Effect of the B ring and the C-7 substituent on the kinetics of colchicinoid-tubulin associations

The Role of Colchicine in Atherosclerosis: From Bench to Bedside

Inflammation is a key feature of atherosclerosis. The inflammatory process is involved in all stages of disease progression, from the early formation of plaque to its instability and disruption, leading to clinical events. This strongly suggests that the use of anti-inflammatory agents might improve both atherosclerosis progression and cardiovascular outcomes. Colchicine, an alkaloid derived from the flower Colchicum autumnale, has been used for years in the treatment of inflammatory pathologies, including Gout, Mediterranean Fever, and Pericarditis. Colchicine is known to act over microtubules, inducing depolymerization, and over the NLRP3 inflammasome, which might explain its known anti-inflammatory properties. Recent evidence has shown the therapeutic potential of colchicine in the management of atherosclerosis and its complications, with limited adverse effects. In this review, we summarize the current knowledge regarding colchicine mechanisms of action and pharmacokinetics, as well as the available evidence on the use of colchicine for the treatment of coronary artery disease, covering basic, translational, and clinical studies.

Colchicine in ischemic heart disease: the good, the bad and the ugly

Inflammation is the main pathophysiological process involved in atherosclerotic plaque formation, progression, instability, and healing during the evolution of coronary artery disease (CAD). The use of colchicine, a drug used for decades in non-ischemic cardiovascular (CV) diseases and/or systemic inflammatory conditions, stimulated new perspectives on its potential application in patients with CAD. Previous mechanistic and preclinical studies revealed anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory effects of colchicine exerted through its principal mechanism of microtubule polymerization inhibition, however, other pleiotropic effects beneficial to the CV system were observed such as inhibition of platelet aggregation and suppression of endothelial proliferation. In randomized double-blinded clinical trials informing our clinical practice, low doses of colchicine were associated with the significant reduction of cardiovascular events in patients with stable CAD and chronic coronary syndrome (CCS) while in patients with a recent acute coronary syndrome (ACS), early initiation of colchicine treatment significantly reduced major adverse CV events (MACE). On the other hand, the safety profile of colchicine and its potential causal relationship to the observed increase in non-CV deaths warrants further investigation. For these reasons, postulates of precision medicine and patient-tailored approach with regards to benefits and harms of colchicine treatment should be employed at all times due to potential toxicity of colchicine as well as the currently unresolved signal of harm concerning non-CV mortality. The main goal of this review is to provide a balanced, critical, and comprehensive evaluation of currently available evidence with respect to colchicine use in the setting of CAD.

Colchicine Alkaloids and Synthetic Analogues: Current Progress and Perspectives

Colchicine, the main alkaloid of Colchicum autumnale, is one of the most famous natural molecules. Although colchicine belongs to the oldest drugs (in use since 1500 BC), its pharmacological potential as a lead structure is not yet fully exploited. This review is devoted to the synthesis and structure-activity relationships (SAR) of colchicine alkaloids and their analogues with modified A, B, and C rings, as well as hybrid compounds derived from colchicinoids including prodrugs, conjugates, and delivery systems. The systematization of a vast amount of information presented to date will create a paradigm for future studies of colchicinoids for neoplastic and various other diseases.

Kinesin-5 Promotes Microtubule Nucleation and Assembly by Stabilizing a Lattice-Competent Conformation of Tubulin

Besides sliding apart antiparallel microtubules during spindle elongation, the mitotic kinesin-5, Eg5, promotes microtubule polymerization, emphasizing its importance in mitotic spindle length control. Here, we characterize the Eg5 microtubule polymerase mechanism by assessing motor-induced changes in the longitudinal and lateral tubulin-tubulin bonds that form the microtubule lattice. Isolated Eg5 motor domains promote microtubule nucleation, growth, and stability; thus, crosslinking tubulin by pairs of motor heads is not necessary for polymerase activity. Eg5 binds preferentially to microtubules over free tubulin, which contrasts with microtubule-depolymerizing kinesins that preferentially bind free tubulin over microtubules. Colchicine-like inhibitors that stabilize the bent conformation of tubulin allosterically inhibit Eg5 binding, consistent with a model in which Eg5 induces a curved-to-straight transition in tubulin. Domain swap experiments establish that the family-specific loop11-helix 4 junction, which resides near the nucleotide-sensing switch-II domain, is necessary and sufficient for the polymerase activity of Eg5. Thus, we propose a microtubule polymerase mechanism in which Eg5 at the plus-end promotes a curved-to-straight transition in tubulin that enhances lateral bond formation and thereby promotes microtubule growth and stability. One implication is that regulation of Eg5 motile properties by regulatory proteins or small molecule inhibitors could also have effects on intracellular microtubule dynamics.

Synthesis, antiproliferative and antibacterial evaluation of C-ring modified colchicine analogues

A series of 10 amine derivatives of colchicine have been obtained with high yields by modification at C(10)-OCH3 position of C-ring and characterized by spectroscopic methods. In vitro cytotoxicity has been evaluated against four human tumour cell lines (HL-60, HL-60/vinc, LoVo, LoVo/DX), as well as antibacterial activity against clinical isolates of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and Staphylococcus epidermidis (MRSE). From among the compounds tested the most active is colchicine derivative 2h with bis(2-methoxyethyl)amine substituent which is active in nanomolar to submicromolar concentrations and is several times more cytotoxic than cisplatin and doxorubicin. This compound is also effective against the methicillin-resistant Staphylococci strains.

Discrimination of ligands with different flexibilities resulting from the plasticity of the binding site in tubulin

Tubulin, an α,β heterodimer, has four distinct ligand binding sites (for paclitaxel, peloruside/laulimalide, vinca, and colchicine). The site where colchicine binds is a promising drug target for arresting cell division and has been observed to accommodate compounds that are structurally diverse but possess comparable affinity. This investigation, using two such structurally different ligands as probes (one being colchicine itself and another, TN16), aims to provide insight into the origin of this diverse acceptability to provide a better perspective for the design of novel therapeutic molecules. Thermodynamic measurements reveal interesting interplay between entropy and enthalpy. Although both these parameters are favourable for TN16 binding (ΔH < 0, ΔS > 0), but the magnitude of entropy has the determining role for colchicine binding as its enthalpic component is destabilizing (ΔH > 0, ΔS > 0). Molecular dynamics simulation provides atomistic insight into the mechanism, pointing to the inherent flexibility of the binding pocket that can drastically change its shape depending on the ligand that it accepts. Simulation shows that in the complexed states both the ligands have freedom to move within the binding pocket; colchicine can switch its interactions like a "flying trapeze", whereas TN16 rocks like a "swing cradle", both benefiting entropically, although in two different ways. Additionally, the experimental results with respect to the role of solvation entropy correlate well with the computed difference in the hydration: water molecules associated with the ligands are released upon complexation. The complementary role of van der Waals packing versus flexibility controls the entropy-enthalpy modulations. This analysis provides lessons for the design of new ligands that should balance between the "better fit" and "flexibility"', instead of focusing only on the receptor-ligand interactions.

Theaflavins depolymerize microtubule network through tubulin binding and cause apoptosis of cervical carcinoma HeLa cells

Here we studied the antiproliferative activity of theaflavins in cervical carcinoma HeLa cells by investigating their effects on cellular microtubules and purified goat brain tubulin. Theaflavins inhibited proliferation of HeLa cells with IC(50) value of 110 ± 2.1 μg/mL (p = < 0.01), caused cell cycle arrest at G(2)/M phase and induced apoptosis with alteration of expression of pro- and antiapoptotic proteins. Along with these antiproliferative activities, theaflavins act as microtubule depolymerizers. Theaflavins disrupted the microtubule network accompanied by alteration of cellular morphology and also decreased the polymeric tubulin mass of the cells. The polymerization of cold treated depolymerized microtubules in HeLa cells was prevented in the presence of theaflavins. In vitro polymerization of purified tubulin into microtubules was also inhibited by theaflavins with an IC(50) value of 78 ± 2.43 μg/mL (P < 0.01). Thus, disruption of cellular microtubule network of HeLa cells through microtubule depolymerization may be one of the possible mechanisms of antiproliferative activity of theaflavins.

Characterization of the colchicine binding site on avian tubulin isotype betaVI

Tubulin, the basic component of microtubules, is present in most eukaryotic cells as multiple gene products, called isotypes. The major tubulin isotypes are highly conserved in terms of structure and drug binding capabilities. Tubulin isotype betaVI, however, is significantly divergent from the other isotypes in sequence, assembly properties, and function. It is the major beta-tubulin isotype of hematopoietic tissue and forms the microtubules of platelet marginal bands. The interaction of the major tubulin isotypes betaI, betaII, betaIII, and betaIotaV with antimicrotubule drugs has been widely studied, but little is known about the drug binding properties of tubulin isotype betaVI. In this investigation, we characterize the activity of various colchicine site ligands with tubulin isolated from Gallus gallus erythrocytes (CeTb), which is approximately 95% betaVI. Colchicine binding is thought to be a universal property of higher eukaryotic tubulin; however, we were unable to detect colchicine binding to CeTb under any experimental conditions. Podophyllotoxin and nocodazole, other colchicine site ligands with divergent structures, were able to inhibit paclitaxel-induced CeTb assembly. Surprisingly, the colchicine isomer allocolchicine also inhibited CeTb assembly and displayed measurable, moderate affinity for CeTb (K(a) = 0.18 x 10(5) M(-1) vs 5.0 x 10(5) M(-1) for bovine brain tubulin). Since allocolchicine and colchicine differ in their C ring structures, the two C ring colchicine analogues were also tested for CeTb binding. Kinetic experiments indicate that thiocolchicine and chlorocolchicine bind to CeTb, but very slowly and with low affinity. Molecular modeling of CeTb identified five divergent amino acid residues within 6 A of the colchicine binding site compared to betaI, betaII, and betaIV; three of these amino acids are also altered in betaIII-tubulin. Interestingly, the altered amino acids are in the vicinity of the A ring region of the colchicine binding site rather than the C ring region. We propose that the amino acid differences in the binding site constrict the A ring binding domain in CeTb, which interferes with the positioning of the trimethoxyphenyl A ring and prevents C ring binding site interactions from efficiently occurring. Allocolchicine is able to accommodate the altered binding mode because of its smaller ring size and more flexible C ring substituents. The sequence of the colchicine binding domain of CeTb isotype betaVI is almost identical to that of its human hematopoietic counterpart. Thus, through analysis of the interactions of ligands with CeTb, it may be possible to discover colchicine site ligands that specifically target tubulin in human hematopoietic cells.

Macromolecular interaction of halichondrin B analogues eribulin (E7389) and ER-076349 with tubulin by analytical ultracentrifugation

Halichondrin B is an antimitotic drug that inhibits microtubule assembly. To understand the molecular details of its interaction with tubulin, we investigated the binding of two halichondrin B analogues, eribulin (previously, ER-086526, E7389) and ER-076349, to tubulin by quantitative analytical ultracentrifugation. Eribulin is currently undergoing phase III clinical trials for cancer; ER-076349 is a closely related analogue with C.35 hydroxyl instead of C.35 primary amine [Towle, M. J., et al. (2001) Cancer Res. 61, 1013]. Below the critical concentration for microtubule assembly and in the presence of GDP, tubulin undergoes weak self-association into short curved oligomers. Eribulin inhibits this oligomer formation 4-6-fold, while ER-076349 slightly stimulates oligomer formation by 2-fold. This is in contrast to vinblastine which strongly stimulates large spiral polymers by 1000-fold under these same conditions. Vinblastine-induced spiral formation is strongly inhibited by both eribulin and ER-076349. Colchicine binding to the intradimer interface has no significant effect on small oligomer formation or the inhibitory activity of eribulin on this process. These results suggest that halichondrin B analogues bind to the interdimer interface or to the beta-subunit alone, disrupt polymer stability, and compete with vinblastine-induced spiral formation. Stathmin is known to form a tight 1:2 complex with tubulin. Eribulin strongly inhibits formation of the 1:2 stathmin-tubulin complex (>3.3 kcal/mol), while ER-076349 weakens formation of the 1:2 complex by approximately 1.9 kcal/mol. These results suggest that eribulin is a global inhibitor of tubulin polymer formation, disrupting tubulin-tubulin contacts at the interdimer interface. ER-076349 also perturbs tubulin-tubulin contacts, but in a more polymer specific manner, reflecting adaptability of the interdimer interface to drug and polymer polymorphism. These results suggest halichondrin B analogues exhibit unique tubulin-based activities that may underlie the clinical utility of these compounds.

Characterization of trifluralin binding with recombinant tubulin from Trypanosoma brucei

The binding kinetics of five novel trifluralin analogs with recombinant alpha- and beta-tubulin proteins from Trypanosoma brucei rhodesiense was determined. Native tubulin from rats was used to determine the extent of binding of each analog to mammalian tubulin. The results of this study clearly demonstrate two important characteristics of the binding of these trifluralins to tubulin. Firstly, they have specific affinity for trypanosomal tubulin compared with mammalian tubulin irrespective of the chemical composition of the trifluralin analog tested. Secondly, they have a stronger affinity for trypanosomal alpha-tubulin compared with trypanosomal beta-tubulin. In addition, compounds 1007, 1008, 1016, and 1017 have strong binding affinities for alpha-tubulin, with limited binding affinity for mammalian tubulin, which indicates that these compounds selectively bind to trypanosomal tubulin.

Docking Study of Ligands into the Colchicine Binding Site of Tubulin

Cancer is a major cause of mortality in developed countries, following only cardiovascular diseases. Death of cancerous cells can be achieved by stopping mitosis and the antimitotic class of drugs formed by the spindle poisons can be used for this purpose. Their role is to disorganize the mitotic spindle by targeting its main constituent, the microtubules, themselves made of heterodimers of alpha and beta-tubulin. They disrupt the dynamics of the microtubules either by stabilizing them, as do paclitaxel or epothilones, or destabilizing them, as do colchicine. The binding site of colchicine seems to lie between the two units of the tubulin dimer. Here, we report on the characterization of this site by the docking of a series of reference compounds, and the subsequent docking of ligands prepared in our laboratory.

Anti-mitotic activity of colchicine and the structural basis for its interaction with tubulin

In this review, an attempt has been made to throw light on the mechanism of action of colchicine and its different analogs as anti-cancer agents. Colchicine interacts with tubulin and perturbs the assembly dynamics of microtubules. Though its use has been limited because of its toxicity, colchicine can still be used as a lead compound for the generation of potent anti-cancer drugs. Colchicine binds to tubulin in a poorly reversible manner with high activation energy. The binding interaction is favored entropically. In contrast, binding of its simple analogs AC or DAAC is enthalpically favored and commences with comparatively low activation energy. Colchicine-tubulin interaction, which is normally pH dependent, has been found to be independent of pH in the presence of microtubule-associated proteins, salts or upon cleavage of carboxy termini of tubulin. Biphasic kinetics of colchicines-tubulin interaction has been explained in light of the variation in the residues around the drug-binding site on beta-tubulin. Using the crystal structure of the tubulin-DAMAcolchicine complex, a detailed discussion on the pharmacophore concept that explains the variation of affinity for different colchicine site inhibitors (CSI) has been discussed.

Synthesis and biological evaluation of B-ring modified colchicine and isocolchicine analogs

A series of modified colchicine and isocolchicine analogs (C-7 substituent) were synthesized and evaluated in vitro against a PC3 cancer cell line and for inhibition of microtubule polymerization. The colchicine analogs all displayed strong inhibition of tubulin polymerization, while compounds 6 and 20 also possessed an increased cytotoxic activity as compared to colchicine. More importantly, isocolchicine analogs 7, 15, and 17 showed inhibition of microtubule polymerization with IC(50) values ranging from 58 to 68muM. In addition, 7 displayed strong cytotoxic activity with an IC(50)=93nM which was more potent than colchicine analog 12.

The B-ring substituent at C-7 of colchicine and the α-C-terminus of tubulin communicate through the “tail-body” interaction

The carboxy terminals of alphabeta-tubulins are flexible regions rich in acidic amino acid residues that play an inhibitory role in the polymerization of tubulin to microtubules. We have shown that the binding of colchicine and its B-ring analogs (with C-7 substituents) to tubulin are pH sensitive and have high activation energies. Under identical conditions, the binding of analogs without C-7 substituents is pH independent and has lower activation energy. Beta-C-terminus-truncated tubulin (alphabeta(s)) shows similar pH sensitivity and activation energy to native tubulin (alphabeta). Removal of the C-termini of both subunits of tubulin (alpha(s)beta(s)) or the binding of a basic peptide P2 to the negatively charged alpha-C-terminus of tubulin causes a colchicine-tubulin interaction independent of pH with a low activation energy. Tubulin dimer structure shows that the C-terminal alpha-tail is too far from the colchicine binding site to interact directly with the bound colchicine. Therefore, it is likely that the interaction of the alpha-C-terminus with the main body of tubulin indirectly affects the colchicine-tubulin interaction via conformational changes in the main body. We therefore conclude that in the presence of tail-body interaction, a B-ring substituent makes contact with the alpha-tubulin and induces significant conformational changes in alpha-tubulin.

Sulfhydryls of tubulin. A probe to detect conformational changes of tubulin

The 20 cysteine residues of tubulin are heterogeneously distributed throughout its three-dimensional structure. In the present work, we have used the reactivity of these cysteine residues with 5, 5'-dithiobis(2-nitrobenzoic acid) (DTNB) as a probe to detect the global conformational changes of tubulin under different experimental conditions. The 20 sulfhydryl groups can be classified into two categories: fast and slow reacting. Colchicine binding causes a dramatic decrease in the reactivity of the cysteine residues and causes complete protection of 1.4 cysteine residues. Similarly, other colchicine analogs that bind reversibly initially decrease the rate of reaction; but unlike colchicine they do not cause complete protection of any sulfhydryl groups. Interestingly, in all cases we find that all the slow reacting sulfhydryl groups are affected to the same extent, that is, have a single rate constant. Glycerol has a major inhibitory effect on all these slow reacting sulfhydryls, suggesting that the reaction of slow reacting cysteines takes place from an open state at equilibrium with the native. Ageing of tubulin at 37 degrees C leads to loss of self-assembly and colchicine binding activity. Using DTNB kinetics, we have shown that ageing leads to complete protection of some of the sulfhydryl groups and increased reaction rate for other slow reacting sulfhydryl groups. Ageing at 37 degrees C also causes aggregation of tubulin as indicated by HPLC analysis. The protection of some sulfhydryl groups may be a consequence of aggregation, whereas the increased rate of reaction of other slow reacting sulfhydryls may be a result of changes in global dynamics. CD spectra and acrylamide quenching support such a notion. Binding of 8-anilino-1-naphthalenesulfonate (ANS) and bis-ANS by tubulin cause complete protection of some cysteine residues as indicated by the DTNB reaction, but has little effect on the other slow reacting cysteines, suggesting local effects.

Anticancer drug design based on plant-derived natural products

This review article focuses on recent research in my laboratory on various classes of compounds that possess potent antitumor activity. These compounds were obtained by bioactivity- and mechanism of action-directed isolation and characterization coupled with rational drug design-based modification and analog synthesis. Structural modification, structure-activity relationship, and mechanism of action studies will be discussed.

Molecular dynamics simulation of colchicinoids

Colchicine, a tricyclic alkaloid, has a remarkable range of biological activities. It binds with tubulin and prevents the formation of microtubules. This compound consists of a six membered aromatic ring (A ring), a seven membered troponoid ring (C ring) and another seven membered aliphatic ring (B ring). Using molecular mechanics and molecular dynamics simulations as tools, conformational analysis of colchicine and its several important analogs were done. Molecular mechanics studies show that conformational space of these molecules have one low energy region. Taking the low energy minima as the starting conformation, molecular dynamics simulation for 100 pico seconds is done for each of the analogs and molecular dynamics simulation in solution is done for three representative compounds colchicine,isocolchicine and A-C compound. Internal coordinate trajectories show that the value of the dihedral angle C9-C7-C1-C14 (phi), (C7-C1 bond connects the A and C ring), is within 40 degrees to 50 degrees for all the compounds with fluctuations less than 15 degrees. These calculations indicate that there is an overall similarity in the dynamically averaged structure of all the drugs. The A ring and B ring of the compounds are more or less rigid. The C ring is somewhat flexible, the average conformation and motional properties show overall similarity. The potential energy curve and dynamics behaviour of colchicine and isocolchicine suggests that the difference in binding property of colchine and isocolchicine may originate from the positional difference of carbonyl oxygen and methoxy group of C ring, which is the only difference in the structures of the two compounds and this has no effect on the motional property and average conformations of these two compounds. From our study it is proposed that the movements occuring at various positions of the drug molecules are significantly correlated. It is suggested that such correlated motion may play an important role in the biological property of these compounds.

Mechanism of tubulin-colchicine recognition: a kinetic study of the binding of the colchicine analogues colchicide and isocolchicine

Colchicide (IDE) is a colchicine (COL) analogue in which the C-10 methoxy group is replaced by a hydrogen atom. Its binding to tubulin is accompanied by a quenching of the protein fluorescence. The fluorescence decrease shows a monoexponential time dependence. The observed rate constant increases in a non-linear way with the total concentration of IDE, allowing the determination of a binding constant for an initial binding site (K1=5300+/-300 M-1) and the rate constant for the subsequent isomerization (k2=0.071+/-0.002 s-1) at 25 degrees C. The rate constant, k-2, for the reversed isomerization can be determined by displacement experiments. Despite the minor alteration of the C-ring substituent, the kinetic and thermodynamic parameters of binding are substantially different from those of COL itself, for both steps. In isocolchicine (ISO) the carbonyl oxygen atom and the methoxy groups of the C-ring have been interchanged. Its binding to tubulin only results in small fluorescence and absorbance changes. Therefore competition experiments with MTC [2-methoxy-5-(2',3',4'-trimethoxyphenyl)-2,4, 6-cycloheptatrien-1-one] were performed. ISO competes rapidly and with low affinity with MTC. Fluorimetric titrations of tubulin with MDL (MDL 27048 or trans-1-(2,5 dimethoxyphenyl)-3-[4-(dimethylamino)phenyl]-2-methyl-2-propen-1 -one) in the presence and absence of ISO give evidence for the existence of a second, slow-reacting low-affinity site for ISO that is not accessible to MTC or MDL. The relevance of these results for the recognition of COL is analysed.

Computational and molecular modeling evaluation of the structural basis for tubulin polymerization inhibition by colchicine site agents

The computer-automated structure evaluation programs MultiCASE and CASE were used to perform a quantitative structure-activity relationship study on tubulin polymerization inhibitors. A learning set of 536 chemicals (202 active. 27 marginal, and 307 inactive), built using IC50 values for inhibition of tubulin polymerization or mitosis from this and previous studies, was used for artificial intelligence self-teaching. The algorithms successfully predicted the activity of agents in the learning set with > 90% accuracy. Seventeen MultiCASE and twelve CASE (mostly included in the MultiCASE set) biophores (substructures significantly correlated with activity) were identified with a probability > 0.95. Here we present the biophores of podophyllotoxins, colchicinoids, and certain combretastatins, each examined for structure-activity relationships. For the podophyllotoxins and colchicinoids in the learning set, the correlations between observed and predicted potencies were > 0.85. The algorithms recognized the importance of several known site, electronic, and steric effects in the two classes. A predictive QSAR (R2 = 0.98) was developed for combretastain A-2 and dihydrocombretastatin analogues. The MultiCASE/CASE analyzes were used in combination with molecular models to study relative orientations of colchicine, podophyllotoxin, combretastatin A-4, and steganacin at the colchicine site. This resulted in a new hypothesis, consistent with extensive published experimental data, in which the C-ring and part of the B-ring of colchicine overlap with the A- and B-rings of podophyllotoxin. Consequently, the trimethoxyphenyl rings of colchicine and podophyllotoxin occupied different regions of space, each pointing out from a hydrophobic 'core' occupied by the overlapping biophores. The molecular model of the highly potent combretastatin A-4 could fit into the model binding site in at least three different ways. The developed QSARs were used to identify the potent microtubule stabilizer discodermolide. Its identification, in concert with recently reported findings, suggest potential overlap in the colchicine and paclitaxel binding sites on tubulin.

Thermodynamics of colchicinoid-tubulin interactions. Rrol of B-ring and C-7 substituent

The quenching of tryptophan fluorescence has been used to determine the kinetic and thermodynamic parameters of binding of B-ring analogs of colchicine to tubulin. The on rate, activation energy, off-rate, and thermodynamics of binding reaction have been found to be controlled at different points of analog structure. The on-rate and off-rate of deacetamidocolchicine (DAAC) binding with tubulin is 17 times slower than that of 2-methoxy-5-(2',3',4'-trimethoxyphenyl)tropone-tubulin (AC-tubulin) interaction, although both reactions have very similar activation energies. The presence of B-ring alone does not significantly affect the thermodynamics of the binding reactions either, since both AC-tubulin and DAAC-tubulin interactions are enthalpy driven. Introduction of a NH2 group at C-7 position of the B-ring, as in deacetylcolchicine (NH2-DAAC) lowers the on-rate further with a significant rise in the value of the activation energy. However, bulkier substitutions at the same position, as in demecolcine (NHMe-DAAC) and N-methyldemecolcine (NMe2-DAAC) have no significant additional effect either on the on-rate or on the value of activation energy. Introduction of NH2 group in the C-7 position of B-ring also increases the positive entropy of the binding reaction to a significant extent, and it is maximum when NMe2 is substituted instead of NH2 group. Thus, interaction of NH2-DAAC, NHMe-DAAC, and NMe2-DAAC with tubulin are entropy driven. Our results suggest that the B-ring side chain of aminocolchicinoids makes contact(s) with dimeric tubulin molecules.