Bioactivities of simplified adociaquinone B and naphthoquinone derivatives against Cdc25B, MKP-1, and MKP-3 phosphatases

Some simplified adociaquinone B analogs and a series of 1,4-naphthoquinone derivatives were synthesized and tested against the three enzymes Cdc25B, MKP-1, and MKP-3. Cdc25B and MKP-1 in particular are enzymes overexpressed in human cancer cells, and they represent potential molecular targets for novel cancer chemotherapeutic treatments. A number of analogs exhibited significant inhibitory activity against these enzymes, and the bioassay data in addition to structure-activity relationships of these compounds will be discussed.

Synthesis of miltirone analogues as inhibitors of Cdc25 phosphatases

Miltirone analogues were synthesized and evaluated for inhibitory activity against Cdc25 and PTP1B. Most of the compounds demonstrated potent Cdc25 inhibitory activity, and several exhibited higher selectivity for Cdc25 than for PTP1B. In a cytotoxic assay, most of the compounds displayed cytotoxicity against the tumor cell lines A549 and HCT-116, producing IC(50) values in the micromolar range.