Development of an MCL-1-related prognostic signature and inhibitors screening for glioblastoma

Novel Inhibitor of Glutamate-Cysteine Ligase Catalytic Subunit against Tribolium castaneum: High-Throughout Virtual Screening, Molecular Docking and Dynamics Simulation, and Bioassay

The enzyme glutamate-cysteine ligase catalytic subunit (Gclc) is a rate-limiting enzyme in the biosynthesis of glutathione that is involved in antioxidant defense, detoxification of xenobiotics, and/or its metabolites and regulates the cell cycle and immune function. Therefore, Gclc presents an appealing target for the development of novel insecticides. In this study, we conducted high-throughput virtual screening from the ZINC20 database and identified three compounds with high binding affinity to the Tribolium castaneum Gclc (TcGclc). Ultimately, we selected ZINC000032992384 due to its superior stability and lowest binding energy, as determined through molecular dynamics simulations. Bioassay results revealed that the IC50 value of ZINC000032992384 was 19.70 μM lower than that of BSO (49.67 μM). Furthermore, the larval mortality in the ZINC000032992384 treated group was 63.8%, significantly higher than that of the controls (29.1% in the dichlorvos group and 6.4% in the acetone group). This study provides novel insights for the development of a Gclc-targeted inhibitor as a potent insecticide based on the interaction between receptors and ligands.

P129, a pyrazole ring-containing isolongifolanone-derivate: synthesis and investigation of anti-glioma action mechanism

BACKGROUND

Cyclin-dependent kinase-2 (CDK-2) is an important regulatory factor in the G1/S phase transition. CDK-2 targeting has been shown to suppress the viability of multiple cancers. However, the exploration and application of a CDK-2 inhibitor in the treatment of glioblastoma are sparse.

METHODS

We synthesized P129 based on isolongifolanone, a natural product with anti-tumor activity. Network pharmacology analysis was conducted to predict the structural stability, affinity, and pharmacological and toxicological properties of P129. Binding analysis and CETSA verified the ability of P129 to target CDK-2. The effect of P129 on the biological behavior of glioma cells was analyzed by the cell counting kit-8, colony formation, flow cytometry, and other experiments. Western blotting was used to detect the expression changes of proteins involved in the cell cycle, cell apoptosis, and epithelial-mesenchymal transition.

RESULTS

Bioinformatics analysis and CETSA showed that P129 exhibited good intestinal absorption and blood-brain barrier penetrability together with high stability and affinity with CDK-2, with no developmental toxicity. The viability, proliferation, and migration of human glioma cells were significantly inhibited by P129 in a dose- and time-dependent manner. Flow cytometry and western blotting analyses showed G0/G1 arrest and lower CDK-2 expression in cells treated with P129 than in the controls. The apoptotic ratio of glioma cells increased significantly with increasing concentrations of P129 combined with karyopyknosis and karyorrhexis. Apoptosis occurred via the mitochondrial pathway.

CONCLUSION

The pyrazole ring-containing isolongifolanone derivate P129 exhibited promising anti-glioma activity by targeting CDK-2 and promoting apoptosis, indicating its potential importance as a new chemotherapeutic option for glioma.