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Ibba R, Sestito S, Ambrosio FA, Marchese E, Costa G, Fiorentino FP, Fusi F, Marchesi I, Polini B, Chiellini G, Alcaro S, Piras S, Carta A. Discovery of pyridoquinoxaline-based new P-gp inhibitors as coadjutant against Multi Drug Resistance in cancer. Eur J Med Chem 2024; 276:116647. [PMID: 38981337 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2024.116647] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/05/2024] [Revised: 06/30/2024] [Accepted: 07/01/2024] [Indexed: 07/11/2024]
Abstract
Multi-drug resistance (MDR) is a serious challenge in contemporary clinical practice and is mostly responsible for the failure of cancer medication therapies. Several experimental evidence links MDR to the overexpression of the drug efflux transporter P-gp, therefore, the discovery of novel P-glycoprotein inhibitors is required to treat or prevent MDR and to improve the absorption of chemotherapy drugs via the gastrointestinal system. In this work, we explored a series of novel pyridoquinoxaline-based derivatives designed from parental compounds, previously proved active in enhancing anticancer drugs in MDR nasopharyngeal carcinoma (KB). Among them, derivative 10d showed the most potent and selective inhibition of fluorescent dye efflux, if compared to reference compounds (MK-571, Novobiocin, Verapamil), and the highest MDR reversal activity when co-administered with the chemotherapeutic agents Vincristine and Etoposide, at non-cytotoxic concentrations. Molecular modelling predicted the two compound 10d binding mode in a ratio of 2:1 with the target protein. No cytotoxicity was observed in healthy microglia cells and off-target investigations showed the absence of CaV1.2 channel blockade. In summary, our findings indicated that 10d could potentially be a novel therapeutic coadjutant by inhibiting P-gp transport function in vitro, thereby reversing cancer multidrug resistance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Roberta Ibba
- Department of Medicine, Surgery and Pharmacy, University of Sassari, 07100, Sassari, Italy.
| | - Simona Sestito
- Department of Chemical, Physical, Mathematical and Natural Sciences, University of Sassari, 07100, Sassari, Italy.
| | | | - Emanuela Marchese
- Department of Health Sciences, University "Magna Græcia" of Catanzaro, Campus "S. Venuta", 88100, Catanzaro, Italy.
| | - Giosuè Costa
- Department of Health Sciences, University "Magna Græcia" of Catanzaro, Campus "S. Venuta", 88100, Catanzaro, Italy; Net4Science Academic Spin-Off, University "Magna Græcia" of Catanzaro, Campus "S. Venuta", 88100, Catanzaro, Italy.
| | | | - Fabio Fusi
- Department of Biotechnologies, Chemistry and Pharmacy, University of Siena, 53100, Siena, Italy.
| | | | - Beatrice Polini
- Department of Pathology, University of Pisa, 56100, Pisa, Italy.
| | - Grazia Chiellini
- Department of Pathology, University of Pisa, 56100, Pisa, Italy.
| | - Stefano Alcaro
- Department of Health Sciences, University "Magna Græcia" of Catanzaro, Campus "S. Venuta", 88100, Catanzaro, Italy; Net4Science Academic Spin-Off, University "Magna Græcia" of Catanzaro, Campus "S. Venuta", 88100, Catanzaro, Italy.
| | - Sandra Piras
- Department of Medicine, Surgery and Pharmacy, University of Sassari, 07100, Sassari, Italy.
| | - Antonio Carta
- Department of Medicine, Surgery and Pharmacy, University of Sassari, 07100, Sassari, Italy.
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Negative Modulation of the Angiogenic Cascade Induced by Allosteric Kinesin Eg5 Inhibitors in a Gastric Adenocarcinoma In Vitro Model. Molecules 2022; 27:molecules27030957. [PMID: 35164221 PMCID: PMC8840372 DOI: 10.3390/molecules27030957] [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: 12/06/2021] [Revised: 01/21/2022] [Accepted: 01/27/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Eg5 is a kinesin essential in bipolar spindle formation, overexpressed in tumours, thus representing a new target in cancer therapy. We aimed at evaluating the anti-cancer activity of Eg5 thiadiazoline inhibitors 2 and 41 on gastric adenocarcinoma cells (AGS), focusing on the modulation of angiogenic signalling. Docking studies confirmed a similar interaction with Eg5 to that of the parent compound K858. Thiadiazolines were also tested in combination with Hesperidin (HSD). Cell cycle analysis reveals a reduction of G1 and S phase percentages when 41 is administered as well as HSD in combination with K858. Western blot reveals Eg5 inhibitors capability to reduce PI3K, p-AKT/Akt and p-Erk/Erk expressions; p-Akt/Akt ratio is even more decreased in HSD+2 sample than the p-Erk/Erk ratio in HSD+41 or K858. VEGF expression is reduced when HSD+2 and HSD+41 are administered with respect to compounds alone, after 72 h. ANGPT2 gene expression increases in cells treated with 41 and HSD+2 compared to K858. The wound-healing assay highlights a reduction in the cut in HSD+2 sample compared to 2 and HSD. Thus, Eg5 inhibitors appear to modulate angiogenic signalling by controlling VEGF activity even better if combined with HSD. Overall, Eg5 inhibitors can represent a promising starting point to develop innovative anti-cancer strategies.
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Molecular Characterization of Membrane Steroid Receptors in Hormone-Sensitive Cancers. Cells 2021; 10:cells10112999. [PMID: 34831222 PMCID: PMC8616056 DOI: 10.3390/cells10112999] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/08/2021] [Revised: 10/29/2021] [Accepted: 11/02/2021] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Cancer is one of the most common causes of death worldwide, and its development is a result of the complex interaction of genetic factors, environmental cues, and aging. Hormone-sensitive cancers depend on the action of one or more hormones for their development and progression. Sex steroids and corticosteroids can regulate different physiological functions, including metabolism, growth, and proliferation, through their interaction with specific nuclear receptors, that can transcriptionally regulate target genes via their genomic actions. Therefore, interference with hormones’ activities, e.g., deregulation of their production and downstream pathways or the exposition to exogenous hormone-active substances such as endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs), can affect the regulation of their correlated pathways and trigger the neoplastic transformation. Although nuclear receptors account for most hormone-related biologic effects and their slow genomic responses are well-studied, less-known membrane receptors are emerging for their ability to mediate steroid hormones effects through the activation of rapid non-genomic responses also involved in the development of hormone-sensitive cancers. This review aims to collect pre-clinical and clinical data on these extranuclear receptors not only to draw attention to their emerging role in cancer development and progression but also to highlight their dual role as tumor microenvironment players and potential candidate drug targets.
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A multitarget semi-synthetic derivative of the flavonoid morin with improved in vitro vasorelaxant activity: Role of Ca V1.2 and K Ca1.1 channels. Biochem Pharmacol 2021; 185:114429. [PMID: 33513341 DOI: 10.1016/j.bcp.2021.114429] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/09/2020] [Revised: 12/28/2020] [Accepted: 01/19/2021] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
CaV1.2 channels play a fundamental role in the regulation of vascular smooth muscle tone. The aim of the present study was to synthesize morin derivatives bearing the nitrophenyl moiety of dihydropyridine Ca2+ antagonists to increase the flavonoid vasorelaxant activity. The effects of morin and its derivatives were assessed on CaV1.2 and KCa1.1 channels, both in vitro and in silico, as well as on the contractile responses of rat aorta rings. All compounds were effective CaV1.2 channel blockers, positioning in the α1C subunit region where standard blockers bind. Among the four newly synthesized morin derivatives, the penta-acetylated morin-1 was the most efficacious Ca2+ antagonist, presenting a vasorelaxant profile superior to that of the parent compound and, contrary to morin, antagonized also the release of Ca2+ from the sarcoplasmic reticulum; surprisingly, it also stimulated KCa1.1 channel current. Computational analysis demonstrated that morin-1 bound close to the KCa1.1 channel S6 segment. In conclusion, these findings open a new avenue for the synthesis of valuable multi-functional, vasorelaxant morin derivatives capable to target several pathways underpinning the pathogenesis of hypertension.
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Fusi F, Mugnai P, Trezza A, Spiga O, Sgaragli G. Fine tuning by protein kinases of Ca V1.2 channel current in rat tail artery myocytes. Biochem Pharmacol 2020; 182:114263. [PMID: 33035505 DOI: 10.1016/j.bcp.2020.114263] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/22/2020] [Revised: 10/01/2020] [Accepted: 10/02/2020] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
Seventeen compounds, rather selective, direct or indirect inhibitors and activators of PKA, PKG, and PKC, were analysed for effects on vascular CaV1.2 channel current (ICa1.2) by using the patch-clamp technique in single rat tail artery myocytes. The aim was to investigate how PKs regulate ICa1.2 and disclose any unexpected modulation of CaV1.2 channel function by these agents. The cAMP analogues 8-Br-cAMP and 6-Bnz-cAMP partially reduced ICa1.2 in dialysed cells, while weakly increasing it under the perforated configuration. The β-adrenoceptor agonist isoproterenol and the adenylate cyclase activator forskolin concentration-dependently increased ICa1.2; this effect was reversed by PKA inhibitors H-89 and KT5720, but not by PKI 6-22. The cGMP analogue 8-Br-cGMP, similarly to the NO-donor SNP, moderately reduced ICa1.2, this effect being reversed to a slight stimulation under the perforated configuration. Among PKG inhibitors, Rp-8-Br-PET-cGMPS decreased current amplitude in a concentration-dependent manner while Rp-8-Br-cGMPS was ineffective. The non-specific phosphodiesterase inhibitor IBMX increased ICa1.2, while H-89, KT5720, and PKI 6-22 antagonized this effect. The PKC activator PMA, but not the diacylglycerol analogue OAG, stimulated ICa1.2 in a concentration-dependent manner; conversely, the PKCα inhibitor Gö6976 markedly reduced basal ICa1.2 and, similarly to the PKCδ (rottlerin) and PKCε translocation inhibitors antagonised PMA-induced current stimulation. The ensemble of findings indicates that the stimulation of cAMP/PKA, in spite of the paradoxical effect of both 8-Br-cAMP and 6-Bnz-cAMP, or PKC pathways enhanced, while that of cGMP/PKG weakly inhibited ICa1.2 in rat tail artery myocytes. Since Rp-8-Br-PET-cGMPS and Gö6976 appeared to block directly CaV1.2 channel, their docking to the channel protein was investigated. Both compounds appeared to bind the α1C subunit in a region involved in CaV1.2 channel inactivation, forming an interaction network comparable to that of CaV1.2 channel blockers. Therefore, caution should accompany the use of these agents as pharmacological tools to elucidate the mechanism of action of drugs on vascular preparations.
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Affiliation(s)
- F Fusi
- Dipartimento di Biotecnologie, Chimica e Farmacia, Università degli Studi di Siena, via A. Moro 2, 53100 Siena, Italy
| | - P Mugnai
- Dipartimento di Scienze della Vita, Università degli Studi di Siena, via A. Moro 2, 53100 Siena, Italy
| | - A Trezza
- Dipartimento di Biotecnologie, Chimica e Farmacia, Università degli Studi di Siena, via A. Moro 2, 53100 Siena, Italy
| | - O Spiga
- Dipartimento di Biotecnologie, Chimica e Farmacia, Università degli Studi di Siena, via A. Moro 2, 53100 Siena, Italy
| | - G Sgaragli
- Dipartimento di Scienze della Vita, Università degli Studi di Siena, via A. Moro 2, 53100 Siena, Italy
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