1
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Thomas JD, Yurkovetskiy AV, Yin M, Bodyak ND, Tang S, Protopopova M, Kelleher E, Jones B, Yang L, Custar D, Catcott KC, Demady DR, Collins SD, Xu L, Bu C, Qin L, Ter-Ovanesyan E, Damelin M, Toader D, Lowinger TB. Development of a Novel DNA Mono-alkylator Platform for Antibody-Drug Conjugates. Mol Cancer Ther 2024; 23:541-551. [PMID: 38354416 DOI: 10.1158/1535-7163.mct-23-0622] [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: 09/14/2023] [Revised: 01/02/2024] [Accepted: 02/08/2024] [Indexed: 02/16/2024]
Abstract
Although microtubule inhibitors (MTI) remain a therapeutically valuable payload option for antibody-drug conjugates (ADC), some cancers do not respond to MTI-based ADCs. Efforts to fill this therapeutic gap have led to a recent expansion of the ADC payload "toolbox" to include payloads with novel mechanisms of action such as topoisomerase inhibition and DNA cross-linking. We present here the development of a novel DNA mono-alkylator ADC platform that exhibits sustained tumor growth suppression at single doses in MTI-resistant tumors and is well tolerated in the rat upon repeat dosing. A phosphoramidate prodrug of the payload enables low ADC aggregation even at drug-to-antibody ratios of 5:1 while still delivering a bystander-capable payload that is effective in multidrug resistant (MDR)-overexpressing cell lines. The platform was comparable in xenograft studies to the clinical benchmark DNA mono-alkylator ADC platform DGN459 but with a significantly better tolerability profile in rats. Thus, the activity and tolerability profile of this new platform make it a viable option for the development of ADCs.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Mao Yin
- Formerly Mersana Therapeutics, Inc., Cambridge, Massachusetts
| | | | - Shuyi Tang
- Formerly Mersana Therapeutics, Inc., Cambridge, Massachusetts
| | | | | | - Brian Jones
- Formerly Mersana Therapeutics, Inc., Cambridge, Massachusetts
| | - Liping Yang
- Formerly Mersana Therapeutics, Inc., Cambridge, Massachusetts
| | - Daniel Custar
- Mersana Therapeutics, Inc., Cambridge, Massachusetts
| | | | - Damon R Demady
- Formerly Mersana Therapeutics, Inc., Cambridge, Massachusetts
| | | | - Ling Xu
- Formerly Mersana Therapeutics, Inc., Cambridge, Massachusetts
| | - Charlie Bu
- Formerly Mersana Therapeutics, Inc., Cambridge, Massachusetts
| | - LiuLiang Qin
- Formerly Mersana Therapeutics, Inc., Cambridge, Massachusetts
| | | | - Marc Damelin
- Mersana Therapeutics, Inc., Cambridge, Massachusetts
| | - Dorin Toader
- Mersana Therapeutics, Inc., Cambridge, Massachusetts
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2
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Discovery of Novel Polyamide-Pyrrolobenzodiazepine Hybrids for Antibody-Drug Conjugates. Bioorg Med Chem Lett 2022; 72:128876. [PMID: 35788036 DOI: 10.1016/j.bmcl.2022.128876] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/25/2022] [Revised: 05/31/2022] [Accepted: 06/27/2022] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
Pyrrolobenzodiazepine (PBD) dimers are well-known highly potent antibody drug conjugate (ADC) payloads. The corresponding PBD monomers, in contrast, have received much less attention from the ADC community. We prepared several novel polyamide-linked PBD monomers and evaluated their utility as ADC payloads. The unconjugated polyamide-PBD hybrids exhibited potent antiproliferative activity (IC50 range: 10-11-10-8 M) against a variety of HER2-expressing cancer cell lines. Several peptide-linked variants of the lead compound were prepared and conjugated to trastuzumab to afford ADCs with drug-to-antibody (DAR) ratios ranging from 3-5. The ADCs exhibited antigen-dependent cytotoxicity in vitro and potently suppressed tumor xenograft growth in vivo in a target-dependent manner. Moreover, the ADCs were well-tolerated in both mouse and rat. This work demonstrates for the first time that PBD polyamide hybrids can serve as effective ADC payloads.
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3
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Nardone V, Chaves-Sanjuan A, Lapi M, Airoldi C, Saponaro A, Pasqualato S, Dolfini D, Camilloni C, Bernardini A, Gnesutta N, Mantovani R, Nardini M. Structural Basis of Inhibition of the Pioneer Transcription Factor NF-Y by Suramin. Cells 2020; 9:E2370. [PMID: 33138093 PMCID: PMC7692634 DOI: 10.3390/cells9112370] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/28/2020] [Revised: 10/25/2020] [Accepted: 10/26/2020] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
NF-Y is a transcription factor (TF) comprising three subunits (NF-YA, NF-YB, NF-YC) that binds with high specificity to the CCAAT sequence, a widespread regulatory element in gene promoters of prosurvival, cell-cycle-promoting, and metabolic genes. Tumor cells undergo "metabolic rewiring" through overexpression of genes involved in such pathways, many of which are under NF-Y control. In addition, NF-YA appears to be overexpressed in many tumor types. Thus, limiting NF-Y activity may represent a desirable anti-cancer strategy, which is an ongoing field of research. With virtual-screening docking simulations on a library of pharmacologically active compounds, we identified suramin as a potential NF-Y inhibitor. We focused on suramin given its high water-solubility that is an important factor for in vitro testing, since NF-Y is sensitive to DMSO. By electrophoretic mobility shift assays (EMSA), isothermal titration calorimetry (ITC), STD NMR, X-ray crystallography, and molecular dynamics (MD) simulations, we showed that suramin binds to the histone fold domains (HFDs) of NF-Y, preventing DNA-binding. Our analyses, provide atomic-level detail on the interaction between suramin and NF-Y and reveal a region of the protein, nearby the suramin-binding site and poorly conserved in other HFD-containing TFs, that may represent a promising starting point for rational design of more specific and potent inhibitors with potential therapeutic applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Valentina Nardone
- Department of Biosciences, University of Milano, Via Celoria 26, 20133 Milano, Italy; (V.N.); (A.C.-S.); (M.L.); (A.S.); (D.D.); (C.C.); (A.B.); (N.G.); (R.M.)
| | - Antonio Chaves-Sanjuan
- Department of Biosciences, University of Milano, Via Celoria 26, 20133 Milano, Italy; (V.N.); (A.C.-S.); (M.L.); (A.S.); (D.D.); (C.C.); (A.B.); (N.G.); (R.M.)
| | - Michela Lapi
- Department of Biosciences, University of Milano, Via Celoria 26, 20133 Milano, Italy; (V.N.); (A.C.-S.); (M.L.); (A.S.); (D.D.); (C.C.); (A.B.); (N.G.); (R.M.)
| | - Cristina Airoldi
- Department of Biotechnology and Biosciences, University of Milano-Bicocca, Piazza della Scienza 2, 20126 Milan, Italy;
| | - Andrea Saponaro
- Department of Biosciences, University of Milano, Via Celoria 26, 20133 Milano, Italy; (V.N.); (A.C.-S.); (M.L.); (A.S.); (D.D.); (C.C.); (A.B.); (N.G.); (R.M.)
| | - Sebastiano Pasqualato
- Department of Experimental Oncology, IEO, European Institute of Oncology IRCCS, Via Adamello 16, 20139 Milan, Italy;
| | - Diletta Dolfini
- Department of Biosciences, University of Milano, Via Celoria 26, 20133 Milano, Italy; (V.N.); (A.C.-S.); (M.L.); (A.S.); (D.D.); (C.C.); (A.B.); (N.G.); (R.M.)
| | - Carlo Camilloni
- Department of Biosciences, University of Milano, Via Celoria 26, 20133 Milano, Italy; (V.N.); (A.C.-S.); (M.L.); (A.S.); (D.D.); (C.C.); (A.B.); (N.G.); (R.M.)
| | - Andrea Bernardini
- Department of Biosciences, University of Milano, Via Celoria 26, 20133 Milano, Italy; (V.N.); (A.C.-S.); (M.L.); (A.S.); (D.D.); (C.C.); (A.B.); (N.G.); (R.M.)
| | - Nerina Gnesutta
- Department of Biosciences, University of Milano, Via Celoria 26, 20133 Milano, Italy; (V.N.); (A.C.-S.); (M.L.); (A.S.); (D.D.); (C.C.); (A.B.); (N.G.); (R.M.)
| | - Roberto Mantovani
- Department of Biosciences, University of Milano, Via Celoria 26, 20133 Milano, Italy; (V.N.); (A.C.-S.); (M.L.); (A.S.); (D.D.); (C.C.); (A.B.); (N.G.); (R.M.)
| | - Marco Nardini
- Department of Biosciences, University of Milano, Via Celoria 26, 20133 Milano, Italy; (V.N.); (A.C.-S.); (M.L.); (A.S.); (D.D.); (C.C.); (A.B.); (N.G.); (R.M.)
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4
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Ferguson L, Bhakta S, Fox KR, Wells G, Brucoli F. Synthesis and Biological Evaluation of a Novel C8-Pyrrolobenzodiazepine (PBD) Adenosine Conjugate. A Study on the Role of the PBD Ring in the Biological Activity of PBD-Conjugates. Molecules 2020; 25:E1243. [PMID: 32164166 PMCID: PMC7179398 DOI: 10.3390/molecules25051243] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/12/2020] [Revised: 03/05/2020] [Accepted: 03/06/2020] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Here we sought to evaluate the contribution of the PBD unit to the biological activity of PBD-conjugates and, to this end, an adenosine nucleoside was attached to the PBD A-ring C8 position. A convergent approach was successfully adopted for the synthesis of a novel C8-linked pyrrolo(2,1-c)(1,4)benzodiazepine(PBD)-adenosine(ADN) hybrid. The PBD and adenosine (ADN) moieties were synthesized separately and then linked through a pentynyl linker. To our knowledge, this is the first report of a PBD connected to a nucleoside. Surprisingly, the compound showed no cytotoxicity against murine cells and was inactive against Mycobacterium aurum and M. bovis strains and did not bind to guanine-containing DNA sequences, as shown by DNase I footprinting experiments. Molecular dynamics simulations revealed that the PBD-ADN conjugate was poorly accommodated in the DNA minor groove of two DNA sequences containing the AGA-PBD binding motif, with the adenosine moiety of the ligand preventing the covalent binding of the PBD unit to the guanine amino group of the DNA duplex. These interesting findings shed further light on the ability of the substituents attached at the C8 position of PBDs to affect and modulate the biological and biophysical properties of PBD hybrids.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lindsay Ferguson
- School of Science, University of the West of Scotland, Paisley, Scotland PA1 2BE, UK
- Department of Biological Sciences, Institute of Structural and Molecular Biology, Birkbeck, University of London, London WC1E 7HX, UK
| | - Sanjib Bhakta
- Department of Biological Sciences, Institute of Structural and Molecular Biology, Birkbeck, University of London, London WC1E 7HX, UK
| | - Keith R. Fox
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Southampton, Southampton SO17 1BJ, UK
| | - Geoff Wells
- UCL School of Pharmacy, University College London, 29/39 Brunswick Square, London WC1N 1AX, UK
| | - Federico Brucoli
- Leicester School of Pharmacy, De Montfort University, Leicester LE1 9BH, UK
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5
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Franco J, Scarone L, Comini MA. Novel distamycin analogues that block the cell cycle of African trypanosomes with high selectivity and potency. Eur J Med Chem 2020; 189:112043. [PMID: 31978782 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2020.112043] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/11/2019] [Revised: 12/03/2019] [Accepted: 01/06/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Polyamides-based compounds related to the Streptomycetal distamycin and netropsin are potent cytostatic molecules that bind to AT-rich regions of the minor groove of the DNA, hence interfering with DNA replication and transcription. Recently, derivatives belonging to this scaffold have been reported to halt the proliferation of deadly African trypanosomes by different and unrelated mechanisms. Here we describe the synthesis and preliminary characterization of the anti-trypanosomal mode of action of new potent and selective distamycin analogues. Two tri-heterocyclic derivatives containing a central N-methyl pyrrole ring (16 and 17) displayed high activity (EC50 < 20 nM) and selectivity (selectivity index >5000 with respect to mammalian macrophages) against the infective form of T. brucei. Both compounds caused cell cycle arrest by blocking the replication of the mitochondrial DNA but without affecting its integrity. This mode of action clearly differs from that reported for classical minor groove binder (MGB) drugs, which induce the degradation of the mitochondrial DNA. In line with this, in vitro assays suggest that 16 and 17 have a comparatively lower affinity for different template DNAs than the MGB drug diminazene. Therapeutic efficacy studies and stability assays suggest that the pharmacological properties of the hits should be optimized. The compounds can be rated as excellent scaffolds for the design of highly potent and selective anti-T. brucei agents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jaime Franco
- Laboratorio de Química Farmacéutica, Departamento de Química Orgánica, Facultad de Química, Universidad de la República, Montevideo, Uruguay; Group Redox Biology of Trypanosomes, Institut Pasteur de Montevideo, Montevideo, Uruguay
| | - Laura Scarone
- Laboratorio de Química Farmacéutica, Departamento de Química Orgánica, Facultad de Química, Universidad de la República, Montevideo, Uruguay.
| | - Marcelo A Comini
- Group Redox Biology of Trypanosomes, Institut Pasteur de Montevideo, Montevideo, Uruguay.
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6
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Reid EE, Archer KE, Shizuka M, McShea MA, Maloney EK, Ab O, Lanieri L, Wilhelm A, Ponte JF, Yoder NC, Chari RVJ, Miller ML. Design, synthesis and evaluation of novel, potent DNA alkylating agents and their antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs). Bioorg Med Chem Lett 2019; 29:2455-2458. [PMID: 31350125 DOI: 10.1016/j.bmcl.2019.07.031] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/18/2019] [Accepted: 07/19/2019] [Indexed: 01/23/2023]
Abstract
Antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs) incorporating potent indolinobenzodiazepine (IGN) DNA alkylators as the cytotoxic payload are currently undergoing clinical evaluation. The optimized design of these payloads consists of an unsymmetrical dimer possessing both an imine and an amine effectively eliminating DNA crosslinking and demonstrating improved tolerability in mice. Here we present an alternate approach to generating DNA alkylating ADCs by linking the IGN monomer with a biaryl system which has a high DNA binding affinity to potentially enhance tolerability. These BIA ADCs were found to be highly cytotoxic in vitro and demonstrated potent antitumor activity in vivo.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emily E Reid
- ImmunoGen, Inc., 830 Winter Street, Waltham, MA 02451, United States
| | - Katie E Archer
- ImmunoGen, Inc., 830 Winter Street, Waltham, MA 02451, United States
| | - Manami Shizuka
- ImmunoGen, Inc., 830 Winter Street, Waltham, MA 02451, United States
| | - Molly A McShea
- ImmunoGen, Inc., 830 Winter Street, Waltham, MA 02451, United States
| | - Erin K Maloney
- ImmunoGen, Inc., 830 Winter Street, Waltham, MA 02451, United States
| | - Olga Ab
- ImmunoGen, Inc., 830 Winter Street, Waltham, MA 02451, United States
| | - Leanne Lanieri
- ImmunoGen, Inc., 830 Winter Street, Waltham, MA 02451, United States
| | - Alan Wilhelm
- ImmunoGen, Inc., 830 Winter Street, Waltham, MA 02451, United States
| | - Jose F Ponte
- ImmunoGen, Inc., 830 Winter Street, Waltham, MA 02451, United States
| | - Nicholas C Yoder
- ImmunoGen, Inc., 830 Winter Street, Waltham, MA 02451, United States
| | - Ravi V J Chari
- ImmunoGen, Inc., 830 Winter Street, Waltham, MA 02451, United States
| | - Michael L Miller
- ImmunoGen, Inc., 830 Winter Street, Waltham, MA 02451, United States.
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7
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Yaghoubi S, Karimi MH, Lotfinia M, Gharibi T, Mahi-Birjand M, Kavi E, Hosseini F, Sineh Sepehr K, Khatami M, Bagheri N, Abdollahpour-Alitappeh M. Potential drugs used in the antibody-drug conjugate (ADC) architecture for cancer therapy. J Cell Physiol 2019; 235:31-64. [PMID: 31215038 DOI: 10.1002/jcp.28967] [Citation(s) in RCA: 101] [Impact Index Per Article: 20.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/28/2019] [Accepted: 05/20/2019] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
Abstract
Cytotoxic small-molecule drugs have a major influence on the fate of antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs). An ideal cytotoxic agent should be highly potent, remain stable while linked to ADCs, kill the targeted tumor cell upon internalization and release from the ADCs, and maintain its activity in multidrug-resistant tumor cells. Lessons learned from successful and failed experiences in ADC development resulted in remarkable progress in the discovery and development of novel highly potent small molecules. A better understanding of such small-molecule drugs is important for development of effective ADCs. The present review discusses requirements making a payload appropriate for antitumor ADCs and focuses on the main characteristics of commonly-used cytotoxic payloads that showed acceptable results in clinical trials. In addition, the present study represents emerging trends and recent advances of payloads used in ADCs currently under clinical trials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sajad Yaghoubi
- Department of Clinical Microbiology, Iranshahr University of Medical Sciences, Iranshahr, Iran
| | | | - Majid Lotfinia
- Physiology Research Center, Kashan University of Medical Sciences, Kashan, Iran.,Core Research Lab, Kashan University of Medical Sciences, Kashan, Iran
| | - Tohid Gharibi
- Immunology Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran.,Department of Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
| | - Motahare Mahi-Birjand
- Infectious Disease Research Center, Birjand University of Medical Sciences, Birjand, Iran
| | - Esmaeil Kavi
- Department of Nursing, School of Nursing, Larestan University of Medical Sciences, Larestan, Iran
| | - Fahimeh Hosseini
- Department of Microbiology, School of Medicine, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Koushan Sineh Sepehr
- Laboratory Sciences Research Center, Golestan University of Medical Sciences, Gorgan, Iran
| | - Mehrdad Khatami
- NanoBioelectrochemistry Research Center, Bam University of Medical Sciences, Bam, Iran
| | - Nader Bagheri
- Cellular and Molecular Research Center, Basic Health Sciences Institute, Shahrekord University of Medical Sciences, Shahrekord, Iran
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8
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Lambert M, Jambon S, Depauw S, David-Cordonnier MH. Targeting Transcription Factors for Cancer Treatment. Molecules 2018; 23:molecules23061479. [PMID: 29921764 PMCID: PMC6100431 DOI: 10.3390/molecules23061479] [Citation(s) in RCA: 229] [Impact Index Per Article: 38.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/15/2018] [Revised: 06/11/2018] [Accepted: 06/15/2018] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Transcription factors are involved in a large number of human diseases such as cancers for which they account for about 20% of all oncogenes identified so far. For long time, with the exception of ligand-inducible nuclear receptors, transcription factors were considered as “undruggable” targets. Advances knowledge of these transcription factors, in terms of structure, function (expression, degradation, interaction with co-factors and other proteins) and the dynamics of their mode of binding to DNA has changed this postulate and paved the way for new therapies targeted against transcription factors. Here, we discuss various ways to target transcription factors in cancer models: by modulating their expression or degradation, by blocking protein/protein interactions, by targeting the transcription factor itself to prevent its DNA binding either through a binding pocket or at the DNA-interacting site, some of these inhibitors being currently used or evaluated for cancer treatment. Such different targeting of transcription factors by small molecules is facilitated by modern chemistry developing a wide variety of original molecules designed to specifically abort transcription factor and by an increased knowledge of their pathological implication through the use of new technologies in order to make it possible to improve therapeutic control of transcription factor oncogenic functions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mélanie Lambert
- INSERM UMR-S1172-JPARC (Jean-Pierre Aubert Research Center), Lille University and Hospital Center (CHU-Lille), Institut pour la Recherche sur le Cancer de Lille (IRCL), Place de Verdun, F-59045 Lille, France.
| | - Samy Jambon
- INSERM UMR-S1172-JPARC (Jean-Pierre Aubert Research Center), Lille University and Hospital Center (CHU-Lille), Institut pour la Recherche sur le Cancer de Lille (IRCL), Place de Verdun, F-59045 Lille, France.
| | - Sabine Depauw
- INSERM UMR-S1172-JPARC (Jean-Pierre Aubert Research Center), Lille University and Hospital Center (CHU-Lille), Institut pour la Recherche sur le Cancer de Lille (IRCL), Place de Verdun, F-59045 Lille, France.
| | - Marie-Hélène David-Cordonnier
- INSERM UMR-S1172-JPARC (Jean-Pierre Aubert Research Center), Lille University and Hospital Center (CHU-Lille), Institut pour la Recherche sur le Cancer de Lille (IRCL), Place de Verdun, F-59045 Lille, France.
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9
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10
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Basher MA, Rahman KM, Jackson PJM, Thurston DE, Fox KR. Sequence-selective binding of C8-conjugated pyrrolobenzodiazepines (PBDs) to DNA. Biophys Chem 2017; 230:53-61. [PMID: 28941814 DOI: 10.1016/j.bpc.2017.08.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2017] [Revised: 08/18/2017] [Accepted: 08/18/2017] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
DNA footprinting and melting experiments have been used to examine the sequence-specific binding of C8-conjugates of pyrrolobenzodiazepines (PBDs) and benzofused rings including benzothiophene and benzofuran, which are attached using pyrrole- or imidazole-containing linkers. The conjugates modulate the covalent attachment points of the PBDs, so that they bind best to guanines flanked by A/T-rich sequences on either the 5'- or 3'-side. The linker affects the binding, and pyrrole produces larger changes than imidazole. Melting studies with 14-mer oligonucleotide duplexes confirm covalent attachment of the conjugates, which show a different selectivity to anthramycin and reveal that more than one ligand molecule can bind to each duplex.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohammad A Basher
- Biological Sciences, Life Sciences Building 85, University of Southampton, Southampton SO17 1BJ, UK
| | - Khondaker Miraz Rahman
- Institute of Pharmaceutical Science, King's College London, Franklin-Wilkins Building, Stamford Street, London SE1 9NH, UK
| | - Paul J M Jackson
- Institute of Pharmaceutical Science, King's College London, Franklin-Wilkins Building, Stamford Street, London SE1 9NH, UK
| | - David E Thurston
- Institute of Pharmaceutical Science, King's College London, Franklin-Wilkins Building, Stamford Street, London SE1 9NH, UK
| | - Keith R Fox
- Biological Sciences, Life Sciences Building 85, University of Southampton, Southampton SO17 1BJ, UK.
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11
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Mantaj J, Jackson PJM, Rahman KM, Thurston DE. From Anthramycin to Pyrrolobenzodiazepine (PBD)-Containing Antibody-Drug Conjugates (ADCs). Angew Chem Int Ed Engl 2017; 56:462-488. [PMID: 27862776 PMCID: PMC5215561 DOI: 10.1002/anie.201510610] [Citation(s) in RCA: 176] [Impact Index Per Article: 25.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/16/2015] [Revised: 04/11/2016] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
The pyrrolo[2,1-c][1,4]benzodiazepines (PBDs) are a family of sequence-selective DNA minor-groove binding agents that form a covalent aminal bond between their C11-position and the C2-NH2 groups of guanine bases. The first example of a PBD monomer, the natural product anthramycin, was discovered in the 1960s, and the best known PBD dimer, SJG-136 (also known as SG2000, NSC 694501 or BN2629), was synthesized in the 1990s and has recently completed Phase II clinical trials in patients with leukaemia and ovarian cancer. More recently, PBD dimer analogues are being attached to tumor-targeting antibodies to create antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs), a number of which are now in clinical trials, with many others in pre-clinical development. This Review maps the development from anthramycin to the first PBD dimers, and then to PBD-containing ADCs, and explores both structure-activity relationships (SARs) and the biology of PBDs, and the strategies for their use as payloads for ADCs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julia Mantaj
- Institute of Pharmaceutical ScienceKing's College LondonBritannia House, 7 Trinity Street, London SE1 1DB, and Femtogenix Ltd, Britannia House, 7 Trinity StreetLondonSE1 1DBUK
| | - Paul J. M. Jackson
- Institute of Pharmaceutical ScienceKing's College LondonBritannia House, 7 Trinity Street, London SE1 1DB, and Femtogenix Ltd, Britannia House, 7 Trinity StreetLondonSE1 1DBUK
| | - Khondaker M. Rahman
- Institute of Pharmaceutical ScienceKing's College LondonBritannia House, 7 Trinity Street, London SE1 1DB, and Femtogenix Ltd, Britannia House, 7 Trinity StreetLondonSE1 1DBUK
| | - David E. Thurston
- Professor of Drug Discovery, King's College London, Faculty of Life Sciences & MedicineInstitute of Pharmaceutical ScienceBritannia House, 7 Trinity StreetLondonSE1 1DBUK
- Femtogenix LtdBritannia House, 7 Trinity StreetLondonSE1 1DBUK
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12
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Jackson PJ, Rahman KM, Thurston DE. The use of molecular dynamics simulations to evaluate the DNA sequence-selectivity of G–A cross-linking PBD–duocarmycin dimers. Bioorg Med Chem Lett 2017; 27:102-108. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bmcl.2016.10.022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/17/2016] [Revised: 10/06/2016] [Accepted: 10/09/2016] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
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13
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Gurtner A, Manni I, Piaggio G. NF-Y in cancer: Impact on cell transformation of a gene essential for proliferation. BIOCHIMICA ET BIOPHYSICA ACTA-GENE REGULATORY MECHANISMS 2016; 1860:604-616. [PMID: 27939755 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbagrm.2016.12.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 55] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/26/2016] [Revised: 11/30/2016] [Accepted: 12/05/2016] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
NF-Y is a ubiquitous heterotrimeric transcription factor with a binding affinity for the CCAAT consensus motif, one of the most common cis-acting element in the promoter and enhancer regions of eukaryote genes in direct (CCAAT) or reverse (ATTGG) orientation. NF-Y consists of three subunits, NF-YA, the regulatory subunit of the trimer, NF-YB, and NF-YC, all required for CCAAT binding. Growing evidence in cells and animal models support the notion that NF-Y, driving transcription of a plethora of cell cycle regulatory genes, is a key player in the regulation of proliferation. Proper control of cellular growth is critical for cancer prevention and uncontrolled proliferation is a hallmark of cancer cells. Indeed, during cell transformation aberrant molecular pathways disrupt mechanisms controlling proliferation and many growth regulatory genes are altered in tumors. Here, we review bioinformatics, molecular and functional evidence indicating the involvement of the cell cycle regulator NF-Y in cancer-associated pathways. This article is part of a Special Issue entitled: Nuclear Factor Y in Development and Disease, edited by Prof. Roberto Mantovani.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aymone Gurtner
- Department of Research, Advanced Diagnostics and Technological Innovation, UOSD SAFU, Regina Elena National Cancer Institute, Via Elio Chianesi 53, 00144, Rome, Italy
| | - Isabella Manni
- Department of Research, Advanced Diagnostics and Technological Innovation, UOSD SAFU, Regina Elena National Cancer Institute, Via Elio Chianesi 53, 00144, Rome, Italy
| | - Giulia Piaggio
- Department of Research, Advanced Diagnostics and Technological Innovation, UOSD SAFU, Regina Elena National Cancer Institute, Via Elio Chianesi 53, 00144, Rome, Italy.
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14
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Franco J, Medeiros A, Benítez D, Perelmuter K, Serra G, Comini MA, Scarone L. In vitro activity and mode of action of distamycin analogues against African trypanosomes. Eur J Med Chem 2016; 126:776-788. [PMID: 27951486 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2016.12.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/17/2016] [Revised: 10/29/2016] [Accepted: 12/01/2016] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Distamycin, a natural polyamide containing three heterocycle rings with a polar end, has inspired several groups to prepare synthetic analogues, which proved to have anti-trypanosomal and anti-tumoral activity. We describe the synthesis of bi and tri thiazoles amides that harbor different substitutions at their ends and the evaluation of their anti-Trypanosoma brucei activity. The most active compound 10b showed better biological activity (EC50 310 nM and selectivity index 16) than the control drug nifurtimox (EC50 15 μM and selectivity index 10). Studies on the mode of action show that the parasiticidal activity of 10b originates from disruption of lysosomal homeostasis, which is followed by release of redox active iron, an increase in oxidizing species and collapse of cell membrane integrity. In this respect, our study suggests that non-charged lipophylic distamycins destabilize cell membranes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jaime Franco
- Laboratorio de Química Farmacéutica, Departamento de Química Orgánica, Facultad de Química, Universidad de la República, Montevideo, Uruguay; Group Redox Biology of Trypanosomes, Institut Pasteur de Montevideo, Montevideo, Uruguay
| | - Andrea Medeiros
- Group Redox Biology of Trypanosomes, Institut Pasteur de Montevideo, Montevideo, Uruguay; Departamento de Bioquímica, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de la República, Montevideo, Uruguay
| | - Diego Benítez
- Group Redox Biology of Trypanosomes, Institut Pasteur de Montevideo, Montevideo, Uruguay
| | - Karen Perelmuter
- Cell Biology Unit, Institut Pasteur de Montevideo, Montevideo, Uruguay
| | - Gloria Serra
- Laboratorio de Química Farmacéutica, Departamento de Química Orgánica, Facultad de Química, Universidad de la República, Montevideo, Uruguay
| | - Marcelo A Comini
- Group Redox Biology of Trypanosomes, Institut Pasteur de Montevideo, Montevideo, Uruguay.
| | - Laura Scarone
- Laboratorio de Química Farmacéutica, Departamento de Química Orgánica, Facultad de Química, Universidad de la República, Montevideo, Uruguay.
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15
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Mantaj J, Jackson PJM, Rahman KM, Thurston DE. Entwicklung Pyrrolobenzodiazepin(PBD)-haltiger Antikörper-Wirkstoff-Konjugate (ADCs) ausgehend von Anthramycin. Angew Chem Int Ed Engl 2016. [DOI: 10.1002/ange.201510610] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Julia Mantaj
- Institute of Pharmaceutical Science; King's College London
- Femtogenix Ltd; London Großbritannien
| | - Paul J. M. Jackson
- Institute of Pharmaceutical Science; King's College London
- Femtogenix Ltd; London Großbritannien
| | - Khondaker M. Rahman
- Institute of Pharmaceutical Science; King's College London
- Femtogenix Ltd; London Großbritannien
| | - David E. Thurston
- Institute of Pharmaceutical Science; Faculty of Life Sciences & Medicine; King's College London; Britannia House, 7 Trinity Street London SE1 1DB Großbritannien
- Femtogenix Ltd; Britannia House; London 7 Trinity Street SE1 1DB Großbritannien
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16
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Brucoli F, Guzman JD, Basher MA, Evangelopoulos D, McMahon E, Munshi T, McHugh TD, Fox KR, Bhakta S. DNA sequence-selective C8-linked pyrrolobenzodiazepine–heterocyclic polyamide conjugates show anti-tubercular-specific activities. J Antibiot (Tokyo) 2016; 69:843-849. [DOI: 10.1038/ja.2016.43] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2015] [Revised: 02/29/2016] [Accepted: 03/14/2016] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
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17
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Mantaj J, Jackson PJM, Karu K, Rahman KM, Thurston DE. Covalent Bonding of Pyrrolobenzodiazepines (PBDs) to Terminal Guanine Residues within Duplex and Hairpin DNA Fragments. PLoS One 2016; 11:e0152303. [PMID: 27055050 PMCID: PMC4824457 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0152303] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/19/2015] [Accepted: 03/11/2016] [Indexed: 01/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Pyrrolobenzodiazepines (PBDs) are covalent-binding DNA-interactive agents with growing importance as payloads in Antibody Drug Conjugates (ADCs). Until now, PBDs were thought to covalently bond to C2-NH2 groups of guanines in the DNA-minor groove across a three-base-pair recognition sequence. Using HPLC/MS methodology with designed hairpin and duplex oligonucleotides, we have now demonstrated that the PBD Dimer SJG-136 and the C8-conjugated PBD Monomer GWL-78 can covalently bond to a terminal guanine of DNA, with the PBD skeleton spanning only two base pairs. Control experiments with the non-C8-conjugated anthramycin along with molecular dynamics simulations suggest that the C8-substituent of a PBD Monomer, or one-half of a PBD Dimer, may provide stability for the adduct. This observation highlights the importance of PBD C8-substituents, and also suggests that PBDs may bind to terminal guanines within stretches of DNA in cells, thus representing a potentially novel mechanism of action at the end of DNA strand breaks.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julia Mantaj
- Institute of Pharmaceutical Science, King’s College London, 7 Trinity Street, London, SE1 1DB, United Kingdom
| | - Paul J. M. Jackson
- Femtogenix Limited, Britannia House, 7 Trinity Street, London, SE1 1DB, United Kingdom
| | - Kersti Karu
- UCL Chemistry Mass Spectrometry Facility, Christopher Ingold Building, Chemistry Department, 20 Gordon Street, London, WC1H 0AJ, United Kingdom
| | - Khondaker M. Rahman
- Institute of Pharmaceutical Science, King’s College London, 7 Trinity Street, London, SE1 1DB, United Kingdom
- Femtogenix Limited, Britannia House, 7 Trinity Street, London, SE1 1DB, United Kingdom
- * E-mail: (DET); (KMR)
| | - David E. Thurston
- Institute of Pharmaceutical Science, King’s College London, 7 Trinity Street, London, SE1 1DB, United Kingdom
- Femtogenix Limited, Britannia House, 7 Trinity Street, London, SE1 1DB, United Kingdom
- * E-mail: (DET); (KMR)
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18
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Varvounis G. An Update on the Synthesis of Pyrrolo[1,4]benzodiazepines. Molecules 2016; 21:154. [PMID: 26828475 PMCID: PMC6273195 DOI: 10.3390/molecules21020154] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/17/2015] [Revised: 12/23/2015] [Accepted: 01/05/2016] [Indexed: 01/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Pyrrolo[1,4]benzodiazepines are tricyclic compounds that are considered “privileged structures” since they possess a wide range of biological activities. The first encounter with these molecules was the isolation of anthramycin from cultures of Streptomyces, followed by determination of the X-ray crystal structure of the molecule and a study of its interaction with DNA. This opened up an intensive synthetic and biological study of the pyrrolo[2,1-c][1,4]benzodiazepines that has culminated in the development of the dimer SJG-136, at present in Phase II clinical trials. The synthetic efforts have brought to light some new synthetic methodology, while the contemporary work is focused on building trimeric pyrrolo[2,1-c][1,4]benzodiazepines linked together by various heterocyclic and aliphatic chains. It is the broad spectrum of biological activities of pyrrolo[1,2-a][1,4]benzodiazepines that has maintained the interest of researchers to date whereas several derivatives of the even less studied pyrrolo[1,2-d][1,4]benzodiazepines were found to be potent non-nucleoside HIV-1 reverse transcriptase inhibitors. The present review is an update on the synthesis of pyrrolo[2,1-c][1,4]benzodiazepines since the last major review of 2011, while the overview of the synthesis of the other two tricyclic isomers is comprehensive.
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Affiliation(s)
- George Varvounis
- Department of Chemistry, Section of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Ioannina, 451 10 Ioannina, Greece.
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19
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Thurston DE, Vassoler H, Jackson PJM, James CH, Rahman KM. Effect of hairpin loop structure on reactivity, sequence preference and adduct orientation of a DNA-interactive pyrrolo[2,1-c][1,4]benzodiazepine (PBD) antitumour agent. Org Biomol Chem 2015; 13:4031-40. [DOI: 10.1039/c4ob02405b] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/30/2023]
Abstract
Pyrrolobenzodiazepine (PBD) monomer GWL-78 reacts faster with DNA hairpins containing a hexaethylene glycol (HEG) loop compared to hairpins containing a TTT loop due to the greater structural flexibility of the HEG.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Higia Vassoler
- UCL School of Pharmacy
- University College London
- London WC1N 1AX
- UK
| | | | - Colin H. James
- UCL School of Pharmacy
- University College London
- London WC1N 1AX
- UK
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20
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Galenko EE, Tomashenko OA, Khlebnikov AF, Novikov MS. Metal/organo relay catalysis in a one-pot synthesis of methyl 4-aminopyrrole-2-carboxylates from 5-methoxyisoxazoles and pyridinium ylides. Org Biomol Chem 2015; 13:9825-33. [DOI: 10.1039/c5ob01537e] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
Methyl 4-aminopyrrole-2-carboxylates were easily synthesized by the reaction of 5-methoxyisoxazoles with phenacylpyridinium salts under hybrid relay catalysis leading to 1-(5-methoxycarbonyl-1H-pyrrol-3-yl)pyridinium salts followed by a one pot Zincke cleavage.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ekaterina E. Galenko
- Institute of Chemistry
- Saint-Petersburg State University
- 198504 St.-Petersburg
- Russia
| | - Olesya A. Tomashenko
- Institute of Chemistry
- Saint-Petersburg State University
- 198504 St.-Petersburg
- Russia
| | | | - Mikhail S. Novikov
- Institute of Chemistry
- Saint-Petersburg State University
- 198504 St.-Petersburg
- Russia
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21
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Jackson PJM, James CH, Jenkins TC, Rahman KM, Thurston DE. Computational studies support the role of the C7-sibirosamine sugar of the pyrrolobenzodiazepine (PBD) sibiromycin in transcription factor inhibition. ACS Chem Biol 2014; 9:2432-40. [PMID: 25111266 DOI: 10.1021/cb5002203] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
The pyrrolo[2,1-c][1,4]benzodiazepines (PBDs) are a group of sequence-selective, DNA minor-groove binding agents that covalently attach to guanine residues. Originally derived from Streptomyces species, a number of naturally occurring PBD monomers exist with varying A-Ring and C2-substituents. One such agent, sibiromycin, is unusual in having a glycosyl residue (sibirosamine) at its A-Ring C7-position. It is the most cytotoxic member of the naturally occurring PBD family and has the highest DNA-binding affinity. Recently, the analogue 9-deoxysibiromyin was produced biosynthetically by Yonemoto and co-workers.1 Differing only in the loss of the A-Ring C9-hydroxyl group, it was reported to have a significantly higher DNA-binding affinity than sibiromycin based on DNA thermal denaturation studies, although these data have since been retracted.2 As deletion of the C9-OH moiety, which points toward the DNA minor groove floor, might intuitively be expected to reduce DNA-binding affinity through the loss of hydrogen bonding, we carried out molecular dynamics simulations on the interaction of both molecules with DNA over a 10 ns time-course in explicit solvent. Our results suggest that the two molecules may differ in their sequence-selectivity and that 9-deoxysibiromycin should have a lower binding affinity for certain sequences of DNA compared to sibiromycin. Our molecular dynamics results indicate that the C7-sibirosamine sugar does not form hydrogen bonding interactions with groups in the DNA minor-groove wall as previously reported, but instead points orthogonally out from the minor groove where it may inhibit the approach of DNA control proteins such as transcription factors. This was confirmed through a docking study involving sibiromycin and the GAL4 transcription factor, and these results could explain the significantly enhanced cytotoxicity of sibiromycin compared to other PBD family members without bulky C7-substituents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paul J. M. Jackson
- Institute of Pharmaceutical Science, King’s College London, Britannia House, 7 Trinity Street, London SE1 1DB, United Kingdom
| | - Colin H. James
- The
School of Pharmacy, University College London, 29−39 Brunswick Square, London WC1N 1AX, United Kindgom
| | - Terence C. Jenkins
- School
of Science, University of Greenwich, Chatham Maritime, Kent ME4 4TB, United Kingdom
| | - Khondaker M. Rahman
- Institute of Pharmaceutical Science, King’s College London, Britannia House, 7 Trinity Street, London SE1 1DB, United Kingdom
| | - David E. Thurston
- Institute of Pharmaceutical Science, King’s College London, Britannia House, 7 Trinity Street, London SE1 1DB, United Kingdom
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22
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Hemming K, Chambers CS, Jamshaid F, O'Gorman PA. Intramolecular azide to alkene cycloadditions for the construction of pyrrolobenzodiazepines and azetidino-benzodiazepines. Molecules 2014; 19:16737-56. [PMID: 25329868 PMCID: PMC6271382 DOI: 10.3390/molecules191016737] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2014] [Revised: 09/26/2014] [Accepted: 10/13/2014] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
The coupling of proline- and azetidinone-substituted alkenes to 2-azidobenzoic and 2-azidobenzenesulfonic acid gives precursors that undergo intramolecular azide to alkene 1,3-dipolar cycloadditions to give imine-, triazoline- or aziridine-containing pyrrolo[1,4]benzodiazepines (PBDs), pyrrolo[1,2,5]benzothiadiazepines (PBTDs), and azetidino[1,4]benzodiazepines. The imines and aziridines are formed after loss of nitrogen from a triazoline cycloadduct. The PBDs are a potent class of antitumour antibiotics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karl Hemming
- Department of Chemical Sciences, University of Huddersfield, Queensgate, Huddersfield, West Yorkshire HD1 3DH, UK.
| | - Christopher S Chambers
- Department of Chemical Sciences, University of Huddersfield, Queensgate, Huddersfield, West Yorkshire HD1 3DH, UK
| | - Faisal Jamshaid
- Department of Chemical Sciences, University of Huddersfield, Queensgate, Huddersfield, West Yorkshire HD1 3DH, UK
| | - Paul A O'Gorman
- Department of Chemical Sciences, University of Huddersfield, Queensgate, Huddersfield, West Yorkshire HD1 3DH, UK
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23
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Hemming K, Chambers CS, Hamasharif MS, João H, Khan MN, Patel N, Airley R, Day S. Azide based routes to tetrazolo and oxadiazolo derivatives of pyrrolobenzodiazepines and pyrrolobenzothiadiazepines. Tetrahedron 2014. [DOI: 10.1016/j.tet.2014.07.050] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
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24
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Rahman KM, Corcoran DB, Bui TTT, Jackson PJM, Thurston DE. Pyrrolobenzodiazepines (PBDs) do not bind to DNA G-quadruplexes. PLoS One 2014; 9:e105021. [PMID: 25133504 PMCID: PMC4136862 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0105021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/04/2014] [Accepted: 07/15/2014] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
The pyrrolo[2,1-c][1,4] benzodiazepines (PBDs) are a family of sequence-selective, minor-groove binding DNA-interactive agents that covalently attach to guanine residues. A recent publication in this journal (Raju et al, PloS One, 2012, 7, 4, e35920) reported that two PBD molecules were observed to bind with high affinity to the telomeric quadruplex of Tetrahymena glaucoma based on Electrospray Ionisation Mass Spectrometry (ESI-MS), Circular Dichroism, UV-Visible and Fluorescence spectroscopy data. This was a surprising result given the close 3-dimensional shape match between the structure of all PBD molecules and the minor groove of duplex DNA, and the completely different 3-dimensional structure of quadruplex DNA. Therefore, we evaluated the interaction of eight PBD molecules of diverse structure with a range of parallel, antiparallel and mixed DNA quadruplexes using DNA Thermal Denaturation, Circular Dichroism and Molecular Dynamics Simulations. Those PBD molecules without large C8-substitutents had an insignificant affinity for the eight quadruplex types, although those with large π-system-containing C8-substituents (as with the compounds evaluated by Raju and co-workers) were found to interact to some extent. Our molecular dynamics simulations support the likelihood that molecules of this type, including those examined by Raju and co-workers, interact with quadruplex DNA through their C8-substituents rather than the PBD moiety itself. It is important for the literature to be clear on this matter, as the mechanism of action of these agents will be under close scrutiny in the near future due to the growing number of PBD-based agents entering the clinic as both single-agents and as components of antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs).
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Affiliation(s)
- Khondaker M. Rahman
- Department of Pharmacy, Institute of Pharmaceutical Science, King's College London, London, United Kingdom
- * E-mail: (KMR); (DET)
| | - David B. Corcoran
- Department of Pharmacy, Institute of Pharmaceutical Science, King's College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Tam T. T. Bui
- Department of Pharmacy, Institute of Pharmaceutical Science, King's College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Paul J. M. Jackson
- Department of Pharmacy, Institute of Pharmaceutical Science, King's College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - David E. Thurston
- Department of Pharmacy, Institute of Pharmaceutical Science, King's College London, London, United Kingdom
- * E-mail: (KMR); (DET)
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