Xinxin Li
- Division
of Medicinal Chemistry, Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Duquesne University, 600 Forbes Avenue, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15282, United States
| | - Jianming Yu
- Division
of Medicinal Chemistry, Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Duquesne University, 600 Forbes Avenue, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15282, United States
| | - Mohammad Karim
- Division
of Medicinal Chemistry, Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Duquesne University, 600 Forbes Avenue, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15282, United States
| | - Madelyn Brzezinski
- Department
of Oncology, Wayne State University School
of Medicine, Detroit, Michigan 48201, United States
| | - Carrie O’Connor
- Department
of Oncology, Wayne State University School
of Medicine, Detroit, Michigan 48201, United States
| | - Zhanjun Hou
- Molecular
Therapeutics Program, Barbara Ann Karmanos
Cancer Institute, 4100 John R, Detroit, Michigan 48201, United States
- Department
of Oncology, Wayne State University School
of Medicine, Detroit, Michigan 48201, United States
| | - Larry H. Matherly
- Molecular
Therapeutics Program, Barbara Ann Karmanos
Cancer Institute, 4100 John R, Detroit, Michigan 48201, United States
- Department
of Oncology, Wayne State University School
of Medicine, Detroit, Michigan 48201, United States
- Department
of Pharmacology, Wayne State University
School of Medicine, Detroit, Michigan 48201, United States
| | - Aleem Gangjee
- Division
of Medicinal Chemistry, Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Duquesne University, 600 Forbes Avenue, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15282, United States
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Nayeen MJ, Katinas JM, Magdum T, Shah K, Wong JE, O’Connor CE, Fifer AN, Wallace-Povirk A, Hou Z, Matherly LH, Dann CE, Gangjee A. Structure-Based Design of Transport-Specific Multitargeted One-Carbon Metabolism Inhibitors in Cytosol and Mitochondria. J Med Chem 2023; 66:11294-11323. [PMID: 37582241 PMCID: PMC10461232 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.3c00763] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/27/2023] [Indexed: 08/17/2023]
Abstract
Multitargeted agents provide tumor selectivity with reduced drug resistance and dose-limiting toxicities. We previously described the multitargeted 6-substituted pyrrolo[3,2-d]pyrimidine antifolate 1 with activity against early- and late-stage pancreatic tumors with limited tumor selectivity. Structure-based design with our human serine hydroxymethyl transferase (SHMT) 2 and glycinamide ribonucleotide formyltransferase (GARFTase) structures, and published X-ray crystal structures of 5-aminoimidazole-4-carboxamide ribonucleotide formyltransferase/inosine monophosphate cyclohydrolase (ATIC), SHMT1, and folate receptor (FR) α and β afforded 11 analogues. Multitargeted inhibition and selective tumor transport were designed by providing promiscuous conformational flexibility in the molecules. Metabolite rescue identified mitochondrial C1 metabolism along with de novo purine biosynthesis as the targeted pathways. We identified analogues with tumor-selective transport via FRs and increased SHMT2, SHMT1, and GARFTase inhibition (28-, 21-, and 11-fold, respectively) compared to 1. These multitargeted agents represent an exciting new structural motif for targeted cancer therapy with substantial advantages of selectivity and potency over clinically used antifolates.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Md. Junayed Nayeen
- Division
of Medicinal Chemistry, Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Duquesne University, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15282, United States
| | - Jade M. Katinas
- Department
of Chemistry, Indiana University, Bloomington, Indiana 47408, United States
| | - Tejashree Magdum
- Division
of Medicinal Chemistry, Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Duquesne University, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15282, United States
| | - Khushbu Shah
- Division
of Medicinal Chemistry, Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Duquesne University, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15282, United States
| | - Jennifer E. Wong
- Department
of Chemistry, Indiana University, Bloomington, Indiana 47408, United States
| | - Carrie E. O’Connor
- Department
of Oncology, Wayne State University School
of Medicine, Detroit, Michigan 48201, United States
| | - Alexandra N. Fifer
- Department
of Chemistry, Indiana University, Bloomington, Indiana 47408, United States
| | - Adrianne Wallace-Povirk
- Department
of Oncology, Wayne State University School
of Medicine, Detroit, Michigan 48201, United States
| | - Zhanjun Hou
- Department
of Oncology, Wayne State University School
of Medicine, Detroit, Michigan 48201, United States
- Molecular
Therapeutics Program, Barbara Ann Karmanos
Cancer Institute, 4100 John R, Detroit, Michigan 48201, United States
| | - Larry H. Matherly
- Department
of Oncology, Wayne State University School
of Medicine, Detroit, Michigan 48201, United States
- Molecular
Therapeutics Program, Barbara Ann Karmanos
Cancer Institute, 4100 John R, Detroit, Michigan 48201, United States
| | - Charles E. Dann
- Department
of Chemistry, Indiana University, Bloomington, Indiana 47408, United States
| | - Aleem Gangjee
- Division
of Medicinal Chemistry, Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Duquesne University, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15282, United States
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Tong N, Wong-Roushar J, Wallace-Povirk A, Shah Y, Nyman MC, Katinas JM, Schneider M, O’Connor C, Bao X, Kim S, Li J, Hou Z, Matherly LH, Dann CE, Gangjee A. Multitargeted 6-Substituted Thieno[2,3- d]pyrimidines as Folate Receptor-Selective Anticancer Agents that Inhibit Cytosolic and Mitochondrial One-Carbon Metabolism. ACS Pharmacol Transl Sci 2023; 6:748-770. [PMID: 37200803 PMCID: PMC10186366 DOI: 10.1021/acsptsci.3c00020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2023] [Indexed: 05/20/2023]
Abstract
Multitargeted agents with tumor selectivity result in reduced drug resistance and dose-limiting toxicities. We report 6-substituted thieno[2,3-d]pyrimidine compounds (3-9) with pyridine (3, 4), fluorine-substituted pyridine (5), phenyl (6, 7), and thiophene side chains (8, 9), for comparison with unsubstituted phenyl (1, 2) and thiophene side chain (10, 11) containing thieno[2,3-d]pyrimidine compounds. Compounds 3-9 inhibited proliferation of Chinese hamster ovary cells (CHO) expressing folate receptors (FRs) α or β but not the reduced folate carrier (RFC); modest inhibition of CHO cells expressing the proton-coupled folate transporter (PCFT) by 4, 5, 6, and 9 was observed. Replacement of the side-chain 1',4'-phenyl ring with 2',5'-pyridyl, or 2',5'-pyridyl with a fluorine insertion ortho to l-glutamate resulted in increased potency toward FR-expressing CHO cells. Toward KB tumor cells, 4-9 were highly active (IC50's from 2.11 to 7.19 nM). By metabolite rescue in KB cells and in vitro enzyme assays, de novo purine biosynthesis was identified as a targeted pathway (at 5-aminoimidazole-4-carboxamide ribonucleotide formyltransferase (AICARFTase) and glycinamide ribonucleotide formyltransferase (GARFTase)). Compound 9 was 17- to 882-fold more potent than previously reported compounds 2, 10, and 11 against GARFTase. By targeted metabolomics and metabolite rescue, 1, 2, and 6 also inhibited mitochondrial serine hydroxymethyl transferase 2 (SHMT2); enzyme assays confirmed inhibition of SHMT2. X-ray crystallographic structures were obtained for 4, 5, 9, and 10 with human GARFTase. This series affords an exciting new structural platform for potent multitargeted antitumor agents with FR transport selectivity.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Nian Tong
- Division
of Medicinal Chemistry, Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Duquesne University, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15282, United States
| | - Jennifer Wong-Roushar
- Department
of Chemistry, Indiana University, Bloomington, Indiana 47405, United States
| | - Adrianne Wallace-Povirk
- Department
of Oncology, Wayne State University School
of Medicine, Detroit, Michigan 48201, United States
| | - Yesha Shah
- Division
of Medicinal Chemistry, Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Duquesne University, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15282, United States
| | - Morgan C. Nyman
- Department
of Chemistry, Indiana University, Bloomington, Indiana 47405, United States
| | - Jade M. Katinas
- Department
of Chemistry, Indiana University, Bloomington, Indiana 47405, United States
| | - Mathew Schneider
- Department
of Oncology, Wayne State University School
of Medicine, Detroit, Michigan 48201, United States
| | - Carrie O’Connor
- Department
of Oncology, Wayne State University School
of Medicine, Detroit, Michigan 48201, United States
| | - Xun Bao
- Barbara
Ann Karmanos Cancer Institute, Detroit, Michigan 48201, United States
| | - Seongho Kim
- Department
of Oncology, Wayne State University School
of Medicine, Detroit, Michigan 48201, United States
- Barbara
Ann Karmanos Cancer Institute, Detroit, Michigan 48201, United States
| | - Jing Li
- Department
of Oncology, Wayne State University School
of Medicine, Detroit, Michigan 48201, United States
- Barbara
Ann Karmanos Cancer Institute, Detroit, Michigan 48201, United States
| | - Zhanjun Hou
- Department
of Oncology, Wayne State University School
of Medicine, Detroit, Michigan 48201, United States
- Barbara
Ann Karmanos Cancer Institute, Detroit, Michigan 48201, United States
| | - Larry H. Matherly
- Department
of Oncology, Wayne State University School
of Medicine, Detroit, Michigan 48201, United States
- Department
of Pharmacology, Wayne State University
School of Medicine, Detroit, Michigan 48201, United States
| | - Charles E. Dann
- Department
of Chemistry, Indiana University, Bloomington, Indiana 47405, United States
| | - Aleem Gangjee
- Division
of Medicinal Chemistry, Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Duquesne University, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15282, United States
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Matherly LH, Schneider M, Gangjee A, Hou Z. Biology and therapeutic applications of the proton-coupled folate transporter. Expert Opin Drug Metab Toxicol 2022; 18:695-706. [PMID: 36239195 PMCID: PMC9637735 DOI: 10.1080/17425255.2022.2136071] [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: 07/26/2022] [Accepted: 10/11/2022] [Indexed: 01/19/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION The proton-coupled folate transporter (PCFT; SLC46A1) was discovered in 2006 as the principal mechanism by which folates are absorbed in the intestine and the causal basis for hereditary folate malabsorption (HFM). In 2011, it was found that PCFT is highly expressed in many tumors. This stimulated interest in using PCFT for cytotoxic drug targeting, taking advantage of the substantial levels of PCFT transport and acidic pH conditions commonly associated with tumors. AREAS COVERED We summarize the literature from 2006 to 2022 that explores the role of PCFT in the intestinal absorption of dietary folates and its role in HFM and as a transporter of folates and antifolates such as pemetrexed (Alimta) in relation to cancer. We provide the rationale for the discovery of a new generation of targeted pyrrolo[2,3-d]pyrimidine antifolates with selective PCFT transport and inhibitory activity toward de novo purine biosynthesis in solid tumors. We summarize the benefits of this approach to cancer therapy and exciting new developments in the structural biology of PCFT and its potential to foster refinement of active structures of PCFT-targeted anti-cancer drugs. EXPERT OPINION We summarize the promising future and potential challenges of implementing PCFT-targeted therapeutics for HFM and a variety of cancers.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Larry H. Matherly
- Molecular Therapeutics Program, Barbara Ann Karmanos Cancer Institute, Detroit, Michigan 48201, United States
- Department of Oncology, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, Michigan 48201, United States
- Department of Pharmacology, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, Michigan 48201, United States
| | - Mathew Schneider
- Department of Oncology, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, Michigan 48201, United States
| | - Aleem Gangjee
- Division of Medicinal Chemistry, Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Duquesne University, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15282, United States
| | - Zhanjun Hou
- Molecular Therapeutics Program, Barbara Ann Karmanos Cancer Institute, Detroit, Michigan 48201, United States
- Department of Oncology, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, Michigan 48201, United States
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Folate Transport and One-Carbon Metabolism in Targeted Therapies of Epithelial Ovarian Cancer. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 14:cancers14010191. [PMID: 35008360 PMCID: PMC8750473 DOI: 10.3390/cancers14010191] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/05/2021] [Revised: 12/23/2021] [Accepted: 12/27/2021] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
New therapies are urgently needed for epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC), the most lethal gynecologic malignancy. To identify new approaches for targeting EOC, metabolic vulnerabilities must be discovered and strategies for the selective delivery of therapeutic agents must be established. Folate receptor (FR) α and the proton-coupled folate transporter (PCFT) are expressed in the majority of EOCs. FRβ is expressed on tumor-associated macrophages, a major infiltrating immune population in EOC. One-carbon (C1) metabolism is partitioned between the cytosol and mitochondria and is important for the synthesis of nucleotides, amino acids, glutathione, and other critical metabolites. Novel inhibitors are being developed with the potential for therapeutic targeting of tumors via FRs and the PCFT, as well as for inhibiting C1 metabolism. In this review, we summarize these exciting new developments in targeted therapies for both tumors and the tumor microenvironment in EOC.
Collapse
|
8
|
Chawla P, Teli G, Gill RK, Narang RK. An Insight into Synthetic Strategies and Recent Developments of Dihydrofolate Reductase Inhibitors. ChemistrySelect 2021. [DOI: 10.1002/slct.202102555] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Pooja Chawla
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry ISF College of Pharmacy Moga Punjab India
- Pooja Chawla Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry ISF College of Pharmacy Moga 142001 Punjab India
| | - Ghanshyam Teli
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry ISF College of Pharmacy Moga Punjab India
| | - Rupinder Kaur Gill
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry ISF College of Pharmacy Moga Punjab India
| | - Raj Kumar Narang
- Department of Pharmaceutics ISF College of Pharmacy Moga Punjab India
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Wallace-Povirk A, Tong N, Wong-Roushar J, O'Connor C, Zhou X, Hou Z, Bao X, Garcia GE, Li J, Kim S, Dann CE, Matherly LH, Gangjee A. Discovery of 6-substituted thieno[2,3-d]pyrimidine analogs as dual inhibitors of glycinamide ribonucleotide formyltransferase and 5-aminoimidazole-4-carboxamide ribonucleotide formyltransferase in de novo purine nucleotide biosynthesis in folate receptor expressing human tumors. Bioorg Med Chem 2021; 37:116093. [PMID: 33773393 PMCID: PMC8058616 DOI: 10.1016/j.bmc.2021.116093] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/17/2020] [Revised: 02/16/2021] [Accepted: 02/19/2021] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
We discovered 6-substituted thieno[2,3-d]pyrimidine compounds (3-9) with 3-4 bridge carbons and side-chain thiophene or furan rings for dual targeting one-carbon (C1) metabolism in folate receptor- (FR) expressing cancers. Synthesis involved nine steps starting from the bromo-aryl carboxylate. From patterns of growth inhibition toward Chinese hamster ovary cells expressing FRα or FRβ, the proton-coupled folate transporter or reduced folate carrier, specificity for uptake by FRs was confirmed. Anti-proliferative activities were demonstrated toward FRα-expressing KB tumor cells and NCI-IGROV1 ovarian cancer cells. Inhibition of de novo purine biosynthesis at both 5-aminoimidazole-4-carboxamide ribonucleotide formyltransferase and glycinamide ribonucleotide formyltransferase (GARFTase) was confirmed by metabolite rescue, metabolomics and enzyme assays. X-ray crystallographic structures were obtained with compounds 3-5 and human GARFTase. Our studies identify first-in-class C1 inhibitors with selective uptake by FRs and dual inhibition of enzyme targets in de novo purine biosynthesis, resulting in anti-tumor activity. This series affords an exciting new platform for selective multi-targeted anti-tumor agents.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Adrianne Wallace-Povirk
- Department of Oncology, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, MI 48201, United States
| | - Nian Tong
- Division of Medicinal Chemistry, Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Duquesne University, Pittsburgh, PA 15282, United States
| | | | - Carrie O'Connor
- Department of Oncology, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, MI 48201, United States
| | - Xilin Zhou
- Division of Medicinal Chemistry, Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Duquesne University, Pittsburgh, PA 15282, United States
| | - Zhanjun Hou
- Department of Oncology, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, MI 48201, United States; Barbara Ann Karmanos Cancer Institute, Detroit, MI 48201, United States
| | - Xun Bao
- Department of Oncology, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, MI 48201, United States
| | - Gloria E Garcia
- Department of Chemistry, Indiana University, Bloomington, IN 47405, United States
| | - Jing Li
- Department of Oncology, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, MI 48201, United States; Barbara Ann Karmanos Cancer Institute, Detroit, MI 48201, United States
| | - Seongho Kim
- Department of Oncology, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, MI 48201, United States; Barbara Ann Karmanos Cancer Institute, Detroit, MI 48201, United States
| | - Charles E Dann
- Department of Chemistry, Indiana University, Bloomington, IN 47405, United States.
| | - Larry H Matherly
- Department of Oncology, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, MI 48201, United States; Barbara Ann Karmanos Cancer Institute, Detroit, MI 48201, United States.
| | - Aleem Gangjee
- Division of Medicinal Chemistry, Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Duquesne University, Pittsburgh, PA 15282, United States.
| |
Collapse
|
10
|
O'Connor C, Wallace-Povirk A, Ning C, Frühauf J, Tong N, Gangjee A, Matherly LH, Hou Z. Folate transporter dynamics and therapy with classic and tumor-targeted antifolates. Sci Rep 2021; 11:6389. [PMID: 33737637 PMCID: PMC7973545 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-85818-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/06/2020] [Accepted: 03/05/2021] [Indexed: 01/03/2023] Open
Abstract
There are three major folate uptake systems in human tissues and tumors, including the reduced folate carrier (RFC), folate receptors (FRs) and proton-coupled folate transporter (PCFT). We studied the functional interrelationships among these systems for the novel tumor-targeted antifolates AGF94 (transported by PCFT and FRs but not RFC) and AGF102 (selective for FRs) versus the classic antifolates pemetrexed, methotrexate and PT523 (variously transported by FRs, PCFT and RFC). We engineered HeLa cell models to express FRα or RFC under control of a tetracycline-inducible promoter with or without constitutive PCFT. We showed that cellular accumulations of extracellular folates were determined by the type and levels of the major folate transporters, with PCFT and RFC prevailing over FRα, depending on expression levels and pH. Based on patterns of cell proliferation in the presence of the inhibitors, we established transport redundancy for RFC and PCFT in pemetrexed uptake, and for PCFT and FRα in AGF94 uptake; uptake by PCFT predominated for pemetrexed and FRα for AGF94. For methotrexate and PT523, uptake by RFC predominated even in the presence of PCFT or FRα. For both classic (methotrexate, PT523) and FRα-targeted (AGF102) antifolates, anti-proliferative activities were antagonized by PCFT, likely due to its robust activity in mediating folate accumulation. Collectively, our findings describe a previously unrecognized interplay among the major folate transport systems that depends on transporter levels and extracellular pH, and that determines their contributions to the uptake and anti-tumor efficacies of targeted and untargeted antifolates.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Carrie O'Connor
- Departments of Oncology, Wayne State University School of Medicine, 421 E. Canfield, Detroit, MI, 48201, USA
| | - Adrianne Wallace-Povirk
- Departments of Oncology, Wayne State University School of Medicine, 421 E. Canfield, Detroit, MI, 48201, USA
| | - Changwen Ning
- Departments of Oncology, Wayne State University School of Medicine, 421 E. Canfield, Detroit, MI, 48201, USA
| | - Josephine Frühauf
- Departments of Oncology, Wayne State University School of Medicine, 421 E. Canfield, Detroit, MI, 48201, USA
| | - Nian Tong
- Division of Medicinal Chemistry, Duquesne University, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Aleem Gangjee
- Division of Medicinal Chemistry, Duquesne University, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Larry H Matherly
- Departments of Oncology, Wayne State University School of Medicine, 421 E. Canfield, Detroit, MI, 48201, USA.
- Department of Pharmacology, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, MI, USA.
- Molecular Therapeutics Program, Barbara Ann Karmanos Cancer Institute, Detroit, MI, USA.
| | - Zhanjun Hou
- Departments of Oncology, Wayne State University School of Medicine, 421 E. Canfield, Detroit, MI, 48201, USA.
- Molecular Therapeutics Program, Barbara Ann Karmanos Cancer Institute, Detroit, MI, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
11
|
Golani LK, Islam F, O'Connor C, Dekhne AS, Hou Z, Matherly LH, Gangjee A. Design, synthesis and biological evaluation of novel pyrrolo[2,3-d]pyrimidine as tumor-targeting agents with selectivity for tumor uptake by high affinity folate receptors over the reduced folate carrier. Bioorg Med Chem 2020; 28:115544. [PMID: 32503687 DOI: 10.1016/j.bmc.2020.115544] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2019] [Revised: 04/29/2020] [Accepted: 04/30/2020] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
Tumor-targeted 6-substituted pyrrolo[2,3-d]pyrimidine benzoyl compounds based on 2 were isosterically modified at the 4-carbon bridge by replacing the vicinal (C11) carbon by heteroatoms N (4), O (5) or S (6), or with an N-substituted formyl (7), trifluoroacetyl (8) or acetyl (9). Replacement with sulfur (6) afforded the most potent KB tumor cell inhibitor, ~6-fold better than the parent 2. In addition, 6 retained tumor transport selectivity via folate receptor (FR) α and -β over the ubiquitous reduced folate carrier (RFC). FRα-mediated cell inhibition for 6 was generally equivalent to 2, while the FRβ-mediated activity was improved by 16-fold over 2. N (4) and O (5) substitutions afforded similar tumor cell inhibitions as 2, with selectivity for FRα and -β over RFC. The N-substituted analogs 7-9 also preserved transport selectivity for FRα and -β over RFC. For FRα-expressing CHO cells, potencies were in the order of 8 > 7 > 9. Whereas 8 and 9 showed similar results with FRβ-expressing CHO cells, 7 was ~16-fold more active than 2. By nucleoside rescue experiments, all the compounds inhibited de novo purine biosynthesis, likely at the step catalyzed by glycinamide ribonucleotide formyltransferase. Thus, heteroatom replacements of the CH2 in the bridge of 2 afford analogs with increased tumor cell inhibition that could provide advantages over 2, as well as tumor transport selectivity over clinically used antifolates including methotrexate and pemetrexed.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Lalit K Golani
- Division of Medicinal Chemistry, Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Duquesne University, 600 Forbes Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15282, United States.
| | - Farhana Islam
- Division of Medicinal Chemistry, Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Duquesne University, 600 Forbes Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15282, United States
| | - Carrie O'Connor
- Department of Oncology, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, MI 48201, United States
| | - Aamod S Dekhne
- Department of Oncology, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, MI 48201, United States
| | - Zhanjun Hou
- Department of Oncology, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, MI 48201, United States; Molecular Therapeutics Program, Barbara Ann Karmanos Cancer Institute, 421 East Canfield, Detroit, MI 48201, United States
| | - Larry H Matherly
- Department of Oncology, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, MI 48201, United States; Department of Pharmacology, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, MI 48201, United States; Molecular Therapeutics Program, Barbara Ann Karmanos Cancer Institute, 421 East Canfield, Detroit, MI 48201, United States.
| | - Aleem Gangjee
- Division of Medicinal Chemistry, Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Duquesne University, 600 Forbes Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15282, United States.
| |
Collapse
|
12
|
Design, synthesis and biological activity of N 5-substituted tetrahydropteroate analogs as non-classical antifolates against cobalamin-dependent methionine synthase and potential anticancer agents. Eur J Med Chem 2020; 190:112113. [PMID: 32058237 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2020.112113] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/18/2019] [Revised: 01/28/2020] [Accepted: 01/31/2020] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Cobalamin-dependent methionine synthase (MetH) is involved in the process of tumor cell growth and survival. In this study, a novel series of N5-electrophilic substituted tetrahydropteroate analogs without glutamate residue were designed as non-classical antifolates and evaluated for their inhibitory activities against MetH. In addition, the cytotoxicity of target compounds was evaluated in human tumor cell lines. With N5-chloracetyl as the optimum group, further structure research on the benzene substituent and on the 2,4-diamino group was also performed. Compound 6c, with IC50 value of 12.1 μM against MetH and 0.16-6.12 μM against five cancer cells, acted as competitive inhibitor of MetH. Flow cytometry studies indicated that compound 6c arrested HL-60 cells in the G1-phase and then inducted late apoptosis. The molecular docking further explained the structure-activity relationship.
Collapse
|
13
|
Dekhne AS, Ning C, Nayeen MJ, Shah K, Kalpage H, Frühauf J, Wallace-Povirk A, O'Connor C, Hou Z, Kim S, Hüttemann M, Gangjee A, Matherly LH. Cellular Pharmacodynamics of a Novel Pyrrolo[3,2- d]pyrimidine Inhibitor Targeting Mitochondrial and Cytosolic One-Carbon Metabolism. Mol Pharmacol 2019; 97:9-22. [PMID: 31707355 DOI: 10.1124/mol.119.117937] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/24/2019] [Accepted: 10/23/2019] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Folate-dependent one-carbon (C1) metabolism is compartmentalized in the mitochondria and cytosol and is a source of critical metabolites for proliferating tumors. Mitochondrial C1 metabolism including serine hydroxymethyltransferase 2 (SHMT2) generates glycine for de novo purine nucleotide and glutathione biosynthesis and is an important source of NADPH, ATP, and formate, which affords C1 units as 10-formyl-tetrahydrofolate and 5,10-methylene-tetrahydrofolate for nucleotide biosynthesis in the cytosol. We previously discovered novel first-in-class multitargeted pyrrolo[3,2-d]pyrimidine inhibitors of SHMT2 and de novo purine biosynthesis at glycinamide ribonucleotide formyltransferase and 5-aminoimidazole-4-carboxamide ribonucleotide formyltransferase with potent in vitro and in vivo antitumor efficacy toward pancreatic adenocarcinoma cells. In this report, we extend our findings to an expanded panel of pancreatic cancer models. We used our lead analog AGF347 [(4-(4-(2-amino-4-oxo-3,4-dihydro-5H-pyrrolo[3,2-d]pyrimidin-5-yl)butyl)-2-fluorobenzoyl)-l-glutamic acid] to characterize pharmacodynamic determinants of antitumor efficacy for this series and demonstrated plasma membrane transport into the cytosol, uptake from cytosol into mitochondria, and metabolism to AGF347 polyglutamates in both cytosol and mitochondria. Antitumor effects of AGF347 downstream of SHMT2 and purine biosynthesis included suppression of mammalian target of rapamycin signaling, and glutathione depletion with increased levels of reactive oxygen species. Our results provide important insights into the cellular pharmacology of novel pyrrolo[3,2-d]pyrimidine inhibitors as antitumor compounds and establish AGF347 as a unique agent for potential clinical application for pancreatic cancer, as well as other malignancies. SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT: This study establishes the antitumor efficacies of novel inhibitors of serine hydroxymethyltransferase 2 and of cytosolic targets toward a panel of clinically relevant pancreatic cancer cells and demonstrates the important roles of plasma membrane transport, mitochondrial accumulation, and metabolism to polyglutamates of the lead compound AGF347 to drug activity. We also establish that loss of serine catabolism and purine biosynthesis resulting from AGF347 treatment impacts mammalian target of rapamycin signaling, glutathione pools, and reactive oxygen species, contributing to antitumor efficacy.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Aamod S Dekhne
- Department of Oncology, Wayne State University School of Medicine/Karmanos Cancer Institute, Detroit, Michigan (A.S.D., J.F., A.W.-P., C.O., Z.H., S.K., L.H.M.); Division of Medicinal Chemistry, Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Duquesne University, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania (M.J.N., K.S., A.G.); Center for Molecular Medicine and Genetics (H.K., M.H.) and Department of Pharmacology (L.H.M.), Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, Michigan; Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Jilin University, Changchun, Jilin Province, China (C.N.); and Molecular Therapeutics Program, Barbara Ann Karmanos Cancer Institute, Detroit, Michigan (Z.H., S.K., M.H., L.H.M.)
| | - Changwen Ning
- Department of Oncology, Wayne State University School of Medicine/Karmanos Cancer Institute, Detroit, Michigan (A.S.D., J.F., A.W.-P., C.O., Z.H., S.K., L.H.M.); Division of Medicinal Chemistry, Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Duquesne University, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania (M.J.N., K.S., A.G.); Center for Molecular Medicine and Genetics (H.K., M.H.) and Department of Pharmacology (L.H.M.), Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, Michigan; Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Jilin University, Changchun, Jilin Province, China (C.N.); and Molecular Therapeutics Program, Barbara Ann Karmanos Cancer Institute, Detroit, Michigan (Z.H., S.K., M.H., L.H.M.)
| | - Md Junayed Nayeen
- Department of Oncology, Wayne State University School of Medicine/Karmanos Cancer Institute, Detroit, Michigan (A.S.D., J.F., A.W.-P., C.O., Z.H., S.K., L.H.M.); Division of Medicinal Chemistry, Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Duquesne University, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania (M.J.N., K.S., A.G.); Center for Molecular Medicine and Genetics (H.K., M.H.) and Department of Pharmacology (L.H.M.), Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, Michigan; Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Jilin University, Changchun, Jilin Province, China (C.N.); and Molecular Therapeutics Program, Barbara Ann Karmanos Cancer Institute, Detroit, Michigan (Z.H., S.K., M.H., L.H.M.)
| | - Khushbu Shah
- Department of Oncology, Wayne State University School of Medicine/Karmanos Cancer Institute, Detroit, Michigan (A.S.D., J.F., A.W.-P., C.O., Z.H., S.K., L.H.M.); Division of Medicinal Chemistry, Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Duquesne University, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania (M.J.N., K.S., A.G.); Center for Molecular Medicine and Genetics (H.K., M.H.) and Department of Pharmacology (L.H.M.), Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, Michigan; Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Jilin University, Changchun, Jilin Province, China (C.N.); and Molecular Therapeutics Program, Barbara Ann Karmanos Cancer Institute, Detroit, Michigan (Z.H., S.K., M.H., L.H.M.)
| | - Hasini Kalpage
- Department of Oncology, Wayne State University School of Medicine/Karmanos Cancer Institute, Detroit, Michigan (A.S.D., J.F., A.W.-P., C.O., Z.H., S.K., L.H.M.); Division of Medicinal Chemistry, Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Duquesne University, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania (M.J.N., K.S., A.G.); Center for Molecular Medicine and Genetics (H.K., M.H.) and Department of Pharmacology (L.H.M.), Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, Michigan; Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Jilin University, Changchun, Jilin Province, China (C.N.); and Molecular Therapeutics Program, Barbara Ann Karmanos Cancer Institute, Detroit, Michigan (Z.H., S.K., M.H., L.H.M.)
| | - Josephine Frühauf
- Department of Oncology, Wayne State University School of Medicine/Karmanos Cancer Institute, Detroit, Michigan (A.S.D., J.F., A.W.-P., C.O., Z.H., S.K., L.H.M.); Division of Medicinal Chemistry, Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Duquesne University, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania (M.J.N., K.S., A.G.); Center for Molecular Medicine and Genetics (H.K., M.H.) and Department of Pharmacology (L.H.M.), Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, Michigan; Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Jilin University, Changchun, Jilin Province, China (C.N.); and Molecular Therapeutics Program, Barbara Ann Karmanos Cancer Institute, Detroit, Michigan (Z.H., S.K., M.H., L.H.M.)
| | - Adrianne Wallace-Povirk
- Department of Oncology, Wayne State University School of Medicine/Karmanos Cancer Institute, Detroit, Michigan (A.S.D., J.F., A.W.-P., C.O., Z.H., S.K., L.H.M.); Division of Medicinal Chemistry, Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Duquesne University, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania (M.J.N., K.S., A.G.); Center for Molecular Medicine and Genetics (H.K., M.H.) and Department of Pharmacology (L.H.M.), Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, Michigan; Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Jilin University, Changchun, Jilin Province, China (C.N.); and Molecular Therapeutics Program, Barbara Ann Karmanos Cancer Institute, Detroit, Michigan (Z.H., S.K., M.H., L.H.M.)
| | - Carrie O'Connor
- Department of Oncology, Wayne State University School of Medicine/Karmanos Cancer Institute, Detroit, Michigan (A.S.D., J.F., A.W.-P., C.O., Z.H., S.K., L.H.M.); Division of Medicinal Chemistry, Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Duquesne University, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania (M.J.N., K.S., A.G.); Center for Molecular Medicine and Genetics (H.K., M.H.) and Department of Pharmacology (L.H.M.), Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, Michigan; Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Jilin University, Changchun, Jilin Province, China (C.N.); and Molecular Therapeutics Program, Barbara Ann Karmanos Cancer Institute, Detroit, Michigan (Z.H., S.K., M.H., L.H.M.)
| | - Zhanjun Hou
- Department of Oncology, Wayne State University School of Medicine/Karmanos Cancer Institute, Detroit, Michigan (A.S.D., J.F., A.W.-P., C.O., Z.H., S.K., L.H.M.); Division of Medicinal Chemistry, Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Duquesne University, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania (M.J.N., K.S., A.G.); Center for Molecular Medicine and Genetics (H.K., M.H.) and Department of Pharmacology (L.H.M.), Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, Michigan; Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Jilin University, Changchun, Jilin Province, China (C.N.); and Molecular Therapeutics Program, Barbara Ann Karmanos Cancer Institute, Detroit, Michigan (Z.H., S.K., M.H., L.H.M.)
| | - Seongho Kim
- Department of Oncology, Wayne State University School of Medicine/Karmanos Cancer Institute, Detroit, Michigan (A.S.D., J.F., A.W.-P., C.O., Z.H., S.K., L.H.M.); Division of Medicinal Chemistry, Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Duquesne University, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania (M.J.N., K.S., A.G.); Center for Molecular Medicine and Genetics (H.K., M.H.) and Department of Pharmacology (L.H.M.), Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, Michigan; Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Jilin University, Changchun, Jilin Province, China (C.N.); and Molecular Therapeutics Program, Barbara Ann Karmanos Cancer Institute, Detroit, Michigan (Z.H., S.K., M.H., L.H.M.)
| | - Maik Hüttemann
- Department of Oncology, Wayne State University School of Medicine/Karmanos Cancer Institute, Detroit, Michigan (A.S.D., J.F., A.W.-P., C.O., Z.H., S.K., L.H.M.); Division of Medicinal Chemistry, Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Duquesne University, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania (M.J.N., K.S., A.G.); Center for Molecular Medicine and Genetics (H.K., M.H.) and Department of Pharmacology (L.H.M.), Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, Michigan; Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Jilin University, Changchun, Jilin Province, China (C.N.); and Molecular Therapeutics Program, Barbara Ann Karmanos Cancer Institute, Detroit, Michigan (Z.H., S.K., M.H., L.H.M.)
| | - Aleem Gangjee
- Department of Oncology, Wayne State University School of Medicine/Karmanos Cancer Institute, Detroit, Michigan (A.S.D., J.F., A.W.-P., C.O., Z.H., S.K., L.H.M.); Division of Medicinal Chemistry, Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Duquesne University, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania (M.J.N., K.S., A.G.); Center for Molecular Medicine and Genetics (H.K., M.H.) and Department of Pharmacology (L.H.M.), Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, Michigan; Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Jilin University, Changchun, Jilin Province, China (C.N.); and Molecular Therapeutics Program, Barbara Ann Karmanos Cancer Institute, Detroit, Michigan (Z.H., S.K., M.H., L.H.M.)
| | - Larry H Matherly
- Department of Oncology, Wayne State University School of Medicine/Karmanos Cancer Institute, Detroit, Michigan (A.S.D., J.F., A.W.-P., C.O., Z.H., S.K., L.H.M.); Division of Medicinal Chemistry, Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Duquesne University, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania (M.J.N., K.S., A.G.); Center for Molecular Medicine and Genetics (H.K., M.H.) and Department of Pharmacology (L.H.M.), Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, Michigan; Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Jilin University, Changchun, Jilin Province, China (C.N.); and Molecular Therapeutics Program, Barbara Ann Karmanos Cancer Institute, Detroit, Michigan (Z.H., S.K., M.H., L.H.M.)
| |
Collapse
|
14
|
Discovery of amide-bridged pyrrolo[2,3-d]pyrimidines as tumor targeted classical antifolates with selective uptake by folate receptor α and inhibition of de novo purine nucleotide biosynthesis. Bioorg Med Chem 2019; 27:115125. [PMID: 31679978 DOI: 10.1016/j.bmc.2019.115125] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/01/2019] [Accepted: 09/17/2019] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
We previously showed that classical 6-substituted pyrrolo[2,3-d]pyrimidine antifolates bind to folate receptor (FR) α and the target purine biosynthetic enzyme glycinamide ribonucleotide formyltransferase (GARFTase) with different cis and trans conformations. In this study, we designed novel analogs of this series with an amide moiety in the bridge region that can adopt both the cis and trans lowest energy conformations. This provides entropic benefit, by restricting the number of side-chain conformations of the unbound ligand to those most likely to promote binding to FRα and the target enzyme required for antitumor activity. NMR of the most active compound 7 showed both cis and trans amide bridge conformations in ~1:1 ratio. The bridge amide group in the best docked poses of 7 in the crystal structures of FRα and GARFTase adopted both cis and trans conformations, with the lowest energy conformations predicted by Maestro and evidenced by NMR within 1 kcal/mol. Compound 7 showed ~3-fold increased inhibition of FRα-expressing cells over its non-restricted parent analog 1 and was selectively internalized by FRα over the reduced folate carrier (RFC), resulting in significant in vitro antitumor activity toward FRα-expressing KB human tumor cells. Antitumor activity of 7 was abolished by treating cells with adenosine but was incompletely protected by 5-aminoimidazole-4-carboxamide (AICA) at higher drug concentrations, suggesting GARFTase and AICA ribonucleotide formyltransferase (AICARFTase) in de novo purine biosynthesis as the likely intracellular targets. GARFTase inhibition by compound 7 was confirmed by an in situ cell-based activity assay. Our results identify a "first-in-class" classical antifolate with a novel amide linkage between the scaffold and the side chain aryl L-glutamate that affords exclusive selectivity for transport via FRα over RFC and antitumor activity resulting from inhibition of GARFTase and likely AICARFTase. Compound 7 offers significant advantages over clinically used inhibitors of this class that are transported by the ubiquitous RFC, resulting in dose-limiting toxicities.
Collapse
|
15
|
Dekhne AS, Shah K, Ducker GS, Katinas JM, Wong-Roushar J, Nayeen MJ, Doshi A, Ning C, Bao X, Frühauf J, Liu J, Wallace-Povirk A, O'Connor C, Dzinic SH, White K, Kushner J, Kim S, Hüttemann M, Polin L, Rabinowitz JD, Li J, Hou Z, Dann CE, Gangjee A, Matherly LH. Novel Pyrrolo[3,2- d]pyrimidine Compounds Target Mitochondrial and Cytosolic One-carbon Metabolism with Broad-spectrum Antitumor Efficacy. Mol Cancer Ther 2019; 18:1787-1799. [PMID: 31289137 PMCID: PMC6774887 DOI: 10.1158/1535-7163.mct-19-0037] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/09/2019] [Revised: 04/05/2019] [Accepted: 07/03/2019] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Abstract
Folate-dependent one-carbon (C1) metabolism is compartmentalized into the mitochondria and cytosol and supports cell growth through nucleotide and amino acid biosynthesis. Mitochondrial C1 metabolism, including serine hydroxymethyltransferase (SHMT) 2, provides glycine, NAD(P)H, ATP, and C1 units for cytosolic biosynthetic reactions, and is implicated in the oncogenic phenotype across a wide range of cancers. Whereas multitargeted inhibitors of cytosolic C1 metabolism, such as pemetrexed, are used clinically, there are currently no anticancer drugs that specifically target mitochondrial C1 metabolism. We used molecular modeling to design novel small-molecule pyrrolo[3,2-d]pyrimidine inhibitors targeting mitochondrial C1 metabolism at SHMT2. In vitro antitumor efficacy was established with the lead compounds (AGF291, AGF320, AGF347) toward lung, colon, and pancreatic cancer cells. Intracellular targets were identified by metabolic rescue with glycine and nucleosides, and by targeted metabolomics using a stable isotope tracer, with confirmation by in vitro assays with purified enzymes. In addition to targeting SHMT2, inhibition of the cytosolic purine biosynthetic enzymes, β-glycinamide ribonucleotide formyltransferase and/or 5-aminoimidazole-4-carboxamide ribonucleotide formyltransferase, and SHMT1 was also established. AGF347 generated significant in vivo antitumor efficacy with potential for complete responses against both early-stage and upstage MIA PaCa-2 pancreatic tumor xenografts, providing compelling proof-of-concept for therapeutic targeting of SHMT2 and cytosolic C1 enzymes by this series. Our results establish structure-activity relationships and identify exciting new drug prototypes for further development as multitargeted antitumor agents.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Aamod S Dekhne
- Department of Oncology, Wayne State University School of Medicine, and the Barbara Ann Karmanos Cancer Institute, Detroit, Michigan
| | - Khushbu Shah
- Division of Medicinal Chemistry, Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Duquesne University, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
| | - Gregory S Ducker
- Department of Chemistry/Lewis-Sigler Institute for Integrative Genomics, Princeton University, Princeton, New Jersey
| | - Jade M Katinas
- Department of Chemistry, Indiana University, Bloomington, Indiana
| | | | - Md Junayed Nayeen
- Division of Medicinal Chemistry, Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Duquesne University, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
| | - Arpit Doshi
- Division of Medicinal Chemistry, Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Duquesne University, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
| | - Changwen Ning
- Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Jilin University, Changchun, Jilin Province, China
| | - Xun Bao
- Department of Oncology, Wayne State University School of Medicine, and the Barbara Ann Karmanos Cancer Institute, Detroit, Michigan
| | - Josephine Frühauf
- Department of Oncology, Wayne State University School of Medicine, and the Barbara Ann Karmanos Cancer Institute, Detroit, Michigan
| | - Jenney Liu
- Center for Molecular Medicine and Genetics, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, Michigan
| | - Adrianne Wallace-Povirk
- Department of Oncology, Wayne State University School of Medicine, and the Barbara Ann Karmanos Cancer Institute, Detroit, Michigan
| | - Carrie O'Connor
- Department of Oncology, Wayne State University School of Medicine, and the Barbara Ann Karmanos Cancer Institute, Detroit, Michigan
| | - Sijana H Dzinic
- Department of Oncology, Wayne State University School of Medicine, and the Barbara Ann Karmanos Cancer Institute, Detroit, Michigan
| | - Kathryn White
- Department of Oncology, Wayne State University School of Medicine, and the Barbara Ann Karmanos Cancer Institute, Detroit, Michigan
| | - Juiwanna Kushner
- Department of Oncology, Wayne State University School of Medicine, and the Barbara Ann Karmanos Cancer Institute, Detroit, Michigan
| | - Seongho Kim
- Department of Oncology, Wayne State University School of Medicine, and the Barbara Ann Karmanos Cancer Institute, Detroit, Michigan
| | - Maik Hüttemann
- Center for Molecular Medicine and Genetics, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, Michigan
| | - Lisa Polin
- Department of Oncology, Wayne State University School of Medicine, and the Barbara Ann Karmanos Cancer Institute, Detroit, Michigan
| | - Joshua D Rabinowitz
- Department of Chemistry/Lewis-Sigler Institute for Integrative Genomics, Princeton University, Princeton, New Jersey
| | - Jing Li
- Department of Oncology, Wayne State University School of Medicine, and the Barbara Ann Karmanos Cancer Institute, Detroit, Michigan
| | - Zhanjun Hou
- Department of Oncology, Wayne State University School of Medicine, and the Barbara Ann Karmanos Cancer Institute, Detroit, Michigan
| | - Charles E Dann
- Department of Chemistry, Indiana University, Bloomington, Indiana.
| | - Aleem Gangjee
- Division of Medicinal Chemistry, Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Duquesne University, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
| | - Larry H Matherly
- Department of Oncology, Wayne State University School of Medicine, and the Barbara Ann Karmanos Cancer Institute, Detroit, Michigan.
| |
Collapse
|
16
|
Regulation of differential proton-coupled folate transporter gene expression in human tumors: transactivation by KLF15 with NRF-1 and the role of Sp1. Biochem J 2019; 476:1247-1266. [PMID: 30914440 DOI: 10.1042/bcj20180394] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/24/2018] [Revised: 03/07/2019] [Accepted: 03/26/2019] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Tumors can be therapeutically targeted with novel antifolates (e.g. AGF94) that are selectively transported by the human proton-coupled folate transporter (hPCFT). Studies were performed to determine the transcription regulation of hPCFT in tumors and identify possible mechanisms that contribute to the highly disparate levels of hPCFT in HepG2 versus HT1080 tumor cells. Transfection of hPCFT-null HT1080 cells with hPCFT restored transport and sensitivity to AGF94 Progressive deletions of the hPCFT promoter construct (-2005 to +96) and reporter gene assays in HepG2 and HT1080 cells confirmed differences in hPCFT transactivation and localized a minimal promoter to between positions -50 and +96. The minimal promoter included KLF15, GC-Box and NRF-1 cis-binding elements whose functional importance was confirmed by promoter deletions and mutations of core consensus sequences and reporter gene assays. In HepG2 cells, NRF-1, KLF15 and Sp1 transcripts were increased over HT1080 cells by ∼5.1-, ∼44-, and ∼2.4-fold, respectively. In Drosophila SL2 cells, transfection with KLF15 and NRF-1 synergistically activated the hPCFT promoter; Sp1 was modestly activating or inhibitory. Chromatin immunoprecipitation and electrophoretic mobility shift assay (EMSA) and supershifts confirmed differential binding of KLF15, Sp1, and NRF-1 to the hPCFT promoter in HepG2 and HT1080 cells that paralleled hPCFT levels. Treatment of HT1080 nuclear extracts (NE) with protein kinase A increased Sp1 binding to its consensus sequence by EMSA, suggesting a role for Sp1 phosphorylation in regulating hPCFT transcription. A better understanding of determinants of hPCFT transcriptional control may identify new therapeutic strategies for cancer by modulating hPCFT levels in combination with hPCFT-targeted antifolates.
Collapse
|
17
|
Jiang Y, Wang C, Zhang M, Fei X, Gu Y. Interacted mechanism of functional groups in ligand targeted with folate receptor via docking, molecular dynamic and MM/PBSA. J Mol Graph Model 2018; 87:121-128. [PMID: 30537642 DOI: 10.1016/j.jmgm.2018.12.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/26/2018] [Revised: 12/04/2018] [Accepted: 12/04/2018] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
Twenty novel compounds with different functional groups (-COOH, -OH, -NH2 and -CH3) were designed to study the interaction mechanism of ligands with folate receptors (FRs). The optimized structure and the dipole moment of the novel compounds were calculated by a density functional tight-binding method (DFTB). The binding mechanism of the compounds with FRs was studied by molecular docking, molecular dynamic (MD) simulations and MM/PBSA free energy calculations. The binding energies, root mean square displacement and root mean square fluctuation of the complexes were analyzed to further illustrate the effect of the functional groups. The functional groups play important roles in stabilizing the bound complexes. Compared to other groups, -OH is more stably linked with the compound. These data provide a theoretical basis for the design of novel compounds targeted with FRs.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yue Jiang
- School of Science, TianJin ChengJian University, Tianjin, China
| | - Cuihong Wang
- School of Science, TianJin ChengJian University, Tianjin, China.
| | - Meiling Zhang
- School of Biomedical Engineering and Technology, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, China
| | - Xuening Fei
- School of Science, TianJin ChengJian University, Tianjin, China.
| | - Yingchun Gu
- School of Science, TianJin ChengJian University, Tianjin, China
| |
Collapse
|
18
|
Wang C, Jiang Y, Zhang M, Fei X, Gu Y. Novel fluorescent antifolates that target folate receptors α and β: Molecular dynamics and density functional theory study. J Mol Graph Model 2018; 85:40-47. [PMID: 30055477 DOI: 10.1016/j.jmgm.2018.07.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/19/2018] [Revised: 07/14/2018] [Accepted: 07/22/2018] [Indexed: 01/19/2023]
Abstract
Nine novel fluorescent antifolates, 1-9, were designed and docked with FRα and FRβ. The binding energies of the bound complexes were determined by molecular docking and MM-PBSA studies. The structural properties of the complexes FR-FOL, FR-7, FR-8 and FR-9 were analyzed in detail via molecular docking and molecular dynamics studies. We further calculated the root mean square displacement and root mean square fluctuation of the bound complexes using molecular dynamics simulations. Since compounds 7, 8 and 9 are promising candidate in distinguishing FRα from FRβ, the hydrogen bond properties of complexes FRα-7, FRα-8 and FRα-9 were studied by a dispersion complemented density functional tight-binding method. The purpose of this study is to provide a rationale for the design of novel fluorescent antifolates targeted with FRα and FRβ.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Cuihong Wang
- School of Science, TianJin ChengJian University, Tianjin, China.
| | - Yue Jiang
- School of Science, TianJin ChengJian University, Tianjin, China
| | - Meiling Zhang
- School of Biomedical Engineering and Technology, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, China
| | - Xuening Fei
- School of Science, TianJin ChengJian University, Tianjin, China.
| | - Yingchun Gu
- School of Science, TianJin ChengJian University, Tianjin, China
| |
Collapse
|
19
|
Shah K, Raghavan S, Hou Z, Matherly LH, Gangjee A. Development and validation of chemical features-based proton-coupled folate transporter/activity and reduced folate carrier/activity models (pharmacophores). J Mol Graph Model 2018; 81:125-133. [PMID: 29550744 PMCID: PMC5959037 DOI: 10.1016/j.jmgm.2018.02.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2017] [Revised: 02/09/2018] [Accepted: 02/12/2018] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
Abstract
All clinically used antifolates lack transport selectivity for tumors over normal cells resulting in dose-limiting toxicities. There is growing interest in developing novel tumor-targeted cytotoxic antifolates with selective transport into tumors over normal cells via the proton-coupled folate transporter (PCFT) over the ubiquitously expressed reduced folate carrier (RFC). A lack of X-ray crystal structures or predictive models for PCFT or RFC has hindered structure-aided drug design for PCFT-selective therapeutics. Four-point validated models (pharmacophores) were generated for PCFT/Activity (HBA, NI, RA, RA) and RFC/Activity (HBD, NI, HBA, HBA) based on inhibition (IC50) of proliferation of isogenic Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells engineered to express only human PCFT or only RFC. Our results revealed substantial differences in structural features required for transport of novel molecules by these transporters which can be utilized for developing transporter-selective antifolates.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Khushbu Shah
- Division of Medicinal Chemistry, Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Duquesne University, 600 Forbes Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15282, United States
| | - Sudhir Raghavan
- Division of Medicinal Chemistry, Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Duquesne University, 600 Forbes Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15282, United States
| | - Zhanjun Hou
- Molecular Therapeutics Program, Barbara Ann Karmanos Cancer Institute, and Department of Oncology, Wayne State University School of Medicine, 421 East Canfield Street, Detroit, MI 48201, United States
| | - Larry H Matherly
- Molecular Therapeutics Program, Barbara Ann Karmanos Cancer Institute, and Department of Oncology, Wayne State University School of Medicine, 421 East Canfield Street, Detroit, MI 48201, United States
| | - Aleem Gangjee
- Division of Medicinal Chemistry, Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Duquesne University, 600 Forbes Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15282, United States.
| |
Collapse
|
20
|
Ravindra M, Wilson MR, Tong N, O'Connor C, Karim M, Polin L, Wallace-Povirk A, White K, Kushner J, Hou Z, Matherly LH, Gangjee A. Fluorine-Substituted Pyrrolo[2,3- d]Pyrimidine Analogues with Tumor Targeting via Cellular Uptake by Folate Receptor α and the Proton-Coupled Folate Transporter and Inhibition of de Novo Purine Nucleotide Biosynthesis. J Med Chem 2018; 61:4228-4248. [PMID: 29701475 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.8b00408] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Novel fluorinated 2-amino-4-oxo-6-substituted pyrrolo[2,3- d]pyrimidine analogues 7-12 were synthesized and tested for selective cellular uptake by folate receptors (FRs) α and β or the proton-coupled folate transporter (PCFT) and for antitumor efficacy. Compounds 8, 9, 11, and 12 showed increased in vitro antiproliferative activities (∼11-fold) over the nonfluorinated analogues 2, 3, 5, and 6 toward engineered Chinese hamster ovary and HeLa cells expressing FRs or PCFT. Compounds 8, 9, 11, and 12 also inhibited proliferation of IGROV1 and A2780 epithelial ovarian cancer cells; in IGROV1 cells with knockdown of FRα, 9, 11, and 12 showed sustained inhibition associated with uptake by PCFT. All compounds inhibited glycinamide ribonucleotide formyltransferase, a key enzyme in the de novo purine biosynthesis pathway. Molecular modeling studies validated in vitro cell-based results. NMR evidence supports the presence of an intramolecular fluorine-hydrogen bond. Potent in vivo efficacy of 11 was established with IGROV1 xenografts in severe compromised immunodeficient mice.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Manasa Ravindra
- Division of Medicinal Chemistry, Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences , Duquesne University , 600 Forbes Avenue , Pittsburgh , Pennsylvania 15282 , United States
| | - Mike R Wilson
- Division of Medicinal Chemistry, Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences , Duquesne University , 600 Forbes Avenue , Pittsburgh , Pennsylvania 15282 , United States.,Department of Oncology , Wayne State University School of Medicine , Detroit , Michigan 48201 , United States
| | - Nian Tong
- Division of Medicinal Chemistry, Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences , Duquesne University , 600 Forbes Avenue , Pittsburgh , Pennsylvania 15282 , United States
| | - Carrie O'Connor
- Department of Oncology , Wayne State University School of Medicine , Detroit , Michigan 48201 , United States
| | - Mohammad Karim
- Division of Medicinal Chemistry, Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences , Duquesne University , 600 Forbes Avenue , Pittsburgh , Pennsylvania 15282 , United States
| | - Lisa Polin
- Molecular Therapeutics Program , Barbara Ann Karmanos Cancer Institute , 421 East Canfield Street , Detroit , Michigan 48201 , United States.,Department of Oncology , Wayne State University School of Medicine , Detroit , Michigan 48201 , United States
| | - Adrianne Wallace-Povirk
- Department of Oncology , Wayne State University School of Medicine , Detroit , Michigan 48201 , United States
| | - Kathryn White
- Molecular Therapeutics Program , Barbara Ann Karmanos Cancer Institute , 421 East Canfield Street , Detroit , Michigan 48201 , United States.,Department of Oncology , Wayne State University School of Medicine , Detroit , Michigan 48201 , United States
| | - Juiwanna Kushner
- Molecular Therapeutics Program , Barbara Ann Karmanos Cancer Institute , 421 East Canfield Street , Detroit , Michigan 48201 , United States.,Department of Oncology , Wayne State University School of Medicine , Detroit , Michigan 48201 , United States
| | - Zhanjun Hou
- Molecular Therapeutics Program , Barbara Ann Karmanos Cancer Institute , 421 East Canfield Street , Detroit , Michigan 48201 , United States.,Department of Oncology , Wayne State University School of Medicine , Detroit , Michigan 48201 , United States
| | - Larry H Matherly
- Molecular Therapeutics Program , Barbara Ann Karmanos Cancer Institute , 421 East Canfield Street , Detroit , Michigan 48201 , United States.,Department of Oncology , Wayne State University School of Medicine , Detroit , Michigan 48201 , United States.,Department of Pharmacology , Wayne State University School of Medicine , Detroit , Michigan 48201 , United States
| | - Aleem Gangjee
- Division of Medicinal Chemistry, Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences , Duquesne University , 600 Forbes Avenue , Pittsburgh , Pennsylvania 15282 , United States
| |
Collapse
|
21
|
Ravindra M, Wallace-Povirk A, Karim MA, Wilson MR, O'Connor C, White K, Kushner J, Polin L, George C, Hou Z, Matherly LH, Gangjee A. Tumor Targeting with Novel Pyridyl 6-Substituted Pyrrolo[2,3- d]Pyrimidine Antifolates via Cellular Uptake by Folate Receptor α and the Proton-Coupled Folate Transporter and Inhibition of De Novo Purine Nucleotide Biosynthesis. J Med Chem 2018; 61:2027-2040. [PMID: 29425443 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.7b01708] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/02/2023]
Abstract
Tumor-targeted specificities of 6-substituted pyrrolo[2,3- d]pyrimidine analogues of 1, where the phenyl side-chain is replaced by 3',6' (5, 8), 2',5' (6, 9), and 2',6' (7, 10) pyridyls, were analyzed. Proliferation inhibition of isogenic Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells expressing folate receptors (FRs) α and β were in rank order, 6 > 9 > 5 > 7 > 8, with 10 showing no activity, and 6 > 9 > 5 > 8, with 10 and 7 being inactive, respectively. Antiproliferative effects toward FRα- and FRβ-expressing cells were reflected in competitive binding with [3H]folic acid. Only compound 6 was active against proton-coupled folate receptor (PCFT)-expressing CHO cells (∼4-fold more potent than 1) and inhibited [3H]methotrexate uptake by PCFT. In KB and IGROV1 tumor cells, 6 showed <1 nM IC50, ∼2-3-fold more potent than 1. Compound 6 inhibited glycinamide ribonucleotide formyltransferase in de novo purine biosynthesis and showed potent in vivo efficacy toward subcutaneous IGROV1 tumor xenografts in SCID mice.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Manasa Ravindra
- Division of Medicinal Chemistry, Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences , Duquesne University , 600 Forbes Avenue , Pittsburgh , Pennsylvania 15282 , United States
| | - Adrianne Wallace-Povirk
- Department of Oncology , Wayne State University School of Medicine , Detroit , Michigan 48201 , United States
| | - Mohammad A Karim
- Division of Medicinal Chemistry, Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences , Duquesne University , 600 Forbes Avenue , Pittsburgh , Pennsylvania 15282 , United States
| | - Mike R Wilson
- Department of Oncology , Wayne State University School of Medicine , Detroit , Michigan 48201 , United States
| | - Carrie O'Connor
- Department of Oncology , Wayne State University School of Medicine , Detroit , Michigan 48201 , United States
| | - Kathryn White
- Department of Oncology , Wayne State University School of Medicine , Detroit , Michigan 48201 , United States
| | - Juiwanna Kushner
- Department of Oncology , Wayne State University School of Medicine , Detroit , Michigan 48201 , United States
| | - Lisa Polin
- Molecular Therapeutics Program , Barbara Ann Karmanos Cancer Institute , 421 East Canfield Street , Detroit , Michigan 48201 , United States.,Department of Oncology , Wayne State University School of Medicine , Detroit , Michigan 48201 , United States
| | - Christina George
- Department of Oncology , Wayne State University School of Medicine , Detroit , Michigan 48201 , United States
| | - Zhanjun Hou
- Molecular Therapeutics Program , Barbara Ann Karmanos Cancer Institute , 421 East Canfield Street , Detroit , Michigan 48201 , United States.,Department of Oncology , Wayne State University School of Medicine , Detroit , Michigan 48201 , United States
| | - Larry H Matherly
- Molecular Therapeutics Program , Barbara Ann Karmanos Cancer Institute , 421 East Canfield Street , Detroit , Michigan 48201 , United States.,Department of Oncology , Wayne State University School of Medicine , Detroit , Michigan 48201 , United States.,Department of Pharmacology , Wayne State University School of Medicine , Detroit , Michigan 48201 , United States
| | - Aleem Gangjee
- Division of Medicinal Chemistry, Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences , Duquesne University , 600 Forbes Avenue , Pittsburgh , Pennsylvania 15282 , United States
| |
Collapse
|
22
|
Ferrari S, Severi L, Pozzi C, Quotadamo A, Ponterini G, Losi L, Marverti G, Costi MP. Human Thymidylate Synthase Inhibitors Halting Ovarian Cancer Growth. VITAMINS AND HORMONES 2018; 107:473-513. [PMID: 29544641 DOI: 10.1016/bs.vh.2017.12.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/20/2023]
Abstract
Human thymidylate synthase (hTS) has an important role in DNA biosynthesis, thus it is essential for cell survival. TS is involved in the folate pathways, specifically in the de novo pyrimidine biosynthesis. Structure and functions are intimately correlated, account for cellular activity and, in a broader view, with in vivo mechanisms. hTS is a target for anticancer agents, some of which are clinical drugs. The understanding of the detailed mechanism of TS inhibition by currently used drugs and of the interaction with the mechanism of action of other anticancer agents can suggest new perspective of TS inhibition able to improve the anticancer effect and to overcome drug resistance. TS-targeting drugs in therapy today are inhibitors that bind at the active site and that mostly resemble the substrates. Nonsubstrate analogs offer an opportunity for allosteric binding and novel mode of inhibition in the cancer cells. This chapter illustrates the relationship among the large number of hTS actions at molecular and clinical levels, its role as a target for ovarian cancer therapy, in particular in cases of overexpression of hTS and other folate proteins such as those induced by platinum drug treatments, and address the potential combination of TS inhibitors with other suitable anticancer agents.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Leda Severi
- University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy
| | | | | | | | - Lorena Losi
- University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy
| | | | | |
Collapse
|
23
|
Cheung A, Bax HJ, Josephs DH, Ilieva KM, Pellizzari G, Opzoomer J, Bloomfield J, Fittall M, Grigoriadis A, Figini M, Canevari S, Spicer JF, Tutt AN, Karagiannis SN. Targeting folate receptor alpha for cancer treatment. Oncotarget 2018; 7:52553-52574. [PMID: 27248175 PMCID: PMC5239573 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.9651] [Citation(s) in RCA: 275] [Impact Index Per Article: 45.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/25/2016] [Accepted: 05/19/2016] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Promising targeted treatments and immunotherapy strategies in oncology and advancements in our understanding of molecular pathways that underpin cancer development have reignited interest in the tumor-associated antigen Folate Receptor alpha (FRα). FRα is a glycosylphosphatidylinositol (GPI)-anchored membrane protein. Its overexpression in tumors such as ovarian, breast and lung cancers, low and restricted distribution in normal tissues, alongside emerging insights into tumor-promoting functions and association of expression with patient prognosis, together render FRα an attractive therapeutic target. In this review, we summarize the role of FRα in cancer development, we consider FRα as a potential diagnostic and prognostic tool, and we discuss different targeted treatment approaches with a specific focus on monoclonal antibodies. Renewed attention to FRα may point to novel individualized treatment approaches to improve the clinical management of patient groups that do not adequately benefit from current conventional therapies.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Anthony Cheung
- St. John's Institute of Dermatology, Division of Genetics and Molecular Medicine, Faculty of Life Sciences and Medicine, King's College London & NIHR Biomedical Research Centre at Guy's and St. Thomas' Hospitals and King's College London, Guy's Hospital, London, United Kingdom.,Breast Cancer Now Research Unit, Faculty of Life Sciences and Medicine, Guy's Hospital, King's College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Heather J Bax
- St. John's Institute of Dermatology, Division of Genetics and Molecular Medicine, Faculty of Life Sciences and Medicine, King's College London & NIHR Biomedical Research Centre at Guy's and St. Thomas' Hospitals and King's College London, Guy's Hospital, London, United Kingdom.,Division of Cancer Studies, Faculty of Life Sciences and Medicine, Guy's Hospital, King's College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Debra H Josephs
- St. John's Institute of Dermatology, Division of Genetics and Molecular Medicine, Faculty of Life Sciences and Medicine, King's College London & NIHR Biomedical Research Centre at Guy's and St. Thomas' Hospitals and King's College London, Guy's Hospital, London, United Kingdom.,Division of Cancer Studies, Faculty of Life Sciences and Medicine, Guy's Hospital, King's College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Kristina M Ilieva
- St. John's Institute of Dermatology, Division of Genetics and Molecular Medicine, Faculty of Life Sciences and Medicine, King's College London & NIHR Biomedical Research Centre at Guy's and St. Thomas' Hospitals and King's College London, Guy's Hospital, London, United Kingdom.,Breast Cancer Now Research Unit, Faculty of Life Sciences and Medicine, Guy's Hospital, King's College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Giulia Pellizzari
- St. John's Institute of Dermatology, Division of Genetics and Molecular Medicine, Faculty of Life Sciences and Medicine, King's College London & NIHR Biomedical Research Centre at Guy's and St. Thomas' Hospitals and King's College London, Guy's Hospital, London, United Kingdom
| | - James Opzoomer
- St. John's Institute of Dermatology, Division of Genetics and Molecular Medicine, Faculty of Life Sciences and Medicine, King's College London & NIHR Biomedical Research Centre at Guy's and St. Thomas' Hospitals and King's College London, Guy's Hospital, London, United Kingdom
| | - Jacinta Bloomfield
- St. John's Institute of Dermatology, Division of Genetics and Molecular Medicine, Faculty of Life Sciences and Medicine, King's College London & NIHR Biomedical Research Centre at Guy's and St. Thomas' Hospitals and King's College London, Guy's Hospital, London, United Kingdom
| | - Matthew Fittall
- St. John's Institute of Dermatology, Division of Genetics and Molecular Medicine, Faculty of Life Sciences and Medicine, King's College London & NIHR Biomedical Research Centre at Guy's and St. Thomas' Hospitals and King's College London, Guy's Hospital, London, United Kingdom.,Breast Cancer Now Research Unit, Faculty of Life Sciences and Medicine, Guy's Hospital, King's College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Anita Grigoriadis
- Breast Cancer Now Research Unit, Faculty of Life Sciences and Medicine, Guy's Hospital, King's College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Mariangela Figini
- Unit of Molecular Therapies, Department of Experimental Oncology and Molecular Medicine, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Milan, Italy
| | - Silvana Canevari
- Unit of Molecular Therapies, Department of Experimental Oncology and Molecular Medicine, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Milan, Italy
| | - James F Spicer
- Division of Cancer Studies, Faculty of Life Sciences and Medicine, Guy's Hospital, King's College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Andrew N Tutt
- Breast Cancer Now Research Unit, Faculty of Life Sciences and Medicine, Guy's Hospital, King's College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Sophia N Karagiannis
- St. John's Institute of Dermatology, Division of Genetics and Molecular Medicine, Faculty of Life Sciences and Medicine, King's College London & NIHR Biomedical Research Centre at Guy's and St. Thomas' Hospitals and King's College London, Guy's Hospital, London, United Kingdom.,Breast Cancer Now Research Unit, Faculty of Life Sciences and Medicine, Guy's Hospital, King's College London, London, United Kingdom
| |
Collapse
|
24
|
Matherly LH, Hou Z, Gangjee A. The promise and challenges of exploiting the proton-coupled folate transporter for selective therapeutic targeting of cancer. Cancer Chemother Pharmacol 2018; 81:1-15. [PMID: 29127457 PMCID: PMC5756103 DOI: 10.1007/s00280-017-3473-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/16/2017] [Accepted: 10/20/2017] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
This review considers the "promise" of exploiting the proton-coupled folate transporter (PCFT) for selective therapeutic targeting of cancer. PCFT was discovered in 2006 and was identified as the principal folate transporter involved in the intestinal absorption of dietary folates. The recognition that PCFT was highly expressed in many tumors stimulated substantial interest in using PCFT for cytotoxic drug targeting, taking advantage of its high level transport activity under the acidic pH conditions that characterize many tumors. For pemetrexed, among the best PCFT substrates, transport by PCFT establishes its importance as a clinically important transporter in malignant pleural mesothelioma and non-small cell lung cancer. In recent years, the notion of PCFT-targeting has been extended to a new generation of tumor-targeted 6-substituted pyrrolo[2,3-d]pyrimidine compounds that are structurally and functionally distinct from pemetrexed, and that exhibit near exclusive transport by PCFT and potent inhibition of de novo purine nucleotide biosynthesis. Based on compelling preclinical evidence in a wide range of human tumor models, it is now time to advance the most optimized PCFT-targeted agents with the best balance of PCFT transport specificity and potent antitumor efficacy to the clinic to validate this novel paradigm of highly selective tumor targeting.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Larry H Matherly
- Molecular Therapeutics Program, Barbara Ann Karmanos Cancer Institute, 421 East Canfield Street, Detroit, MI, 48201, USA.
- Department of Oncology, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, MI, 48201, USA.
- Department of Pharmacology, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, MI, 48201, USA.
| | - Zhanjun Hou
- Molecular Therapeutics Program, Barbara Ann Karmanos Cancer Institute, 421 East Canfield Street, Detroit, MI, 48201, USA
- Department of Oncology, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, MI, 48201, USA
| | - Aleem Gangjee
- Division of Medicinal Chemistry, Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Duquesne University, 600 Forbes Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA, 15282, USA
| |
Collapse
|
25
|
Ceborska M, Zimnicka M, Kowalska AA, Dąbrowa K, Repeć B. Structural diversity in the host-guest complexes of the antifolate pemetrexed with native cyclodextrins: gas phase, solution and solid state studies. Beilstein J Org Chem 2017; 13:2252-2263. [PMID: 29114329 PMCID: PMC5669224 DOI: 10.3762/bjoc.13.222] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/18/2017] [Accepted: 09/22/2017] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
The complexation of the antifolate pemetrexed (PTX) with native cyclodextrins was studied. This process, along with the findings gathered for the structurally related folic acid was treated as a model for exploiting host–guest interactions of this class of guest molecules in the gas phase, in solution and in the solid state. Mass spectrometry was employed for the investigation of the architecture and relative gas-phase stabilities of these supramolecular complexes. The mode of complexation was further tracked by 1D and 2D NMR proving the formation of the exclusion-type complex with α-CD and pseudorotaxane inclusion-type complexes with β-, and γ-CDs. UV–vis titrations at pH 7.4 gave association constants for the obtained complexes. The stability of the complexes increases in the series: α-CD/PTX < γ-CD/PTX << β-CD/PTX. The association of PTX with a monomer cyclodextrin equivalent – methyl α-D-glucopyranoside – was investigated for a deeper understanding of the type of host–guest interactions. Solid state studies of PTX/CDs were performed using FTIR–ATR and Raman spectroscopy techniques.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Magdalena Ceborska
- Institute of Physical Chemistry, Polish Academy of Sciences, Kasprzaka 44/52, 01-224 Warsaw, Poland
| | - Magdalena Zimnicka
- Institute of Organic Chemistry, Polish Academy of Sciences, Kasprzaka 44/52, 01-224 Warsaw, Poland
| | - Aneta Aniela Kowalska
- Institute of Physical Chemistry, Polish Academy of Sciences, Kasprzaka 44/52, 01-224 Warsaw, Poland
| | - Kajetan Dąbrowa
- Institute of Organic Chemistry, Polish Academy of Sciences, Kasprzaka 44/52, 01-224 Warsaw, Poland
| | - Barbara Repeć
- Institute of Organic Chemistry, Polish Academy of Sciences, Kasprzaka 44/52, 01-224 Warsaw, Poland
| |
Collapse
|
26
|
Saikia L, Namsa ND, Thakur AJ. Microwave-Assisted Rapid Synthesis of Pyrido[2, 3-d
:6,5-d
]dipyrimidine-2,4,6,8-tetraones over Sulfonic Acid Functionalized Imidazolium Salts under Solvent-Free Condition. ChemistrySelect 2017. [DOI: 10.1002/slct.201701384] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Lakhinath Saikia
- Department of Chemistry; Rajiv Gandhi University (A Central University), Rono Hills; Doimukh, Arunachal Pradesh-791112 India
- Department of Chemical Sciences; Tezpur University (A Central Univrersity); Tezpur, Napaam Assam-784028 India
| | - Nima. D. Namsa
- Department of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology; Tezpur University (A Central Univrersity); Tezpur, Napaam Assam-784028 India
| | - A. J. Thakur
- Department of Chemical Sciences; Tezpur University (A Central Univrersity); Tezpur, Napaam Assam-784028 India
| |
Collapse
|
27
|
Tian C, Wang M, Han Z, Fang F, Zhang Z, Wang X, Liu J. Design, synthesis and biological evaluation of novel 6-substituted pyrrolo [3,2-d] pyrimidine analogues as antifolate antitumor agents. Eur J Med Chem 2017; 138:630-643. [PMID: 28711701 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2017.07.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/05/2017] [Revised: 06/30/2017] [Accepted: 07/02/2017] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
A series of novel 6-substituted pyrrolo[3,2-d]pyrimidine analogues (10a, 11a-13a, 15a, 17a, 18a, 27a and 28a) have been designed and synthesized as antifolate antitumor agents. The anti-proliferative activities of these compounds against HL60, A549, H1299, Hela, HCT116 and HT29 tumor cells were evaluated. Most of the compounds exhibited micromolar anti-proliferative potencies. Compound 15a, the most potent one, has GI50 value of 0.73, 1.72, and 8.92 μM against A549, H1299 and HL60 cells, respectively. The cell cycle distribution assay displayed that 15a could increase the accumulation of G2/M-phase cells. 15a showed low potency in induction of apoptosis. However, the inhibition of A549 cell colony formation was observed. These indicated that the tumor cell death relied on the irreversible effect of 15a on clonogenicity and cell proliferation. The identification of targeted pathway of 15a implied that the anti-proliferative potencies of 15a probably act through dual inhibition of thymidylate synthase (TS) and dihydrofolate reductase (DHFR).
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Chao Tian
- Department of Chemical Biology, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Peking University, Beijing 100191, China
| | - Meng Wang
- Department of Chemical Biology, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Peking University, Beijing 100191, China
| | - Zifei Han
- Department of Chemical Biology, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Peking University, Beijing 100191, China
| | - Fang Fang
- Department of Chemical Biology, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Peking University, Beijing 100191, China
| | - Zhili Zhang
- Department of Chemical Biology, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Peking University, Beijing 100191, China
| | - Xiaowei Wang
- Department of Chemical Biology, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Peking University, Beijing 100191, China
| | - Junyi Liu
- Department of Chemical Biology, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Peking University, Beijing 100191, China; State Key Laboratory of Natural and Biomimetic Drugs, Peking University, Beijing 100191, China.
| |
Collapse
|
28
|
Improved conditions for a direct and regioselective synthesis of 8-carboxyethyl-7-deazaguanine. Tetrahedron Lett 2017. [DOI: 10.1016/j.tetlet.2017.03.055] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
|
29
|
Efficient synthesis of novel furo[2,3- d ]pyrimidine derivatives under catalyst-free conditions. Tetrahedron Lett 2017. [DOI: 10.1016/j.tetlet.2017.03.019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
|
30
|
Hou Z, Gattoc L, O'Connor C, Yang S, Wallace-Povirk A, George C, Orr S, Polin L, White K, Kushner J, Morris RT, Gangjee A, Matherly LH. Dual Targeting of Epithelial Ovarian Cancer Via Folate Receptor α and the Proton-Coupled Folate Transporter with 6-Substituted Pyrrolo[2,3- d]pyrimidine Antifolates. Mol Cancer Ther 2017; 16:819-830. [PMID: 28138029 DOI: 10.1158/1535-7163.mct-16-0444] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/15/2016] [Revised: 01/06/2017] [Accepted: 01/19/2017] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Abstract
Folate uptake in epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC) involves the reduced folate carrier (RFC) and the proton-coupled folate transporter (PCFT), both facilitative transporters and folate receptor (FR) α. Although in primary EOC specimens, FRα is widely expressed and increases with tumor stage, PCFT was expressed independent of tumor stage (by real-time RT-PCR and IHC). EOC cell line models, including cisplatin sensitive (IGROV1 and A2780) and resistant (SKOV3 and TOV112D) cells, expressed a 17-fold range of FRα and similar amounts (within ∼2-fold) of PCFT. Novel 6-substituted pyrrolo[2,3-d]pyrimidine thienoyl antifolates AGF94 and AGF154 exhibited potent antiproliferative activities toward all of the EOC cell lines, reflecting selective cellular uptake by FRα and/or PCFT over RFC. When IGROV1 cells were pretreated with AGF94 at pH 6.8, clonogenicity was potently inhibited, confirming cell killing. FRα was knocked down in IGROV1 cells with lentiviral shRNAs. Two FRα knockdown clones (KD-4 and KD-10) showed markedly reduced binding and uptake of [3H]folic acid and [3H]AGF154 by FRα, but maintained high levels of [3H]AGF154 uptake by PCFT compared to nontargeted control cells. In proliferation assays, KD-4 and KD-10 cells preserved in vitro inhibition by AGF94 and AGF154, compared to a nontargeted control, attributable to residual FRα- and substantial PCFT-mediated uptake. KD-10 tumor xenografts in severe-compromised immune-deficient mice were likewise sensitive to AGF94 Collectively, our results demonstrate the substantial therapeutic potential of novel 6-substituted pyrrolo[2,3-d]pyrimidine antifolates with dual targeting of PCFT and FRα toward EOCs that express a range of FRα, along with PCFT, as well as cisplatin resistance. Mol Cancer Ther; 16(5); 819-30. ©2017 AACR.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Zhanjun Hou
- Department of Oncology, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, Michigan. .,Molecular Therapeutics Program, Barbara Ann Karmanos Cancer Institute, Detroit, Michigan
| | - Leda Gattoc
- Department of Oncology, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, Michigan
| | - Carrie O'Connor
- Department of Oncology, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, Michigan
| | - Si Yang
- Division of Medicinal Chemistry, Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Science, Duquesne University, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
| | | | - Christina George
- Department of Oncology, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, Michigan
| | - Steve Orr
- Department of Oncology, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, Michigan
| | - Lisa Polin
- Department of Oncology, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, Michigan.,Molecular Therapeutics Program, Barbara Ann Karmanos Cancer Institute, Detroit, Michigan
| | - Kathryn White
- Department of Oncology, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, Michigan
| | - Juiwanna Kushner
- Department of Oncology, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, Michigan
| | - Robert T Morris
- Department of Oncology, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, Michigan.,Molecular Therapeutics Program, Barbara Ann Karmanos Cancer Institute, Detroit, Michigan
| | - Aleem Gangjee
- Division of Medicinal Chemistry, Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Science, Duquesne University, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
| | - Larry H Matherly
- Department of Oncology, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, Michigan. .,Molecular Therapeutics Program, Barbara Ann Karmanos Cancer Institute, Detroit, Michigan.,Department of Pharmacology, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, Michigan
| |
Collapse
|
31
|
Golani LK, Wallace-Povirk A, Deis SM, Wong J, Ke J, Gu X, Raghavan S, Wilson MR, Li X, Polin L, de Waal PW, White K, Kushner J, O'Connor C, Hou Z, Xu HE, Melcher K, Dann CE, Matherly LH, Gangjee A. Tumor Targeting with Novel 6-Substituted Pyrrolo [2,3-d] Pyrimidine Antifolates with Heteroatom Bridge Substitutions via Cellular Uptake by Folate Receptor α and the Proton-Coupled Folate Transporter and Inhibition of de Novo Purine Nucleotide Biosynthesis. J Med Chem 2016; 59:7856-76. [PMID: 27458733 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.6b00594] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/23/2023]
Abstract
Targeted antifolates with heteroatom replacements of the carbon vicinal to the phenyl ring in 1 by N (4), O (8), or S (9), or with N-substituted formyl (5), acetyl (6), or trifluoroacetyl (7) moieties, were synthesized and tested for selective cellular uptake by folate receptor (FR) α and β or the proton-coupled folate transporter. Results show increased in vitro antiproliferative activity toward engineered Chinese hamster ovary cells expressing FRs by 4-9 over the CH2 analogue 1. Compounds 4-9 inhibited de novo purine biosynthesis and glycinamide ribonucleotide formyltransferase (GARFTase). X-ray crystal structures for 4 with FRα and GARFTase showed that the bound conformations of 4 required flexibility for attachment to both FRα and GARFTase. In mice bearing IGROV1 ovarian tumor xenografts, 4 was highly efficacious. Our results establish that heteroatom substitutions in the 3-atom bridge region of 6-substituted pyrrolo[2,3-d]pyrimidines related to 1 provide targeted antifolates that warrant further evaluation as anticancer agents.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Lalit K Golani
- Division of Medicinal Chemistry, Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Duquesne University , 600 Forbes Avenue, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15282, United States
| | - Adrianne Wallace-Povirk
- Molecular Therapeutics Program, Barbara Ann Karmanos Cancer Institute , 110 East Warren Avenue, Detroit, Michigan 48201, United States
| | - Siobhan M Deis
- Department of Chemistry, Indiana University , Bloomington, Indiana 47405, United States
| | - Jennifer Wong
- Department of Chemistry, Indiana University , Bloomington, Indiana 47405, United States
| | - Jiyuan Ke
- Laboratory of Structural Sciences and Laboratory of Structural Biology and Biochemistry, Van Andel Research Institute , 333 Bostwick Avenue NE, Grand Rapids, Michigan 49503, United States
| | - Xin Gu
- Laboratory of Structural Sciences and Laboratory of Structural Biology and Biochemistry, Van Andel Research Institute , 333 Bostwick Avenue NE, Grand Rapids, Michigan 49503, United States
| | - Sudhir Raghavan
- Division of Medicinal Chemistry, Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Duquesne University , 600 Forbes Avenue, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15282, United States
| | - Mike R Wilson
- Department of Oncology, Wayne State University School of Medicine , Detroit, Michigan 48201, United States
| | - Xinxin Li
- Division of Medicinal Chemistry, Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Duquesne University , 600 Forbes Avenue, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15282, United States
| | - Lisa Polin
- Molecular Therapeutics Program, Barbara Ann Karmanos Cancer Institute , 110 East Warren Avenue, Detroit, Michigan 48201, United States.,Department of Oncology, Wayne State University School of Medicine , Detroit, Michigan 48201, United States
| | - Parker W de Waal
- Laboratory of Structural Sciences and Laboratory of Structural Biology and Biochemistry, Van Andel Research Institute , 333 Bostwick Avenue NE, Grand Rapids, Michigan 49503, United States
| | - Kathryn White
- Molecular Therapeutics Program, Barbara Ann Karmanos Cancer Institute , 110 East Warren Avenue, Detroit, Michigan 48201, United States.,Department of Oncology, Wayne State University School of Medicine , Detroit, Michigan 48201, United States
| | - Juiwanna Kushner
- Molecular Therapeutics Program, Barbara Ann Karmanos Cancer Institute , 110 East Warren Avenue, Detroit, Michigan 48201, United States.,Department of Oncology, Wayne State University School of Medicine , Detroit, Michigan 48201, United States
| | - Carrie O'Connor
- Molecular Therapeutics Program, Barbara Ann Karmanos Cancer Institute , 110 East Warren Avenue, Detroit, Michigan 48201, United States
| | - Zhanjun Hou
- Molecular Therapeutics Program, Barbara Ann Karmanos Cancer Institute , 110 East Warren Avenue, Detroit, Michigan 48201, United States.,Department of Oncology, Wayne State University School of Medicine , Detroit, Michigan 48201, United States
| | - H Eric Xu
- Laboratory of Structural Sciences and Laboratory of Structural Biology and Biochemistry, Van Andel Research Institute , 333 Bostwick Avenue NE, Grand Rapids, Michigan 49503, United States.,Key Laboratory of Receptor Research, VARI-SIMM Center, Center for Structure and Function of Drug Targets, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Shanghai Institutes for Biological Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences , Shanghai 201203, People's Republic of China
| | - Karsten Melcher
- Laboratory of Structural Sciences and Laboratory of Structural Biology and Biochemistry, Van Andel Research Institute , 333 Bostwick Avenue NE, Grand Rapids, Michigan 49503, United States
| | - Charles E Dann
- Department of Chemistry, Indiana University , Bloomington, Indiana 47405, United States
| | - Larry H Matherly
- Molecular Therapeutics Program, Barbara Ann Karmanos Cancer Institute , 110 East Warren Avenue, Detroit, Michigan 48201, United States.,Department of Oncology, Wayne State University School of Medicine , Detroit, Michigan 48201, United States.,Department of Pharmacology, Wayne State University School of Medicine , Detroit, Michigan 48201, United States
| | - Aleem Gangjee
- Division of Medicinal Chemistry, Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Duquesne University , 600 Forbes Avenue, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15282, United States
| |
Collapse
|
32
|
Deis SM, Doshi A, Hou Z, Matherly LH, Gangjee A, Dann CE. Structural and Enzymatic Analysis of Tumor-Targeted Antifolates That Inhibit Glycinamide Ribonucleotide Formyltransferase. Biochemistry 2016; 55:4574-82. [PMID: 27439469 PMCID: PMC5238714 DOI: 10.1021/acs.biochem.6b00412] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Pemetrexed and methotrexate are antifolates used for cancer chemotherapy and inflammatory diseases. These agents have toxic side effects resulting, in part, from nonspecific cellular transport by the reduced folate carrier (RFC), a ubiquitously expressed facilitative transporter. We previously described 2-amino-4-oxo-6-substituted pyrrolo[2,3-d]pyrimidine antifolates with modifications of the side chain linker and aromatic ring that are poor substrates for RFC but are efficiently transported via folate receptors (FRs) and the proton-coupled folate transporter (PCFT). These targeted antifolates are cytotoxic in vitro toward FR- and PCFT-expressing tumor cells and in vivo with human tumor xenografts in immune-compromised mice, reflecting selective cellular uptake. Antitumor efficacy is due to inhibition of glycinamide ribonucleotide (GAR) formyltransferase (GARFTase) activity in de novo synthesis of purine nucleotides. This study used purified human GARFTase (formyltransferase domain) to assess in vitro inhibition by eight novel thieno- and pyrrolo[2,3-d]pyrimidine antifolates. Seven analogues (AGF23, AGF71, AGF94, AGF117, AGF118, AGF145, and AGF147) inhibited GARFTase with Ki values in the low- to mid-nanomolar concentration range, whereas AGF50 inhibited GARFTase with micromolar potency similar to that of PMX. On the basis of crystal structures of ternary complexes with GARFTase, β-GAR, and the monoglutamyl antifolates, differences in inhibitory potencies correlated well with antifolate binding and the positions of the terminal carboxylates. Our data provide a mechanistic basis for differences in inhibitory potencies between these novel antifolates and a framework for future structure-based drug design. These analogues could be more efficacious than clinically used antifolates, reflecting their selective cellular uptake by FRs and PCFT and potent GARFTase inhibition.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Siobhan M. Deis
- Department of Chemistry, Indiana University, Bloomington, Indiana 47405, United States
- Interdisciplinary Graduate Program in Biochemistry, Indiana University, Bloomington, Indiana 47405, United States
| | - Arpit Doshi
- Division of Medicinal Chemistry, Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Duquesne University, 600 Forbes Avenue, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15282, United States
| | - Zhanjun Hou
- Molecular Therapeutics Program, Barbara Ann Karmanos Cancer Institute, 110 East Warren Avenue, Detroit, Michigan 48201, United States
- Department of Oncology, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, Michigan 48201, United States
| | - Larry H. Matherly
- Molecular Therapeutics Program, Barbara Ann Karmanos Cancer Institute, 110 East Warren Avenue, Detroit, Michigan 48201, United States
- Department of Oncology, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, Michigan 48201, United States
- Department of Pharmacology, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, Michigan 48201, United States
| | - Aleem Gangjee
- Division of Medicinal Chemistry, Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Duquesne University, 600 Forbes Avenue, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15282, United States
| | - Charles E. Dann
- Department of Chemistry, Indiana University, Bloomington, Indiana 47405, United States
| |
Collapse
|
33
|
Functional and mechanistic roles of the human proton-coupled folate transporter transmembrane domain 6-7 linker. Biochem J 2016; 473:3545-3562. [PMID: 27514717 DOI: 10.1042/bcj20160399] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/29/2016] [Accepted: 08/11/2016] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
The proton-coupled folate transporter (PCFT; SLC46A1) is a folate-proton symporter expressed in solid tumors and is used for tumor-targeted delivery of cytotoxic antifolates. Topology modeling suggests that the PCFT secondary structure includes 12 transmembrane domains (TMDs) with TMDs 6 and 7 linked by an intracellular loop (positions 236-265) including His247, implicated as functionally important. Single-cysteine (Cys) mutants were inserted from positions 241 to 251 in Cys-less PCFT and mutant proteins were expressed in PCFT-null (R1-11) HeLa cells; none were reactive with 2-aminoethyl methanethiosulfonate biotin, suggesting that the TMD6-7 loop is intracellular. Twenty-nine single alanine mutants spanning the entire TMD6-7 loop were expressed in R1-11 cells; activity was generally preserved, with the exception of the 247, 250, and 251 mutants, partly due to decreased surface expression. Coexpression of PCFT TMD1-6 and TMD7-12 half-molecules in R1-11 cells partially restored transport activity, although removal of residues 252-265 from TMD7-12 abolished transport. Chimeric proteins, including a nonhomologous sequence from a thiamine transporter (ThTr1) inserted into the PCFT TMD6-7 loop (positions 236-250 or 251-265), were active, although replacement of the entire loop with the ThTr1 sequence resulted in substantial loss of activity. Amino acid replacements (Ala, Arg, His, Gln, and Glu) or deletions at position 247 in wild-type and PCFT-ThTr1 chimeras resulted in differential effects on transport. Collectively, our findings suggest that the PCFT TMD6-7 connecting loop confers protein stability and may serve a unique functional role that depends on secondary structure rather than particular sequence elements.
Collapse
|
34
|
Wilson MR, Hou Z, Yang S, Polin L, Kushner J, White K, Huang J, Ratnam M, Gangjee A, Matherly LH. Targeting Nonsquamous Nonsmall Cell Lung Cancer via the Proton-Coupled Folate Transporter with 6-Substituted Pyrrolo[2,3-d]Pyrimidine Thienoyl Antifolates. Mol Pharmacol 2016; 89:425-34. [PMID: 26837243 DOI: 10.1124/mol.115.102798] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/02/2015] [Accepted: 01/29/2016] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Pemetrexed (PMX) is a 5-substituted pyrrolo[2,3-d]pyrimidine antifolate used for therapy of nonsquamous nonsmall cell lung cancer (NS-NSCLC). PMX is transported by the reduced folate carrier (RFC) and proton-coupled folate transporter (PCFT). Unlike RFC, PCFT is active at acidic pH levels characterizing the tumor microenvironment. By real-time reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and immunohistochemistry, PCFT transcripts and proteins were detected in primary NS-NSCLC specimens. In six NS-NSCLC cell lines (A549, H1437, H460, H1299, H1650, and H2030), PCFT transcripts and proteins were detected by real-time RT-PCR and western blots, respectively. 6-Substituted pyrrolo[2,3-d]pyrimidine thienoyl antifolates related to PMX [compound 1 (C1) and compound 2 (C2), respectively] are selective substrates for PCFT over RFC. In the NS-NSCLC cell lines, both [(3)H]PMX and [(3)H]C2 were transported by PCFT. C1 and C2 inhibited proliferation of the NS-NSCLC cell lines; A549, H460, and H2030 cells were more sensitive to C1 than to PMX. C1 and C2 inhibited glycinamide ribonucleotide formyltransferase in de novo purine nucleotide biosynthesis. When treated at pH 6.8, which favors PCFT uptake, C1 and C2 inhibited clonogenicity of H460 cells greater than PMX; PMX inhibited clonogenicity more than C1 or C2 at pH 7.2, which favors RFC transport over PCFT. Knockdown of PCFT in H460 cells resulted in decreased [(3)H]PMX and [(3)H]C2 transport and decreased growth inhibition by C1 and C2, and to a lesser extent by PMX. In vivo efficacy of C1 was seen toward H460 tumor xenografts in severe-combined immunodeficient mice. Our results suggest that 6-substituted pyrrolo[2,3-d]pyrimidine thienoyl antifolates offer significant promise for treating NS-NSCLC by selective uptake by PCFT.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Mike R Wilson
- Department of Oncology (M.R.W., Z.H., L.P., J.K., K.W., J.H., M.R., L.H.M.), and Department of Pharmacology (L.H.M.), Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, Michigan; Molecular Therapeutics Program, Barbara Ann Karmanos Cancer Institute, Detroit, Michigan (Z.H., L.P., M.R., L.H.M.); and Division of Medicinal Chemistry, Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Science, Duquesne University, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania (S.Y., A.G.)
| | - Zhanjun Hou
- Department of Oncology (M.R.W., Z.H., L.P., J.K., K.W., J.H., M.R., L.H.M.), and Department of Pharmacology (L.H.M.), Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, Michigan; Molecular Therapeutics Program, Barbara Ann Karmanos Cancer Institute, Detroit, Michigan (Z.H., L.P., M.R., L.H.M.); and Division of Medicinal Chemistry, Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Science, Duquesne University, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania (S.Y., A.G.)
| | - Si Yang
- Department of Oncology (M.R.W., Z.H., L.P., J.K., K.W., J.H., M.R., L.H.M.), and Department of Pharmacology (L.H.M.), Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, Michigan; Molecular Therapeutics Program, Barbara Ann Karmanos Cancer Institute, Detroit, Michigan (Z.H., L.P., M.R., L.H.M.); and Division of Medicinal Chemistry, Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Science, Duquesne University, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania (S.Y., A.G.)
| | - Lisa Polin
- Department of Oncology (M.R.W., Z.H., L.P., J.K., K.W., J.H., M.R., L.H.M.), and Department of Pharmacology (L.H.M.), Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, Michigan; Molecular Therapeutics Program, Barbara Ann Karmanos Cancer Institute, Detroit, Michigan (Z.H., L.P., M.R., L.H.M.); and Division of Medicinal Chemistry, Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Science, Duquesne University, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania (S.Y., A.G.)
| | - Juiwanna Kushner
- Department of Oncology (M.R.W., Z.H., L.P., J.K., K.W., J.H., M.R., L.H.M.), and Department of Pharmacology (L.H.M.), Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, Michigan; Molecular Therapeutics Program, Barbara Ann Karmanos Cancer Institute, Detroit, Michigan (Z.H., L.P., M.R., L.H.M.); and Division of Medicinal Chemistry, Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Science, Duquesne University, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania (S.Y., A.G.)
| | - Kathryn White
- Department of Oncology (M.R.W., Z.H., L.P., J.K., K.W., J.H., M.R., L.H.M.), and Department of Pharmacology (L.H.M.), Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, Michigan; Molecular Therapeutics Program, Barbara Ann Karmanos Cancer Institute, Detroit, Michigan (Z.H., L.P., M.R., L.H.M.); and Division of Medicinal Chemistry, Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Science, Duquesne University, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania (S.Y., A.G.)
| | - Jenny Huang
- Department of Oncology (M.R.W., Z.H., L.P., J.K., K.W., J.H., M.R., L.H.M.), and Department of Pharmacology (L.H.M.), Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, Michigan; Molecular Therapeutics Program, Barbara Ann Karmanos Cancer Institute, Detroit, Michigan (Z.H., L.P., M.R., L.H.M.); and Division of Medicinal Chemistry, Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Science, Duquesne University, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania (S.Y., A.G.)
| | - Manohar Ratnam
- Department of Oncology (M.R.W., Z.H., L.P., J.K., K.W., J.H., M.R., L.H.M.), and Department of Pharmacology (L.H.M.), Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, Michigan; Molecular Therapeutics Program, Barbara Ann Karmanos Cancer Institute, Detroit, Michigan (Z.H., L.P., M.R., L.H.M.); and Division of Medicinal Chemistry, Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Science, Duquesne University, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania (S.Y., A.G.)
| | - Aleem Gangjee
- Department of Oncology (M.R.W., Z.H., L.P., J.K., K.W., J.H., M.R., L.H.M.), and Department of Pharmacology (L.H.M.), Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, Michigan; Molecular Therapeutics Program, Barbara Ann Karmanos Cancer Institute, Detroit, Michigan (Z.H., L.P., M.R., L.H.M.); and Division of Medicinal Chemistry, Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Science, Duquesne University, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania (S.Y., A.G.)
| | - Larry H Matherly
- Department of Oncology (M.R.W., Z.H., L.P., J.K., K.W., J.H., M.R., L.H.M.), and Department of Pharmacology (L.H.M.), Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, Michigan; Molecular Therapeutics Program, Barbara Ann Karmanos Cancer Institute, Detroit, Michigan (Z.H., L.P., M.R., L.H.M.); and Division of Medicinal Chemistry, Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Science, Duquesne University, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania (S.Y., A.G.)
| |
Collapse
|