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Sahafnejad Z, Ramazi S, Allahverdi A. An Update of Epigenetic Drugs for the Treatment of Cancers and Brain Diseases: A Comprehensive Review. Genes (Basel) 2023; 14:genes14040873. [PMID: 37107631 PMCID: PMC10137918 DOI: 10.3390/genes14040873] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 18.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/16/2022] [Revised: 12/28/2022] [Accepted: 04/03/2023] [Indexed: 04/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Epigenetics has long been recognized as a significant field in biology and is defined as the investigation of any alteration in gene expression patterns that is not attributed to changes in the DNA sequences. Epigenetic marks, including histone modifications, non-coding RNAs, and DNA methylation, play crucial roles in gene regulation. Numerous studies in humans have been carried out on single-nucleotide resolution of DNA methylation, the CpG island, new histone modifications, and genome-wide nucleosome positioning. These studies indicate that epigenetic mutations and aberrant placement of these epigenetic marks play a critical role in causing the disease. Consequently, significant development has occurred in biomedical research in identifying epigenetic mechanisms, their interactions, and changes in health and disease conditions. The purpose of this review article is to provide comprehensive information about the different types of diseases caused by alterations in epigenetic factors such as DNA methylation and histone acetylation or methylation. Recent studies reported that epigenetics could influence the evolution of human cancer via aberrant methylation of gene promoter regions, which is associated with reduced gene function. Furthermore, DNA methyltransferases (DNMTs) in the DNA methylation process as well as histone acetyltransferases (HATs)/histone deacetylases (HDACs) and histone methyltransferases (HMTs)/demethylases (HDMs) in histone modifications play important roles both in the catalysis and inhibition of target gene transcription and in many other DNA processes such as repair, replication, and recombination. Dysfunction in these enzymes leads to epigenetic disorders and, as a result, various diseases such as cancers and brain diseases. Consequently, the knowledge of how to modify aberrant DNA methylation as well as aberrant histone acetylation or methylation via inhibitors by using epigenetic drugs can be a suitable therapeutic approach for a number of diseases. Using the synergistic effects of DNA methylation and histone modification inhibitors, it is hoped that many epigenetic defects will be treated in the future. Numerous studies have demonstrated a link between epigenetic marks and their effects on brain and cancer diseases. Designing appropriate drugs could provide novel strategies for the management of these diseases in the near future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zahra Sahafnejad
- Department of Biophysics, Faculty of Biological Sciences, Tarbiat Modares University, Jalal Ale Ahmad Highway, Tehran P.O. Box 14115-111, Iran
| | - Shahin Ramazi
- Department of Biophysics, Faculty of Biological Sciences, Tarbiat Modares University, Jalal Ale Ahmad Highway, Tehran P.O. Box 14115-111, Iran
| | - Abdollah Allahverdi
- Department of Biophysics, Faculty of Biological Sciences, Tarbiat Modares University, Jalal Ale Ahmad Highway, Tehran P.O. Box 14115-111, Iran
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7-Aminoalkoxy-Quinazolines from Epigenetic Focused Libraries Are Potent and Selective Inhibitors of DNA Methyltransferase 1. Molecules 2022; 27:molecules27092892. [PMID: 35566242 PMCID: PMC9102847 DOI: 10.3390/molecules27092892] [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: 04/10/2022] [Revised: 04/24/2022] [Accepted: 04/30/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Inhibitors of epigenetic writers such as DNA methyltransferases (DNMTs) are attractive compounds for epigenetic drug and probe discovery. To advance epigenetic probes and drug discovery, chemical companies are developing focused libraries for epigenetic targets. Based on a knowledge-based approach, herein we report the identification of two quinazoline-based derivatives identified in focused libraries with sub-micromolar inhibition of DNMT1 (30 and 81 nM), more potent than S-adenosylhomocysteine. Also, both compounds had a low micromolar affinity of DNMT3A and did not inhibit DNMT3B. The enzymatic inhibitory activity of DNMT1 and DNMT3A was rationalized with molecular modeling. The quinazolines reported in this work are known to have low cell toxicity and be potent inhibitors of the epigenetic target G9a. Therefore, the quinazoline-based compounds presented are attractive not only as novel potent inhibitors of DNMTs but also as dual and selective epigenetic agents targeting two families of epigenetic writers.
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Cheng H, Tang S, Lian X, Meng H, Gu X, Jiang J, Li X. The Differential Antitumor Activity of 5-Aza-2'-deoxycytidine in Prostate Cancer DU145, 22RV1, and LNCaP Cells. J Cancer 2021; 12:5593-5604. [PMID: 34405020 PMCID: PMC8364635 DOI: 10.7150/jca.56709] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/02/2020] [Accepted: 07/12/2021] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
DNA methylation is a DNA methyltransferase-mediated epigenetic modification affecting gene expression. This process is involved in the initiation and development of malignant disease. 5-Aza-2'-deoxycytidine (5-Aza), a classic DNA methyltransferase inhibitor, possesses antitumor proliferation activity. However, whether 5-Aza induces cytotoxicity in solid tumors warrants further investigated. In this study, human prostate cancer (CaP) cells were treated with 5-Aza and subjected to cell viability and cytotoxicity analysis. Reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction and methylation-specific polymerase chain reaction assay were utilized to test the gene expression and methylation status of the p53 and p21 gene promoters. The results showed that 5-Aza differentially inhibited spontaneous proliferation, arrested the cell cycle at S phase in DU145, at G1 phase in 22RV1 and LNCaP cells, and G2 phase in normal RWPE-1 cells, as well as induced the expression of phospho-H2A.X and tumor suppressive mammary serine protease inhibitor (maspin) in all three types of CaP cells. 5-Aza also increased p53 and p21 transcription through promoter demethylation, and decreased the expression of oncogene c-Myc in 22RV1 and LNCaP cells. Western blotting analysis showed that the poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase cleavage was detected in DU145 and 22RV1 cells. Moreover, there were no significant changes in p53, p21 and c-Myc expression in DU145 cells following treatment with 5-Aza. Thus, in responsible for its apoptotic induction and DNA damage, the mechanism of the antitumor activities of 5-Aza may involve in an increase of tumor suppressive maspin, upregulation of wild type p53-mediated p21 expression and a decrease of oncogene c-Myc level in 22RV1 and LNCaP cells, and enhancing the tumor suppressive maspin expression in DU145 cells. These results enriched our understanding of the multifaceted antitumor activity of 5-Aza, and provided the expression basis of biomarkers for its possible clinical application in prostate cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Huiying Cheng
- Aoyang Institute of Cancer, Affiliated Aoyang Hospital of Jiangsu University, 279 Jingang Blvd., Zhangjiagang, Suzhou, 215600, China
| | - Sijie Tang
- Aoyang Institute of Cancer, Affiliated Aoyang Hospital of Jiangsu University, 279 Jingang Blvd., Zhangjiagang, Suzhou, 215600, China.,Dept of Urology, the Affiliated Aoyang Hospital of Jiangsu University, 279 Jingang Blvd., Zhangjiagang, Suzhou, 215600, China
| | - Xueqi Lian
- Aoyang Institute of Cancer, Affiliated Aoyang Hospital of Jiangsu University, 279 Jingang Blvd., Zhangjiagang, Suzhou, 215600, China
| | - Hong Meng
- Perinatology Research Branch, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, National Institutes of Health, Detroit 48201, MI, USA
| | - Xiang Gu
- Dept of Urology, the Affiliated Aoyang Hospital of Jiangsu University, 279 Jingang Blvd., Zhangjiagang, Suzhou, 215600, China
| | - Jiajia Jiang
- Aoyang Institute of Cancer, Affiliated Aoyang Hospital of Jiangsu University, 279 Jingang Blvd., Zhangjiagang, Suzhou, 215600, China
| | - Xiaohua Li
- Aoyang Institute of Cancer, Affiliated Aoyang Hospital of Jiangsu University, 279 Jingang Blvd., Zhangjiagang, Suzhou, 215600, China.,The Laboratory of Clinical Genomics, Hefei KingMed Diagnostics Ltd., 2800 Chuangxin Blvd., Building H4, Hefei 230088, China.,National Center for Gene Testing Technology Application & Demonstration(Hefei), 2800 Chuangxin Blvd., Building H4, Hefei 230088, China
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4
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Juárez-Mercado KE, Prieto-Martínez FD, Sánchez-Cruz N, Peña-Castillo A, Prada-Gracia D, Medina-Franco JL. Expanding the Structural Diversity of DNA Methyltransferase Inhibitors. Pharmaceuticals (Basel) 2020; 14:ph14010017. [PMID: 33375520 PMCID: PMC7824300 DOI: 10.3390/ph14010017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/20/2020] [Revised: 12/22/2020] [Accepted: 12/23/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Inhibitors of DNA methyltransferases (DNMTs) are attractive compounds for epigenetic drug discovery. They are also chemical tools to understand the biochemistry of epigenetic processes. Herein, we report five distinct inhibitors of DNMT1 characterized in enzymatic inhibition assays that did not show activity with DNMT3B. It was concluded that the dietary component theaflavin is an inhibitor of DNMT1. Two additional novel inhibitors of DNMT1 are the approved drugs glyburide and panobinostat. The DNMT1 enzymatic inhibitory activity of panobinostat, a known pan inhibitor of histone deacetylases, agrees with experimental reports of its ability to reduce DNMT1 activity in liver cancer cell lines. Molecular docking of the active compounds with DNMT1, and re-scoring with the recently developed extended connectivity interaction features approach, led to an excellent agreement between the experimental IC50 values and docking scores.
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Affiliation(s)
- K. Eurídice Juárez-Mercado
- DIFACQUIM Research Group, Department of Pharmacy, School of Chemistry, National Autonomous University of Mexico, Avenida Universidad 3000, Mexico City 04510, Mexico; (K.E.J.-M.); (F.D.P.-M.); (N.S.-C.); (A.P.-C.)
| | - Fernando D. Prieto-Martínez
- DIFACQUIM Research Group, Department of Pharmacy, School of Chemistry, National Autonomous University of Mexico, Avenida Universidad 3000, Mexico City 04510, Mexico; (K.E.J.-M.); (F.D.P.-M.); (N.S.-C.); (A.P.-C.)
| | - Norberto Sánchez-Cruz
- DIFACQUIM Research Group, Department of Pharmacy, School of Chemistry, National Autonomous University of Mexico, Avenida Universidad 3000, Mexico City 04510, Mexico; (K.E.J.-M.); (F.D.P.-M.); (N.S.-C.); (A.P.-C.)
| | - Andrea Peña-Castillo
- DIFACQUIM Research Group, Department of Pharmacy, School of Chemistry, National Autonomous University of Mexico, Avenida Universidad 3000, Mexico City 04510, Mexico; (K.E.J.-M.); (F.D.P.-M.); (N.S.-C.); (A.P.-C.)
| | - Diego Prada-Gracia
- Research Unit on Computational Biology and Drug Design, Children’s Hospital of Mexico Federico Gomez, Mexico City 06720, Mexico;
| | - José L. Medina-Franco
- DIFACQUIM Research Group, Department of Pharmacy, School of Chemistry, National Autonomous University of Mexico, Avenida Universidad 3000, Mexico City 04510, Mexico; (K.E.J.-M.); (F.D.P.-M.); (N.S.-C.); (A.P.-C.)
- Correspondence:
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Zwergel C, Schnekenburger M, Sarno F, Battistelli C, Manara MC, Stazi G, Mazzone R, Fioravanti R, Gros C, Ausseil F, Florean C, Nebbioso A, Strippoli R, Ushijima T, Scotlandi K, Tripodi M, Arimondo PB, Altucci L, Diederich M, Mai A, Valente S. Identification of a novel quinoline-based DNA demethylating compound highly potent in cancer cells. Clin Epigenetics 2019; 11:68. [PMID: 31060628 PMCID: PMC6501426 DOI: 10.1186/s13148-019-0663-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/18/2018] [Accepted: 04/09/2019] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Background DNA methyltransferases (DNMTs) are epigenetic enzymes involved in embryonic development, cell differentiation, epithelial to mesenchymal transition, and control of gene expression, whose overexpression or enhanced catalytic activity has been widely reported in cancer initiation and progression. To date, two DNMT inhibitors (DNMTi), 5-azacytidine (5-AZA) and 5-aza-2′-deoxycytidine (DAC), are approved for the treatment of myelodysplastic syndromes and acute myeloid leukemia. Nevertheless, they are chemically instable and quite toxic for healthy cells; thus, the discovery of novel DNMTi is urgent. Results Here, we report the identification of a new quinoline-based molecule, MC3353, as a non-nucleoside inhibitor and downregulator of DNMT. This compound was able, in promoter demethylating assays, to induce enhanced green fluorescence protein (EGFP) gene expression in HCT116 cells and transcription in a cytomegalovirus (CMV) promoter-driven luciferase reporter system in KG-1 cells. Moreover, MC3353 displayed a strong antiproliferative activity when tested on HCT116 colon cancer cells after 48 h of treatment at 0.5 μM. At higher doses, this compound provided a cytotoxic effect in double DNMT knockout HCT116 cells. MC3353 was also screened on a different panel of cancer cells (KG-1 and U-937 acute myeloid leukemia, RAJI Burkitt’s lymphoma, PC-3 prostate cancer, and MDA-MB-231 breast cancer), where it arrested cell proliferation and reduced viability after 48 h of treatment with IC50 values ranging from 0.3 to 0.9 μM. Compared to healthy cell models, MC3353 induced apoptosis (e.g., U-937 and KG-1 cells) or necrosis (e.g., RAJI cells) at lower concentrations. Importantly, together with the main DNMT3A enzyme inhibition, MC3353 was also able to downregulate the DNMT3A protein level in selected HCT116 and PC-3 cell lines. Additionally, this compound provided impairment of the epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) by inducing E-cadherin while reducing matrix metalloproteinase (MMP2) mRNA and protein levels in PC-3 and HCT116 cells. Last, tested on a panel of primary osteosarcoma cell lines, MC3353 markedly inhibited cell growth with low single-digit micromolar IC50 ranging from 1.1 to 2.4 μM. Interestingly, in Saos-2 osteosarcoma cells, MC3353 induced both expression of genes and mineralized the matrix as evidence of osteosarcoma to osteoblast differentiation. Conclusions The present work describes MC3353 as a novel DNMTi displaying a stronger in cell demethylating ability than both 5-AZA and DAC, providing re-activation of the silenced ubiquitin C-terminal hydrolase L1 (UCHL1) gene. MC3353 displayed dose- and time-dependent antiproliferative activity in several cancer cell types, inducing cell death and affecting EMT through E-cadherin and MMP2 modulation. In addition, this compound proved efficacy even in primary osteosarcoma cell models, through the modulation of genes involved in osteoblast differentiation. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (10.1186/s13148-019-0663-8) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Affiliation(s)
- Clemens Zwergel
- Department of Chemistry and Technologies of Drugs, Sapienza University of Rome, P.le A. Moro 5, 00185, Rome, Italy
| | - Michael Schnekenburger
- Laboratoire de Biologie Moléculaire et Cellulaire du Cancer, Hôpital Kirchberg, 9 rue Edward Steichen, L-2540, Luxembourg City, Luxembourg
| | - Federica Sarno
- Department of Medicine of Precision, University of Studi della Campania Luigi Vanvitelli, Vico L. De Crecchio 7, 80138, Naples, Italy
| | - Cecilia Battistelli
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Sapienza University of Rome, Viale Regina Elena 324, 00161, Rome, Italy
| | - Maria Cristina Manara
- Laboratory of Experimental Oncology, IRCCS - Istituto Ortopedico Rizzoli, via di Barbiano, 1/10, Bologna, 40136, Italy
| | - Giulia Stazi
- Department of Chemistry and Technologies of Drugs, Sapienza University of Rome, P.le A. Moro 5, 00185, Rome, Italy
| | - Roberta Mazzone
- Department of Chemistry and Technologies of Drugs, Sapienza University of Rome, P.le A. Moro 5, 00185, Rome, Italy
| | - Rossella Fioravanti
- Department of Chemistry and Technologies of Drugs, Sapienza University of Rome, P.le A. Moro 5, 00185, Rome, Italy
| | - Christina Gros
- Center for High-Throughput Chemical Biology, Simon Fraser University, 8888 University Drive, Burnaby, BC V5A 1S6, Canada
| | - Frédéric Ausseil
- Pierre Fabre Laboratories, 3 Avenue Hubert Curien, Toulouse, 31100, France
| | - Cristina Florean
- Laboratoire de Biologie Moléculaire et Cellulaire du Cancer, Hôpital Kirchberg, 9 rue Edward Steichen, L-2540, Luxembourg City, Luxembourg
| | - Angela Nebbioso
- Department of Medicine of Precision, University of Studi della Campania Luigi Vanvitelli, Vico L. De Crecchio 7, 80138, Naples, Italy
| | - Raffaele Strippoli
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Sapienza University of Rome, Viale Regina Elena 324, 00161, Rome, Italy.,National Institute for Infectious Diseases L. Spallanzani, IRCCS, Via Portuense, 292, Rome, 00149, Italy
| | - Toshikazu Ushijima
- Division of Epigenomics, National Cancer Center Research Institute, 5-1-1 Tsukiji, Chuo-ku, Tokyo, 104-0045, Japan
| | - Katia Scotlandi
- Laboratory of Experimental Oncology, IRCCS - Istituto Ortopedico Rizzoli, via di Barbiano, 1/10, Bologna, 40136, Italy
| | - Marco Tripodi
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Sapienza University of Rome, Viale Regina Elena 324, 00161, Rome, Italy.,National Institute for Infectious Diseases L. Spallanzani, IRCCS, Via Portuense, 292, Rome, 00149, Italy.,Pasteur Institute, Cenci-Bolognetti Foundation, Sapienza University of Rome, P.le A. Moro 5, 00185, Rome, Italy
| | - Paola B Arimondo
- Epigenetic Chemical Biology, Institut Pasteur, CNRS UMR3523, 28 rue du Docteur Roux, Paris, 75724, France
| | - Lucia Altucci
- Department of Medicine of Precision, University of Studi della Campania Luigi Vanvitelli, Vico L. De Crecchio 7, 80138, Naples, Italy
| | - Marc Diederich
- Department of Pharmacy, Research Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, Seoul National University, 1 Gwanak-ro, Gwanak-gu, 08826, Korea
| | - Antonello Mai
- Department of Chemistry and Technologies of Drugs, Sapienza University of Rome, P.le A. Moro 5, 00185, Rome, Italy. .,Pasteur Institute, Cenci-Bolognetti Foundation, Sapienza University of Rome, P.le A. Moro 5, 00185, Rome, Italy.
| | - Sergio Valente
- Department of Chemistry and Technologies of Drugs, Sapienza University of Rome, P.le A. Moro 5, 00185, Rome, Italy.
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Prachayasittikul V, Prathipati P, Pratiwi R, Phanus-Umporn C, Malik AA, Schaduangrat N, Seenprachawong K, Wongchitrat P, Supokawej A, Prachayasittikul V, Wikberg JES, Nantasenamat C. Exploring the epigenetic drug discovery landscape. Expert Opin Drug Discov 2017; 12:345-362. [PMID: 28276705 DOI: 10.1080/17460441.2017.1295954] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Epigenetic modification has been implicated in a wide range of diseases and the ability to modulate such systems is a lucrative therapeutic strategy in drug discovery. Areas covered: This article focuses on the concepts and drug discovery aspects of epigenomics. This is achieved by providing a survey of the following concepts: (i) factors influencing epigenetics, (ii) diseases arising from epigenetics, (iii) epigenetic enzymes as druggable targets along with coverage of existing FDA-approved drugs and pharmacological agents, and (iv) drug repurposing/repositioning as a means for rapid discovery of pharmacological agents targeting epigenetics. Expert opinion: Despite significant interests in targeting epigenetic modifiers as a therapeutic route, certain classes of target proteins are heavily studied while some are less characterized. Thus, such orphan target proteins are not yet druggable with limited report of active modulators. Current research points towards a great future with novel drugs directed to the many complex multifactorial diseases of humans, which are still often poorly understood and difficult to treat.
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Affiliation(s)
- Veda Prachayasittikul
- a Center of Data Mining and Biomedical Informatics, Faculty of Medical Technology , Mahidol University , Bangkok , Thailand
| | - Philip Prathipati
- b National Institutes of Biomedical Innovation, Health and Nutrition , Osaka , Japan
| | - Reny Pratiwi
- a Center of Data Mining and Biomedical Informatics, Faculty of Medical Technology , Mahidol University , Bangkok , Thailand
| | - Chuleeporn Phanus-Umporn
- a Center of Data Mining and Biomedical Informatics, Faculty of Medical Technology , Mahidol University , Bangkok , Thailand
| | - Aijaz Ahmad Malik
- a Center of Data Mining and Biomedical Informatics, Faculty of Medical Technology , Mahidol University , Bangkok , Thailand
| | - Nalini Schaduangrat
- a Center of Data Mining and Biomedical Informatics, Faculty of Medical Technology , Mahidol University , Bangkok , Thailand
| | - Kanokwan Seenprachawong
- c Department of Clinical Microscopy, Faculty of Medical Technology , Mahidol University , Bangkok , Thailand
| | - Prapimpun Wongchitrat
- d Center for Research and Innovation, Faculty of Medical Technology , Mahidol University , Bangkok , Thailand
| | - Aungkura Supokawej
- c Department of Clinical Microscopy, Faculty of Medical Technology , Mahidol University , Bangkok , Thailand
| | - Virapong Prachayasittikul
- e Department of Clinical Microbiology and Applied Technology, Faculty of Medical Technology , Mahidol University , Bangkok , Thailand
| | - Jarl E S Wikberg
- f Department of Pharmaceutical Biosciences , Uppsala University , Uppsala , Sweden
| | - Chanin Nantasenamat
- a Center of Data Mining and Biomedical Informatics, Faculty of Medical Technology , Mahidol University , Bangkok , Thailand
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Garella D, Atlante S, Borretto E, Cocco M, Giorgis M, Costale A, Stevanato L, Miglio G, Cencioni C, Fernández-de Gortari E, Medina-Franco JL, Spallotta F, Gaetano C, Bertinaria M. Design and synthesis of N-benzoyl amino acid derivatives as DNA methylation inhibitors. Chem Biol Drug Des 2016; 88:664-676. [PMID: 27225604 DOI: 10.1111/cbdd.12794] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2016] [Revised: 05/02/2016] [Accepted: 05/14/2016] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
The inhibition of human DNA Methyl Transferases (DNMT) is a novel promising approach to address the epigenetic dysregulation of gene expression in different diseases. Inspired by the validated virtual screening hit NSC137546, a series of N-benzoyl amino acid analogues was synthesized and obtained compounds were assessed for their ability to inhibit DNMT-dependent DNA methylation in vitro. The biological screening allowed the definition of a set of preliminary structure-activity relationships and the identification of compounds promising for further development. Among the synthesized compounds, L-glutamic acid derivatives 22, 23, and 24 showed the highest ability to prevent DNA methylation in a total cell lysate. Compound 22 inhibited DNMT1 and DNMT3A activity in a concentration-dependent manner in the micromolar range. In addition, compound 22 proved to be stable in human serum and it was thus selected as a starting point for further biological studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Davide Garella
- Dipartimento di Scienza e Tecnologia del Farmaco, Università degli Studi di Torino, Torino, Italy.
| | - Sandra Atlante
- Division of Cardiovascular Epigenetics, Department of Cardiology, Goethe University, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Emily Borretto
- Dipartimento di Scienza e Tecnologia del Farmaco, Università degli Studi di Torino, Torino, Italy
| | - Mattia Cocco
- Dipartimento di Scienza e Tecnologia del Farmaco, Università degli Studi di Torino, Torino, Italy
| | - Marta Giorgis
- Dipartimento di Scienza e Tecnologia del Farmaco, Università degli Studi di Torino, Torino, Italy
| | - Annalisa Costale
- Dipartimento di Scienza e Tecnologia del Farmaco, Università degli Studi di Torino, Torino, Italy
| | - Livio Stevanato
- Dipartimento di Scienza e Tecnologia del Farmaco, Università degli Studi di Torino, Torino, Italy
| | - Gianluca Miglio
- Dipartimento di Scienza e Tecnologia del Farmaco, Università degli Studi di Torino, Torino, Italy
| | - Chiara Cencioni
- Division of Cardiovascular Epigenetics, Department of Cardiology, Goethe University, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Eli Fernández-de Gortari
- Facultad de Química , Departamento de Farmacia, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Mexico City, México
| | - José L Medina-Franco
- Facultad de Química , Departamento de Farmacia, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Mexico City, México
| | - Francesco Spallotta
- Division of Cardiovascular Epigenetics, Department of Cardiology, Goethe University, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Carlo Gaetano
- Division of Cardiovascular Epigenetics, Department of Cardiology, Goethe University, Frankfurt am Main, Germany.
| | - Massimo Bertinaria
- Dipartimento di Scienza e Tecnologia del Farmaco, Università degli Studi di Torino, Torino, Italy
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Molecular Modeling and Chemoinformatics to Advance the Development of Modulators of Epigenetic Targets: A Focus on DNA Methyltransferases. ADVANCES IN PROTEIN CHEMISTRY AND STRUCTURAL BIOLOGY 2016; 105:1-26. [PMID: 27567482 DOI: 10.1016/bs.apcsb.2016.05.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
In light of the emerging field of Epi-informatics, ie, computational methods applied to epigenetic research, molecular docking, and dynamics, pharmacophore and activity landscape modeling and QSAR play a key role in the development of modulators of DNA methyltransferases (DNMTs), one of the major epigenetic target families. The increased chemical information available for modulators of DNMTs has opened up the avenue to explore the epigenetic relevant chemical space (ERCS). Herein, we discuss recent progress on the identification and development of inhibitors of DNMTs as potential epi-drugs and epi-probes that have been driven by molecular modeling and chemoinformatics methods. We also survey advances on the elucidation of their structure-activity relationships and exploration of ERCS. Finally, it is illustrated how computational approaches can be applied to identify modulators of DNMTs in food chemicals.
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10
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Medina-Franco JL, Méndez-Lucio O, Dueñas-González A, Yoo J. Discovery and development of DNA methyltransferase inhibitors using in silico approaches. Drug Discov Today 2014; 20:569-77. [PMID: 25526932 DOI: 10.1016/j.drudis.2014.12.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 48] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/07/2014] [Revised: 11/19/2014] [Accepted: 12/10/2014] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
Multiple strategies have evolved during the past few years to advance epigenetic compounds targeting DNA methyltransferases (DNMTs). Significant progress has been made in HTS, lead optimization and determination of 3D structures of DNMTs. In light of the emerging concept of epi-informatics, computational approaches are employed to accelerate the development of DNMT inhibitors helping to screen chemical databases, mine the DNMT-relevant chemical space, uncover SAR and design focused libraries. Computational methods also synergize with natural-product-based drug discovery and drug repurposing. Herein, we survey the latest developments of in silico approaches to advance epigenetic drug and probe discovery targeting DNMTs.
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Affiliation(s)
- José L Medina-Franco
- Facultad de Química, Departamento de Farmacia, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Avenida Universidad 3000, Mexico City 04510, Mexico.
| | - Oscar Méndez-Lucio
- Unilever Centre for Molecular Science Informatics, Department of Chemistry, University of Cambridge, Lensfield Road, Cambridge CB2 1EW, UK
| | - Alfonso Dueñas-González
- Unidad de Investigación Biomédica en Cáncer, Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México and Instituto Nacional de Cancerología, Av. San Fernando 22, Mexico City 14080, Mexico
| | - Jakyung Yoo
- Life Science Research Institute, Daewoong Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd., 72 Dugye-Ro, Pogok-Eup, Gyeonggi-do 449-814, Republic of Korea
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