1
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Chen QH. Crosstalk between Microtubule Stabilizing Agents and Prostate Cancer. Cancers (Basel) 2023; 15:3308. [PMID: 37444418 DOI: 10.3390/cancers15133308] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/28/2023] [Revised: 06/20/2023] [Accepted: 06/20/2023] [Indexed: 07/15/2023] Open
Abstract
A variety of microtubule-stabilizing cytotoxic agents (MSA) with diverse chemical scaffolds have been discovered from marine sponges, microorganisms, and plants. Two MSAs, docetaxel and cabazitaxel, are the exclusive chemotherapeutics that convey a survival benefit in patients with castration-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC). Additional MSAs have been investigated for their potential in treating prostate cancer in both clinical and preclinical settings. Independent of promoting mitotic arrest, MSAs can suppress the nuclear accumulation of androgen receptor (AR), which is the driving force for prostate cancer cell growth and progression. The alternative mechanism not only helps to better understand the clinical efficacy of docetaxel and cabazitaxel for AR-driven CRPC but also provides an avenue to seek better treatments for various forms of prostate cancer. The dual mechanisms of action enable MSAs to suppress AR-null prostate cancer cell proliferation by cell mitosis pathway and to interfere with the AR signaling pathway in AR positive cells. MSA chemotherapeutics, being administered alone or in combination with other therapeutics, may serve as the optimal therapeutic option for patients with either castration-sensitive or castration-resistant prostate cancer. This review provides an overview of the anti-prostate cancer profiles (including preclinical and clinical studies, and clinical use) of diverse MSAs, as well as the mechanism of action.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qiao-Hong Chen
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, California State University, Fresno, CA 93740, USA
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2
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Ren Y, Wang Y, Liu J, Liu T, Yuan L, Wu C, Yang Z, Chen J. X-ray Crystal Structure-Guided Discovery of Novel Indole Analogues as Colchicine-Binding Site Tubulin Inhibitors with Immune-Potentiating and Antitumor Effects against Melanoma. J Med Chem 2023; 66:6697-6714. [PMID: 37145846 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.3c00011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/06/2023]
Abstract
A series of novel indole analogues were discovered as colchicine-binding site inhibitors of tubulin. Among them, 3a exhibited the highest antiproliferative activity (average IC50 = 4.5 nM), better than colchicine (IC50 = 65.3 nM). The crystal structure of 3a in complex with tubulin was solved by X-ray crystallography, which explained the improved binding affinity of 3a to tubulin and thus its higher anticancer activity (IC50 = 4.5 nM) than the lead compound 12b (IC50 = 32.5 nM). In vivo, 3a (5 mg/kg) displayed significant antitumor efficacy against B16-F10 melanoma with a TGI of 62.96% and enhanced the antitumor efficacy of a small-molecule PD-1/PD-L1 inhibitor NP19 (TGI = 77.85%). Moreover, 3a potentiated the antitumor immunity of NP19 by activating the tumor immune microenvironment, as demonstrated by the increased tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TIL). Collectively, this work shows a successful example of crystal structure-guided discovery of a novel tubulin inhibitor 3a as a potential anticancer and immune-potentiating agent.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yichang Ren
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of New Drug Screening, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, China
| | - Yuxi Wang
- Targeted Tracer Research and development laboratory, Institute of Respiratory Health, Frontiers Science Center for Disease-related Molecular Network, Joint Research Institution of Altitude Health, National Clinical Research Center for Geriatrics, Tianfu Jincheng Laboratory, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, Sichuan, China
| | - Jin Liu
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of New Drug Screening, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, China
- Key Laboratory of Tropical Biological Resources of Ministry of Education and One Health Institute, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Hainan University, Haikou 570228, China
| | - Ting Liu
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of New Drug Screening, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, China
| | - Lin Yuan
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of New Drug Screening, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, China
| | - Chengyong Wu
- Targeted Tracer Research and development laboratory, Institute of Respiratory Health, Frontiers Science Center for Disease-related Molecular Network, Joint Research Institution of Altitude Health, National Clinical Research Center for Geriatrics, Tianfu Jincheng Laboratory, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, Sichuan, China
| | - Zichao Yang
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of New Drug Screening, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, China
| | - Jianjun Chen
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of New Drug Screening, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, China
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3
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Pochampally S, Hartman KL, Wang R, Wang J, Yun MK, Parmar K, Park H, Meibohm B, White SW, Li W, Miller DD. Design, Synthesis, and Biological Evaluation of Pyrimidine Dihydroquinoxalinone Derivatives as Tubulin Colchicine Site-Binding Agents That Displayed Potent Anticancer Activity Both In Vitro and In Vivo. ACS Pharmacol Transl Sci 2023; 6:526-545. [PMID: 37082747 PMCID: PMC10111625 DOI: 10.1021/acsptsci.2c00108] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/06/2022] [Indexed: 04/22/2023]
Abstract
Polymerization of tubulin dimers to form microtubules is one of the key events in cell proliferation. The inhibition of this event has long been recognized as a potential treatment option for various types of cancer. Compound 1e was previously developed by our team as a potent inhibitor of tubulin polymerization that binds to the colchicine site. To further improve the potency and therapeutic properties of compound 1e, we hypothesized based on the X-ray crystal structure that modification of the pyrimidine dihydroquinoxalinone scaffold with additional hetero-atom (N, O, and S) substituents could allow the resulting new compounds to bind more tightly to the colchicine site and display greater efficacy in cancer therapy. We therefore synthesized a series of new pyrimidine dihydroquinoxalinone derivatives, compounds 10, 12b-c, 12e, 12h, and 12j-l, and evaluated their cytotoxicity and relative ability to inhibit proliferation, resulting in the discovery of new tubulin-polymerization inhibitors. Among these, the most potent new inhibitor was compound 12k, which exhibited high cytotoxic activity in vitro, a longer half-life than the parental compound in liver microsomes (IC50 = 0.2 nM, t 1/2 = >300 min), and significant potency against a wide range of cancer cell lines including those from melanoma and breast, pancreatic, and prostate cancers. High-resolution X-ray crystal structures of the best compounds in this scaffold series, 12e, 12j, and 12k, confirmed their direct binding to the colchicine site of tubulin and revealed their detailed molecular interactions. Further evaluation of 12k in vivo using a highly taxane-resistant prostate cancer xenograft model, PC-3/TxR, demonstrated the strong tumor growth inhibition at the low dose of 2.5 mg/kg (i.v., twice per week). Collectively, these results strongly support further preclinical evaluations of 12k as a potential candidate for development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Satyanarayana Pochampally
- Department
of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of
Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, Tennessee 38163, United States
| | - Kelli L. Hartman
- Department
of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of
Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, Tennessee 38163, United States
| | - Rui Wang
- Department
of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of
Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, Tennessee 38163, United States
| | - Jiaxing Wang
- Department
of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of
Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, Tennessee 38163, United States
| | - Mi-Kyung Yun
- Department
of Structural Biology, St. Jude Children’s
Research Hospital, Memphis, Tennessee 38105, United States
| | - Keyur Parmar
- Department
of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of
Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, Tennessee 38163, United States
| | - Hyunseo Park
- Department
of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of
Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, Tennessee 38163, United States
| | - Bernd Meibohm
- Department
of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of
Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, Tennessee 38163, United States
| | - Stephen W. White
- Department
of Structural Biology, St. Jude Children’s
Research Hospital, Memphis, Tennessee 38105, United States
| | - Wei Li
- Department
of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of
Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, Tennessee 38163, United States
| | - Duane D. Miller
- Department
of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of
Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, Tennessee 38163, United States
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4
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Tan L, Wu C, Zhang J, Yu Q, Wang X, Zhang L, Ge M, Wang Z, Ouyang L, Wang Y. Design, Synthesis, and Biological Evaluation of Heterocyclic-Fused Pyrimidine Chemotypes Guided by X-ray Crystal Structure with Potential Antitumor and Anti-multidrug Resistance Efficacy Targeting the Colchicine Binding Site. J Med Chem 2023; 66:3588-3620. [PMID: 36802449 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.2c02115] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/23/2023]
Abstract
Herein, a series of quinazoline and heterocyclic fused pyrimidine analogues were designed and synthesized based on the X-ray co-crystal structure of lead compound 3a, showing efficacious antitumor activities. Two analogues, 15 and 27a, exhibited favorable antiproliferative activities, which were more potent than lead compound 3a by 10-fold in MCF-7 cells. In addition, 15 and 27a exhibited potent antitumor efficacy and tubulin polymerization inhibition in vitro. 15 reduced the average tumor volume by 80.30% (2 mg/kg) in the MCF-7 xenograft model and 75.36% (4 mg/kg) in the A2780/T xenograft model, respectively. Most importantly, supported by structural optimization and Mulliken charge calculation, X-ray co-crystal structures of compounds 15, 27a, and 27b in complex with tubulin were resolved. In summary, our research provided the rational design strategy of colchicine binding site inhibitors (CBSIs) based on X-ray crystallography with antiproliferation, antiangiogenesis, and anti-multidrug resistance properties.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lun Tan
- Targeted Tracer Research and Development Laboratory, Institute of Respiratory Health, Frontiers Science Center for Disease-related Molecular Network, Joint Research Institution of Altitude Health, National Clinical Research Center for Geriatrics, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, Sichuan, China.,Frontiers Medical Center, Tianfu Jincheng Laboratory, Chengdu 610212, Sichuan, China.,State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, Sichuan, China.,Precision Medicine Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province & Precision Medicine Research Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, Sichuan, China
| | - Chengyong Wu
- Targeted Tracer Research and Development Laboratory, Institute of Respiratory Health, Frontiers Science Center for Disease-related Molecular Network, Joint Research Institution of Altitude Health, National Clinical Research Center for Geriatrics, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, Sichuan, China.,Frontiers Medical Center, Tianfu Jincheng Laboratory, Chengdu 610212, Sichuan, China.,State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, Sichuan, China.,Precision Medicine Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province & Precision Medicine Research Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, Sichuan, China
| | - Jifa Zhang
- Targeted Tracer Research and Development Laboratory, Institute of Respiratory Health, Frontiers Science Center for Disease-related Molecular Network, Joint Research Institution of Altitude Health, National Clinical Research Center for Geriatrics, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, Sichuan, China.,Frontiers Medical Center, Tianfu Jincheng Laboratory, Chengdu 610212, Sichuan, China.,State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, Sichuan, China.,Precision Medicine Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province & Precision Medicine Research Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, Sichuan, China
| | - Quanwei Yu
- Targeted Tracer Research and Development Laboratory, Institute of Respiratory Health, Frontiers Science Center for Disease-related Molecular Network, Joint Research Institution of Altitude Health, National Clinical Research Center for Geriatrics, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, Sichuan, China
| | - Xiye Wang
- Department of Pharmacy, Western Theater Command Hospital, Chengdu 610083, Sichuan, China
| | - Lele Zhang
- Targeted Tracer Research and Development Laboratory, Institute of Respiratory Health, Frontiers Science Center for Disease-related Molecular Network, Joint Research Institution of Altitude Health, National Clinical Research Center for Geriatrics, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, Sichuan, China.,Frontiers Medical Center, Tianfu Jincheng Laboratory, Chengdu 610212, Sichuan, China.,State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, Sichuan, China
| | - Meiyi Ge
- Targeted Tracer Research and Development Laboratory, Institute of Respiratory Health, Frontiers Science Center for Disease-related Molecular Network, Joint Research Institution of Altitude Health, National Clinical Research Center for Geriatrics, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, Sichuan, China.,Frontiers Medical Center, Tianfu Jincheng Laboratory, Chengdu 610212, Sichuan, China.,State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, Sichuan, China
| | - Zhijia Wang
- Targeted Tracer Research and Development Laboratory, Institute of Respiratory Health, Frontiers Science Center for Disease-related Molecular Network, Joint Research Institution of Altitude Health, National Clinical Research Center for Geriatrics, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, Sichuan, China.,Frontiers Medical Center, Tianfu Jincheng Laboratory, Chengdu 610212, Sichuan, China.,State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, Sichuan, China
| | - Liang Ouyang
- Targeted Tracer Research and Development Laboratory, Institute of Respiratory Health, Frontiers Science Center for Disease-related Molecular Network, Joint Research Institution of Altitude Health, National Clinical Research Center for Geriatrics, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, Sichuan, China.,Frontiers Medical Center, Tianfu Jincheng Laboratory, Chengdu 610212, Sichuan, China.,State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, Sichuan, China
| | - Yuxi Wang
- Targeted Tracer Research and Development Laboratory, Institute of Respiratory Health, Frontiers Science Center for Disease-related Molecular Network, Joint Research Institution of Altitude Health, National Clinical Research Center for Geriatrics, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, Sichuan, China.,Frontiers Medical Center, Tianfu Jincheng Laboratory, Chengdu 610212, Sichuan, China.,State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, Sichuan, China.,Precision Medicine Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province & Precision Medicine Research Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, Sichuan, China
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5
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Lee S, Bashir KMI, Jung DH, Basu SK, Seo G, Cho MG, Wierschem A. Measuring the linear viscoelastic regime of MCF-7 cells with a monolayer rheometer in the presence of microtubule-active anti-cancer drugs at high concentrations. Interface Focus 2022; 12:20220036. [PMID: 36330318 PMCID: PMC9560786 DOI: 10.1098/rsfs.2022.0036] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/14/2022] [Accepted: 09/06/2022] [Indexed: 10/16/2023] Open
Abstract
The rheological properties of cells have vital functional implications. Depending, for instance, on the life cycle, cells show large cell-to-cell variations making it cumbersome to quantify average viscoelastic properties of cells by single-cell techniques. Microfluidic devices, typically working in the nonlinear viscoelastic range, allow fast analysis of single-cell deformation. Averaging over a large number of cells can also be achieved by studying them in a monolayer between rheometer discs. This technique allows applying well-established rheological standard procedures to cell rheology. It offers further advantages like studying cells in the linear viscoelastic range while quantifying cell vitality. Here, we study the applicability of the technique to rather adverse conditions, like for microtubule-active anti-cancer drugs and for a cell line with large size variation. We found a strong impact of the gap width and of normal forces on the moduli and obtained high vitality levels during the rheological study. To enable studying the impact of microtubule-active drugs on vital cells at concentrations several orders of magnitude beyond the half maximal effective concentration for cytotoxicity, we arrested the cell cycle with hydroxyurea. Irrespective of the high concentrations, we observed no clear impact of the microtubule-active drugs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Suhyang Lee
- German Engineering Research and Development Center, LSTME-Busan Branch, Gangseo-Gu, Busan 46742, Republic of Korea
- Institute of Fluid Mechanics, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Cauerstr. 4, Erlangen 91058, Germany
| | | | - Dong Hee Jung
- German Engineering Research and Development Center, LSTME-Busan Branch, Gangseo-Gu, Busan 46742, Republic of Korea
- Division of Energy and Bioengineering, Dongseo University, Sasang-gu, Busan 47011, Republic of Korea
| | - Santanu Kumar Basu
- Institute of Fluid Mechanics, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Cauerstr. 4, Erlangen 91058, Germany
| | - Gayeon Seo
- Division of Energy and Bioengineering, Dongseo University, Sasang-gu, Busan 47011, Republic of Korea
| | - Man-Gi Cho
- German Engineering Research and Development Center, LSTME-Busan Branch, Gangseo-Gu, Busan 46742, Republic of Korea
- Division of Energy and Bioengineering, Dongseo University, Sasang-gu, Busan 47011, Republic of Korea
| | - Andreas Wierschem
- German Engineering Research and Development Center, LSTME-Busan Branch, Gangseo-Gu, Busan 46742, Republic of Korea
- Institute of Fluid Mechanics, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Cauerstr. 4, Erlangen 91058, Germany
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6
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Li Y, Du YF, Gao F, Xu JB, Zheng LL, Liu G, Lei Y. Taccalonolides: Structure, semi-synthesis, and biological activity. Front Pharmacol 2022; 13:968061. [PMID: 36034793 PMCID: PMC9407980 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2022.968061] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/13/2022] [Accepted: 07/04/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Microtubules are the fundamental part of the cell cytoskeleton intimately involving in cell proliferation and are superb targets in clinical cancer therapy today. Microtubule stabilizers have become one of the effectively main agents in the last decades for the treatment of diverse cancers. Taccalonolides, the highly oxygenated pentacyclic steroids isolated from the genus of Tacca, are considered a class of novel microtubule-stabilizing agents. Taccalonolides not only possess a similar microtubule-stabilizing activity as the famous drug paclitaxel but also reverse the multi-drug resistance of paclitaxel and epothilone in cellular and animal models. Taccalonolides have captured numerous attention in the field of medicinal chemistry due to their variety of structures, unique mechanism of action, and low toxicity. This review focuses on the structural diversity, semi-synthesis, modification, and pharmacological activities of taccalonolides, providing bright thoughts for the discovery of microtubule-stabilizing drugs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yan Li
- Department of Pharmacy, The First Afflicted Hospital of Chengdu Medical College, Chengdu, China
| | - Yu-Feng Du
- School of Life Science and Engineering, Southwest Jiaotong University, Chengdu, China
| | - Feng Gao
- School of Life Science and Engineering, Southwest Jiaotong University, Chengdu, China
| | - Jin-Bu Xu
- School of Life Science and Engineering, Southwest Jiaotong University, Chengdu, China
| | - Ling-Li Zheng
- Department of Pharmacy, The First Afflicted Hospital of Chengdu Medical College, Chengdu, China
- *Correspondence: Ling-Li Zheng, ; Gang Liu, ; Yu Lei,
| | - Gang Liu
- Department of Pharmacy, The First Afflicted Hospital of Chengdu Medical College, Chengdu, China
- *Correspondence: Ling-Li Zheng, ; Gang Liu, ; Yu Lei,
| | - Yu Lei
- Department of Pharmacy, The First Afflicted Hospital of Chengdu Medical College, Chengdu, China
- *Correspondence: Ling-Li Zheng, ; Gang Liu, ; Yu Lei,
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7
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In Vivo Evaluation of (-)-Zampanolide Demonstrates Potent and Persistent Antitumor Efficacy When Targeted to the Tumor Site. Molecules 2022; 27:molecules27134244. [PMID: 35807495 PMCID: PMC9268097 DOI: 10.3390/molecules27134244] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/16/2022] [Revised: 06/27/2022] [Accepted: 06/29/2022] [Indexed: 01/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Microtubule-stabilizing agents (MSAs) are a class of compounds used in the treatment of triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC), a subtype of breast cancer where chemotherapy remains the standard-of-care for patients. Taxanes like paclitaxel and docetaxel have demonstrated efficacy against TNBC in the clinic, however new classes of MSAs need to be identified due to the rise of taxane resistance in patients. (−)-Zampanolide is a covalent microtubule stabilizer that can circumvent taxane resistance in vitro but has not been evaluated for in vivo antitumor efficacy. Here, we determine that (−)-zampanolide has similar potency and efficacy to paclitaxel in TNBC cell lines, but is significantly more persistent due to its covalent binding. We also provide the first reported in vivo antitumor evaluation of (−)-zampanolide where we determine that it has potent and persistent antitumor efficacy when delivered intratumorally. Future work on zampanolide to further evaluate its pharmacophore and determine ways to improve its systemic therapeutic window would make this compound a potential candidate for clinical development through its ability to circumvent taxane-resistance mechanisms.
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8
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Wangzaozin A, a potent novel microtubule stabilizer, targets both the taxane and laulimalide sites on β-tubulin through molecular dynamics simulations. Life Sci 2022; 301:120583. [PMID: 35504334 DOI: 10.1016/j.lfs.2022.120583] [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: 02/22/2022] [Revised: 04/14/2022] [Accepted: 04/23/2022] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
Wangzaozin A, an ent-kaurene diterpenoid isolated from Isodon racemosa (Hemsl) Hara, promotes the polymerization of intracellular microtubules as well as purified tubulin, which is similar to other known microtubule stabilizers. Our pharmacological results showed that wangzaozin A induced G2/M cell cycle arrest and the significant inhibition of cancer cell proliferation. A molecular docking study indicated that wangzaozin A could bind to both the taxane and laulimalide (lau) sites on β-tubulin, which is a novel binding mode that differs from that of known microtubule stabilizers. Furthermore, molecular dynamics simulation and binding free energy calculations demonstrated that wangzaozin A could stably bind to taxane and lau sites simultaneously and form a double-bonded complex. The binding mode of wangzaozin A to the taxane site was more similar to that of epothilone A than paclitaxel. Our results demonstrate that wangzaozin A represents a novel class of microtubule stabilizers, and may serve as a potential microtubule-targeting lead compound for further structural optimization.
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9
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Zhao T, Liang C, Zhao Y, Xue X, Ma Z, Qi J, Shen H, Yang S, Zhang J, Jia Q, Du Q, Cao D, Xiang B, Zhang H, Qi X. Multistage pH-responsive codelivery liposomal platform for synergistic cancer therapy. J Nanobiotechnology 2022; 20:177. [PMID: 35366888 PMCID: PMC8976966 DOI: 10.1186/s12951-022-01383-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/06/2021] [Accepted: 03/17/2022] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Abstract
Background
Small interfering RNA (siRNA) is utilized as a potent agent for cancer therapy through regulating the expression of genes associated with tumors. While the widely application of siRNAs in cancer treatment is severely limited by their insufficient biological stability and its poor ability to penetrate cell membranes. Targeted delivery systems hold great promise to selectively deliver loaded drug to tumor site and reduce toxic side effect. However, the elevated tumor interstitial fluid pressure and efficient cytoplasmic release are still two significant obstacles to siRNA delivery. Co-delivery of chemotherapeutic drugs and siRNA represents a potential strategy which may achieve synergistic anticancer effect. Herein, we designed and synthesized a dual pH-responsive peptide (DPRP), which includes three units, a cell-penetrating domain (polyarginine), a polyanionic shielding domain (ehG)n, and an imine linkage between them. Based on the DPRP surface modification, we developed a pH-responsive liposomal system for co-delivering polo-like kinase-1 (PLK-1) specific siRNA and anticancer agent docetaxel (DTX), D-Lsi/DTX, to synergistically exhibit anti-tumor effect.
Results
In contrast to the results at the physiological pH (7.4), D-Lsi/DTX lead to the enhanced penetration into tumor spheroid, the facilitated cellular uptake, the promoted escape from endosomes/lysosomes, the improved distribution into cytoplasm, and the increased cellular apoptosis under mildly acidic condition (pH 6.5). Moreover, both in vitro and in vivo study indicated that D-Lsi/DTX had a therapeutic advantage over other control liposomes. We provided clear evidence that liposomal system co-delivering siPLK-1 and DTX could significantly downregulate expression of PLK-1 and inhibit tumor growth without detectable toxic side effect, compared with siPLK-1-loaded liposomes, DTX-loaded liposomes, and the combinatorial administration.
Conclusion
These results demonstrate great potential of the combined chemo/gene therapy based on the multistage pH-responsive codelivery liposomal platform for synergistic tumor treatment.
Graphical Abstract
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10
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Ma W, Yang Y, Zhu J, Jia W, Zhang T, Liu Z, Chen X, Lin Y. Biomimetic Nanoerythrosome-Coated Aptamer-DNA Tetrahedron/Maytansine Conjugates: pH-Responsive and Targeted Cytotoxicity for HER2-Positive Breast Cancer. ADVANCED MATERIALS (DEERFIELD BEACH, FLA.) 2022; 34:e2109609. [PMID: 35064993 DOI: 10.1002/adma.202109609] [Citation(s) in RCA: 109] [Impact Index Per Article: 54.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/25/2021] [Revised: 01/19/2022] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
DNA materials have emerged as potential nanocarriers for targeted cancer therapy to precisely deliver cargos with specific purposes. The short half-life and low bioavailability of DNA materials due to their interception by the reticuloendothelial system and blood clearance further limit their clinical translation. This study employs an HER2-targeted DNA-aptamer-modified DNA tetrahedron (HApt-tFNA) as a drug delivery system, and combines maytansine (DM1) to develop the HApt-DNA tetrahedron/DM1 conjugate (HApt-tFNA@DM1, HTD, HApDC) for targeted therapy of HER2-positive cancer. To optimize the pharmacokinetics and tumor-aggregation of HTD, a biomimetic camouflage is applied to embed HTD. The biomimetic camouflage is constructed by merging the erythrocyte membrane with pH-responsive functionalized synthetic liposomes, thus with excellent performance of drug delivery and tumor-stimulated drug release. The hybrid erythrosome-based nanoparticles show better inhibition of HER2-positive cancer than other drug formulations and exhibit superior biosafety. With the strengths of precise delivery, increased drug loading, sensitive tumor probing, and prolonged circulation time, the HApDC represents a promising nanomedicine to treat HER2-positive tumors. Notably, this study developsa dual-targeting nanoparticle by combining pH-sensitive camouflage and HApDC, initiating an important step toward the development and application of DNA-based medicine and biomimetic cell membrane materials in cancer treatment and other potential biological applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wenjuan Ma
- State Key Laboratory of Oral Diseases National Clinical Research Center for Oral Diseases West China Hospital of Stomatology Sichuan University Chengdu 610041 P. R. China
| | - Yuting Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Oral Diseases National Clinical Research Center for Oral Diseases West China Hospital of Stomatology Sichuan University Chengdu 610041 P. R. China
| | - Jianwei Zhu
- Department of Neurosurgery Sichuan Provincial People's Hospital University of Electronic Science and Technology of China Chengdu 611731 P. R. China
| | - Weiqiang Jia
- Department of Neurosurgery Sichuan Provincial People's Hospital University of Electronic Science and Technology of China Chengdu 611731 P. R. China
| | - Tao Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Oral Diseases National Clinical Research Center for Oral Diseases West China Hospital of Stomatology Sichuan University Chengdu 610041 P. R. China
| | - Zhiqiang Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Oral Diseases National Clinical Research Center for Oral Diseases West China Hospital of Stomatology Sichuan University Chengdu 610041 P. R. China
| | - Xingyu Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Oral Diseases National Clinical Research Center for Oral Diseases West China Hospital of Stomatology Sichuan University Chengdu 610041 P. R. China
| | - Yunfeng Lin
- State Key Laboratory of Oral Diseases National Clinical Research Center for Oral Diseases West China Hospital of Stomatology Sichuan University Chengdu 610041 P. R. China
- College of Biomedical Engineering Sichuan University Chengdu 610041 P. R. China
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11
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Mechanisms of influence of the microtubule over-stabilizing ligands on the structure and intrinsic dynamics of α,β-Tubulin. Comput Biol Chem 2021; 96:107617. [PMID: 34942453 DOI: 10.1016/j.compbiolchem.2021.107617] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/23/2021] [Revised: 11/24/2021] [Accepted: 12/06/2021] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
The intervention into the cell cycle progression by administering microtubule over-stabilizing ligands that arrest the mitotic cell division by preventing spindle dissociation, is a promising strategy to fight against cancers. The building blocks of the microtubules and the spindles, i.e. the α,β-tubulin dimer, upon binding of such ligands, stay more comfortably in the microtubular multimeric form; the phenomenon of which is the key to the said over-stabilization. Using two such over-stabilizing ligands, Taxol and Taxotere, the present work reports the collective changes that these ligands induce on the structure and dynamics of the α,β-tubulin dimer which could be reconciled as the molecular basis of the over-stabilization of the microtubules; the trends have been found to be statistically significant across all independent calculations on them. The ligand binding increases the coherence between the residue communities of the two opposite faces of the β-subunit, which in a periodic arrangement in microtubule are knwon to form intermolecular contact with each other. This is likely to create an indirect cooperativity between those structural regions and this is a consequence of the reshuffling of the internal network of interactions upon ligand binding. Such reorganizations are also complemented by the increased contributions of the softer modes of the intrinsic dynamics more, which is likely to increase the plasticity of the system favourable for making structural adjustments in a multimer. Further, the ligands are able to compensate the drawback of lacking one phosphate group in protein-GDP interactions compared to the same for protein-GTP and this is in agreement with the hints form the earlier reports. The findings form a mechanistic basis of the enhanced capacity of the α,β-tubulin dimer to get more favourably accommodated into the microtubule superstructure upon binding either of Taxol and Taxotere.
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12
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Banerjee S, Mahmud F, Deng S, Ma L, Yun MK, Fakayode SO, Arnst KE, Yang L, Chen H, Wu Z, Lukka PB, Parmar K, Meibohm B, White SW, Wang Y, Li W, Miller DD. X-ray Crystallography-Guided Design, Antitumor Efficacy, and QSAR Analysis of Metabolically Stable Cyclopenta-Pyrimidinyl Dihydroquinoxalinone as a Potent Tubulin Polymerization Inhibitor. J Med Chem 2021; 64:13072-13095. [PMID: 34406768 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.1c01202] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
Small molecules that interact with the colchicine binding site in tubulin have demonstrated therapeutic efficacy in treating cancers. We report the design, syntheses, and antitumor efficacies of new analogues of pyridopyrimidine and hydroquinoxalinone compounds with improved drug-like characteristics. Eight analogues, 5j, 5k, 5l, 5m, 5n, 5r, 5t, and 5u, showed significant improvement in metabolic stability and demonstrated strong antiproliferative potency in a panel of human cancer cell lines, including melanoma, lung cancer, and breast cancer. We report crystal structures of tubulin in complex with five representative compounds, 5j, 5k, 5l, 5m, and 5t, providing direct confirmation for their binding to the colchicine site in tubulin. A quantitative structure-activity relationship analysis of the synthesized analogues showed strong ability to predict potency. In vivo, 5m (4 mg/kg) and 5t (5 mg/kg) significantly inhibited tumor growth as well as melanoma spontaneous metastasis into the lung and liver against a highly paclitaxel-resistant A375/TxR xenograft model.
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Affiliation(s)
- Souvik Banerjee
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, Tennessee 38163, United States.,Department of Physical Sciences, College of STEM, University of Arkansas Fort Smith, Fort Smith, Arkansas 72913, United States
| | - Foyez Mahmud
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, Tennessee 38163, United States
| | - Shanshan Deng
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, Tennessee 38163, United States
| | - Lingling Ma
- Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, Targeted Tracer Research and Development Laboratory, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China
| | - Mi-Kyung Yun
- Department of Structural Biology, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, Tennessee 38105, United States
| | - Sayo O Fakayode
- Department of Physical Sciences, College of STEM, University of Arkansas Fort Smith, Fort Smith, Arkansas 72913, United States
| | - Kinsie E Arnst
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, Tennessee 38163, United States
| | - Lei Yang
- Department of Chemical Biology and Therapeutics, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, Tennessee 38105, United States
| | - Hao Chen
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, Tennessee 38163, United States
| | - Zhongzhi Wu
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, Tennessee 38163, United States
| | - Pradeep B Lukka
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, Tennessee 38163, United States
| | - Keyur Parmar
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, Tennessee 38163, United States
| | - Bernd Meibohm
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, Tennessee 38163, United States
| | - Stephen W White
- Department of Structural Biology, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, Tennessee 38105, United States
| | - Yuxi Wang
- Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, Targeted Tracer Research and Development Laboratory, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China
| | - Wei Li
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, Tennessee 38163, United States
| | - Duane D Miller
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, Tennessee 38163, United States
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13
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He J, Ma R, Li ZH, Feng T, Liu JK. Taccachatrones A-G, Highly Oxidized Steroids from the Rhizomes of Tacca chantrierii and Their Cytotoxicity Assessment. JOURNAL OF NATURAL PRODUCTS 2021; 84:2265-2271. [PMID: 34355562 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jnatprod.1c00342] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Seven highly oxidized steroids, taccachatrones A-G (1-7), together with four known taccalonolides (8-11), were characterized from the rhizomes of Tacca chantrieri. The structures of 1-7 were established on the basis of spectroscopic data analysis, while the absolute configurations were determined by single-crystal X-ray diffraction. Compounds 1-4 may be derived from taccalonolide derivatives by the degradation of three carbon atoms. Compounds 7, 8, 10, and 11 exhibited cytotoxicity to human cancer cell lines, indicating that the presence of a lactone moiety, as well as a double bond between C-22 and C-23, might play key roles in mediating their cytotoxicity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Juan He
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, South-Central University for Nationalities, Wuhan 430074, People's Republic of China
- National Demonstration Center for Experimental Ethnopharmacology Education, South-Central University for Nationalities, Wuhan 430074, People's Republic of China
| | - Rui Ma
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, South-Central University for Nationalities, Wuhan 430074, People's Republic of China
| | - Zheng-Hui Li
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, South-Central University for Nationalities, Wuhan 430074, People's Republic of China
- National Demonstration Center for Experimental Ethnopharmacology Education, South-Central University for Nationalities, Wuhan 430074, People's Republic of China
| | - Tao Feng
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, South-Central University for Nationalities, Wuhan 430074, People's Republic of China
- National Demonstration Center for Experimental Ethnopharmacology Education, South-Central University for Nationalities, Wuhan 430074, People's Republic of China
| | - Ji-Kai Liu
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, South-Central University for Nationalities, Wuhan 430074, People's Republic of China
- National Demonstration Center for Experimental Ethnopharmacology Education, South-Central University for Nationalities, Wuhan 430074, People's Republic of China
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14
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Chen H, Deng S, Albadari N, Yun MK, Zhang S, Li Y, Ma D, Parke DN, Yang L, Seagroves TN, White SW, Miller DD, Li W. Design, Synthesis, and Biological Evaluation of Stable Colchicine-Binding Site Tubulin Inhibitors 6-Aryl-2-benzoyl-pyridines as Potential Anticancer Agents. J Med Chem 2021; 64:12049-12074. [PMID: 34378386 PMCID: PMC9206500 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.1c00715] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
We previously reported a potent tubulin inhibitor CH-2-77. In this study, we optimized the structure of CH-2-77 by blocking metabolically labile sites and synthesized a series of CH-2-77 analogues. Two compounds, 40a and 60c, preserved the potency while improving the metabolic stability over CH-2-77 by 3- to 4-fold (46.8 and 29.4 vs 10.8 min in human microsomes). We determined the high-resolution X-ray crystal structures of 40a (resolution 2.3 Å) and 60c (resolution 2.6 Å) in complex with tubulin and confirmed their direct binding at the colchicine-binding site. In vitro, 60c maintained its mode of action by inhibiting tubulin polymerization and was effective against P-glycoprotein-mediated multiple drug resistance and taxol resistance. In vivo, 60c exhibited a strong inhibitory effect on tumor growth and metastasis in a taxol-resistant A375/TxR xenograft model without obvious toxicity. Collectively, this work showed that 60c is a promising lead compound for further development as a potential anticancer agent.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hao Chen
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, Tennessee 38163, United States
| | - Shanshan Deng
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, Tennessee 38163, United States
| | - Najah Albadari
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, Tennessee 38163, United States
| | - Mi-Kyung Yun
- Department of Structural Biology, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, Tennessee 38105, United States
| | - Sicheng Zhang
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, Tennessee 38163, United States
| | - Yong Li
- Department of Chemical Biology and Therapeutics, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, Tennessee 38105, United States
| | - Dejian Ma
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, Tennessee 38163, United States
| | - Deanna N Parke
- Department of Pathology, College of Medicine, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, Tennessee 38163, United States
| | - Lei Yang
- Department of Chemical Biology and Therapeutics, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, Tennessee 38105, United States
| | - Tiffany N Seagroves
- Department of Pathology, College of Medicine, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, Tennessee 38163, United States
| | - Stephen W White
- Department of Structural Biology, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, Tennessee 38105, United States
| | - Duane D Miller
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, Tennessee 38163, United States
| | - Wei Li
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, Tennessee 38163, United States
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15
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βIII-tubulin overexpression in cancer: Causes, consequences, and potential therapies. Biochim Biophys Acta Rev Cancer 2021; 1876:188607. [PMID: 34364992 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbcan.2021.188607] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/16/2021] [Revised: 06/21/2021] [Accepted: 08/02/2021] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
Class III β-tubulin (βIII-tubulin) is frequently overexpressed in human tumors and is associated with resistance to microtubule-targeting agents, tumor aggressiveness, and poor patient outcome. Understanding the mechanisms regulating βIII-tubulin expression and the varied functions βIII-tubulin may have in different cancers is vital to assess the prognostic value of this protein and to develop strategies to enhance therapeutic benefits in βIII-tubulin overexpressing tumors. Here we gather all the available evidence regarding the clinical implications of βIII-tubulin overexpression in cancer, describe factors that regulate βIII-tubulin expression, and discuss current understanding of the mechanisms underlying βIII-tubulin-mediated resistance to microtubule-targeting agents and tumor aggressiveness. Finally, we provide an overview of emerging therapeutic strategies to target tumors that overexpress βIII-tubulin.
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16
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Jana B, Barman S, Roy R, Das G, Mukherjee N, Adak A, Ghosh S. Fluorine Substituted Proline Enhances the Tubulin Binding Potential of a Tetrapeptide at the GTP Binding Pocket Causing the Inhibition of Microtubule Motility and an Antimitotic Effect. J Phys Chem B 2021; 125:8768-8780. [PMID: 34328335 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jpcb.1c04323] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
The microtubule is regarded as the key target for designing anticancer and neurotherapeutic drugs due to its functional importance in eukaryotic cells including neurons. The microtubule is a dynamic hollow polymer tube consisting of α,β-tubulin heterodimer. Polymerization of α,β-tubulin heterodimer resulted in microtubule formation. GTP plays a crucial role in microtubule polymerization. It binds at the exchangeable binding site of the β-tubulin heterodimer, and it is one of the most crucial therapeutic hot spots for designing anticancer therapeutics. In this manuscript, we have shown using an in silico strategy and various in vitro and cellular experiments that the binding affinity to the tubulin and cancer therapeutic potential of an exchangeable GTP/GDP binding antimitotic tetrapeptide (SP: Ser-Leu-Arg-Pro) is increased through changing proline with the multifluorine substituted proline. This study showcases the importance of the proline amino acid and its pyrrolidine ring in the regulation of binding with tubulin at the GTP binding pocket.
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Affiliation(s)
- Batakrishna Jana
- Organic and Medicinal Chemistry and Structural Biology and Bioinformatics Division, CSIR-Indian Institute of Chemical Biology, 4, Raja S. C. Mullick Road, Jadavpur, Kolkata, West Bengal 700 032, India
| | - Surajit Barman
- Organic and Medicinal Chemistry and Structural Biology and Bioinformatics Division, CSIR-Indian Institute of Chemical Biology, 4, Raja S. C. Mullick Road, Jadavpur, Kolkata, West Bengal 700 032, India
| | - Rajsekhar Roy
- Department of Bioscience & Bioengineering, Indian Institute of Technology Jodhpur, NH 62, Surpura Bypass Road, Karwar, Rajasthan 342037, India
| | - Gaurav Das
- Organic and Medicinal Chemistry and Structural Biology and Bioinformatics Division, CSIR-Indian Institute of Chemical Biology, 4, Raja S. C. Mullick Road, Jadavpur, Kolkata, West Bengal 700 032, India.,Academy of Scientific and Innovative Research (AcSIR), Ghaziabad, Uttar Pradesh 201002, India
| | - Nabanita Mukherjee
- Department of Bioscience & Bioengineering, Indian Institute of Technology Jodhpur, NH 62, Surpura Bypass Road, Karwar, Rajasthan 342037, India
| | - Anindyasundar Adak
- Organic and Medicinal Chemistry and Structural Biology and Bioinformatics Division, CSIR-Indian Institute of Chemical Biology, 4, Raja S. C. Mullick Road, Jadavpur, Kolkata, West Bengal 700 032, India
| | - Surajit Ghosh
- Organic and Medicinal Chemistry and Structural Biology and Bioinformatics Division, CSIR-Indian Institute of Chemical Biology, 4, Raja S. C. Mullick Road, Jadavpur, Kolkata, West Bengal 700 032, India.,Department of Bioscience & Bioengineering, Indian Institute of Technology Jodhpur, NH 62, Surpura Bypass Road, Karwar, Rajasthan 342037, India.,Academy of Scientific and Innovative Research (AcSIR), Ghaziabad, Uttar Pradesh 201002, India
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17
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Yee SS, Risinger AL. Efficacy of a Covalent Microtubule Stabilizer in Taxane-Resistant Ovarian Cancer Models. Molecules 2021; 26:molecules26134077. [PMID: 34279417 PMCID: PMC8271594 DOI: 10.3390/molecules26134077] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/12/2021] [Revised: 06/23/2021] [Accepted: 06/30/2021] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Ovarian cancer often has a poor clinical prognosis because of late detection, frequently after metastatic progression, as well as acquired resistance to taxane-based therapy. Herein, we evaluate a novel class of covalent microtubule stabilizers, the C-22,23-epoxytaccalonolides, for their efficacy against taxane-resistant ovarian cancer models in vitro and in vivo. Taccalonolide AF, which covalently binds β-tubulin through its C-22,23-epoxide moiety, demonstrates efficacy against taxane-resistant models and shows superior persistence in clonogenic assays after drug washout due to irreversible target engagement. In vivo, intraperitoneal administration of taccalonolide AF demonstrated efficacy against the taxane-resistant NCI/ADR-RES ovarian cancer model both as a flank xenograft, as well as in a disseminated orthotopic disease model representing localized metastasis. Taccalonolide-treated animals had a significant decrease in micrometastasis of NCI/ADR-RES cells to the spleen, as detected by quantitative RT-PCR, without any evidence of systemic toxicity. Together, these findings demonstrate that taccalonolide AF retains efficacy in taxane-resistant ovarian cancer models in vitro and in vivo and that its irreversible mechanism of microtubule stabilization has the unique potential for intraperitoneal treatment of locally disseminated taxane-resistant disease, which represents a significant unmet clinical need in the treatment of ovarian cancer patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Samantha S. Yee
- Department of Pharmacology, The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, Floyd Curl Drive, San Antonio, TX 78229, USA;
- Mays Cancer Center, 7979 Wurzbach Road, San Antonio, TX 78229, USA
| | - April L. Risinger
- Department of Pharmacology, The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, Floyd Curl Drive, San Antonio, TX 78229, USA;
- Mays Cancer Center, 7979 Wurzbach Road, San Antonio, TX 78229, USA
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +1-210-567-6267
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18
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Risinger AL, Hastings SD, Du L. Taccalonolide C-6 Analogues, Including Paclitaxel Hybrids, Demonstrate Improved Microtubule Polymerizing Activities. JOURNAL OF NATURAL PRODUCTS 2021; 84:1799-1805. [PMID: 34110822 PMCID: PMC8656239 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jnatprod.1c00211] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
The C-22,23-epoxy taccalonolides are microtubule stabilizers that bind covalently to β-tubulin with a high degree of specificity. We semisynthesized and performed biochemical and cellular evaluations on 20 taccalonolide analogues designed to improve target engagement. Most notably, modification of C-6 on the taccalonolide backbone with the C-13 N-acyl-β-phenylisoserine side chain of paclitaxel provided compounds with 10-fold improved potency for biochemical tubulin polymerization as compared to that of the unmodified epoxy taccalonolide AJ. Covalent docking demonstrated that the C-13 paclitaxel side chain occupied a binding pocket adjacent to the core taccalonolide pocket near the M-loop of β-tubulin. Although paclitaxel-taccalonolide hybrids demonstrated improved in vitro biochemical potency, they retained features of the taccalonolide chemotype, including a lag in tubulin polymerization and high degree of cellular persistence after drug washout associated with covalent binding. Together, these data demonstrate that C-6 modifications can improve the target engagement of this covalent class of microtubule drugs without substantively changing their mechanism of action.
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Affiliation(s)
- April L. Risinger
- Department of Pharmacology, The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, San Antonio, Texas 78229-3900, United States
- Mays Cancer Center, The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, San Antonio, Texas 78229-3900, United States
| | - Shayne D. Hastings
- Department of Pharmacology, The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, San Antonio, Texas 78229-3900, United States
| | - Lin Du
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, The University of Oklahoma, Norman, Oklahoma 73019-5251, United States
- Institute for Natural Products Applications and Research Technologies, The University of Oklahoma, Norman, Oklahoma 73019-5251, United States
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19
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Ren Y, Wang Y, Li G, Zhang Z, Ma L, Cheng B, Chen J. Discovery of Novel Benzimidazole and Indazole Analogues as Tubulin Polymerization Inhibitors with Potent Anticancer Activities. J Med Chem 2021; 64:4498-4515. [PMID: 33788562 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.0c01837] [Citation(s) in RCA: 53] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
Novel indazole and benzimidazole analogues were designed and synthesized as tubulin inhibitors with potent antiproliferative activities. Among them, compound 12b exhibited the strongest inhibitory effects on the growth of cancer cells with an average IC50 value of 50 nM, slightly better than colchicine. 12b exhibited nearly equal potency against both, a paclitaxel-resistant cancer cell line (A2780/T, IC50 = 9.7 nM) and the corresponding parental cell line (A2780S, IC50 = 6.2 nM), thus effectively overcoming paclitaxel resistance in vitro. The crystal structure of 12b in complex with tubulin was solved to 2.45 Å resolution by X-ray crystallography, and its direct binding was confirmed to the colchicine site. Furthermore, 12b displayed significant in vivo antitumor efficacy in a melanoma tumor model with tumor growth inhibition rates of 78.70% (15 mg/kg) and 84.32% (30 mg/kg). Collectively, this work shows that 12b is a promising lead compound deserving further investigation as a potential anticancer agent.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yichang Ren
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of New Drug Screening, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, China
| | - Yuxi Wang
- Targeted Tracer Research and Development Laboratory, Precision Medicine Research Center, Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China
| | - Gang Li
- Guangdong Key Laboratory of Animal Conservation and Resource Utilization, Guangdong Public Laboratory of Wild Animal Conservation and Utilization, Institute of Zoology, Guangdong Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou 510260, China
| | - Zherong Zhang
- Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, Dartmouth College, Hanover, New Hampshire 03755, United States
| | - Lingling Ma
- Targeted Tracer Research and Development Laboratory, Precision Medicine Research Center, Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China
| | - Binbin Cheng
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of New Drug Screening, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, China
| | - Jianjun Chen
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of New Drug Screening, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, China
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20
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Taccalonolides: A Novel Class of Microtubule-Stabilizing Anticancer Agents. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:cancers13040920. [PMID: 33671665 PMCID: PMC7926778 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13040920] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/16/2021] [Revised: 02/17/2021] [Accepted: 02/19/2021] [Indexed: 01/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Natural products have continued to play an important role in new drug discovery with a considerable number of marketed drugs being derived from naturally occurring compounds, particularly in the area of cancer. Taccalonolides are a new class of microtube-stabilizing agents isolated from plants of the genus Tacca demonstrating effectiveness against drug-resistant tumors in cellular and animal models. This review article highlights the discovery history of taccalonolides and their microtubule-stabilizing activities, which summarizes the naturally derived and semi-synthesized structures that have been reported so far and the advances on the mechanism of action of taccalonolides. Abstract Microtubule stabilizing agents, such as paclitaxel, docetaxel, and cabazitaxel have been among the most used chemotherapeutic agents in the last decades for the treatment of a wide range of cancers in the clinic. One of the concerns that limit their use in clinical practice is their intrinsic and acquired drug resistance, which is common to most anti-cancer chemotherapeutics. Taccalonolides are a new class of microtubule stabilizers isolated from the roots of a few species in the genus of Tacca. In early studies, taccalonolides demonstrated different effects on interphase and mitotic microtubules from those of paclitaxel and laulimalide suggesting a unique mechanism of action. This prompts the exploration of new taccalonolides with various functionalities through the identification of minor constituents of natural origin and semi-synthesis. The experiments on the new highly potent taccalonolides indicated that taccalonolides possessed a unique mechanism of covalently binding to the microtubule. An X-ray diffraction analysis of a crystal of taccalonolides AJ binding to tubulin indicated that the covalent binding site is at β-tubulin D226. Taccalonolides circumvent all three mechanisms of taxane drug resistance both in vitro and in vivo. To improve the activity, the structure modification through semi-synthesis was conducted and the structure-activity relationships (SARs) was analyzed based on natural and semi-synthetical taccalonolides. The C22–C23 epoxide can significantly increase the antiproliferation potency of taccalonolides due to the covalent link of C22 and the carboxylic group of D226. Great progress has been seen in the last few years in the understanding of the mechanism of this class of microtube-stabilizing agents. This review summarizes the structure diversity, structure-activity relationships (SARs), mechanism of action, and in vivo activities of taccalonolides.
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21
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Zhu T, Wang SH, Li D, Wang SY, Liu X, Song J, Wang YT, Zhang SY. Progress of tubulin polymerization activity detection methods. Bioorg Med Chem Lett 2021; 37:127698. [PMID: 33468346 DOI: 10.1016/j.bmcl.2020.127698] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/18/2020] [Revised: 11/05/2020] [Accepted: 11/14/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Tubulin, an important target in tumor therapy, is one of the hotspots in the field of antineoplastic drugs in recent years, and it is of great significance to design and screen new inhibitors for this target. Natural products and chemical synthetic drugs are the main sources of tubulin inhibitors. However, due to the variety of compound structure types, it has always been difficult for researchers to screen out polymerization inhibitors with simple operation, high efficiency and low cost. A large number of articles have reported the screening methods of tubulin inhibitors and their biological activity. In this article, the biological activity detection methods of tubulin polymerization inhibitors are reviewed. Thus, it provides a theoretical basis for the further study of tubulin polymerization inhibitors and the selection of methods for tubulin inhibitors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ting Zhu
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou 450001, China; Key Laboratory of Advanced Drug Preparation Technologies, Ministry of Education, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou 450001, China
| | - Sheng-Hui Wang
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou 450001, China
| | - Dong Li
- Key Laboratory of Advanced Drug Preparation Technologies, Ministry of Education, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou 450001, China
| | - Shu-Yu Wang
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou 450001, China
| | - Xu Liu
- Key Laboratory of Advanced Drug Preparation Technologies, Ministry of Education, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou 450001, China
| | - Jian Song
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou 450001, China; Key Laboratory of Advanced Drug Preparation Technologies, Ministry of Education, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou 450001, China.
| | - Ya-Ting Wang
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou 450001, China.
| | - Sai-Yang Zhang
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou 450001, China; Henan Institute of Advanced Technology, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou 450001, China.
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22
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Clanton N, Hastings SD, Foultz GB, Contreras JA, Yee SS, Arman HD, Risinger AL, Frantz DE. Synthesis and Biological Evaluations of Electrophilic Steroids Inspired by the Taccalonolides. ACS Med Chem Lett 2020; 11:2534-2543. [PMID: 33335677 PMCID: PMC7734803 DOI: 10.1021/acsmedchemlett.0c00534] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/06/2020] [Accepted: 11/18/2020] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Natural products have served as inspirational scaffolds for the design and synthesis of novel antineoplastic agents. Here we present our preliminary efforts on the synthesis and biological evaluation of a new class of electrophilic steroids inspired by the naturally occurring taccalonolides. We demonstrate that these simplified analogs exhibit highly persistent antiproliferative properties similar to the taccalonolides and retain activity against resistant cancer cell lines that warrants further preclinical development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicholas
A. Clanton
- Department
of Chemistry, The University of Texas at
San Antonio, San Antonio, Texas 78249, United States
| | - Shayne D. Hastings
- Department of Pharmacology and Mays Cancer Center, University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, San Antonio, Texas 78229-3900, United States
| | - Griffin B. Foultz
- Department
of Chemistry, The University of Texas at
San Antonio, San Antonio, Texas 78249, United States
| | - Julie A. Contreras
- Department
of Chemistry, The University of Texas at
San Antonio, San Antonio, Texas 78249, United States
| | - Samantha S. Yee
- Department of Pharmacology and Mays Cancer Center, University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, San Antonio, Texas 78229-3900, United States
| | - Hadi D. Arman
- Department
of Chemistry, The University of Texas at
San Antonio, San Antonio, Texas 78249, United States
| | - April L. Risinger
- Department of Pharmacology and Mays Cancer Center, University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, San Antonio, Texas 78229-3900, United States
| | - Doug E. Frantz
- Department
of Chemistry, The University of Texas at
San Antonio, San Antonio, Texas 78249, United States
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23
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High-resolution X-ray structure of three microtubule-stabilizing agents in complex with tubulin provide a rationale for drug design. Biochem Biophys Res Commun 2020; 534:330-336. [PMID: 33272565 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbrc.2020.11.082] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/15/2020] [Accepted: 11/19/2020] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
Microtubule is a key component of cytoskeleton and has been considered as an important target for the treatment of cancer. In particular, the tubulin taxane-site inhibitors such as taxol analogs and epothilones have achieved great success in clinical trials. However, the structural basis of many taxane-site inhibitors is still lacking in exploring their mechanism of action. We here reported crystal complex structures for three taxane-site inhibitors, Ixabepilone, Epothilone B, and Epothilone D, which were determined to 2.4 Å, 2.4 Å, and 2.85 Å, respectively. The crystal structures revealed that these taxane-site inhibitors possess similar binding modes to that of Epothilone A at the taxane site, e.g. making critical hydrogen-bonding interactions with multiple residues on the M-loop, which facilitating the tubulin polymerization. Furthermore, we summarized the binding modes of almost all taxane-site inhibitors and identified novel taxane-site ligands with simpler chemical structures through virtual screening. On this basis, new derivatives with higher binding affinity to tubulin were designed and developed, which can form additional hydrogen bond interactions with tubulin. Overall, this work determined the mechanism of action of epothilones and provided a structural basis to design reasonably novel taxane-site inhibitors with simpler structure and improved pharmacokinetic properties.
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24
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Development of Taccalonolide AJ-Hydroxypropyl-β-Cyclodextrin Inclusion Complexes for Treatment of Clear Cell Renal-Cell Carcinoma. Molecules 2020; 25:molecules25235586. [PMID: 33261151 PMCID: PMC7731059 DOI: 10.3390/molecules25235586] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/27/2020] [Revised: 11/24/2020] [Accepted: 11/26/2020] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Microtubule-targeted drugs are the most effective drugs for adult patients with certain solid tumors. Taccalonolide AJ (AJ) can stabilize tubulin polymerization by covalently binding to β-tubulin, which enables it to play a role in the treatment of tumors. However, its clinical applications are largely limited by low water solubility, chemical instability in water, and a narrow therapeutic window. Clear-cell renal-cell carcinoma (cc RCC) accounts for approximately 70% of RCC cases and is prone to resistance to particularly targeted therapy drugs. METHODS we prepared a water-soluble cyclodextrin-based carrier to serve as an effective treatment for cc RCC. RESULTS Compared with AJ, taccalonolide AJ-hydroxypropyl-β-cyclodextrin (AJ-HP-β-CD) exhibited superior selectivity and activity toward the cc RCC cell line 786-O vs. normal kidney cells by inducing apoptosis and cell cycle arrest and inhibiting migration and invasion of tumor cells in vitro. According to acute toxicity testing, the maximum tolerated dose (MTD) of AJ-HP-β-CD was 10.71 mg/kg, which was 20 times greater than that of AJ. Assessment of weight changes showed that mouse body weight recovered over 7-8 days, and the toxicity could be greatly reduced by adjusting the injections from once every three days to once per week. In addition, we inoculated 786-O cells to generate xenografted mice to evaluate the anti-tumor activity of AJ-HP-β-CD in vivo and found that AJ-HP-β-CD had a better tumor inhibitory effect than that of docetaxel and sunitinib in terms of tumor growth and endpoint tumor weight. These results indicated that cyclodextrin inclusion greatly increased the anti-tumor therapeutic window of AJ. CONCLUSIONS the AJ-HP-β-CD complex developed in this study may prove to be a novel tubulin stabilizer for the treatment of cc RCC. In addition, this drug delivery system may broaden the horizon in the translational study of other chemotherapeutic drugs.
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25
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A novel orally active microtubule destabilizing agent S-40 targets the colchicine-binding site and shows potent antitumor activity. Cancer Lett 2020; 495:22-32. [PMID: 32931884 DOI: 10.1016/j.canlet.2020.08.040] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/21/2020] [Revised: 08/17/2020] [Accepted: 08/28/2020] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
The tubulin colchicine binding site has been recognized as an attractive drug target to combat cancer, but none of the candidate drugs have been approved for medical treatment. We recently identified a structurally distinct small molecule S-40 as an oral potent tubulin destabilizing agent. Crystal structure analysis of S-40 in a complex with tubulin at a resolution of 2.4 Å indicated that S-40 occupies all 3 zones in the colchicine pocket with interactions different from known microtubule inhibitors, presenting unique effects on assembly and curvature of tubulin dimers. S-40 overcomes paclitaxel resistance and lacks neurotoxicity, which are the main obstacles limiting clinical applications of paclitaxel. Moreover, S-40 harbors the ability to inhibit growth of cancer cell lines as well as patient-derived organoids, induce mitotic arrest and cell apoptosis. Xenograft mouse models of human prostate cancer DU145, non-small cell lung cancer NCI-H1299 and paclitaxel-resistant A549 were strongly restrained without apparent side effects by S-40 oral administration once daily. These findings provide evidence for the development of S-40 as the next generation of orally effective microtubule inhibitors for cancer therapy.
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26
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Su M, Zhao C, Li D, Cao J, Ju Z, Kim EL, Jung YS, Jung JH. Viriditoxin Stabilizes Microtubule Polymers in SK-OV-3 Cells and Exhibits Antimitotic and Antimetastatic Potential. Mar Drugs 2020; 18:md18090445. [PMID: 32867174 PMCID: PMC7551567 DOI: 10.3390/md18090445] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/03/2020] [Revised: 08/21/2020] [Accepted: 08/25/2020] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Microtubules play a crucial role in mitosis and are attractive targets for cancer therapy. Recently, we isolated viriditoxin, a cytotoxic and antibacterial compound, from a marine fungus Paecilomyces variotii. Viriditoxin has been reported to inhibit the polymerization of bacterial FtsZ, a tubulin-like GTPase that plays an essential role in bacterial cell division. Given the close structural homology between FtsZ and tubulin, we investigated the potential antimitotic effects of viriditoxin on human cancer cells. Viriditoxin, like paclitaxel, enhanced tubulin polymerization and stabilized microtubule polymers, thereby perturbing mitosis in the SK-OV-3 cell line. However, the morphology of the stabilized microtubules was different from that induced by paclitaxel, indicating subtle differences in the mode of action of these compounds. Microtubule dynamics are also essential in cell movement, and viriditoxin repressed migration and colony formation ability of SK-OV-3 cells. Based on these results, we propose that viriditoxin interrupts microtubule dynamics, thus leading to antimitotic and antimetastatic activities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mingzhi Su
- College of Pharmacy, Pusan National University, Busan 46241, Korea; (M.S.); (C.Z.); (D.L.); (J.C.); (Z.J.); (E.L.K.); (Y.-S.J.)
- State Key Laboratory for Functions and Applications of Medicinal Plants, Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang 550014, China
| | - Changhao Zhao
- College of Pharmacy, Pusan National University, Busan 46241, Korea; (M.S.); (C.Z.); (D.L.); (J.C.); (Z.J.); (E.L.K.); (Y.-S.J.)
| | - Dandan Li
- College of Pharmacy, Pusan National University, Busan 46241, Korea; (M.S.); (C.Z.); (D.L.); (J.C.); (Z.J.); (E.L.K.); (Y.-S.J.)
| | - Jiafu Cao
- College of Pharmacy, Pusan National University, Busan 46241, Korea; (M.S.); (C.Z.); (D.L.); (J.C.); (Z.J.); (E.L.K.); (Y.-S.J.)
- State Key Laboratory for Functions and Applications of Medicinal Plants, Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang 550014, China
| | - Zhiran Ju
- College of Pharmacy, Pusan National University, Busan 46241, Korea; (M.S.); (C.Z.); (D.L.); (J.C.); (Z.J.); (E.L.K.); (Y.-S.J.)
| | - Eun La Kim
- College of Pharmacy, Pusan National University, Busan 46241, Korea; (M.S.); (C.Z.); (D.L.); (J.C.); (Z.J.); (E.L.K.); (Y.-S.J.)
| | - Young-Suk Jung
- College of Pharmacy, Pusan National University, Busan 46241, Korea; (M.S.); (C.Z.); (D.L.); (J.C.); (Z.J.); (E.L.K.); (Y.-S.J.)
| | - Jee H. Jung
- College of Pharmacy, Pusan National University, Busan 46241, Korea; (M.S.); (C.Z.); (D.L.); (J.C.); (Z.J.); (E.L.K.); (Y.-S.J.)
- Correspondence:
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27
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Borys F, Joachimiak E, Krawczyk H, Fabczak H. Intrinsic and Extrinsic Factors Affecting Microtubule Dynamics in Normal and Cancer Cells. Molecules 2020; 25:molecules25163705. [PMID: 32823874 PMCID: PMC7464520 DOI: 10.3390/molecules25163705] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/19/2020] [Revised: 08/03/2020] [Accepted: 08/08/2020] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Microtubules (MTs), highly dynamic structures composed of α- and β-tubulin heterodimers, are involved in cell movement and intracellular traffic and are essential for cell division. Within the cell, MTs are not uniform as they can be composed of different tubulin isotypes that are post-translationally modified and interact with different microtubule-associated proteins (MAPs). These diverse intrinsic factors influence the dynamics of MTs. Extrinsic factors such as microtubule-targeting agents (MTAs) can also affect MT dynamics. MTAs can be divided into two main categories: microtubule-stabilizing agents (MSAs) and microtubule-destabilizing agents (MDAs). Thus, the MT skeleton is an important target for anticancer therapy. This review discusses factors that determine the microtubule dynamics in normal and cancer cells and describes microtubule–MTA interactions, highlighting the importance of tubulin isoform diversity and post-translational modifications in MTA responses and the consequences of such a phenomenon, including drug resistance development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Filip Borys
- Laboratory of Cytoskeleton and Cilia Biology Nencki Institute of Experimental Biology of Polish Academy of Sciences, 3 Pasteur Street, 02-093 Warsaw, Poland;
- Department of Organic Chemistry, Faculty of Chemistry, Warsaw University of Technology, 3 Noakowskiego Street, 00-664 Warsaw, Poland;
| | - Ewa Joachimiak
- Laboratory of Cytoskeleton and Cilia Biology Nencki Institute of Experimental Biology of Polish Academy of Sciences, 3 Pasteur Street, 02-093 Warsaw, Poland;
- Correspondence: (E.J.); (H.F.)
| | - Hanna Krawczyk
- Department of Organic Chemistry, Faculty of Chemistry, Warsaw University of Technology, 3 Noakowskiego Street, 00-664 Warsaw, Poland;
| | - Hanna Fabczak
- Laboratory of Cytoskeleton and Cilia Biology Nencki Institute of Experimental Biology of Polish Academy of Sciences, 3 Pasteur Street, 02-093 Warsaw, Poland;
- Correspondence: (E.J.); (H.F.)
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28
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Zhang D, Kanakkanthara A. Beyond the Paclitaxel and Vinca Alkaloids: Next Generation of Plant-Derived Microtubule-Targeting Agents with Potential Anticancer Activity. Cancers (Basel) 2020; 12:cancers12071721. [PMID: 32610496 PMCID: PMC7407961 DOI: 10.3390/cancers12071721] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/11/2020] [Revised: 06/19/2020] [Accepted: 06/23/2020] [Indexed: 01/31/2023] Open
Abstract
Plants are an important source of chemically diverse natural products that target microtubules, one of the most successful targets in cancer therapy. Colchicine, paclitaxel, and vinca alkaloids are the earliest plant-derived microtubule-targeting agents (MTAs), and paclitaxel and vinca alkaloids are currently important drugs used in the treatment of cancer. Several additional plant-derived compounds that act on microtubules with improved anticancer activity are at varying stages of development. Here, we move beyond the well-discussed paclitaxel and vinca alkaloids to present other promising plant-derived MTAs with potential for development as anticancer agents. Various biological and biochemical aspects are discussed. We hope that the review will provide guidance for further exploration and identification of more effective, novel MTAs derived from plant sources.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dangquan Zhang
- College of Forestry, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou 450002, China
- Correspondence: (D.Z.); (A.K.)
| | - Arun Kanakkanthara
- Division of Oncology Research, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN 55905, USA
- Department of Molecular Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN 55905, USA
- Correspondence: (D.Z.); (A.K.)
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29
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Li G, Wang Y, Li L, Ren Y, Deng X, Liu J, Wang W, Luo M, Liu S, Chen J. Design, synthesis, and bioevaluation of pyrazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidine derivatives as tubulin polymerization inhibitors targeting the colchicine binding site with potent anticancer activities. Eur J Med Chem 2020; 202:112519. [PMID: 32650183 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2020.112519] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2020] [Revised: 05/21/2020] [Accepted: 05/29/2020] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
A series of Pyrazolo[1,5-a]Pyrimidine analogs were designed and synthesized as novel tubulin inhibitors. Among them, compounds 1a and 1b showed the highest antiproliferative activity against a panel of cancer cell lines with average IC50 values of 24.8 nM and 28 nM, respectively. We determined the crystal structures of 1a and 1b in complex with tubulin and confirmed their direct binding to the colchicine site. Compounds 1a and 1b also effectively inhibited tubulin polymerization in vitro, induced cell cycle arrest in G2/M phase, and inhibited cancer cell migration. In addition, compound 1b exhibited high metabolic stability in human liver microsomes. Finally, 1b was highly effective in suppressing tumor growth in a B16-F10 mouse melanoma model without apparent toxicity. In summary, these results suggest that 1b represents a promising tubulin inhibitor worthy of further investigation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gang Li
- Department of Oncology, Shunde Hospital, Southern Medical University (The First People's Hospital of Shunde), Foshan, 528300, China
| | - Yuxi Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, And Collaborative Innovation, Center of Biotherapy, Chengdu, Sichuan, 610041, China
| | - Ling Li
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of New Drug Screening, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, 510515, China
| | - Yichang Ren
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of New Drug Screening, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, 510515, China
| | - Xin Deng
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of New Drug Screening, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, 510515, China
| | - Jin Liu
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of New Drug Screening, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, 510515, China
| | - Wei Wang
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of New Drug Screening, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, 510515, China
| | - Meihua Luo
- Department of Oncology, Shunde Hospital, Southern Medical University (The First People's Hospital of Shunde), Foshan, 528300, China
| | - Shuwen Liu
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of New Drug Screening, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, 510515, China
| | - Jianjun Chen
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of New Drug Screening, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, 510515, China.
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30
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Du L, Yee SS, Ramachandran K, Risinger AL. Elucidating target specificity of the taccalonolide covalent microtubule stabilizers employing a combinatorial chemical approach. Nat Commun 2020; 11:654. [PMID: 32005831 PMCID: PMC6994698 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-019-14277-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/26/2019] [Accepted: 12/19/2019] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
The taccalonolide microtubule stabilizers covalently bind β-tubulin and overcome clinically relevant taxane resistance mechanisms. Evaluations of the target specificity and detailed drug-target interactions of taccalonolides, however, have been limited in part by their irreversible target engagement. In this study, we report the synthesis of fluorogenic taccalonolide probes that maintain the native biological properties of the potent taccalonolide, AJ. These carefully optimized, cell-permeable probes outperform commercial taxane-based probes and enable direct visualization of taccalonolides in both live and fixed cells with dramatic microtubule colocalization. The specificity of taccalonolide binding to β-tubulin is demonstrated by immunoblotting, which allows for determination of the relative contribution of key tubulin residues and taccalonolide moieties for drug-target interactions by activity-based protein profiling utilizing site-directed mutagenesis and computational modeling. This combinatorial approach provides a generally applicable strategy for investigating the binding specificity and molecular interactions of covalent binding drugs in a cellular environment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lin Du
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, The University of Oklahoma, Norman, OK, USA.
- Institute for Natural Products Applications and Research Technologies, The University of Oklahoma, Norman, OK, USA.
| | - Samantha S Yee
- Department of Pharmacology, The University of Texas Health Science Center, San Antonio, TX, USA
| | - Karthik Ramachandran
- Department of Medicine, Division of Nephrology, The University of Texas Health Science Center, San Antonio, TX, USA
| | - April L Risinger
- Department of Pharmacology, The University of Texas Health Science Center, San Antonio, TX, USA.
- Mays Cancer Center, The University of Texas Health Science Center, San Antonio, TX, USA.
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31
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Chen H, Deng S, Wang Y, Albadari N, Kumar G, Ma D, Li W, White SW, Miller DD, Li W. Structure-Activity Relationship Study of Novel 6-Aryl-2-benzoyl-pyridines as Tubulin Polymerization Inhibitors with Potent Antiproliferative Properties. J Med Chem 2020; 63:827-846. [PMID: 31860298 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.9b01815] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
We recently reported the crystal structure of tubulin in complex with a colchicine binding site inhibitor (CBSI), ABI-231, having 2-aryl-4-benzoyl-imidazole (ABI). Based on this and additional crystal structures, here we report the structure-activity relationship study of a novel series of pyridine analogues of ABI-231, with compound 4v being the most potent one (average IC50 ∼ 1.8 nM) against a panel of cancer cell lines. We determined the crystal structures of another potent CBSI ABI-274 and 4v in complex with tubulin and confirmed their direct binding at the colchicine site. 4v inhibited tubulin polymerization, strongly suppressed A375 melanoma tumor growth, induced tumor necrosis, disrupted tumor angiogenesis, and led to tumor cell apoptosis in vivo. Collectively, these studies suggest that 4v represents a promising new generation of tubulin inhibitors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hao Chen
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy , University of Tennessee Health Science Center , Memphis , Tennessee 38163 , United States
| | - Shanshan Deng
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy , University of Tennessee Health Science Center , Memphis , Tennessee 38163 , United States
| | - Yuxi Wang
- Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, West China Hospital , Sichuan University , Chengdu , Sichuan 610041 , China
| | - Najah Albadari
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy , University of Tennessee Health Science Center , Memphis , Tennessee 38163 , United States
| | - Gyanendra Kumar
- Department of Structural Biology , St. Jude Children's Research Hospital , Memphis , Tennessee 38105 , United States
| | - Dejian Ma
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy , University of Tennessee Health Science Center , Memphis , Tennessee 38163 , United States
| | - Weimin Li
- Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, West China Hospital , Sichuan University , Chengdu , Sichuan 610041 , China
| | - Stephen W White
- Department of Structural Biology , St. Jude Children's Research Hospital , Memphis , Tennessee 38105 , United States
| | - Duane D Miller
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy , University of Tennessee Health Science Center , Memphis , Tennessee 38163 , United States
| | - Wei Li
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy , University of Tennessee Health Science Center , Memphis , Tennessee 38163 , United States
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32
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Yee SS, Du L, Risinger AL. Taccalonolide Microtubule Stabilizers. PROGRESS IN THE CHEMISTRY OF ORGANIC NATURAL PRODUCTS 2020; 112:183-206. [PMID: 33306174 DOI: 10.1007/978-3-030-52966-6_3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Microtubule stabilizers are a mainstay in the treatment of many solid cancers and continue to find utility in combination therapy with molecularly targeted anticancer agents and immunotherapeutics. However, innate and acquired resistance to microtubule stabilizers can limit their clinical efficacy. The taccalonolides are a unique class of microtubule stabilizers isolated from plants of Tacca that circumvent clinically relevant mechanisms of drug resistance. Although initial reports suggested that the microtubule-stabilizing activity of the taccalonolides was independent of direct tubulin binding, additional studies have identified that potent C-22, C-23 epoxidized taccalonolides covalently bind the Aspartate 226 residue of β-tubulin and that this interaction is critical for their microtubule-stabilizing activity. The taccalonolides have distinct properties as compared to other microtubule stabilizers with regard to their biochemical effects on tubulin structure and dynamics that promote distinct cellular phenotypes. Some taccalonolides have demonstrated in vivo antitumor efficacy in drug-resistant tumor models with exquisite potency and long-lasting antitumor efficacy as a result of their irreversible target engagement. The recent identification of a site on the taccalonolide scaffold that is amenable to modification has provided evidence of the specificity of the taccalonolide-tubulin interaction. This also affords an opportunity to further optimize the targeted delivery of the taccalonolides to further improve their anticancer efficacy and potential for clinical development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Samantha S Yee
- Department of Pharmacology, The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, Floyd Curl Drive, 78229, San Antonio, TX, USA.
| | - Lin Du
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry and Institute for Natural Products Applications and Research Technologies, The University of Oklahoma, 101 Stephenson Parkway, 73019, Norman, OK, USA
| | - April L Risinger
- Department of Pharmacology, The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, Floyd Curl Drive, 78229, San Antonio, TX, USA.
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33
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Arnst KE, Banerjee S, Wang Y, Chen H, Li Y, Yang L, Li W, Miller DD, Li W. X-ray Crystal Structure Guided Discovery and Antitumor Efficacy of Dihydroquinoxalinone as Potent Tubulin Polymerization Inhibitors. ACS Chem Biol 2019; 14:2810-2821. [PMID: 31714738 DOI: 10.1021/acschembio.9b00696] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
Because of its multifaceted role in cellular functions, tubulin is a validated and productive drug target for cancer therapy. While many tubulin inhibitors demonstrate clinical efficacy, they are often limited by the development of multidrug resistance. Therefore, implementation of tubulin inhibitors that can overcome resistance could provide significant therapeutic benefits. To optimize our previously reported tubulin inhibitor, 4a, we designed and synthesized two new analogues, SB202 and SB204, based on the crystal structure of 4a in complex with tubulin protein. SB202 and SB204 achieved enhanced binding at the colchicine site in tubulin and also showed improved metabolic stability and antiproliferative potency in vitro. Functional studies confirmed that SB202 and SB204 inhibit tubulin polymerization, arrest cells in the G2/M phase of the cell cycle, interfere with cancer cell migration and proliferation, and enhance apoptotic cascades. When evaluated in vivo, SB202 exhibited antitumor and vascular disrupting action against paclitaxel-resistant mouse xenograft models, strongly suggesting the potential of this scaffold to overcome multidrug resistance for cancer therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kinsie E. Arnst
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, Tennessee 38163, United States
| | - Souvik Banerjee
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, Tennessee 38163, United States
| | - Yuxi Wang
- Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan 610041, China
| | - Hao Chen
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, Tennessee 38163, United States
| | - Yong Li
- Analytical Technologies Center, Department of Chemical Biology and Therapeutics, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Memphis, Tennessee 38105, United States
| | - Lei Yang
- Analytical Technologies Center, Department of Chemical Biology and Therapeutics, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Memphis, Tennessee 38105, United States
| | - Weimin Li
- Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan 610041, China
| | - Duane D. Miller
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, Tennessee 38163, United States
| | - Wei Li
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, Tennessee 38163, United States
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34
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Wang Q, Arnst KE, Wang Y, Kumar G, Ma D, White SW, Miller DD, Li W, Li W. Structure-Guided Design, Synthesis, and Biological Evaluation of (2-(1 H-Indol-3-yl)-1 H-imidazol-4-yl)(3,4,5-trimethoxyphenyl) Methanone (ABI-231) Analogues Targeting the Colchicine Binding Site in Tubulin. J Med Chem 2019; 62:6734-6750. [PMID: 31251599 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.9b00706] [Citation(s) in RCA: 61] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
ABI-231 is a potent, orally bioavailable tubulin inhibitor that interacts with the colchicine binding site and is currently undergoing clinical trials for prostate cancer. Guided by the crystal structure of ABI-231 in complex with tubulin, we performed structure-activity relationship studies around the 3-indole moiety that led to the discovery of several potent ABI-231 analogues, most notably 10ab and 10bb. The crystal structures of 10ab and 10bb in complex with tubulin confirmed their improved molecular interactions to the colchicine site. In vitro, biological studies showed that new ABI-231 analogues disrupt tubulin polymerization, promote microtubule fragmentation, and inhibit cancer cell migration. In vivo, analogue 10bb not only significantly inhibits primary tumor growth and decreases tumor metastasis in melanoma xenograft models but also shows a significant ability to overcome paclitaxel resistance in a taxane-resistant PC-3/TxR model. In addition, pharmacological screening suggested that 10bb has a low risk of potential off-target function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qinghui Wang
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy , University of Tennessee Health Science Center , Memphis , Tennessee 38163 , United States
| | - Kinsie E Arnst
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy , University of Tennessee Health Science Center , Memphis , Tennessee 38163 , United States
| | - Yuxi Wang
- Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, West China Hospital , Sichuan University , Chengdu , Sichuan 610041 , China
| | - Gyanendra Kumar
- Department of Structural Biology , St. Jude Children's Research Hospital , Memphis , Tennessee 38105 , United States
| | - Dejian Ma
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy , University of Tennessee Health Science Center , Memphis , Tennessee 38163 , United States
| | - Stephen W White
- Department of Structural Biology , St. Jude Children's Research Hospital , Memphis , Tennessee 38105 , United States
| | - Duane D Miller
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy , University of Tennessee Health Science Center , Memphis , Tennessee 38163 , United States
| | - Weimin Li
- Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, West China Hospital , Sichuan University , Chengdu , Sichuan 610041 , China
| | - Wei Li
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy , University of Tennessee Health Science Center , Memphis , Tennessee 38163 , United States
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Arnst KE, Wang Y, Lei ZN, Hwang DJ, Kumar G, Ma D, Parke DN, Chen Q, Yang J, White SW, Seagroves TN, Chen ZS, Miller DD, Li W. Colchicine Binding Site Agent DJ95 Overcomes Drug Resistance and Exhibits Antitumor Efficacy. Mol Pharmacol 2019; 96:73-89. [PMID: 31043459 PMCID: PMC6553560 DOI: 10.1124/mol.118.114801] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/03/2018] [Accepted: 04/21/2019] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Interfering with microtubule dynamics is a well-established strategy in cancer treatment; however, many microtubule-targeting agents are associated with drug resistance and adverse effects. Substantial evidence points to ATP-binding cassette (ABC) transporters as critical players in the development of resistance. Herein, we demonstrate the efficacy of DJ95 (2-(1H-indol-6-yl)-4-(3,4,5-trimethoxyphenyl)-1H-imidazo[4,5-c]pyridine), a novel tubulin inhibitor, in a variety of cancer cell lines, including malignant melanomas, drug-selected resistant cell lines, specific ABC transporter-overexpressing cell lines, and the National Cancer Institute 60 cell line panel. DJ95 treatment inhibited cancer cell migration, caused morphologic changes to the microtubule network foundation, and severely disrupted mitotic spindle formation of mitotic cells. The high-resolution crystal structure of DJ95 in complex with tubulin protein and the detailed molecular interactions confirmed its direct binding to the colchicine site. In vitro pharmacological screening of DJ95 using SafetyScreen44 (Eurofins Cerep-Panlabs) revealed no significant off-target interactions, and pharmacokinetic analysis showed that DJ95 was maintained at therapeutically relevant plasma concentrations for up to 24 hours in mice. In an A375 xenograft model in nude mice, DJ95 inhibited tumor growth and disrupted tumor vasculature in xenograft tumors. These results demonstrate that DJ95 is potent against a variety of cell lines, demonstrated greater potency to ABC transporter-overexpressing cell lines than existing tubulin inhibitors, directly targets the colchicine binding domain, exhibits significant antitumor efficacy, and demonstrates vascular-disrupting properties. Collectively, these data suggest that DJ95 has great potential as a cancer therapeutic, particularly for multidrug resistance phenotypes, and warrants further development. SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT: Paclitaxel is a widely used tubulin inhibitor for cancer therapy, but its clinical efficacy is often limited by the development of multidrug resistance. In this study, we reported the preclinical characterization of a new tubulin inhibitor DJ95, and demonstrated its abilities to overcome paclitaxel resistance, disrupt tumor vasculature, and exhibit significant antitumor efficacy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kinsie E Arnst
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy (K.E.A., D.-J.H., D.M., D.D.M., W.L.), and Department of Pathology (D.N.P., T.N.S.), the University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, Tennessee; State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, Collaborative Innovation Center of Biotherapy (Y.W., Q.C., J.Y.), and Department of Respiratory Medicine (Y.W.), West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China; Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, St. John's University, Queens, New York (Z.-N.L., Z.-S.C.); and Department of Structural Biology, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, Tennessee (G.K., S.W.W.)
| | - Yuxi Wang
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy (K.E.A., D.-J.H., D.M., D.D.M., W.L.), and Department of Pathology (D.N.P., T.N.S.), the University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, Tennessee; State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, Collaborative Innovation Center of Biotherapy (Y.W., Q.C., J.Y.), and Department of Respiratory Medicine (Y.W.), West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China; Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, St. John's University, Queens, New York (Z.-N.L., Z.-S.C.); and Department of Structural Biology, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, Tennessee (G.K., S.W.W.)
| | - Zi-Ning Lei
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy (K.E.A., D.-J.H., D.M., D.D.M., W.L.), and Department of Pathology (D.N.P., T.N.S.), the University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, Tennessee; State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, Collaborative Innovation Center of Biotherapy (Y.W., Q.C., J.Y.), and Department of Respiratory Medicine (Y.W.), West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China; Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, St. John's University, Queens, New York (Z.-N.L., Z.-S.C.); and Department of Structural Biology, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, Tennessee (G.K., S.W.W.)
| | - Dong-Jin Hwang
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy (K.E.A., D.-J.H., D.M., D.D.M., W.L.), and Department of Pathology (D.N.P., T.N.S.), the University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, Tennessee; State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, Collaborative Innovation Center of Biotherapy (Y.W., Q.C., J.Y.), and Department of Respiratory Medicine (Y.W.), West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China; Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, St. John's University, Queens, New York (Z.-N.L., Z.-S.C.); and Department of Structural Biology, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, Tennessee (G.K., S.W.W.)
| | - Gyanendra Kumar
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy (K.E.A., D.-J.H., D.M., D.D.M., W.L.), and Department of Pathology (D.N.P., T.N.S.), the University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, Tennessee; State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, Collaborative Innovation Center of Biotherapy (Y.W., Q.C., J.Y.), and Department of Respiratory Medicine (Y.W.), West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China; Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, St. John's University, Queens, New York (Z.-N.L., Z.-S.C.); and Department of Structural Biology, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, Tennessee (G.K., S.W.W.)
| | - Dejian Ma
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy (K.E.A., D.-J.H., D.M., D.D.M., W.L.), and Department of Pathology (D.N.P., T.N.S.), the University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, Tennessee; State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, Collaborative Innovation Center of Biotherapy (Y.W., Q.C., J.Y.), and Department of Respiratory Medicine (Y.W.), West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China; Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, St. John's University, Queens, New York (Z.-N.L., Z.-S.C.); and Department of Structural Biology, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, Tennessee (G.K., S.W.W.)
| | - Deanna N Parke
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy (K.E.A., D.-J.H., D.M., D.D.M., W.L.), and Department of Pathology (D.N.P., T.N.S.), the University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, Tennessee; State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, Collaborative Innovation Center of Biotherapy (Y.W., Q.C., J.Y.), and Department of Respiratory Medicine (Y.W.), West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China; Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, St. John's University, Queens, New York (Z.-N.L., Z.-S.C.); and Department of Structural Biology, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, Tennessee (G.K., S.W.W.)
| | - Qiang Chen
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy (K.E.A., D.-J.H., D.M., D.D.M., W.L.), and Department of Pathology (D.N.P., T.N.S.), the University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, Tennessee; State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, Collaborative Innovation Center of Biotherapy (Y.W., Q.C., J.Y.), and Department of Respiratory Medicine (Y.W.), West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China; Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, St. John's University, Queens, New York (Z.-N.L., Z.-S.C.); and Department of Structural Biology, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, Tennessee (G.K., S.W.W.)
| | - Jinliang Yang
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy (K.E.A., D.-J.H., D.M., D.D.M., W.L.), and Department of Pathology (D.N.P., T.N.S.), the University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, Tennessee; State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, Collaborative Innovation Center of Biotherapy (Y.W., Q.C., J.Y.), and Department of Respiratory Medicine (Y.W.), West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China; Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, St. John's University, Queens, New York (Z.-N.L., Z.-S.C.); and Department of Structural Biology, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, Tennessee (G.K., S.W.W.)
| | - Stephen W White
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy (K.E.A., D.-J.H., D.M., D.D.M., W.L.), and Department of Pathology (D.N.P., T.N.S.), the University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, Tennessee; State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, Collaborative Innovation Center of Biotherapy (Y.W., Q.C., J.Y.), and Department of Respiratory Medicine (Y.W.), West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China; Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, St. John's University, Queens, New York (Z.-N.L., Z.-S.C.); and Department of Structural Biology, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, Tennessee (G.K., S.W.W.)
| | - Tiffany N Seagroves
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy (K.E.A., D.-J.H., D.M., D.D.M., W.L.), and Department of Pathology (D.N.P., T.N.S.), the University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, Tennessee; State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, Collaborative Innovation Center of Biotherapy (Y.W., Q.C., J.Y.), and Department of Respiratory Medicine (Y.W.), West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China; Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, St. John's University, Queens, New York (Z.-N.L., Z.-S.C.); and Department of Structural Biology, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, Tennessee (G.K., S.W.W.)
| | - Zhe-Sheng Chen
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy (K.E.A., D.-J.H., D.M., D.D.M., W.L.), and Department of Pathology (D.N.P., T.N.S.), the University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, Tennessee; State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, Collaborative Innovation Center of Biotherapy (Y.W., Q.C., J.Y.), and Department of Respiratory Medicine (Y.W.), West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China; Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, St. John's University, Queens, New York (Z.-N.L., Z.-S.C.); and Department of Structural Biology, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, Tennessee (G.K., S.W.W.)
| | - Duane D Miller
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy (K.E.A., D.-J.H., D.M., D.D.M., W.L.), and Department of Pathology (D.N.P., T.N.S.), the University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, Tennessee; State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, Collaborative Innovation Center of Biotherapy (Y.W., Q.C., J.Y.), and Department of Respiratory Medicine (Y.W.), West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China; Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, St. John's University, Queens, New York (Z.-N.L., Z.-S.C.); and Department of Structural Biology, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, Tennessee (G.K., S.W.W.)
| | - Wei Li
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy (K.E.A., D.-J.H., D.M., D.D.M., W.L.), and Department of Pathology (D.N.P., T.N.S.), the University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, Tennessee; State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, Collaborative Innovation Center of Biotherapy (Y.W., Q.C., J.Y.), and Department of Respiratory Medicine (Y.W.), West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China; Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, St. John's University, Queens, New York (Z.-N.L., Z.-S.C.); and Department of Structural Biology, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, Tennessee (G.K., S.W.W.)
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Sánchez-Murcia PA, Mills A, Cortés-Cabrera Á, Gago F. Unravelling the covalent binding of zampanolide and taccalonolide AJ to a minimalist representation of a human microtubule. J Comput Aided Mol Des 2019; 33:627-644. [DOI: 10.1007/s10822-019-00208-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/01/2019] [Accepted: 05/24/2019] [Indexed: 01/27/2023]
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Guo H, Li X, Guo Y, Zhen L. An overview of tubulin modulators deposited in protein data bank. Med Chem Res 2019. [DOI: 10.1007/s00044-019-02352-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
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38
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Zúñiga MA, Alderete JB, Jaña GA, Navarrete KR, Jiménez VA. Molecular modeling study on the differential microtubule‐stabilizing effect in singly‐ and doubly‐bonded complexes with peloruside A and paclitaxel. Proteins 2019; 87:668-678. [DOI: 10.1002/prot.25692] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/15/2019] [Revised: 03/15/2019] [Accepted: 04/04/2019] [Indexed: 01/26/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Matías A. Zúñiga
- Department of Chemical Sciences, Faculty of Exact Sciencies, Universidad Andres BelloSede Concepción Autopista Concepción‐Talcahuano Talcahuano Chile
| | - Joel B. Alderete
- Instituto de Química de Recursos Naturales, Universidad de Talca Casilla Talca Chile
| | - Gonzalo A. Jaña
- Department of Chemical Sciences, Faculty of Exact Sciencies, Universidad Andres BelloSede Concepción Autopista Concepción‐Talcahuano Talcahuano Chile
| | - Karen R. Navarrete
- Department of Chemical Sciences, Faculty of Exact Sciencies, Universidad Andres BelloSede Concepción Autopista Concepción‐Talcahuano Talcahuano Chile
| | - Verónica A. Jiménez
- Department of Chemical Sciences, Faculty of Exact Sciencies, Universidad Andres BelloSede Concepción Autopista Concepción‐Talcahuano Talcahuano Chile
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Du L, Risinger AL, Yee SS, Ola ARB, Zammiello CL, Cichewicz RH, Mooberry SL. Identification of C-6 as a New Site for Linker Conjugation to the Taccalonolide Microtubule Stabilizers. JOURNAL OF NATURAL PRODUCTS 2019; 82:583-588. [PMID: 30799622 PMCID: PMC6952213 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jnatprod.8b01036] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
The taccalonolides are a class of microtubule stabilizers that circumvent clinically relevant forms of drug resistance due to their unique mechanism of microtubule stabilization imparted by the covalent binding of the C-22-C-23 epoxide moiety to tubulin. A taccalonolide (8) with a fluorescein group attached with a linker at C-6 was generated, and biochemical and cell-based assays showed that it bound directly to tubulin and stabilized microtubules. This pharmacological probe has allowed, for the first time, a direct visualization of a taccalonolide binding to microtubules, verifying their cellular binding site. This C-6-modified taccalonolide showed potency comparable to the untagged compound in biochemical experiments; however, its potency was lower in cellular assays, presumably due to decreased cellular permeability. These studies provide a valuable tool to facilitate the further understanding of taccalonolide pharmacology and demonstrate that C-6 is a promising site for a linker to be added to this novel class of microtubule stabilizers for targeted drug delivery.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lin Du
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Stephenson Life Sciences Research Center, University of Oklahoma, Norman, Oklahoma 73019-5251, United States
- Natural Products Discovery Group, and Institute for Natural Products Applications and Research Technologies, University of Oklahoma, Norman, Oklahoma 73019-5251, United States
| | - April L. Risinger
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, San Antonio, Texas 78229-3900, United States
- Mays Cancer Center, University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, San Antonio, Texas 78229-3900, United States
| | - Samantha S. Yee
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, San Antonio, Texas 78229-3900, United States
| | - Antonius R. B. Ola
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, San Antonio, Texas 78229-3900, United States
| | - Cynthia L Zammiello
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, San Antonio, Texas 78229-3900, United States
| | - Robert H. Cichewicz
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Stephenson Life Sciences Research Center, University of Oklahoma, Norman, Oklahoma 73019-5251, United States
- Natural Products Discovery Group, and Institute for Natural Products Applications and Research Technologies, University of Oklahoma, Norman, Oklahoma 73019-5251, United States
| | - Susan L. Mooberry
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, San Antonio, Texas 78229-3900, United States
- Mays Cancer Center, University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, San Antonio, Texas 78229-3900, United States
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40
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Balaguer FDA, Mühlethaler T, Estévez-Gallego J, Calvo E, Giménez-Abián JF, Risinger AL, Sorensen EJ, Vanderwal CD, Altmann KH, Mooberry SL, Steinmetz MO, Oliva MÁ, Prota AE, Díaz JF. Crystal Structure of the Cyclostreptin-Tubulin Adduct: Implications for Tubulin Activation by Taxane-Site Ligands. Int J Mol Sci 2019; 20:ijms20061392. [PMID: 30897704 PMCID: PMC6471726 DOI: 10.3390/ijms20061392] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2019] [Revised: 03/14/2019] [Accepted: 03/15/2019] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
It has been proposed that one of the mechanisms of taxane-site ligand-mediated tubulin activation is modulation of the structure of a switch element (the M-loop) from a disordered form in dimeric tubulin to a folded helical structure in microtubules. Here, we used covalent taxane-site ligands, including cyclostreptin, to gain further insight into this mechanism. The crystal structure of cyclostreptin-bound tubulin reveals covalent binding to βHis229, but no stabilization of the M-loop. The capacity of cyclostreptin to induce microtubule assembly compared to other covalent taxane-site agents demonstrates that the induction of tubulin assembly is not strictly dependent on M-loop stabilization. We further demonstrate that most covalent taxane-site ligands are able to partially overcome drug resistance mediated by βIII-tubulin (βIII) overexpression in HeLa cells, and compare their activities to pironetin, an interfacial covalent inhibitor of tubulin assembly that displays invariant growth inhibition in these cells. Our findings suggest a relationship between a diminished interaction of taxane-site ligands with βIII-tubulin and βIII tubulin-mediated drug resistance. This supports the idea that overexpression of βIII increases microtubule dynamicity by counteracting the enhanced microtubule stability promoted by covalent taxane-site binding ligands.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francisco de Asís Balaguer
- Structural and Chemical Biology Department. Centro de Investigaciones Biológicas, CSIC, Ramiro de Maeztu 9, 28040 Madrid, Spain.
| | - Tobias Mühlethaler
- Laboratory of Biomolecular Research, Division of Biology and Chemistry, Paul Scherrer Institut, 5232 Villigen PSI, Switzerland.
| | - Juan Estévez-Gallego
- Structural and Chemical Biology Department. Centro de Investigaciones Biológicas, CSIC, Ramiro de Maeztu 9, 28040 Madrid, Spain.
| | - Enrique Calvo
- Unidad de Proteómica. Centro Nacional de Investigaciones Cardiovasculares, CNIC. Melchor Fernández de Almagro 3, 28029 Madrid, Spain.
| | - Juan Francisco Giménez-Abián
- Structural and Chemical Biology Department. Centro de Investigaciones Biológicas, CSIC, Ramiro de Maeztu 9, 28040 Madrid, Spain.
| | - April L Risinger
- Department of Pharmacology, The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX 78229-3900, USA.
| | - Erik J Sorensen
- Department of Chemistry, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ 08544, USA.
| | - Christopher D Vanderwal
- Department of Chemistry, 1102 Natural Sciences II, University of California, Irvine, CA 92697-2025, USA.
| | - Karl-Heinz Altmann
- ETH Zürich, Department of Chemistry and Applied Biosciences, Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, 8093 Zürich, Switzerland.
| | - Susan L Mooberry
- Department of Pharmacology, The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX 78229-3900, USA.
| | - Michel O Steinmetz
- Laboratory of Biomolecular Research, Division of Biology and Chemistry, Paul Scherrer Institut, 5232 Villigen PSI, Switzerland.
- University of Basel, Biozentrum, 4056 Basel, Switzerland.
| | - María Ángela Oliva
- Structural and Chemical Biology Department. Centro de Investigaciones Biológicas, CSIC, Ramiro de Maeztu 9, 28040 Madrid, Spain.
| | - Andrea E Prota
- Laboratory of Biomolecular Research, Division of Biology and Chemistry, Paul Scherrer Institut, 5232 Villigen PSI, Switzerland.
| | - J Fernando Díaz
- Structural and Chemical Biology Department. Centro de Investigaciones Biológicas, CSIC, Ramiro de Maeztu 9, 28040 Madrid, Spain.
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Zhang Z, Wang C, Ma L, Jiang X, Wu C, Wang Y, Jiang Y, Zheng W, Yang Y, Ma Y, Yang J. Molecular mechanism of crolibulin in complex with tubulin provides a rationale for drug design. Biochem Biophys Res Commun 2019; 511:381-386. [PMID: 30803758 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbrc.2019.02.064] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/04/2019] [Accepted: 02/11/2019] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
Microtubules (MTs) is one of the most important proteins in eukaryotic cells and plays a key role in the maintenance of cell morphology and cell division. The discovery and development of small molecule drugs targeting MTs has always been an important direction of anti-cancer research. Nowadays 4-Aryl-4H-chromenes have emerged as potent microtubule-targeting agents (MTAs) for various cancers. Crolibulin, a derivative of 4-Aryl-4H-chromenes, which has been progressed to Phase I/II clinical testing's for anaplastic thyroid cancer with the National Cancer Institute. However, the design and development of 4-Aryl-4H-chromenes family drugs have been hindered for a long time by the lack of structural information of the tubulin-agent complex. Here we report a 2.5 Å crystal structure of tubulin complexed with crolibulin. This complex structure reveals the interactions between crolibulin and tubulin, helps explain the results of the structure-activity-relationship (SAR) studies and provides a solid structural basis for the design and development of new 4-Aryl-4H-chromenes derivatives as MTAs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhixiong Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center/Collaborative Innovation Center for Biotherapy, West China Hospital, West China Medical School, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, 610041, People's Republic of China.
| | - Chengdi Wang
- Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, 610041, People's Republic of China.
| | - Lingling Ma
- Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, 610041, People's Republic of China.
| | - Xiaohua Jiang
- State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center/Collaborative Innovation Center for Biotherapy, West China Hospital, West China Medical School, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, 610041, People's Republic of China.
| | - Chengyong Wu
- State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center/Collaborative Innovation Center for Biotherapy, West China Hospital, West China Medical School, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, 610041, People's Republic of China.
| | - Yanyan Wang
- National Clinical Research Center for Geriatrics, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, 610041, People's Republic of China.
| | - Yuting Jiang
- Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, 610041, People's Republic of China.
| | - Wenyue Zheng
- State Key Laboratory of Oral Diseases, National Clinical Research Center for Oral Diseases, Department of Cariology and Endodontics, West China Hospital of Stomatology, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, 610041, People's Republic of China.
| | - Yang Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Oral Diseases, National Clinical Research Center for Oral Diseases, Department of Cariology and Endodontics, West China Hospital of Stomatology, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, 610041, People's Republic of China.
| | - Yuxing Ma
- State Key Laboratory of Oral Diseases, National Clinical Research Center for Oral Diseases, Department of Cariology and Endodontics, West China Hospital of Stomatology, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, 610041, People's Republic of China.
| | - Jinliang Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center/Collaborative Innovation Center for Biotherapy, West China Hospital, West China Medical School, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, 610041, People's Republic of China.
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Vicente-Blázquez A, González M, Álvarez R, Del Mazo S, Medarde M, Peláez R. Antitubulin sulfonamides: The successful combination of an established drug class and a multifaceted target. Med Res Rev 2018; 39:775-830. [PMID: 30362234 DOI: 10.1002/med.21541] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/08/2018] [Revised: 09/02/2018] [Accepted: 09/06/2018] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Tubulin, the microtubules and their dynamic behavior are amongst the most successful antitumor, antifungal, antiparasitic, and herbicidal drug targets. Sulfonamides are exemplary drugs with applications in the clinic, in veterinary and in the agrochemical industry. This review summarizes the actual state and recent progress of both fields looking from the double point of view of the target and its drugs, with special focus onto the structural aspects. The article starts with a brief description of tubulin structure and its dynamic assembly and disassembly into microtubules and other polymers. Posttranslational modifications and the many cellular means of regulating and modulating tubulin's biology are briefly presented in the tubulin code. Next, the structurally characterized drug binding sites, their occupying drugs and the effects they induce are described, emphasizing on the structural requirements for high potency, selectivity, and low toxicity. The second part starts with a summary of the favorable and highly tunable combination of physical-chemical and biological properties that render sulfonamides a prototypical example of privileged scaffolds with representatives in many therapeutic areas. A complete description of tubulin-binding sulfonamides is provided, covering the different species and drug sites. Some of the antimitotic sulfonamides have met with very successful applications and others less so, thus illustrating the advances, limitations, and future perspectives of the field. All of them combine in a mechanism of action and a clinical outcome that conform efficient drugs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alba Vicente-Blázquez
- Laboratorio de Química Orgánica y Farmacéutica, Departamento de Ciencias Farmacéuticas, Universidad de Salamanca, Campus Miguel de Unamuno, Salamanca, Spain.,Facultad de Farmacia, Instituto de Investigación Biomédica de Salamanca (IBSAL), Universidad de Salamanca, Campus Miguel de Unamuno, Salamanca, Spain.,Facultad de Farmacia, Centro de Investigación de Enfermedades Tropicales de la Universidad de Salamanca (CIETUS), Universidad de Salamanca, Campus Miguel de Unamuno, Salamanca, Spain.,Laboratory of Cell Death and Cancer Therapy, Department of Molecular Biomedicine, Centro de Investigaciones Biológicas, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC), Madrid, Spain
| | - Myriam González
- Laboratorio de Química Orgánica y Farmacéutica, Departamento de Ciencias Farmacéuticas, Universidad de Salamanca, Campus Miguel de Unamuno, Salamanca, Spain.,Facultad de Farmacia, Instituto de Investigación Biomédica de Salamanca (IBSAL), Universidad de Salamanca, Campus Miguel de Unamuno, Salamanca, Spain.,Facultad de Farmacia, Centro de Investigación de Enfermedades Tropicales de la Universidad de Salamanca (CIETUS), Universidad de Salamanca, Campus Miguel de Unamuno, Salamanca, Spain
| | - Raquel Álvarez
- Laboratorio de Química Orgánica y Farmacéutica, Departamento de Ciencias Farmacéuticas, Universidad de Salamanca, Campus Miguel de Unamuno, Salamanca, Spain.,Facultad de Farmacia, Instituto de Investigación Biomédica de Salamanca (IBSAL), Universidad de Salamanca, Campus Miguel de Unamuno, Salamanca, Spain.,Facultad de Farmacia, Centro de Investigación de Enfermedades Tropicales de la Universidad de Salamanca (CIETUS), Universidad de Salamanca, Campus Miguel de Unamuno, Salamanca, Spain
| | - Sara Del Mazo
- Laboratorio de Química Orgánica y Farmacéutica, Departamento de Ciencias Farmacéuticas, Universidad de Salamanca, Campus Miguel de Unamuno, Salamanca, Spain.,Facultad de Farmacia, Instituto de Investigación Biomédica de Salamanca (IBSAL), Universidad de Salamanca, Campus Miguel de Unamuno, Salamanca, Spain.,Facultad de Farmacia, Centro de Investigación de Enfermedades Tropicales de la Universidad de Salamanca (CIETUS), Universidad de Salamanca, Campus Miguel de Unamuno, Salamanca, Spain
| | - Manuel Medarde
- Laboratorio de Química Orgánica y Farmacéutica, Departamento de Ciencias Farmacéuticas, Universidad de Salamanca, Campus Miguel de Unamuno, Salamanca, Spain.,Facultad de Farmacia, Instituto de Investigación Biomédica de Salamanca (IBSAL), Universidad de Salamanca, Campus Miguel de Unamuno, Salamanca, Spain.,Facultad de Farmacia, Centro de Investigación de Enfermedades Tropicales de la Universidad de Salamanca (CIETUS), Universidad de Salamanca, Campus Miguel de Unamuno, Salamanca, Spain
| | - Rafael Peláez
- Laboratorio de Química Orgánica y Farmacéutica, Departamento de Ciencias Farmacéuticas, Universidad de Salamanca, Campus Miguel de Unamuno, Salamanca, Spain.,Facultad de Farmacia, Instituto de Investigación Biomédica de Salamanca (IBSAL), Universidad de Salamanca, Campus Miguel de Unamuno, Salamanca, Spain.,Facultad de Farmacia, Centro de Investigación de Enfermedades Tropicales de la Universidad de Salamanca (CIETUS), Universidad de Salamanca, Campus Miguel de Unamuno, Salamanca, Spain
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43
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Liu N, Jin Z, Zhang J, Jin J. Antitumor evaluation of novel phenothiazine derivatives that inhibit migration and tubulin polymerization against gastric cancer MGC-803 cells. Invest New Drugs 2018; 37:188-198. [PMID: 30345465 DOI: 10.1007/s10637-018-0682-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/30/2018] [Accepted: 09/23/2018] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Two novel series of 1,2,3-triazole-phenothiazine hybrids and dithiocarbamate-phenothiazine hybrids were designed and synthesized by molecular hybridization strategy. Their antiproliferative activity against three gastric cancer cell lines (MKN28, MGC-803 and MKN45) were evaluated. Among them, hybrid 13h displayed the most potent inhibitory activity against gastric cancer MGC-803 cells with an IC50 value of 1.2 μM. Hybrid 13h could inhibit migration by regulating the expression level of N-cadherin, E-cadherin, Vimentin, and actived-MMP2. Furthermore, it could regulate wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway on MGC-803 cells in a concentration-dependent manner by decreasing the expression level of Wnt5α, β-catenin and TCF4. From the tubulin polymerization assay results in vitro, hybrid 13h was a novel tubulin polymerization inhibitor. By oral administration assay, compound 13h could effectively inhibit MGC-803 xenograft tumor growth in vivo without obvious side effects. In summary, compound 13h might be an orally active antitumor agent with clinical applications to the treatment of gastric cancer. Graphical abstract Antitumor mechanisms of novel phenothiazine derivative.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nan Liu
- Department of pharmacy, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, 450000, China.
| | - Zhe Jin
- First Affiliated Hospital of Henan University of Science and Technology, Luoyang, 471000, China
| | - Jing Zhang
- First Affiliated Hospital of Henan University of Science and Technology, Luoyang, 471000, China
| | - Jianjun Jin
- First Affiliated Hospital of Henan University of Science and Technology, Luoyang, 471000, China
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44
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Wang Q, Arnst KE, Wang Y, Kumar G, Ma D, Chen H, Wu Z, Yang J, White SW, Miller DD, Li W. Structural Modification of the 3,4,5-Trimethoxyphenyl Moiety in the Tubulin Inhibitor VERU-111 Leads to Improved Antiproliferative Activities. J Med Chem 2018; 61:7877-7891. [PMID: 30122035 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.8b00827] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
Colchicine binding site inhibitors (CBSIs) hold great potential in developing new generations of antimitotic drugs. Unlike existing tubulin inhibitors such as paclitaxel, they are generally much less susceptible to resistance caused by the overexpression of drug efflux pumps. The 3,4,5-trimethoxyphenyl (TMP) moiety is a critical component present in many CBSIs, playing an important role in maintaining suitable molecular conformations of CBSIs and contributing to their high binding affinities to tubulin. Previously reported modifications to the TMP moiety in a variety of scaffolds of CBSIs have usually resulted in reduced antiproliferative potency. We previously reported a potent CBSI, VERU-111, that also contains the TMP moiety. Herein, we report the discovery of a VERU-111 analogue 13f that is significantly more potent than VERU-111. The X-ray crystal structure of 13f in complex with tubulin confirms its direct binding to the colchicine site. In addition, 13f exhibited a strong inhibitory effect on tumor growth in vivo.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qinghui Wang
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy , University of Tennessee Health Science Center , Memphis , Tennessee 38163 , United States
| | - Kinsie E Arnst
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy , University of Tennessee Health Science Center , Memphis , Tennessee 38163 , United States
| | - Yuxi Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, West China Hospital , Sichuan University, and Collaborative Innovation Center of Biotherapy , Chengdu , Sichuan 610041 , China
| | - Gyanendra Kumar
- Department of Structural Biology , St. Jude Children's Research Hospital , Memphis , Tennessee 38105 , United States
| | - Dejian Ma
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy , University of Tennessee Health Science Center , Memphis , Tennessee 38163 , United States
| | - Hao Chen
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy , University of Tennessee Health Science Center , Memphis , Tennessee 38163 , United States
| | - Zhongzhi Wu
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy , University of Tennessee Health Science Center , Memphis , Tennessee 38163 , United States
| | - Jinliang Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, West China Hospital , Sichuan University, and Collaborative Innovation Center of Biotherapy , Chengdu , Sichuan 610041 , China
| | - Stephen W White
- Department of Structural Biology , St. Jude Children's Research Hospital , Memphis , Tennessee 38105 , United States
| | - Duane D Miller
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy , University of Tennessee Health Science Center , Memphis , Tennessee 38163 , United States
| | - Wei Li
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy , University of Tennessee Health Science Center , Memphis , Tennessee 38163 , United States.,Affiliated Cancer Hospital and Institute of Guangzhou Medical University , Guangzhou , Guangdong 511436 , China
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Lai Q, Wang Y, Wang R, Lai W, Tang L, Tao Y, Liu Y, Zhang R, Huang L, Xiang H, Zeng S, Gou L, Chen H, Yao Y, Yang J. Design, synthesis and biological evaluation of a novel tubulin inhibitor 7a3 targeting the colchicine binding site. Eur J Med Chem 2018; 156:162-179. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2018.05.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2018] [Revised: 04/20/2018] [Accepted: 05/07/2018] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
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Martino F, Perestrelo AR, Vinarský V, Pagliari S, Forte G. Cellular Mechanotransduction: From Tension to Function. Front Physiol 2018; 9:824. [PMID: 30026699 PMCID: PMC6041413 DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2018.00824] [Citation(s) in RCA: 509] [Impact Index Per Article: 84.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/25/2018] [Accepted: 06/12/2018] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Living cells are constantly exposed to mechanical stimuli arising from the surrounding extracellular matrix (ECM) or from neighboring cells. The intracellular molecular processes through which such physical cues are transformed into a biological response are collectively dubbed as mechanotransduction and are of fundamental importance to help the cell timely adapt to the continuous dynamic modifications of the microenvironment. Local changes in ECM composition and mechanics are driven by a feed forward interplay between the cell and the matrix itself, with the first depositing ECM proteins that in turn will impact on the surrounding cells. As such, these changes occur regularly during tissue development and are a hallmark of the pathologies of aging. Only lately, though, the importance of mechanical cues in controlling cell function (e.g., proliferation, differentiation, migration) has been acknowledged. Here we provide a critical review of the recent insights into the molecular basis of cellular mechanotransduction, by analyzing how mechanical stimuli get transformed into a given biological response through the activation of a peculiar genetic program. Specifically, by recapitulating the processes involved in the interpretation of ECM remodeling by Focal Adhesions at cell-matrix interphase, we revise the role of cytoskeleton tension as the second messenger of the mechanotransduction process and the action of mechano-responsive shuttling proteins converging on stage and cell-specific transcription factors. Finally, we give few paradigmatic examples highlighting the emerging role of malfunctions in cell mechanosensing apparatus in the onset and progression of pathologies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fabiana Martino
- Center for Translational Medicine, International Clinical Research Center, St. Anne’s University Hospital, Brno, Czechia
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Medicine, Masaryk University, Brno, Czechia
- Competence Center for Mechanobiology in Regenerative Medicine, INTERREG ATCZ133, Brno, Czechia
| | - Ana R. Perestrelo
- Center for Translational Medicine, International Clinical Research Center, St. Anne’s University Hospital, Brno, Czechia
| | - Vladimír Vinarský
- Center for Translational Medicine, International Clinical Research Center, St. Anne’s University Hospital, Brno, Czechia
- Competence Center for Mechanobiology in Regenerative Medicine, INTERREG ATCZ133, Brno, Czechia
| | - Stefania Pagliari
- Center for Translational Medicine, International Clinical Research Center, St. Anne’s University Hospital, Brno, Czechia
| | - Giancarlo Forte
- Center for Translational Medicine, International Clinical Research Center, St. Anne’s University Hospital, Brno, Czechia
- Competence Center for Mechanobiology in Regenerative Medicine, INTERREG ATCZ133, Brno, Czechia
- Department of Biomaterials Science, Institute of Dentistry, University of Turku, Turku, Finland
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47
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Ola ARB, Risinger AL, Du L, Zammiello CL, Peng J, Cichewicz RH, Mooberry SL. Taccalonolide Microtubule Stabilizers Generated Using Semisynthesis Define the Effects of Mono Acyloxy Moieties at C-7 or C-15 and Disubstitutions at C-7 and C-25. JOURNAL OF NATURAL PRODUCTS 2018; 81:579-593. [PMID: 29360362 PMCID: PMC5866228 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jnatprod.7b00967] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
The taccalonolides are a unique class of microtubule stabilizers isolated from Tacca spp. that have efficacy against drug-resistant tumors. Our previous studies have demonstrated that a C-15 acetoxy taccalonolide, AF, has superior in vivo antitumor efficacy compared to AJ, which bears a C-15 hydroxy group. With the goal of further improving the in vivo efficacy of this class of compounds, we semisynthesized and tested the biological activities of 28 new taccalonolides with monosubstitutions at C-7 or C-15 or disubstitutions at C-7 and C-25, covering a comprehensive range of substituents from formic acid to anthraquinone-2-carbonyl chloride. The resulting taccalonolide analogues with diverse C-7/C-15/C-25 modifications exhibited IC50 values from 2.4 nM to >20 μM, allowing for extensive in vitro structure-activity evaluations. This semisynthetic strategy was unable to provide a taccalonolide with improved therapeutic window due to hydrolysis of substituents at C-7 or C-15 regardless of size or steric bulk. However, two of the most potent new taccalonolides, bearing isovalerate modifications at C-7 or C-15, demonstrated potent and highly persistent antitumor activity in a drug-resistant xenograft model when administered intratumorally. This study demonstrates that targeted delivery of the taccalonolides to the tumor could be an effective, long-lasting approach to treat drug-resistant tumors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Antonius R. B. Ola
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, San Antonio, Texas 78229, United States
| | - April L. Risinger
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, San Antonio, Texas 78229, United States
- UT Health Cancer Center, University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, San Antonio, Texas 78229, United States
| | - Lin Du
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Stephenson Life Sciences Research Center, University of Oklahoma, Norman, Oklahoma 73019-5251, United States
- Natural Products Discovery Group, and Institute for Natural Products Applications and Research Technologies, University of Oklahoma, Norman, Oklahoma 73019-5251, United States
| | - Cynthia L Zammiello
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, San Antonio, Texas 78229, United States
| | - Jiangnan Peng
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, San Antonio, Texas 78229, United States
| | - Robert H. Cichewicz
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Stephenson Life Sciences Research Center, University of Oklahoma, Norman, Oklahoma 73019-5251, United States
- Natural Products Discovery Group, and Institute for Natural Products Applications and Research Technologies, University of Oklahoma, Norman, Oklahoma 73019-5251, United States
| | - Susan L. Mooberry
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, San Antonio, Texas 78229, United States
- UT Health Cancer Center, University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, San Antonio, Texas 78229, United States
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48
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Banerjee S, Arnst KE, Wang Y, Kumar G, Deng S, Yang L, Li GB, Yang J, White SW, Li W, Miller DD. Heterocyclic-Fused Pyrimidines as Novel Tubulin Polymerization Inhibitors Targeting the Colchicine Binding Site: Structural Basis and Antitumor Efficacy. J Med Chem 2018; 61:1704-1718. [PMID: 29406710 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.7b01858] [Citation(s) in RCA: 79] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
We report the design, synthesis, and biological evaluation of heterocyclic-fused pyrimidines as tubulin polymerization inhibitors targeting the colchicine binding site with significantly improved therapeutic index. Additionally, for the first time, we report high-resolution X-ray crystal structures for the best compounds in this scaffold, 4a, 4b, 6a, and 8b. These structures not only confirm their direct binding to the colchicine site in tubulin and reveal their detailed molecular interactions but also contrast the previously published proposed binding mode. Compounds 4a and 6a significantly inhibited tumor growth in an A375 melanoma xenograft model and were accompanied by elevated levels of apoptosis and disruption of tumor vasculature. Finally, we demonstrated that compound 4a significantly overcame clinically relevant multidrug resistance in a paclitaxel resistant PC-3/TxR prostate cancer xenograft model. Collectively, these studies provide preclinical and structural proof of concept to support the continued development of this scaffold as a new generation of tubulin inhibitors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Souvik Banerjee
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, University of Tennessee Health Science Center , Memphis, Tennessee 38163, United States
| | - Kinsie E Arnst
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, University of Tennessee Health Science Center , Memphis, Tennessee 38163, United States
| | - Yuxi Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University and Collaborative Innovation Center of Biotherapy , Chengdu 610041, China
| | - Gyanendra Kumar
- Structural Biology Department, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital , Memphis, Tennessee 38105, United States
| | - Shanshan Deng
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, University of Tennessee Health Science Center , Memphis, Tennessee 38163, United States
| | - Lei Yang
- Department of Chemical Biology and Therapeutics, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital , Memphis, Tennessee 38105, United States
| | - Guo-Bo Li
- State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University and Collaborative Innovation Center of Biotherapy , Chengdu 610041, China
| | - Jinliang Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University and Collaborative Innovation Center of Biotherapy , Chengdu 610041, China
| | - Stephen W White
- Structural Biology Department, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital , Memphis, Tennessee 38105, United States
| | - Wei Li
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, University of Tennessee Health Science Center , Memphis, Tennessee 38163, United States
| | - Duane D Miller
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, University of Tennessee Health Science Center , Memphis, Tennessee 38163, United States
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