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Budassi F, Marchioro C, Canton M, Favaro A, Sturlese M, Urbinati C, Rusnati M, Romagnoli R, Viola G, Mariotto E. Design, synthesis and biological evaluation of novel 2,4-thiazolidinedione derivatives able to target the human BAG3 protein. Eur J Med Chem 2023; 261:115824. [PMID: 37783101 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2023.115824] [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: 08/11/2023] [Revised: 09/15/2023] [Accepted: 09/16/2023] [Indexed: 10/04/2023]
Abstract
The Bcl-2-associated athanogene 3 (BAG3) protein plays multiple roles in controlling cellular homeostasis, and it has been reported to be deregulated in many cancers, leading tumor cell apoptosis escape. BAG3 protein is then an emerging target for its oncogenic activities in both leukemia and solid cancers, such as medulloblastoma. In this work a series of forty-four compounds were designed and successfully synthesized by the modification and optimization of a previously reported 2,4-thiazolidinedione derivative 28. Using an efficient cloning and transfection in human embryonic kidney HEK-293T cells, BAG3 was collected and purified by chromatographic techniques such as IMAC and SEC, respectively. Subsequently, through Surface Plasmon Resonance (SPR) all the compounds were evaluated for their binding ability to BAG3, highlighting the compound FB49 as the one having the greatest affinity for the protein (Kd = 45 ± 6 μM) also against the reference compound 28. Further analysis carried out by Saturation Transfer Difference (STD) Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) spectroscopy further confirmed the highest affinity of FB49 for the protein. In vitro biological investigation showed that compound FB49 is endowed with an antiproliferative activity in the micromolar range in three human tumoral cell lines and more importantly is devoid of toxicity in human peripheral mononuclear cell deriving from healthy donors. Moreover, FB49 was able to block cell cycle in G1 phase and to induce apoptosis as well as autophagy in medulloblastoma HD-MB03 treated cells. In addition, FB49 demonstrated a synergistic effect when combined with a chemotherapy cocktail of Vincristine, Etoposide, Cisplatin, Cyclophosphamide (VECC). In conclusion we have demonstrated that FB49 is a new derivative able to bind human BAG3 with high affinity and could be used as BAG3 modulator in cancers correlated with overexpression of this protein.
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Affiliation(s)
- Federica Budassi
- Synthetic Chemistry, DDD, Aptuit an Evotec Company, Via Alessandro Fleming 4, 37135, Verona, Italy
| | - Chiara Marchioro
- Laboratory of Pediatric Hematology-Oncology Department of Women's and Children's Health, University of Padova, Via Giustiniani 3, 35128, Padova, Italy
| | - Martina Canton
- Laboratory of Pediatric Hematology-Oncology Department of Women's and Children's Health, University of Padova, Via Giustiniani 3, 35128, Padova, Italy
| | - Annagiulia Favaro
- Molecular Modeling Section (MMS), Department of Pharmaceutical and Pharmacological Sciences, University of Padova, via Marzolo 5, 35131, Padova, Italy
| | - Mattia Sturlese
- Molecular Modeling Section (MMS), Department of Pharmaceutical and Pharmacological Sciences, University of Padova, via Marzolo 5, 35131, Padova, Italy
| | - Chiara Urbinati
- Experimental Oncology and Immunology, Department of Molecular and Translational Medicine, University of Brescia, Viale Europa11, 25121, Brescia, Italy
| | - Marco Rusnati
- Experimental Oncology and Immunology, Department of Molecular and Translational Medicine, University of Brescia, Viale Europa11, 25121, Brescia, Italy
| | - Romeo Romagnoli
- Dipartimento di Scienze Chimiche, Farmaceutiche e Agrarie, Università degli Studi di Ferrara, Via Luigi Borsari 46, 44121, Ferrara, Italy
| | - Giampietro Viola
- Laboratory of Pediatric Hematology-Oncology Department of Women's and Children's Health, University of Padova, Via Giustiniani 3, 35128, Padova, Italy; Istituto di Ricerca Pediatrica (IRP), Corso Stati Uniti 4F, 35127, Padova, Italy.
| | - Elena Mariotto
- Laboratory of Pediatric Hematology-Oncology Department of Women's and Children's Health, University of Padova, Via Giustiniani 3, 35128, Padova, Italy; Istituto di Ricerca Pediatrica (IRP), Corso Stati Uniti 4F, 35127, Padova, Italy.
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2
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Luque-Navarro PM, Carrasco-Jiménez MP, Goracci L, Paredes JM, Espinar-Barranco L, Valverde-Pozo J, Torretta A, Parisini E, Mariotto E, Marchioro C, Laso A, Marco C, Viola G, Lanari D, López Cara LC. New bioisosteric sulphur-containing choline kinase inhibitors with a tracked mode of action. Eur J Med Chem 2023; 246:115003. [PMID: 36493617 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2022.115003] [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: 09/01/2022] [Revised: 11/28/2022] [Accepted: 12/01/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Since the identification of human choline kinase as a protein target against cancer progression, many compounds have been designed to inhibit its function and reduce the biosynthesis of phosphatidylcholine. Herein, we propose a series of bioisosteric inhibitors that are based on the introduction of sulphur and feature improved activity and lipophilic/hydrophilic balance. The evaluation of the inhibitory and of the antiproliferative properties of the PL (dithioethane) and FP (disulphide) libraries led to the identification of PL 48, PL 55 and PL 69 as the most active compounds of the series. Docking analysis using FLAP suggests that for hits to leads, binding mostly involves an interaction with the Mg2+ cofactor, or its destabilization. The most active compounds of the two series are capable of inducing apoptosis following the mitochondrial pathway and to significantly reduce the expression of anti-apoptotic proteins such as the Mcl-1. The fluorescence properties of the compounds of the PL library allowed the tracking of their mode of action, while PAINS (Pan Assays Interference Structures) filtration databases suggest the lack of any unspecific biological response.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pilar M Luque-Navarro
- Department of Pharmaceutical and Organic Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Granada, Campus of Cartuja s/n, Granada, 18071, Spain; Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Perugia, Perugia, 06123 Italy
| | - M Paz Carrasco-Jiménez
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology I, University of Granada, Campus of Fuentenueva s/n, Granada, 18071, Spain.
| | - Laura Goracci
- Department of Chemistry, Biology and Biotechnology, University of Perugia, Perugia, 06123, Italy
| | - Jose M Paredes
- Department of Physical-Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Granada, Campus of Cartuja s/n, Granada, 18071, Spain
| | - Laura Espinar-Barranco
- Department of Physical-Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Granada, Campus of Cartuja s/n, Granada, 18071, Spain
| | - Javier Valverde-Pozo
- Department of Physical-Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Granada, Campus of Cartuja s/n, Granada, 18071, Spain
| | - Archimede Torretta
- Center for Nano Science and Technology @PoliMi, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Via Pascoli 70/3, Milano, 20133, Italy
| | - Emilio Parisini
- Center for Nano Science and Technology @PoliMi, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Via Pascoli 70/3, Milano, 20133, Italy; Department of Biotechnology, Latvian Institute of Organic Synthesis, Aizkraukles 21, Riga, LV, 1006, Latvia; Department of Chemistry "G. Ciamician", University of Bologna, Via Selmi 2, Bologna, 40126, Italy
| | - Elena Mariotto
- Department of Woman's and Child's Health, Laboratory of Oncohematology, University of Padova, Padova, 35128, Italy
| | - Chiara Marchioro
- Department of Woman's and Child's Health, Laboratory of Oncohematology, University of Padova, Padova, 35128, Italy
| | - Alejandro Laso
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology I, University of Granada, Campus of Fuentenueva s/n, Granada, 18071, Spain
| | - Carmen Marco
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology I, University of Granada, Campus of Fuentenueva s/n, Granada, 18071, Spain
| | - Giampietro Viola
- Department of Woman's and Child's Health, Laboratory of Oncohematology, University of Padova, Padova, 35128, Italy; Istituto di Ricerca Pediatrica (IRP) Fondazione Città della Speranza, Corso Stati Uniti 4, Padova, 35128, Italy.
| | - Daniela Lanari
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Perugia, Perugia, 06123 Italy.
| | - Luisa Carlota López Cara
- Department of Pharmaceutical and Organic Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Granada, Campus of Cartuja s/n, Granada, 18071, Spain.
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3
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Biological Evaluation of New Thienopyridinium and Thienopyrimidinium Derivatives as Human Choline Kinase Inhibitors. Pharmaceutics 2022; 14:pharmaceutics14040715. [PMID: 35456549 PMCID: PMC9032693 DOI: 10.3390/pharmaceutics14040715] [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: 02/09/2022] [Revised: 03/22/2022] [Accepted: 03/24/2022] [Indexed: 12/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Due to its role in lipid biosynthesis, choline kinase α1 (CKα1) is an interesting target for the development of new antitumor agents. In this work, we present a series of 41 compounds designed based on the well-known and successful strategy of introducing thienopyridine and pyrimidine as bioisosteres of other heterocycles in active antitumor compounds. Notwithstanding the fact that some of these compounds do not show significant enzymatic inhibition, others, in contrast, feature substantially improved enzymatic and antiproliferative inhibition values. This is also confirmed by docking analysis, whereby compounds with longer linkers and thienopyrimidine cationic head have been identified as the most compelling. Among the best compounds is Ff-35, which inhibits the growth of different tumor cells at submicromolar concentrations. Moreover, Ff-35 is more potent in inhibiting CKα1 than other previous biscationic derivatives. Treatment of A549, Hela, and MDA-MB-231 cells with Ff-35 results in their arrest at the G1 phase of the cell cycle. Furthermore, the compound induces cellular apoptosis in a concentration-dependent manner. Altogether, these findings indicate that Ff-35 is a promising new chemotherapeutic agent with encouraging preclinical potential.
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García-Molina P, Sola-Leyva A, Luque-Navarro PM, Laso A, Ríos-Marco P, Ríos A, Lanari D, Torretta A, Parisini E, López-Cara LC, Marco C, Carrasco-Jiménez MP. Anticancer Activity of the Choline Kinase Inhibitor PL48 Is Due to Selective Disruption of Choline Metabolism and Transport Systems in Cancer Cell Lines. Pharmaceutics 2022; 14:pharmaceutics14020426. [PMID: 35214160 PMCID: PMC8876215 DOI: 10.3390/pharmaceutics14020426] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2021] [Revised: 01/23/2022] [Accepted: 02/14/2022] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
A large number of different types of cancer have been shown to be associated with an abnormal metabolism of phosphatidylcholine (PC), the main component of eukaryotic cell membranes. Indeed, the overexpression of choline kinase α1 (ChoKα1), the enzyme that catalyses the bioconversion of choline to phosphocholine (PCho), has been found to associate with cell proliferation, oncogenic transformation and carcinogenesis. Hence, ChoKα1 has been described as a possible cancer therapeutic target. Moreover, the choline transporter CTL1 has been shown to be highly expressed in several tumour cell lines. In the present work, we evaluate the antiproliferative effect of PL48, a rationally designed inhibitor of ChoKα1, in MCF7 and HepG2 cell lines. In addition, we illustrate that the predominant mechanism of cellular choline uptake in these cells is mediated by the CTL1 choline transporter. A possible correlation between the inhibition of both choline uptake and ChoKα1 activity and cell proliferation in cancer cell lines is also highlighted. We conclude that the efficacy of this inhibitor on cell proliferation in both cell lines is closely correlated with its capability to block choline uptake and ChoKα1 activity, making both proteins potential targets in cancer therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pablo García-Molina
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology I, University of Granada, 18071 Granada, Spain; (P.G.-M.); (A.S.-L.); (A.L.); (P.R.-M.)
| | - Alberto Sola-Leyva
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology I, University of Granada, 18071 Granada, Spain; (P.G.-M.); (A.S.-L.); (A.L.); (P.R.-M.)
| | - Pilar M. Luque-Navarro
- Department of Pharmaceutical and Organic Chemistry, University of Granada, 18071 Granada, Spain;
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Perugia, 06123 Perugia, Italy;
| | - Alejandro Laso
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology I, University of Granada, 18071 Granada, Spain; (P.G.-M.); (A.S.-L.); (A.L.); (P.R.-M.)
| | - Pablo Ríos-Marco
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology I, University of Granada, 18071 Granada, Spain; (P.G.-M.); (A.S.-L.); (A.L.); (P.R.-M.)
| | - Antonio Ríos
- Department of Cell Biology, University of Granada, 18071 Granada, Spain;
| | - Daniela Lanari
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Perugia, 06123 Perugia, Italy;
| | - Archimede Torretta
- Center for Nano Science and Technology @Polimi, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Via Pascoli 70/3, 20133 Milano, Italy; (A.T.); (E.P.)
| | - Emilio Parisini
- Center for Nano Science and Technology @Polimi, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Via Pascoli 70/3, 20133 Milano, Italy; (A.T.); (E.P.)
- Department of Biotechnology, Latvian Institute of Organic Synthesis, Aizkraukles 21, LV-1006 Riga, Latvia
| | - Luisa C. López-Cara
- Department of Pharmaceutical and Organic Chemistry, University of Granada, 18071 Granada, Spain;
- Correspondence: (L.C.L.-C.); (C.M.); (M.P.C.-J.)
| | - Carmen Marco
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology I, University of Granada, 18071 Granada, Spain; (P.G.-M.); (A.S.-L.); (A.L.); (P.R.-M.)
- Correspondence: (L.C.L.-C.); (C.M.); (M.P.C.-J.)
| | - María P. Carrasco-Jiménez
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology I, University of Granada, 18071 Granada, Spain; (P.G.-M.); (A.S.-L.); (A.L.); (P.R.-M.)
- Correspondence: (L.C.L.-C.); (C.M.); (M.P.C.-J.)
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5
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New Compounds with Bioisosteric Replacement of Classic Choline Kinase Inhibitors Show Potent Antiplasmodial Activity. Pharmaceutics 2021; 13:pharmaceutics13111842. [PMID: 34834257 PMCID: PMC8621770 DOI: 10.3390/pharmaceutics13111842] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/27/2021] [Revised: 10/18/2021] [Accepted: 10/20/2021] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
In the fight against Malaria, new strategies need to be developed to avoid resistance of the parasite to pharmaceutics and other prevention barriers. Recently, a Host Directed Therapy approach based on the suppression of the starting materials uptake from the host by the parasite has provided excellent results. In this article, we propose the synthesis of bioisosteric compounds that are capable of inhibiting Plasmodium falciparum Choline Kinase and therefore to reduce choline uptake, which is essential for the development of the parasite. Of the 41 bioisosteric compounds reported herein, none showed any influence of the linker on the antimalarial and enzyme inhibitory activity, whereas an effect of the type of cationic heads used could be observed. SARs determined that the thienopyrimidine substituted in 4 by a pyrrolidine is the best scaffold, independently of the chosen linker. The decrease in lipophilicity seems to improve the antimalarial activity but to cause an opposite effect on the inhibition of the enzyme. While potent compounds with similar good inhibitory values have been related to the proposed mechanism of action, some of them still show discrepancies and further studies are needed to determine their specific molecular target.
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6
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Schiaffino-Ortega S, Mariotto E, Luque-Navarro PM, Kimatrai-Salvador M, Rios-Marco P, Hurtado-Guerrero R, Marco C, Carrasco-Jimenez MP, Viola G, López-Cara LC. Anticancer and Structure Activity Relationship of Non-Symmetrical Choline Kinase Inhibitors. Pharmaceutics 2021; 13:pharmaceutics13091360. [PMID: 34575436 PMCID: PMC8464809 DOI: 10.3390/pharmaceutics13091360] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/30/2021] [Revised: 08/26/2021] [Accepted: 08/27/2021] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Choline kinase inhibitors are an outstanding class of cytotoxic compounds useful for the treatment of different forms of cancer since aberrant choline metabolism is a feature of neoplastic cells. Here, we present the most in-depth structure-activity relationship studies of an interesting series of non-symmetric choline kinase inhibitors previously reported by our group: 3a–h and 4a–h. They are characterized by cationic heads of 3-aminophenol bound to 4-(dimethylamino)- or 4-(pyrrolidin-1-yl)pyridinium through several linkers. These derivatives were evaluated both for their inhibitory activity on the enzyme and their antiproliferative activity in a panel of six human tumor cell lines. The compounds with the N-atom connected to the linker (4a–h) show the best inhibitory results, in the manner of results supported by docking studies. On the contrary, the best antiproliferative compounds were those with the O-atom bounded to the linker (3a–h). On the other hand, as was predictable in both families, the inhibitory effect on the enzyme is better the shorter the length of the linker. However, in tumor cells, lipophilicity and choline uptake inhibition could play a decisive role. Interestingly, compounds 3c and 4f, selected for both their ability to inhibit the enzyme and good antiproliferative activity, are endowed with low toxicity in non-tumoral cells (e.g., human peripheral lymphocytes) concerning cancer cells. These compounds were also able to induce apoptosis in Jurkat leukemic cells without causing significant variations of the cell cycle. It is worth mentioning that these derivatives, besides their inhibitory effect on choline kinase, displayed a modest ability to inhibit choline uptake thus suggesting that this mechanism may also contribute to the observed cytotoxicity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Santiago Schiaffino-Ortega
- Department of Pharmaceutical and Organic Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, Campus of Cartuja, University of Granada, 18071 Granada, Spain; (S.S.-O.); (P.M.L.-N.); (M.K.-S.)
| | - Elena Mariotto
- Laboratory of Oncohematology, Department of Woman’s and Child’s Health, University of Padova, 35128 Padova, Italy;
| | - Pilar María Luque-Navarro
- Department of Pharmaceutical and Organic Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, Campus of Cartuja, University of Granada, 18071 Granada, Spain; (S.S.-O.); (P.M.L.-N.); (M.K.-S.)
| | - María Kimatrai-Salvador
- Department of Pharmaceutical and Organic Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, Campus of Cartuja, University of Granada, 18071 Granada, Spain; (S.S.-O.); (P.M.L.-N.); (M.K.-S.)
| | - Pablo Rios-Marco
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology I, Faculty of Sciences, University of Granada, 18071 Granada, Spain; (P.R.-M.); (C.M.)
| | - Ramon Hurtado-Guerrero
- Institute of Biocomputation and Physics of Complex Systems (BIFI), Mariano Esquillor s/n, Campus Rio Ebro, Edificio I+D, University of Zaragoza, 50018 Zaragoza, Spain;
| | - Carmen Marco
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology I, Faculty of Sciences, University of Granada, 18071 Granada, Spain; (P.R.-M.); (C.M.)
| | - María Paz Carrasco-Jimenez
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology I, Faculty of Sciences, University of Granada, 18071 Granada, Spain; (P.R.-M.); (C.M.)
- Correspondence: (M.P.C.-J.); (G.V.); (L.C.L.-C.); Tel.: +34-958-243-248 (M.P.C.-J.); +34-958-243-849 (L.C.L.-C.)
| | - Giampietro Viola
- Laboratory of Oncohematology, Department of Woman’s and Child’s Health, University of Padova, 35128 Padova, Italy;
- Correspondence: (M.P.C.-J.); (G.V.); (L.C.L.-C.); Tel.: +34-958-243-248 (M.P.C.-J.); +34-958-243-849 (L.C.L.-C.)
| | - Luisa Carlota López-Cara
- Department of Pharmaceutical and Organic Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, Campus of Cartuja, University of Granada, 18071 Granada, Spain; (S.S.-O.); (P.M.L.-N.); (M.K.-S.)
- Correspondence: (M.P.C.-J.); (G.V.); (L.C.L.-C.); Tel.: +34-958-243-248 (M.P.C.-J.); +34-958-243-849 (L.C.L.-C.)
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7
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ChoK-Full of Potential: Choline Kinase in B Cell and T Cell Malignancies. Pharmaceutics 2021; 13:pharmaceutics13060911. [PMID: 34202989 PMCID: PMC8234087 DOI: 10.3390/pharmaceutics13060911] [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: 05/14/2021] [Revised: 06/09/2021] [Accepted: 06/17/2021] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Aberrant choline metabolism, characterized by an increase in total choline-containing compounds, phosphocholine and phosphatidylcholine (PC), is a metabolic hallmark of carcinogenesis and tumor progression. This aberration arises from alterations in metabolic enzymes that control PC biosynthesis and catabolism. Among these enzymes, choline kinase α (CHKα) exhibits the most frequent alterations and is commonly overexpressed in human cancers. CHKα catalyzes the phosphorylation of choline to generate phosphocholine, the first step in de novo PC biosynthesis. CHKα overexpression is associated with the malignant phenotype, metastatic capability and drug resistance in human cancers, and thus has been recognized as a robust biomarker and therapeutic target of cancer. Of clinical importance, increased choline metabolism and CHKα activity can be detected by non-invasive magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) or positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT) imaging with radiolabeled choline analogs for diagnosis and treatment monitoring of cancer patients. Both choline-based MRS and PET/CT imaging have also been clinically applied for lymphoid malignancies, including non-Hodgkin lymphoma, multiple myeloma and central nervous system lymphoma. However, information on how choline kinase is dysregulated in lymphoid malignancies is very limited and has just begun to be unraveled. In this review, we provide an overview of the current understanding of choline kinase in B cell and T cell malignancies with the goal of promoting future investigation in this area.
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8
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Serrán-Aguilera L, Mariotto E, Rubbini G, Castro Navas FF, Marco C, Carrasco-Jiménez MP, Ballarotto M, Macchiarulo A, Hurtado-Guerrero R, Viola G, Lopez-Cara LC. Synthesis, biological evaluation, in silico modeling and crystallization of novel small monocationic molecules with potent antiproliferative activity by dual mechanism. Eur J Med Chem 2020; 207:112797. [PMID: 32977218 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2020.112797] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/05/2020] [Revised: 08/28/2020] [Accepted: 08/30/2020] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
Seeking for new anticancer drugs with strong antiproliferative activity and simple molecular structure, we designed a novel series of compounds based on our previous reported pharmacophore model composed of five moieties. Antiproliferative assays on four tumoral cell lines and evaluation of Human Choline Kinase CKα1 enzymatic activity was performed for these compounds. Among tested molecules, those ones with biphenyl spacer showed betters enzymatic and antiproliferative activities (n-v). Docking and crystallization studies validate the hypothesis and confirm the results. The most active compound (t) induces a significant arrest of the cell cycle in G0/G1 phase that ultimately lead to apoptosis, following the mitochondrial pathway, as demonstrated for other choline kinase inhibitors. However additional assays reveal that the inhibition of choline uptake could also be involved in the antiproliferative outcome of this class of compounds.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lucía Serrán-Aguilera
- Department of Pharmaceutical and Organic Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, Campus Cartuja S/n. University of Granada, 18010, Granada, Spain
| | - Elena Mariotto
- Department of Woman's and Child's Health, Laboratory of Oncohematology, University of Padova, 35128, Padova, Italy
| | - Gianluca Rubbini
- Department of Pharmaceutical and Organic Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, Campus Cartuja S/n. University of Granada, 18010, Granada, Spain
| | - Francisco Fermín Castro Navas
- Department of Pharmaceutical and Organic Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, Campus Cartuja S/n. University of Granada, 18010, Granada, Spain
| | - Carmen Marco
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology I, Faculty of Sciences, 18071, Granada, Spain
| | | | - Marco Ballarotto
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Perugia, Via Del Liceo 1, Perugia, 06123, Italy
| | - Antonio Macchiarulo
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Perugia, Via Del Liceo 1, Perugia, 06123, Italy
| | - Ramón Hurtado-Guerrero
- Institute of Biocomputation and Physics of Complex Systems (BIFI), University of Zaragoza, Institute for Biocomputation and Physics of Complex Systems (BIFI) and Laboratorio de Microscopías Avanzada (LMA), Mariano Esquillor S/n, Campus Rio Ebro, Edificio I+D; Fundacion ARAID, 50018, Zaragoza, Spain; Copenhagen Center for Glycomics, Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, School of Dentistry, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Giampietro Viola
- Department of Woman's and Child's Health, Laboratory of Oncohematology, University of Padova, 35128, Padova, Italy
| | - Luisa Carlota Lopez-Cara
- Department of Pharmaceutical and Organic Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, Campus Cartuja S/n. University of Granada, 18010, Granada, Spain.
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9
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Rubio-Ruiz B, Serrán-Aguilera L, Hurtado-Guerrero R, Conejo-García A. Recent advances in the design of choline kinase α inhibitors and the molecular basis of their inhibition. Med Res Rev 2020; 41:902-927. [PMID: 33103259 DOI: 10.1002/med.21746] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/23/2020] [Revised: 09/25/2020] [Accepted: 10/12/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Upregulated choline metabolism, characterized by an increase in phosphocholine (PCho), is a hallmark of oncogenesis and tumor progression. Choline kinase (ChoK), the enzyme responsible for PCho synthesis, has consequently become a promising drug target for cancer therapy and as such a significant number of ChoK inhibitors have been developed over the last few decades. More recently, due to the role of this enzyme in other pathologies, ChoK inhibitors have also been used in new therapeutic approaches against malaria and rheumatoid arthritis. Here, we review research results in the field of ChoKα inhibitors from their synthesis to the molecular basis of their binding mode. Strategies for the development of inhibitors and their selectivity on ChoKα over ChoKβ, the plasticity of the choline-binding site, the discovery of new exploitable binding sites, and the allosteric properties of this enzyme are highlighted. The outcomes summarized in this review will be a useful guide to develop new multifunctional potent drugs for the treatment of various human diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Belén Rubio-Ruiz
- Department of Medicinal and Organic Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Granada, Granada, Spain.,Pfizer-University of Granada-Andalusian Regional Government Centre for Genomics and Oncological Research (GENYO), Granada, Spain.,Biosanitary Institute of Granada (ibs.GRANADA), SAS-University of Granada, Granada, Spain
| | - Lucía Serrán-Aguilera
- Department of Medicinal and Organic Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Granada, Granada, Spain
| | - Ramón Hurtado-Guerrero
- Institute for Biocomputation and Physics of Complex Systems (BIFI), University of Zaragoza, Zaragoza, Spain.,Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, Copenhagen Center for Glycomics, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark.,Laboratorio de Microscopías Avanzada, University of Zaragoza, Zaragoza, Spain.,ARAID Foundation, Zaragoza, Spain
| | - Ana Conejo-García
- Department of Medicinal and Organic Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Granada, Granada, Spain.,Biosanitary Institute of Granada (ibs.GRANADA), SAS-University of Granada, Granada, Spain
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10
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Choline Kinase Alpha Inhibition by EB-3D Triggers Cellular Senescence, Reduces Tumor Growth and Metastatic Dissemination in Breast Cancer. Cancers (Basel) 2018; 10:cancers10100391. [PMID: 30360374 PMCID: PMC6209942 DOI: 10.3390/cancers10100391] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/04/2018] [Revised: 10/15/2018] [Accepted: 10/16/2018] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Choline kinase (ChoK) is the first enzyme of the Kennedy pathway leading to the biosynthesis of phosphatidylcholine (PtdCho), the most abundant phospholipid in eukaryotic cell membranes. EB-3D is a novel choline kinase α1 (ChoKα1) inhibitor with potent antiproliferative activity against a panel of several cancer cell lines. ChoKα1 is particularly overexpressed and hyperactivated in aggressive breast cancer. By NMR analysis, we demonstrated that EB-3D is able to reduce the synthesis of phosphocholine, and using flow cytometry, immunoblotting, and q-RT-PCR as well as proliferation and invasion assays, we proved that EB-3D strongly impairs breast cancer cell proliferation, migration, and invasion. EB-3D induces senescence in breast cancer cell lines through the activation of the metabolic sensor AMPK and the subsequent dephosphorylation of mTORC1 downstream targets, such as p70S6K, S6 ribosomal protein, and 4E-BP1. Moreover, EB-3D strongly synergizes with drugs commonly used for breast cancer treatment. The antitumorigenic potential of EB-3D was evaluated in vivo in the syngeneic orthotopic E0771 mouse model of breast cancer, where it induces a significant reduction of the tumor mass at low doses. In addition, EB-3D showed an antimetastatic effect in experimental and spontaneous metastasis models. Altogether, our results indicate that EB-3D could be a promising new anticancer agent to improve aggressive breast cancer treatment protocols.
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11
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Lead optimization-hit expansion of new asymmetrical pyridinium/quinolinium compounds as choline kinase α1 inhibitors. Future Med Chem 2018; 10:1769-1786. [PMID: 30043647 DOI: 10.4155/fmc-2018-0059] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
AIM Choline kinase α inhibitors represent one of the newest classes of cytotoxic drugs for cancer treatment, since aberrant choline metabolism is a characteristic shared by many human cancers. RESULTS Here, we present a new class of asymmetrical pyridinium/quinolinium derivatives developed and designed based on drug optimization. CONCLUSION Among all compounds described here, compound 8, bearing a 7-chloro-4N-methyl-p-chloroaniline quinolinium moiety, exhibited the greatest inhibitory activity at the enzyme (IC50 = 0.29 μM) and antiproliferative activity in cellular assays (GI50 = 0.29-0.92 μM). Specifically, compound 8 strongly induces a cell-cycle arrest in G1 phase, but it does not significantly induce apoptosis while causing senescence in the MDA-MB-231 cell line.
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12
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Mariotto E, Bortolozzi R, Volpin I, Carta D, Serafin V, Accordi B, Basso G, Navarro PL, López-Cara LC, Viola G. EB-3D a novel choline kinase inhibitor induces deregulation of the AMPK-mTOR pathway and apoptosis in leukemia T-cells. Biochem Pharmacol 2018; 155:213-223. [PMID: 30006194 DOI: 10.1016/j.bcp.2018.07.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/16/2018] [Accepted: 07/09/2018] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
Choline kinase alpha 1 (ChoKα1) has recently become an interesting therapeutic target since its overexpression has been associated to tumorigenesis in many cancers. Nevertheless, little is known regarding hematological malignancies. In this manuscript, we investigated the effect of a novel and selective ChoKα inhibitor EB-3D in T acute lymphoblastic leukemia (T-ALL). The effect of EB-3D was evaluated in a panel of T-leukemia cell lines and ex-vivo primary cultures derived from pediatric T-ALL patients. We also evaluated in detail, using Reverse Phase Protein Array (RPPA), protein phosphorylation level changes in T-ALL cells upon treatment. The drug exhibits a potent antiproliferative activity in a panel of T-leukemia cell lines and primary cultures of pediatric patients. Moreover, the drug strongly induces apoptosis and more importantly it enhanced T-leukemia cell sensitivity to chemotherapeutic agents, such as dexamethasone and l-asparaginase. In addition, the compound induces an early activation of AMPK, the main regulator of cellular energy homeostasis, by its phosphorylation at residue T712 of catalytic subunit α, and thus repressing mTORC1 pathway, as shown by mTOR S2448 dephosphorylation. The inhibition of mTOR in turn affects the activity of several known downstream targets, such as 4E-BP1, p70S6K, S6 Ribosomal Protein and GSK3 that ultimately may lead to a reduction of protein synthesis and cell death. Taken together, our findings suggest that targeting ChoKα may be an interesting option for treating T-ALL and that EB-3D could represent a valuable therapeutic tool.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elena Mariotto
- Department of Woman's and Child's Health, Oncohematology Laboratory, University of Padova, 35128 Padova, Italy.
| | - Roberta Bortolozzi
- Department of Woman's and Child's Health, Oncohematology Laboratory, University of Padova, 35128 Padova, Italy
| | - Ilaria Volpin
- Department of Woman's and Child's Health, Oncohematology Laboratory, University of Padova, 35128 Padova, Italy
| | - Davide Carta
- Department of Pharmaceutical and Pharmacological Sciences, University of Padova, 35131 Padova, Italy
| | - Valentina Serafin
- Department of Woman's and Child's Health, Oncohematology Laboratory, University of Padova, 35128 Padova, Italy
| | - Benedetta Accordi
- Department of Woman's and Child's Health, Oncohematology Laboratory, University of Padova, 35128 Padova, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Basso
- Department of Woman's and Child's Health, Oncohematology Laboratory, University of Padova, 35128 Padova, Italy
| | - Pilar Luque Navarro
- Departamento de Química Farmacéutica y Orgánica, Facultad de Farmacia, Campus de Cartuja, 18071 Granada, Spain
| | - Luisa Carlota López-Cara
- Departamento de Química Farmacéutica y Orgánica, Facultad de Farmacia, Campus de Cartuja, 18071 Granada, Spain
| | - Giampietro Viola
- Department of Woman's and Child's Health, Oncohematology Laboratory, University of Padova, 35128 Padova, Italy.
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13
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Design, synthesis, crystallization and biological evaluation of new symmetrical biscationic compounds as selective inhibitors of human Choline Kinase α1 (ChoKα1). Sci Rep 2016; 6:23793. [PMID: 27029499 PMCID: PMC4814829 DOI: 10.1038/srep23793] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/29/2015] [Accepted: 03/14/2016] [Indexed: 01/20/2023] Open
Abstract
A novel family of compounds derivative of 1,1′-(((ethane-1,2-diylbis(oxy))bis(4,1-phenylene))bis(methylene))-bispyridinium or –bisquinolinium bromide (10a-l) containing a pair of oxygen atoms in the spacer of the linker between the biscationic moieties, were synthesized and evaluated as inhibitors of choline kinase against a panel of cancer-cell lines. The most promising compounds in this series were 1,1′-(((ethane-1,2-diylbis(oxy))bis(4,1-phenylene))bis(methylene))bis(4-(dimethylamino)pyridinium) bromide (10a) and 1,1′-(((ethane-1,2-diylbis(oxy))bis(4,1-phenylene))bis(methylene))-bis(7-chloro-4-(pyrrolidin-1-yl)quinolinium) bromide (10l), which inhibit human choline kinase (ChoKα1) with IC50 of 1.0 and 0.92 μM, respectively, in a range similar to that of the previously reported biscationic compounds MN58b and RSM932A. Our compounds show greater antiproliferative activities than do the reference compounds, with unprecedented values of GI50 in the nanomolar range for several of the cancer-cell lines assayed, and more importantly they present low toxicity in non-tumoral cell lines, suggesting a cancer-cell-selective antiproliferative activity. Docking studies predict that the compounds interact with the choline-binding site in agreement with the binding mode of most previously reported biscationic compounds. Moreover, the crystal structure of ChoKα1 with compound 10a reveals that this compound binds to the choline-binding site and mimics HC-3 binding mode as never before.
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14
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Zech SG, Kohlmann A, Zhou T, Li F, Squillace RM, Parillon LE, Greenfield MT, Miller DP, Qi J, Thomas RM, Wang Y, Xu Y, Miret JJ, Shakespeare WC, Zhu X, Dalgarno DC. Novel Small Molecule Inhibitors of Choline Kinase Identified by Fragment-Based Drug Discovery. J Med Chem 2016; 59:671-86. [PMID: 26700752 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.5b01552] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Choline kinase α (ChoKα) is an enzyme involved in the synthesis of phospholipids and thereby plays key roles in regulation of cell proliferation, oncogenic transformation, and human carcinogenesis. Since several inhibitors of ChoKα display antiproliferative activity in both cellular and animal models, this novel oncogene has recently gained interest as a promising small molecule target for cancer therapy. Here we summarize our efforts to further validate ChoKα as an oncogenic target and explore the activity of novel small molecule inhibitors of ChoKα. Starting from weakly binding fragments, we describe a structure based lead discovery approach, which resulted in novel highly potent inhibitors of ChoKα. In cancer cell lines, our lead compounds exhibit a dose-dependent decrease of phosphocholine, inhibition of cell growth, and induction of apoptosis at low micromolar concentrations. The druglike lead series presented here is optimizable for improvements in cellular potency, drug target residence time, and pharmacokinetic parameters. These inhibitors may be utilized not only to further validate ChoKα as antioncogenic target but also as novel chemical matter that may lead to antitumor agents that specifically interfere with cancer cell metabolism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stephan G Zech
- ARIAD Pharmaceuticals, Inc. , 26 Landsdowne Street, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139, United States
| | - Anna Kohlmann
- ARIAD Pharmaceuticals, Inc. , 26 Landsdowne Street, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139, United States
| | - Tianjun Zhou
- ARIAD Pharmaceuticals, Inc. , 26 Landsdowne Street, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139, United States
| | - Feng Li
- ARIAD Pharmaceuticals, Inc. , 26 Landsdowne Street, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139, United States
| | - Rachel M Squillace
- ARIAD Pharmaceuticals, Inc. , 26 Landsdowne Street, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139, United States
| | - Lois E Parillon
- ARIAD Pharmaceuticals, Inc. , 26 Landsdowne Street, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139, United States
| | - Matthew T Greenfield
- ARIAD Pharmaceuticals, Inc. , 26 Landsdowne Street, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139, United States
| | - David P Miller
- ARIAD Pharmaceuticals, Inc. , 26 Landsdowne Street, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139, United States
| | - Jiwei Qi
- ARIAD Pharmaceuticals, Inc. , 26 Landsdowne Street, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139, United States
| | - R Mathew Thomas
- ARIAD Pharmaceuticals, Inc. , 26 Landsdowne Street, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139, United States
| | - Yihan Wang
- ARIAD Pharmaceuticals, Inc. , 26 Landsdowne Street, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139, United States
| | - Yongjin Xu
- ARIAD Pharmaceuticals, Inc. , 26 Landsdowne Street, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139, United States
| | - Juan J Miret
- ARIAD Pharmaceuticals, Inc. , 26 Landsdowne Street, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139, United States
| | - William C Shakespeare
- ARIAD Pharmaceuticals, Inc. , 26 Landsdowne Street, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139, United States
| | - Xiaotian Zhu
- ARIAD Pharmaceuticals, Inc. , 26 Landsdowne Street, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139, United States
| | - David C Dalgarno
- ARIAD Pharmaceuticals, Inc. , 26 Landsdowne Street, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139, United States
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