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Byrne AJ, Bright SA, McKeown JP, Bergin A, Twamley B, McElligott AM, Noorani S, Kandwal S, Fayne D, O’Boyle NM, Williams DC, Meegan MJ. Synthesis and Pro-Apoptotic Effects of Nitrovinylanthracenes and Related Compounds in Chronic Lymphocytic Leukaemia (CLL) and Burkitt's Lymphoma (BL). Molecules 2023; 28:8095. [PMID: 38138584 PMCID: PMC10746112 DOI: 10.3390/molecules28248095] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/25/2023] [Revised: 11/30/2023] [Accepted: 12/08/2023] [Indexed: 12/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Chronic lymphocytic leukaemia (CLL) is a malignancy of the immune B lymphocyte cells and is the most common leukaemia diagnosed in developed countries. In this paper, we report the synthesis and antiproliferative effects of a series of (E)-9-(2-nitrovinyl)anthracenes and related nitrostyrene compounds in CLL cell lines and also in Burkitt's lymphoma (BL) cell lines, a rare form of non-Hodgkin's immune B-cell lymphoma. The nitrostyrene scaffold was identified as a lead structure for the development of effective compounds targeting BL and CLL. The series of structurally diverse nitrostyrenes was synthesised via Henry-Knoevenagel condensation reactions. Single-crystal X-ray analysis confirmed the structure of (E)-9-chloro-10-(2-nitrobut-1-en-1-yl)anthracene (19f) and the related 4-(anthracen-9-yl)-1H-1,2,3-triazole (30a). The (E)-9-(2-nitrovinyl)anthracenes 19a, 19g and 19i-19m were found to elicit potent antiproliferative effects in both BL cell lines EBV-MUTU-1 (chemosensitive) and EBV+ DG-75 (chemoresistant) with >90% inhibition at 10 μM. Selected (E)-9-(2-nitrovinyl)anthracenes demonstrated potent antiproliferative activity in CLL cell lines, with IC50 values of 0.17 μM (HG-3) and 1.3 μM (PGA-1) for compound 19g. The pro-apoptotic effects of the most potent compounds 19a, 19g, 19i, 19l and 19m were demonstrated in both CLL cell lines HG-3 and PGA-1. The (E)-nitrostyrene and (E)-9-(2-nitrovinyl)anthracene series of compounds offer potential for further development as novel chemotherapeutics for CLL.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrew J. Byrne
- School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Trinity Biomedical Sciences Institute, Trinity College Dublin, 152-160 Pearse St, Dublin 2, D02 R590 Dublin, Ireland (J.P.M.); (M.J.M.)
| | - Sandra A. Bright
- School of Biochemistry and Immunology, Trinity Biomedical Sciences Institute, Trinity College Dublin, 152-160 Pearse St, Dublin 2, D02 R590 Dublin, Ireland (S.K.); (D.F.); (D.C.W.)
| | - James. P. McKeown
- School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Trinity Biomedical Sciences Institute, Trinity College Dublin, 152-160 Pearse St, Dublin 2, D02 R590 Dublin, Ireland (J.P.M.); (M.J.M.)
| | - Adam Bergin
- School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Trinity Biomedical Sciences Institute, Trinity College Dublin, 152-160 Pearse St, Dublin 2, D02 R590 Dublin, Ireland (J.P.M.); (M.J.M.)
| | - Brendan Twamley
- School of Chemistry, Trinity Biomedical Sciences Institute, Trinity College Dublin, 152-160 Pearse St, Dublin 2, D02 R590 Dublin, Ireland;
| | - Anthony M. McElligott
- Discipline of Haematology, School of Medicine, Trinity Translational Medicine Institute, St. James’s Hospital and Trinity College, Dublin 8, D08 W9RT Dublin, Ireland;
| | - Sara Noorani
- School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Trinity Biomedical Sciences Institute, Trinity College Dublin, 152-160 Pearse St, Dublin 2, D02 R590 Dublin, Ireland (J.P.M.); (M.J.M.)
| | - Shubhangi Kandwal
- School of Biochemistry and Immunology, Trinity Biomedical Sciences Institute, Trinity College Dublin, 152-160 Pearse St, Dublin 2, D02 R590 Dublin, Ireland (S.K.); (D.F.); (D.C.W.)
| | - Darren Fayne
- School of Biochemistry and Immunology, Trinity Biomedical Sciences Institute, Trinity College Dublin, 152-160 Pearse St, Dublin 2, D02 R590 Dublin, Ireland (S.K.); (D.F.); (D.C.W.)
| | - Niamh M. O’Boyle
- School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Trinity Biomedical Sciences Institute, Trinity College Dublin, 152-160 Pearse St, Dublin 2, D02 R590 Dublin, Ireland (J.P.M.); (M.J.M.)
| | - D. Clive Williams
- School of Biochemistry and Immunology, Trinity Biomedical Sciences Institute, Trinity College Dublin, 152-160 Pearse St, Dublin 2, D02 R590 Dublin, Ireland (S.K.); (D.F.); (D.C.W.)
| | - Mary J. Meegan
- School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Trinity Biomedical Sciences Institute, Trinity College Dublin, 152-160 Pearse St, Dublin 2, D02 R590 Dublin, Ireland (J.P.M.); (M.J.M.)
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McLoughlin EC, Twamley B, O'Brien JE, Hannon Barroeta P, Zisterer DM, Meegan MJ, O'Boyle NM. Synthesis by diastereomeric resolution, biochemical evaluation and molecular modelling of chiral 3-hydroxyl b-lactam microtubule-targeting agents for the treatment of triple negative breast and chemoresistant colorectal cancers. Bioorg Chem 2023; 141:106877. [PMID: 37804699 DOI: 10.1016/j.bioorg.2023.106877] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/14/2023] [Revised: 09/08/2023] [Accepted: 09/19/2023] [Indexed: 10/09/2023]
Abstract
The synthesis and biochemical activity of a series of chiral trans 3-hydroxyl β-lactams targeting tubulin is described. Synthesis of the series of enantiopure β-lactams was achieved using chiral derivatising reagent N-Boc-l-proline. The absolute configuration was determined as 3S,4S for (+) enantiomer 4EN1 and 3R,4R for (-) enantiomer 4EN2. Antiproliferative studies identified chiral 3S,4S b-lactams with subnanomolar IC50 values across a range of cancer cell lines, improving potency with respect to the corresponding racemates. Fluoro-substituted (+)-(3S,4S)-4-(3-fluoro-4-methoxyphenyl)-3-hydroxy-1-(3,4,5-trimethoxyphenyl)azetidin-2-one (27EN1) was determined as the lead eutomer with dual antiproliferative activity in triple negative breast cancer cells (TNBC), and combretastatin A-4 resistant HT-29 colorectal cancer cells. IC50 values were in the range of 0.26-0.7 nM across four cell lines. Tubulin polymerisation assays, confocal microscopy and molecular modelling studies indicated that 3S,4S eutomers are microtubule destabilisers, while 3R,4R distomers have lower potency as microtubule destabilisers. 27EN1 demonstrated anti-mitotic and pro-apoptotic activity in MDA-MB-231 and HT-29 cells in addition to selective toxicity toward MCF-7 breast cancer versus non-tumorigenic MCF-10-2A cells. The related 3S,4S β-lactam eutomer 4EN1 downregulated expression of key cell survival anti-apoptotic proteins Bcl-2 and Mcl-1 in MDA-MB-231 cells while 27EN1 downregulated Mcl-1 in HT-29 cells. Chiral β-lactam 27EN1 will be further developed for treatment of TNBC and CA-4 resistant colorectal cancers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eavan C McLoughlin
- School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Trinity College Dublin, Panoz Institute and Trinity Biomedical Sciences Institute, 152-160 Pearse Street, Dublin 2, Ireland.
| | - Brendan Twamley
- School of Chemistry, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin 2, Ireland
| | - John E O'Brien
- School of Chemistry, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin 2, Ireland
| | - Patricia Hannon Barroeta
- School of Biochemistry and Immunology, Trinity College Dublin, Trinity Biomedical Sciences Institute, 152-160 Pearse Street, Dublin 2, Ireland
| | - Daniela M Zisterer
- School of Biochemistry and Immunology, Trinity College Dublin, Trinity Biomedical Sciences Institute, 152-160 Pearse Street, Dublin 2, Ireland
| | - Mary J Meegan
- School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Trinity College Dublin, Panoz Institute and Trinity Biomedical Sciences Institute, 152-160 Pearse Street, Dublin 2, Ireland
| | - Niamh M O'Boyle
- School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Trinity College Dublin, Panoz Institute and Trinity Biomedical Sciences Institute, 152-160 Pearse Street, Dublin 2, Ireland
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3
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Wang S, Malebari AM, Greene TF, Kandwal S, Fayne D, Nathwani SM, Zisterer DM, Twamley B, O'Boyle NM, Meegan MJ. Antiproliferative and Tubulin-Destabilising Effects of 3-(Prop-1-en-2-yl)azetidin-2-Ones and Related Compounds in MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231 Breast Cancer Cells. Pharmaceuticals (Basel) 2023; 16:1000. [PMID: 37513912 PMCID: PMC10385824 DOI: 10.3390/ph16071000] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/23/2023] [Revised: 07/05/2023] [Accepted: 07/07/2023] [Indexed: 07/30/2023] Open
Abstract
A series of novel 3-(prop-1-en-2-yl)azetidin-2-one, 3-allylazetidin-2-one and 3-(buta-1,3-dien-1-yl)azetidin-2-one analogues of combretastatin A-4 (CA-4) were designed and synthesised as colchicine-binding site inhibitors (CBSI) in which the ethylene bridge of CA-4 was replaced with a β-lactam (2-azetidinone) scaffold. These compounds, together with related prodrugs, were evaluated for their antiproliferative activity, cell cycle effects and ability to inhibit tubulin assembly. The compounds demonstrated significant in vitro antiproliferative activities in MCF-7 breast cancer cells, particularly for compounds 9h, 9q, 9r, 10p, 10r and 11h, with IC50 values in the range 10-33 nM. These compounds were also potent in the triple-negative breast cancer (TBNC) cell line MDA-MB-231, with IC50 values in the range 23-33 nM, and were comparable with the activity of CA-4. The compounds inhibited the polymerisation of tubulin in vitro, with significant reduction in tubulin polymerization, and were shown to interact at the colchicine-binding site on tubulin. Flow cytometry demonstrated that compound 9q arrested MCF-7 cells in the G2/M phase and resulted in cellular apoptosis. The antimitotic properties of 9q in MCF-7 human breast cancer cells were also evaluated, and the effect on the organization of microtubules in the cells after treatment with compound 9q was observed using confocal microscopy. The immunofluorescence results confirm that β-lactam 9q is targeting tubulin and resulted in mitotic catastrophe in MCF-7 cells. In silico molecular docking supports the hypothesis that the compounds interact with the colchicine-binding domain of tubulin. Compound 9q is a novel potent microtubule-destabilising agent with potential as a promising lead compound for the development of new antitumour agents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shu Wang
- School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Trinity Biomedical Sciences Institute, Trinity College Dublin, 152-160 Pearse Street, Dublin 2, D02 R590 Dublin, Ireland
| | - Azizah M Malebari
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, College of Pharmacy, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah 21589, Saudi Arabia
| | - Thomas F Greene
- School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Trinity Biomedical Sciences Institute, Trinity College Dublin, 152-160 Pearse Street, Dublin 2, D02 R590 Dublin, Ireland
| | - Shubhangi Kandwal
- Molecular Design Group, School of Biochemistry and Immunology, Trinity Biomedical Sciences Institute, Trinity College Dublin, 152-160 Pearse Street, Dublin 2, D02 R590 Dublin, Ireland
| | - Darren Fayne
- Molecular Design Group, School of Biochemistry and Immunology, Trinity Biomedical Sciences Institute, Trinity College Dublin, 152-160 Pearse Street, Dublin 2, D02 R590 Dublin, Ireland
| | - Seema M Nathwani
- School of Biochemistry and Immunology, Trinity Biomedical Sciences Institute, Trinity College Dublin, 152-160 Pearse Street, Dublin 2, D02 R590 Dublin, Ireland
| | - Daniela M Zisterer
- School of Biochemistry and Immunology, Trinity Biomedical Sciences Institute, Trinity College Dublin, 152-160 Pearse Street, Dublin 2, D02 R590 Dublin, Ireland
| | - Brendan Twamley
- School of Chemistry, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin 2, D02 PN40 Dublin, Ireland
| | - Niamh M O'Boyle
- School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Trinity Biomedical Sciences Institute, Trinity College Dublin, 152-160 Pearse Street, Dublin 2, D02 R590 Dublin, Ireland
| | - Mary J Meegan
- School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Trinity Biomedical Sciences Institute, Trinity College Dublin, 152-160 Pearse Street, Dublin 2, D02 R590 Dublin, Ireland
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O’Boyle NM, Helesbeux JJ, Meegan MJ, Sasse A, O’Shaughnessy E, Qaisar A, Clancy A, McCarthy F, Marchand P. 30th Annual GP2A Medicinal Chemistry Conference. Pharmaceuticals (Basel) 2023; 16:ph16030432. [PMID: 36986531 PMCID: PMC10056312 DOI: 10.3390/ph16030432] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/24/2022] [Accepted: 01/16/2023] [Indexed: 03/14/2023] Open
Abstract
The Group for the Promotion of Pharmaceutical Chemistry in Academia (GP2A) held their 30th annual conference in August 2022 in Trinity College Dublin, Ireland. There were 9 keynote presentations, 10 early career researcher presentations and 41 poster presentations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Niamh M. O’Boyle
- School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Panoz Institute and Trinity Biomedical Sciences Institute, Trinity College Dublin, D02 PN40 Dublin, Ireland
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +353-1896-2524
| | | | - Mary J. Meegan
- School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Panoz Institute and Trinity Biomedical Sciences Institute, Trinity College Dublin, D02 PN40 Dublin, Ireland
| | - Astrid Sasse
- School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Panoz Institute and Trinity Biomedical Sciences Institute, Trinity College Dublin, D02 PN40 Dublin, Ireland
| | - Elizabeth O’Shaughnessy
- School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Panoz Institute and Trinity Biomedical Sciences Institute, Trinity College Dublin, D02 PN40 Dublin, Ireland
| | - Alina Qaisar
- School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Panoz Institute and Trinity Biomedical Sciences Institute, Trinity College Dublin, D02 PN40 Dublin, Ireland
| | - Aoife Clancy
- School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Panoz Institute and Trinity Biomedical Sciences Institute, Trinity College Dublin, D02 PN40 Dublin, Ireland
| | - Florence McCarthy
- School of Chemistry and ABCRF, University College Cork, T12 K8AF Cork, Ireland
| | - Pascal Marchand
- Cibles et Médicaments des Infections et de l’Immunité, IICiMed, Nantes Université, UR 1155, F-44000 Nantes, France
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Malebari AM, Duffy Morales G, Twamley B, Fayne D, Khan MF, McLoughlin EC, O’Boyle NM, Zisterer DM, Meegan MJ. Synthesis, Characterisation and Mechanism of Action of Anticancer 3-Fluoroazetidin-2-ones. Pharmaceuticals (Basel) 2022; 15:ph15091044. [PMID: 36145265 PMCID: PMC9501633 DOI: 10.3390/ph15091044] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/26/2022] [Revised: 08/16/2022] [Accepted: 08/17/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
The stilbene combretastatin A-4 (CA-4) is a potent microtubule-disrupting agent interacting at the colchicine-binding site of tubulin. In the present work, the synthesis, characterisation and mechanism of action of a series of 3-fluoro and 3,3-difluoro substituted β-lactams as analogues of the tubulin-targeting agent CA-4 are described. The synthesis was achieved by a convenient microwave-assisted Reformatsky reaction and is the first report of 3-fluoro and 3,3-difluoro β-lactams as CA-4 analogues. The β-lactam compounds 3-fluoro-4-(3-hydroxy-4-methoxyphenyl)-1-(3,4,5-trimethoxy phenyl)azetidin-2-one 32 and 3-fluoro-4-(3-fluoro-4-methoxyphenyl)-1-(3,4,5-trimethoxyphenyl)azetidin-2-one) 33 exhibited potent activity in MCF-7 human breast cancer cells with IC50 values of 0.075 µM and 0.095 µM, respectively, and demonstrated low toxicity in non-cancerous cells. Compound 32 also demonstrated significant antiproliferative activity at nanomolar concentrations in the triple-negative breast cancer cell line Hs578T (IC50 0.033 μM), together with potency in the invasive isogenic subclone Hs578Ts(i)8 (IC50 = 0.065 μM), while 33 was also effective in MDA-MB-231 cells (IC50 0.620 μM). Mechanistic studies demonstrated that 33 inhibited tubulin polymerisation, induced apoptosis in MCF-7 cells, and induced a downregulation in the expression of anti-apoptotic Bcl2 and survivin with corresponding upregulation in the expression of pro-apoptotic Bax. In silico studies indicated the interaction of the compounds with the colchicine-binding site, demonstrating the potential for further developing novel cancer therapeutics as microtubule-targeting agents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Azizah M. Malebari
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, College of Pharmacy, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah 21589, Saudi Arabia
- Trinity Biomedical Sciences Institute, School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Trinity College Dublin, 152-160 Pearse Street, Dublin 2, D02 R590 Dublin, Ireland
| | - Gabriela Duffy Morales
- Trinity Biomedical Sciences Institute, School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Trinity College Dublin, 152-160 Pearse Street, Dublin 2, D02 R590 Dublin, Ireland
| | - Brendan Twamley
- School of Chemistry, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin 2, D02 PN40 Dublin, Ireland
| | - Darren Fayne
- Trinity Biomedical Sciences Institute, School of Biochemistry and Immunology, Trinity College Dublin, 152-160 Pearse Street, Dublin 2, D02 R590 Dublin, Ireland
| | - Mohemmed Faraz Khan
- Trinity Biomedical Sciences Institute, School of Biochemistry and Immunology, Trinity College Dublin, 152-160 Pearse Street, Dublin 2, D02 R590 Dublin, Ireland
| | - Eavan C. McLoughlin
- Trinity Biomedical Sciences Institute, School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Trinity College Dublin, 152-160 Pearse Street, Dublin 2, D02 R590 Dublin, Ireland
| | - Niamh M. O’Boyle
- Trinity Biomedical Sciences Institute, School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Trinity College Dublin, 152-160 Pearse Street, Dublin 2, D02 R590 Dublin, Ireland
| | - Daniela M. Zisterer
- Trinity Biomedical Sciences Institute, School of Biochemistry and Immunology, Trinity College Dublin, 152-160 Pearse Street, Dublin 2, D02 R590 Dublin, Ireland
| | - Mary J. Meegan
- Trinity Biomedical Sciences Institute, School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Trinity College Dublin, 152-160 Pearse Street, Dublin 2, D02 R590 Dublin, Ireland
- Correspondence:
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McLoughlin EC, O'Brien JE, Trujillo C, Meegan MJ, O'Boyle NM. Application of 2D EXSY and qNMR Spectroscopy for Diastereomeric Excess Determination Following Chiral Resolution of β-Lactams. Chemistry 2022:e202200119. [PMID: 35876400 DOI: 10.1002/open.202200119] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/23/2022] [Revised: 07/04/2022] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
Abstract
Trans-β-lactam isomers have garnered much attention as anti-cancer microtubule targeting agents. Currently available synthetic methods are available for the preparation of enantiopure β-lactams and favour isomeric cis/trans β-lactam mixtures. Indirect chiral resolution offers the opportunity for isolation of exclusively enantiopure trans-β-lactams. In this study, liquid chromatography chiral resolution of β-lactams derivatized as diastereomer mixtures with a panel of N-protected amino acids is explored, where N-(Boc)-L-proline served as the optimal chiral derivatising reagent. High-performance liquid chromatography failed to adequately determine diastereomeric excess (de) of resolved diastereomers. Variable temperature, 1 H NMR and 2D EXSY spectroscopic analyses of proline-derivatised diastereomers were successfully employed to characterise equilibrating rotamers of resolved diastereomers and determine their de. Integration of resolved resonances corresponding to H3 and H4 of the β-lactam ring served as a quantitative qNMR tool for the calculation of de following resolution.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eavan C McLoughlin
- School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Panoz Institute and Trinity Biomedical Sciences Institute, 152-160 Pearse Street, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin 2, Ireland
| | - John E O'Brien
- School of Chemistry, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin 2, Ireland
| | - Cristina Trujillo
- Trinity Biomedical Sciences Institute, School of Chemistry, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin 2, Ireland
| | - Mary J Meegan
- School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Panoz Institute and Trinity Biomedical Sciences Institute, 152-160 Pearse Street, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin 2, Ireland
| | - Niamh M O'Boyle
- School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Panoz Institute and Trinity Biomedical Sciences Institute, 152-160 Pearse Street, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin 2, Ireland
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Twamley B, O’Boyle NM, Meegan MJ. Azetidin-2-ones: structures of anti-mitotic compounds based on the 1-(3,4,5-tri-meth-oxy-phen-yl)azetidin-2-one core. Acta Crystallogr E Crystallogr Commun 2020; 76:1187-1194. [PMID: 32843997 PMCID: PMC7405576 DOI: 10.1107/s2056989020008555] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/22/2020] [Accepted: 06/25/2020] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
A series of related substituted 1-(3,4,5-tri-meth-oxy-phen-yl)azetidin-2-ones have been characterized: 3-(4-fluoro-phen-yl)-4-(4-meth-oxy-phen-yl)-1-(3,4,5-tri-meth-oxy-phen-yl)azetidin-2-one, C25H24FNO5 (1), 3-(furan-2-yl)-4-(4-meth-oxy-phen-yl)-1-(3,4,5-tri-meth-oxy-phen-yl)azetidin-2-one, C23H23NO6 (2), 4-(4-meth-oxyphen-yl)-3-(naphthalen-1-yl)-1-(3,4,5-tri-meth-oxy-phen-yl)azetidin-2-one, C29H27NO5 (3), 3-(3,4-di-meth-oxy-phen-yl)-4-(4-meth-oxy-phen-yl)-1-(3,4,5-tri-meth-oxy-phen-yl)azetidin-2-one, C27H29NO7 (4) and 4,4-bis-(4-meth-oxy-phen-yl)-3-phenyl-1-(3,4,5-tri-meth-oxy-phen-yl)azetidin-2-one, C32H31NO6 (5). All of the compounds are racemic. The lactam and 3,4,5-tri-meth-oxy-phenyl rings are approximately co-planar and the orientation of the lactam and the 4-meth-oxy-phenyl substituent is approximately orthogonal. The chiral centres, although eclipsed by geometry, have torsion angles ranging from -7.27 to 13.08° for the 3 position, and -8.69 to 13.76° for the 4 position of the β-lactam. The structures display intra-molecular C-H⋯O bonding between the 3,4,5-tri-meth-oxy-phenyl ring and the lactam ketone. Further C-H⋯O inter-actions are observed and form either an opposing meth-oxy 'buckle' to join two mol-ecules together or a cyclic dimer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brendan Twamley
- School of Chemistry, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin 2, Ireland
| | - Niamh M. O’Boyle
- School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Trinity Biomedical Sciences Institute, Trinity College Dublin, 152 - 160 Pearse St, Dublin 2, Ireland
| | - Mary J. Meegan
- School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Trinity Biomedical Sciences Institute, Trinity College Dublin, 152 - 160 Pearse St, Dublin 2, Ireland
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8
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Carr M, Knox AJS, Nevin DK, O'Boyle N, Wang S, Egan B, McCabe T, Twamley B, Zisterer DM, Lloyd DG, Meegan MJ. Optimisation of estrogen receptor subtype-selectivity of a 4-Aryl-4H-chromene scaffold previously identified by virtual screening. Bioorg Med Chem 2020; 28:115261. [PMID: 31987694 DOI: 10.1016/j.bmc.2019.115261] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/22/2019] [Revised: 12/03/2019] [Accepted: 12/09/2019] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
4-Aryl-4H-Chromene derivatives have been previously shown to exhibit anti-proliferative, apoptotic and anti-angiogenic activity in a variety of tumor models in vitro and in vivo generally via activation of caspases through inhibition of tubulin polymerisation. We have previously identified by Virtual Screening (VS) a 4-aryl-4H-chromene scaffold, of which two examples were shown to bind Estrogen Receptor α and β with low nanomolar affinity and <20-fold selectivity for α over β and low micromolar anti-proliferative activity in the MCF-7 cell line. Thus, using the 4-aryl-4H-chromene scaffold as a starting point, a series of compounds with a range of basic arylethers at C-4 and modifications at the C3-ester substituent of the benzopyran ring were synthesised, producing some potent ER antagonists in the MCF-7 cell line which were highly selective for ERα (compound 35; 350-fold selectivity) or ERβ (compound 42; 170-fold selectivity).
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Affiliation(s)
- Miriam Carr
- School of Biochemistry and Immunology, Trinity Biomedical Sciences Institute, 152 - 160 Pearse Street Trinity College Dublin, Dublin 2, Ireland; School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Trinity Biomedical Sciences Institute, 152 - 160 Pearse Street Trinity College Dublin, Dublin 2, Ireland
| | - Andrew J S Knox
- School of Biochemistry and Immunology, Trinity Biomedical Sciences Institute, 152 - 160 Pearse Street Trinity College Dublin, Dublin 2, Ireland; School of Biological and Health Sciences, Technology University Dublin, Dublin City Campus, Kevin St., Dublin 8 D08 NF82, Ireland.
| | - Daniel K Nevin
- School of Biochemistry and Immunology, Trinity Biomedical Sciences Institute, 152 - 160 Pearse Street Trinity College Dublin, Dublin 2, Ireland
| | - Niamh O'Boyle
- School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Trinity Biomedical Sciences Institute, 152 - 160 Pearse Street Trinity College Dublin, Dublin 2, Ireland
| | - Shu Wang
- School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Trinity Biomedical Sciences Institute, 152 - 160 Pearse Street Trinity College Dublin, Dublin 2, Ireland
| | - Billy Egan
- School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Trinity Biomedical Sciences Institute, 152 - 160 Pearse Street Trinity College Dublin, Dublin 2, Ireland
| | - Thomas McCabe
- School of Chemistry, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin 2, Ireland
| | - Brendan Twamley
- School of Chemistry, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin 2, Ireland
| | - Daniela M Zisterer
- School of Biochemistry and Immunology, Trinity Biomedical Sciences Institute, 152 - 160 Pearse Street Trinity College Dublin, Dublin 2, Ireland
| | - David G Lloyd
- School of Biochemistry and Immunology, Trinity Biomedical Sciences Institute, 152 - 160 Pearse Street Trinity College Dublin, Dublin 2, Ireland
| | - Mary J Meegan
- School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Trinity Biomedical Sciences Institute, 152 - 160 Pearse Street Trinity College Dublin, Dublin 2, Ireland
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Byrne AJ, Bright SA, McKeown JP, O’Brien JE, Twamley B, Fayne D, Williams DC, Meegan MJ. Design, Synthesis and Biochemical Evaluation of Novel Ethanoanthracenes and Related Compounds to Target Burkitt's Lymphoma. Pharmaceuticals (Basel) 2020; 13:ph13010016. [PMID: 31963567 PMCID: PMC7168933 DOI: 10.3390/ph13010016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2019] [Revised: 01/08/2020] [Accepted: 01/10/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Lymphomas (cancers of the lymphatic system) account for 12% of malignant diseases worldwide. Burkitt’s lymphoma (BL) is a rare form of non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma in which the cancer starts in the immune B-cells. We report the synthesis and preliminary studies on the antiproliferative activity of a library of 9,10-dihydro-9,10-ethanoanthracene based compounds structurally related to the antidepressant drug maprotiline against BL cell lines MUTU-1 and DG-75. Structural modifications were achieved by Diels-Alder reaction of the core 9-(2-nitrovinyl)anthracene with number of dienophiles including maleic anhydride, maleimides, acrylonitrile and benzyne. The antiproliferative activity of these compounds was evaluated in BL cell lines EBV− MUTU-1 and EBV+ DG-75 (chemoresistant). The most potent compounds 13j, 15, 16a, 16b, 16c, 16d and 19a displayed IC50 values in the range 0.17–0.38 μM against the BL cell line EBV− MUTU-1 and IC50 values in the range 0.45–0.78 μM against the chemoresistant BL cell line EBV+ DG-75. Compounds 15, 16b and 16c demonstrated potent ROS dependent apoptotic effects on the BL cell lines which were superior to the control drug taxol and showed minimal cytotoxicity to peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs). The results suggest that this class of compounds merits further investigation as antiproliferative agents for BL.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrew J. Byrne
- School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Trinity Biomedical Sciences Institute, Trinity College Dublin, 152-160 Pearse St, Dublin 2, D02 R590, Ireland; (A.J.B.); (J.P.M.)
| | - Sandra A. Bright
- School of Biochemistry and Immunology, Trinity Biomedical Sciences Institute, Trinity College Dublin, 152-160 Pearse St, Dublin 2, D02 R590, Ireland; (S.A.B.); (D.F.); (D.C.W.)
| | - James P. McKeown
- School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Trinity Biomedical Sciences Institute, Trinity College Dublin, 152-160 Pearse St, Dublin 2, D02 R590, Ireland; (A.J.B.); (J.P.M.)
| | - John E. O’Brien
- School of Chemistry, Trinity Biomedical Sciences Institute, Trinity College Dublin, 152-160 Pearse St, Dublin 2, D02 R590, Ireland; (J.E.O.); (B.T.)
| | - Brendan Twamley
- School of Chemistry, Trinity Biomedical Sciences Institute, Trinity College Dublin, 152-160 Pearse St, Dublin 2, D02 R590, Ireland; (J.E.O.); (B.T.)
| | - Darren Fayne
- School of Biochemistry and Immunology, Trinity Biomedical Sciences Institute, Trinity College Dublin, 152-160 Pearse St, Dublin 2, D02 R590, Ireland; (S.A.B.); (D.F.); (D.C.W.)
| | - D. Clive Williams
- School of Biochemistry and Immunology, Trinity Biomedical Sciences Institute, Trinity College Dublin, 152-160 Pearse St, Dublin 2, D02 R590, Ireland; (S.A.B.); (D.F.); (D.C.W.)
| | - Mary J. Meegan
- School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Trinity Biomedical Sciences Institute, Trinity College Dublin, 152-160 Pearse St, Dublin 2, D02 R590, Ireland; (A.J.B.); (J.P.M.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +353-1-896-2798; Fax: +353-1-8962793
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Malebari AM, Fayne D, Nathwani SM, O'Connell F, Noorani S, Twamley B, O'Boyle NM, O'Sullivan J, Zisterer DM, Meegan MJ. β-Lactams with antiproliferative and antiapoptotic activity in breast and chemoresistant colon cancer cells. Eur J Med Chem 2020; 189:112050. [PMID: 31954879 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2020.112050] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/01/2019] [Revised: 12/20/2019] [Accepted: 01/08/2020] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
A series of novel 1,4-diaryl-2-azetidinone analogues of combretastatin A-4 (CA-4) have been designed, synthesised and evaluated in vitro for antiproliferative activity, antiapoptotic activity and inhibition of tubulin polymerisation. Glucuronidation of CA-4 by uridine 5-diphosphoglucuronosyl transferase enzymes (UGTs) has been identified as a mechanism of resistance in cancer cells. Potential sites of ring B glucuronate conjugation are removed by replacing the B ring meta-hydroxy substituent of selected series of β-lactams with alternative substituents e.g. F, Cl, Br, I, CH3. The 3-phenyl-β-lactam 11 and 3-hydroxy-β-lactam 46 demonstrate improved activity over CA-4 in CA-4 resistant HT-29 colon cancer cells (IC50 = 9 nM and 3 nM respectively compared with IC50 = 4.16 μM for CA-4), while retaining potency in MCF-7 breast cancer cells (IC50 = 17 nM and 22 nM respectively compared with IC50 = for 4 nM for CA-4). Compound 46 binds at the colchicine site of tubulin, and strongly inhibits tubulin assembly at micromolar concentrations comparable to CA-4. In addition, compound 46 induced mitotic arrest at low concentration in both cell lines MCF-7 and HT-29 together with downregulation of expression of antiapoptotic proteins Mcl-1, Bcl-2 and survivin in MCF-7 cells. These novel antiproliferative and antiapoptotic β-lactams are potentially useful scaffolds in the development of tubulin-targeting agents for the treatment of breast cancers and chemoresistant colon cancers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Azizah M Malebari
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, College of Pharmacy, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia; School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Trinity College Dublin, Trinity Biomedical Sciences Institute, 152-160 Pearse Street, Dublin 2, Ireland.
| | - Darren Fayne
- School of Biochemistry and Immunology, Trinity College Dublin, Trinity Biomedical Sciences Institute, 152-160 Pearse Street, Dublin 2, Ireland
| | - Seema M Nathwani
- School of Biochemistry and Immunology, Trinity College Dublin, Trinity Biomedical Sciences Institute, 152-160 Pearse Street, Dublin 2, Ireland
| | - Fiona O'Connell
- Trinity Translational Medicine Institute, Department of Surgery, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin 2, Ireland
| | - Sara Noorani
- School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Trinity College Dublin, Trinity Biomedical Sciences Institute, 152-160 Pearse Street, Dublin 2, Ireland
| | - Brendan Twamley
- School of Chemistry, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin 2, Ireland
| | - Niamh M O'Boyle
- School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Trinity College Dublin, Trinity Biomedical Sciences Institute, 152-160 Pearse Street, Dublin 2, Ireland
| | - Jacintha O'Sullivan
- Trinity Translational Medicine Institute, Department of Surgery, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin 2, Ireland
| | - Daniela M Zisterer
- School of Biochemistry and Immunology, Trinity College Dublin, Trinity Biomedical Sciences Institute, 152-160 Pearse Street, Dublin 2, Ireland
| | - Mary J Meegan
- School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Trinity College Dublin, Trinity Biomedical Sciences Institute, 152-160 Pearse Street, Dublin 2, Ireland
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11
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O'Boyle NM, Ana G, Kelly PM, Nathwani SM, Noorani S, Fayne D, Bright SA, Twamley B, Zisterer DM, Meegan MJ. Synthesis and evaluation of antiproliferative microtubule-destabilising combretastatin A-4 piperazine conjugates. Org Biomol Chem 2020; 17:6184-6200. [PMID: 31173031 DOI: 10.1039/c9ob00558g] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Microtubules are a validated clinical target for the treatment of many cancers. We describe the design, synthesis, biochemical evaluation, and molecular modelling studies of a series of analogues of the microtubule-destabilising agent, combretastatin A-4 (CA-4). Our series of 33 novel compounds contain the CA-4 core structure with modifications to the stilbene linking group, and are predominantly piperazine derivatives. Synthesis was achieved in a two-step process by firstly obtaining the acrylic acid via a Perkin reaction using microwave enhanced synthesis, followed by coupling using either DCC or Mukaiyama's reagent. All target compounds were screened for antiproliferative activity in MCF-7 breast cancer cells. Hydroxyl derivative (E)-3-(4-hydroxy-3-methoxyphenyl)-1-(4-phenylpiperazin-1-yl)-2-(3,4,5-trimethoxyphenyl) propenone (4m) displayed potent antiproliferative activity (IC50 = 190 nM). Two amino-containing derivatives, (E)-3-(3-amino-4-methoxyphenyl)-1-(4-phenylpiperazin-1-yl)-2-(3,4,5-trimethoxyphenyl)prop-2-en-1-one (4q) and (E)-3-(3-amino-4-methoxyphenyl)-1-(4-(p-tolyl)piperazin-1-yl)-2-(3,4,5-trimethoxyphenyl)prop-2-en-1-one (4x), were the most potent with IC50 values of 130 nM and 83 nM respectively. Representative compounds were shown to depolymerise tubulin, induce G2/M arrest and apoptosis in MCF-7 cells but not peripheral blood mononuclear cells, and induce cleavage of the DNA repair enzyme poly ADP ribose polymerase (PARP) in MCF-7 cells. Modelling studies predict that the compounds bind to tubulin within the colchicine-binding site. These compounds are a valuable addition to the library of CA-4 analogues and 4m, 4q and 4x will be developed further as novel, water-soluble molecules targeting microtubules.
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Affiliation(s)
- Niamh M O'Boyle
- School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Trinity Biomedical Sciences Institute, Trinity College Dublin, 152-160 Pearse Street, Dublin 2 D02 R590, Ireland.
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12
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Wang S, Malebari AM, Greene TF, O'Boyle NM, Fayne D, Nathwani SM, Twamley B, McCabe T, Keely NO, Zisterer DM, Meegan MJ. 3-Vinylazetidin-2-Ones: Synthesis, Antiproliferative and Tubulin Destabilizing Activity in MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231 Breast Cancer Cells. Pharmaceuticals (Basel) 2019; 12:ph12020056. [PMID: 30979033 PMCID: PMC6630832 DOI: 10.3390/ph12020056] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2019] [Revised: 04/02/2019] [Accepted: 04/07/2019] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Microtubule-targeted drugs are essential chemotherapeutic agents for various types of cancer. A series of 3-vinyl-β-lactams (2-azetidinones) were designed, synthesized and evaluated as potential tubulin polymerization inhibitors, and for their antiproliferative effects in breast cancer cells. These compounds showed potent activity in MCF-7 breast cancer cells with an IC50 value of 8 nM for compound 7s 4-[3-Hydroxy-4-methoxyphenyl]-1-(3,4,5-trimethoxyphenyl)-3-vinylazetidin-2-one) which was comparable to the activity of Combretastatin A-4. Compound 7s had minimal cytotoxicity against both non-tumorigenic HEK-293T cells and murine mammary epithelial cells. The compounds inhibited the polymerisation of tubulin in vitro with an 8.7-fold reduction in tubulin polymerization at 10 μM for compound 7s and were shown to interact at the colchicine-binding site on tubulin, resulting in significant G2/M phase cell cycle arrest. Immunofluorescence staining of MCF-7 cells confirmed that β-lactam 7s is targeting tubulin and resulted in mitotic catastrophe. A docking simulation indicated potential binding conformations for the 3-vinyl-β-lactam 7s in the colchicine domain of tubulin. These compounds are promising candidates for development as antiproiferative microtubule-disrupting agents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shu Wang
- School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Trinity College Dublin, Trinity Biomedical Sciences Institute, 152-160 Pearse Street, 2 DO2R590 Dublin, Ireland.
| | - Azizah M Malebari
- School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Trinity College Dublin, Trinity Biomedical Sciences Institute, 152-160 Pearse Street, 2 DO2R590 Dublin, Ireland.
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, College of Pharmacy, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah 21589, Saudi Arabia.
| | - Thomas F Greene
- School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Trinity College Dublin, Trinity Biomedical Sciences Institute, 152-160 Pearse Street, 2 DO2R590 Dublin, Ireland.
| | - Niamh M O'Boyle
- School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Trinity College Dublin, Trinity Biomedical Sciences Institute, 152-160 Pearse Street, 2 DO2R590 Dublin, Ireland.
| | - Darren Fayne
- School of Biochemistry and Immunology, Trinity College Dublin, Trinity Biomedical Sciences Institute, 152-160 Pearse Street, 2 DO2R590 Dublin, Ireland.
| | - Seema M Nathwani
- School of Biochemistry and Immunology, Trinity College Dublin, Trinity Biomedical Sciences Institute, 152-160 Pearse Street, 2 DO2R590 Dublin, Ireland.
| | - Brendan Twamley
- School of Chemistry, Trinity College Dublin, 2 DO2R590 Dublin, Ireland.
| | - Thomas McCabe
- School of Chemistry, Trinity College Dublin, 2 DO2R590 Dublin, Ireland.
| | - Niall O Keely
- School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Trinity College Dublin, Trinity Biomedical Sciences Institute, 152-160 Pearse Street, 2 DO2R590 Dublin, Ireland.
| | - Daniela M Zisterer
- School of Biochemistry and Immunology, Trinity College Dublin, Trinity Biomedical Sciences Institute, 152-160 Pearse Street, 2 DO2R590 Dublin, Ireland.
| | - Mary J Meegan
- School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Trinity College Dublin, Trinity Biomedical Sciences Institute, 152-160 Pearse Street, 2 DO2R590 Dublin, Ireland.
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13
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Bright SA, Byrne AJ, Vandenberghe E, Browne PV, Mcelligott AM, Meegan MJ, Williams DC. Selected nitrostyrene compounds demonstrate potent activity in chronic lymphocytic leukaemia cells, including those with poor prognostic markers. Oncol Rep 2019; 41:3127-3136. [PMID: 30896840 DOI: 10.3892/or.2019.7068] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/08/2018] [Accepted: 03/01/2019] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
The nitrostyrene scaffold was previously identified as a lead target structure for the development of effective compounds targeting Burkitt's lymphoma. The present study aimed to develop these compounds further in haematological malignancies, including chronic lymphocytic leukaemia (CLL). Cellular viability, flow cytometry and lactate dehydrogenase assays, amongst others, were used to examine the effects of nitrostyrene compounds on CLL cells, including a cell line representing disease with poor prognosis (HG‑3) and in ex vivo CLL patient samples (n=14). The results demonstrated that two representative nitrostyrene compounds potently induced apoptosis in CLL cells. The pro‑apoptotic effects of the compounds were found to be reactive oxygen species and caspase‑dependent, and had minimal effects on the viability of normal donor peripheral blood mononuclear cells. Nitrostyrene compounds exhibited synergistic augmentation of apoptosis when combined with the phosphatidylinositol 3‑kinase inhibitor idelalisib and demonstrated potent toxicity in ex vivo CLL cells, including those co‑cultured with bone marrow stromal cells, making them more resistant to apoptosis (n=8). These compounds also demonstrated activity in samples from patients with poor prognostic indicators; unmutated immunoglobulin heavy chain genes, expression of CD38 and deletions in chromosomes 17p and 11q. These results suggest that this class of pharmaceutically active compounds offer potential in the treatment of CLL.
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Affiliation(s)
- S A Bright
- School of Biochemistry and Immunology, Trinity Biomedical Sciences Institute, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin 2, Republic of Ireland
| | - A J Byrne
- School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Trinity Biomedical Sciences Institute, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin 2, Republic of Ireland
| | - E Vandenberghe
- Discipline of Haematology, School of Medicine, Trinity Translational Medicine Institute, St. James's Hospital and Trinity College, Dublin 8, Republic of Ireland
| | - P V Browne
- Discipline of Haematology, School of Medicine, Trinity Translational Medicine Institute, St. James's Hospital and Trinity College, Dublin 8, Republic of Ireland
| | - A M Mcelligott
- Discipline of Haematology, School of Medicine, Trinity Translational Medicine Institute, St. James's Hospital and Trinity College, Dublin 8, Republic of Ireland
| | - M J Meegan
- School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Trinity Biomedical Sciences Institute, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin 2, Republic of Ireland
| | - D C Williams
- School of Biochemistry and Immunology, Trinity Biomedical Sciences Institute, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin 2, Republic of Ireland
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14
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Byrne AJ, Bright SA, Fayne D, McKeown JP, McCabe T, Twamley B, Williams C, Meegan MJ. Synthesis, Antiproliferative and Pro-Apoptotic Effects of Nitrostyrenes and Related Compounds in Burkitt's Lymphoma. Med Chem 2018; 14:181-199. [PMID: 28969575 DOI: 10.2174/1573406413666171002123907] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/12/2017] [Revised: 08/03/2017] [Accepted: 09/21/2017] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Cancers of the lymphatic cells (lymphomas) account for approximately 12% of malignant diseases worldwide. The nitrostyrene scaffold is identified as a lead target structure for the development of particularly effective compounds targeting Burkitt's lymphoma (BL). OBJECTIVES The aims of the curent study were to synthesise a panel of nitrostyrene compounds and to evaluate their activity in Burkitt's lymphoma (BL). METHODS A panel of structurally varied compounds were designed and synthesised using Henry Knoevenagel condensation reactions. Single crystal X-Ray analysis confirmed the E configuration for six examples of these novel structures. A number of nitrostyrene-related compounds were also investigated including 1,3-bis(aryl)-2-nitropropenes together with heterocyclic scaffolds containing the nitrovinyl pharmacophore such as 3-nitro-2-phenyl-2H-chromenes. The antiproliferative activities of the compounds were evaluated using the BL cell lines EBV- MUTU-1 and EBV+ DG- 75 (chemoresistant) to establish preliminary structure-activity relationships. RESULTS Lead compounds with optimized nitrostyrene scaffolds and 3-nitro-2-phenyl-2Hchromene structures were successfully established with typical IC50 values of 0.45 µM and 0.47 µM in MUTU-1 cells and 1.41 µM and 1.92 µM, respectively, in DG-75 cells. The mechanism of cell death was identified as apoptotic and the lead compound was found to elicit comparable apoptotic effects to Taxol in Burkitt's lymphoma cell lines MUTU-1 and DG-75. CONCLUSION This class of pharmaceutically active compounds with potential for the treatment of Burkitt`s lymphoma suggest a potential role for nitrostyrene based agents in chemotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrew J Byrne
- School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Trinity Biomedical Sciences Institute, Trinity College Dublin, 152-160 Pearse St, Dublin 2, Ireland
| | - Sandra A Bright
- School of Biochemistry and Immunology, Trinity Biomedical Sciences Institute, 152-160 Pearse St, Dublin 2, Trinity College Dublin, Ireland
| | - Darren Fayne
- School of Biochemistry and Immunology, Trinity Biomedical Sciences Institute, 152-160 Pearse St, Dublin 2, Trinity College Dublin, Ireland
| | - James P McKeown
- School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Trinity Biomedical Sciences Institute, Trinity College Dublin, 152-160 Pearse St, Dublin 2, Ireland
| | - Thomas McCabe
- School of Chemistry, Trinity Biomedical Sciences Institute, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Brendan Twamley
- School of Chemistry, Trinity Biomedical Sciences Institute, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Clive Williams
- School of Biochemistry and Immunology, Trinity Biomedical Sciences Institute, 152-160 Pearse St, Dublin 2, Trinity College Dublin, Ireland
| | - Mary J Meegan
- School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Trinity Biomedical Sciences Institute, Trinity College Dublin, 152-160 Pearse St, Dublin 2, Ireland
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15
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Pollock JK, Greene LM, Nathwani SM, Kinsella P, O’Boyle NM, Meegan MJ, Zisterer DM. Involvement of NF-κB in mediating the anti-tumour effects of combretastatins in T cells. Invest New Drugs 2018; 36:523-535. [DOI: 10.1007/s10637-017-0543-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/03/2017] [Accepted: 11/13/2017] [Indexed: 01/28/2023]
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16
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O'Boyle NM, Barrett I, Greene LM, Carr M, Fayne D, Twamley B, Knox AJS, Keely NO, Zisterer DM, Meegan MJ. Lead Optimization of Benzoxepin-Type Selective Estrogen Receptor (ER) Modulators and Downregulators with Subtype-Specific ERα and ERβ Activity. J Med Chem 2017; 61:514-534. [PMID: 28426931 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.6b01917] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
Estrogen receptor α (ERα) is an important target for the design of drugs such as tamoxifen (2a) and fulvestrant (5). Three series of ER-ligands based on the benzoxepin scaffold structure were synthesized: series I containing an acrylic acid, series II with an acrylamide, and series III with a saturated carboxylic acid substituent. These compounds were shown to be high affinity ligands for the ER with nanomolar IC50 binding values. Series I acrylic acid ligands were generally ERα selective. In particular, compound 13e featuring a phenylpenta-2,4-dienoic acid substituent was shown to be antiproliferative and downregulated ERα and ERβ expression in MCF-7 breast cancer cells. Interestingly, from series III, the phenoxybutyric acid derivative compound 22 was not antiproliferative and selectively downregulated ERβ. A docking study of the benzoxepin ligands was undertaken. Compound 13e is a promising lead for development as a clinically relevant SERD, while compound 22 will be a useful experimental probe for helping to elucidate the role of ERβ in cancer cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Niamh M O'Boyle
- School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Trinity Biomedical Sciences Institute, Trinity College Dublin , 152-160 Pearse Street, Dublin 2 D02 R590, Ireland.,School of Biochemistry and Immunology, Trinity Biomedical Sciences Institute, Trinity College Dublin , 152-160 Pearse Street, Dublin 2 D02 R590, Ireland
| | - Irene Barrett
- School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Trinity Biomedical Sciences Institute, Trinity College Dublin , 152-160 Pearse Street, Dublin 2 D02 R590, Ireland
| | - Lisa M Greene
- School of Biochemistry and Immunology, Trinity Biomedical Sciences Institute, Trinity College Dublin , 152-160 Pearse Street, Dublin 2 D02 R590, Ireland
| | - Miriam Carr
- School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Trinity Biomedical Sciences Institute, Trinity College Dublin , 152-160 Pearse Street, Dublin 2 D02 R590, Ireland
| | - Darren Fayne
- School of Biochemistry and Immunology, Trinity Biomedical Sciences Institute, Trinity College Dublin , 152-160 Pearse Street, Dublin 2 D02 R590, Ireland
| | - Brendan Twamley
- School of Chemistry, Trinity Biomedical Sciences Institute, Trinity College Dublin , 152-160 Pearse Street, Dublin 2 D02 R590, Ireland
| | - Andrew J S Knox
- School of Biochemistry and Immunology, Trinity Biomedical Sciences Institute, Trinity College Dublin , 152-160 Pearse Street, Dublin 2 D02 R590, Ireland
| | - Niall O Keely
- School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Trinity Biomedical Sciences Institute, Trinity College Dublin , 152-160 Pearse Street, Dublin 2 D02 R590, Ireland
| | - Daniela M Zisterer
- School of Biochemistry and Immunology, Trinity Biomedical Sciences Institute, Trinity College Dublin , 152-160 Pearse Street, Dublin 2 D02 R590, Ireland
| | - Mary J Meegan
- School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Trinity Biomedical Sciences Institute, Trinity College Dublin , 152-160 Pearse Street, Dublin 2 D02 R590, Ireland
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17
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Malebari AM, Greene LM, Nathwani SM, Fayne D, O'Boyle NM, Wang S, Twamley B, Zisterer DM, Meegan MJ. β-Lactam analogues of combretastatin A-4 prevent metabolic inactivation by glucuronidation in chemoresistant HT-29 colon cancer cells. Eur J Med Chem 2017; 130:261-285. [PMID: 28254699 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2017.02.049] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/09/2016] [Revised: 02/18/2017] [Accepted: 02/20/2017] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Glucuronidation by uridine 5-diphosphoglucuronosyl transferase enzymes (UGTs) is a cause of intrinsic drug resistance in cancer cells. Glucuronidation of combretastatin A-4 (CA-4) was previously identified as a mechanism of resistance in hepatocellular cancer cells. Herein, we propose chemical manipulation of β-lactam bridged analogues of Combretastatin A-4 as a novel means of overcoming drug resistance associated with glucuronidation due to the expression of UGTs in the CA-4 resistant human colon cancer HT-29 cells. The alkene bridge of CA-4 is replaced with a β-lactam ring to circumvent potential isomerisation while the potential sites of glucuronate conjugation are deleted in the novel 3-substituted-1,4-diaryl-2-azetidinone analogues of CA-4. We hypothesise that glucuronidation of CA-4 is the mechanism of drug resistance in HT-29 cells. Ring B thioether containing 2-azetidinone analogues of CA-4 such as 4-(4-(methylthio)phenyl)-3-phenyl-1-(3,4,5-trimethoxyphenyl)azetidin-2-one (27) and 3-hydroxy-4-(4-(methylthio)phenyl)-1-(3,4,5-trimethoxyphenyl)azetidin-2-one (45) were identified as the most potent inhibitors of tumour cell growth, independent of UGT status, displaying antiproliferative activity in the low nanomolar range. These compounds also disrupted the microtubular structure in MCF-7 and HT-29 cells, and caused G2/M arrest and apoptosis. Taken together, these findings highlight the potential of chemical manipulation as a means of overcoming glucuronidation attributed drug resistance in CA-4 resistant human colon cancer HT-29 cells, allowing the development of therapeutically superior analogues.
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Affiliation(s)
- Azizah M Malebari
- School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Trinity Biomedical Sciences Institute, 152-160 Pearse Street, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin 2, Ireland.
| | - Lisa M Greene
- School of Biochemistry and Immunology, Trinity Biomedical Sciences Institute, 152-160 Pearse Street, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin 2, Ireland
| | - Seema M Nathwani
- School of Biochemistry and Immunology, Trinity Biomedical Sciences Institute, 152-160 Pearse Street, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin 2, Ireland
| | - Darren Fayne
- Molecular Design Group, School of Biochemistry and Immunology, Trinity Biomedical Sciences Institute, Trinity College Dublin, Ireland
| | - Niamh M O'Boyle
- School of Biochemistry and Immunology, Trinity Biomedical Sciences Institute, 152-160 Pearse Street, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin 2, Ireland
| | - Shu Wang
- School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Trinity Biomedical Sciences Institute, 152-160 Pearse Street, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin 2, Ireland
| | - Brendan Twamley
- School of Chemistry, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin 2, Ireland
| | - Daniela M Zisterer
- School of Biochemistry and Immunology, Trinity Biomedical Sciences Institute, 152-160 Pearse Street, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin 2, Ireland
| | - Mary J Meegan
- School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Trinity Biomedical Sciences Institute, 152-160 Pearse Street, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin 2, Ireland
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18
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Meegan MJ, Nathwani S, Twamley B, Zisterer DM, O'Boyle NM. Piperlongumine (piplartine) and analogues: Antiproliferative microtubule-destabilising agents. Eur J Med Chem 2017; 125:453-463. [PMID: 27689728 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2016.09.048] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2016] [Revised: 09/05/2016] [Accepted: 09/06/2016] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Piperlongumine (piplartine, 1) is a small molecule alkaloid that is receiving intense interest due to its antiproliferative and anticancer activities. We investigated the effects of 1 on tubulin and microtubules. Using both an isolated tubulin assay, and a combination of sedimentation and western blotting, we demonstrated that 1 is a tubulin-destabilising agent. This result was confirmed by immunofluorescence and confocal microscopy, which showed that microtubules in MCF-7 breast cancer cells were depolymerized when treated with 1. We synthesised a number of analogues of 1 to explore structure-activity relationships. Compound 13 had the best cytotoxic profile of this series, showing potent effects in human breast carcinoma MCF-7 cells whilst being relatively non-toxic to non-tumorigenic MCF-10a cells. These compounds will be further developed as potential clinical candidates for the treatment of breast cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mary J Meegan
- School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin 2, Ireland
| | - Seema Nathwani
- School of Biochemistry & Immunology, Trinity Biomedical Sciences Institute, 152-160, Pearse Street, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin 2, Ireland
| | - Brendan Twamley
- School of Chemistry, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin 2, Ireland
| | - Daniela M Zisterer
- School of Biochemistry & Immunology, Trinity Biomedical Sciences Institute, 152-160, Pearse Street, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin 2, Ireland
| | - Niamh M O'Boyle
- School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin 2, Ireland; School of Biochemistry & Immunology, Trinity Biomedical Sciences Institute, 152-160, Pearse Street, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin 2, Ireland.
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19
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Carr M, Knox AJS, Lloyd DG, Zisterer DM, Meegan MJ. Development of the β-lactam type molecular scaffold for selective estrogen receptor α modulator action: synthesis and cytotoxic effects in MCF-7 breast cancer cells. J Enzyme Inhib Med Chem 2016; 31:117-130. [PMID: 27476825 DOI: 10.1080/14756366.2016.1210136] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/21/2022] Open
Abstract
The estrogen receptors (ERα and ERβ) which are ligand inducible nuclear receptors are recognized as pharmaceutical targets for diseases such as osteoporosis and breast cancer. There is an increasing interest in the discovery of subtype Selective Estrogen Receptor Modulators (SERMs). A series of novel β-lactam compounds with estrogen receptor modulator properties have been synthesized. The antiproliferative effects of these compounds on human MCF-7 breast tumor cells are reported, together with binding affinity for the ERα and ERβ receptors. The most potent compound 15g demonstrated antiproliferative effects on MCF-7 breast tumor cells (IC50 = 186 nM) and ERα binding (IC50 = 4.3 nM) with 75-fold ERα/β receptor binding selectivity. The effect of positioning of the characteristic amine containing substituted aryl ring (on C-4 or N-1 of the β-lactam scaffold) on the antiproliferative activity and ER-binding properties of the β-lactam compounds is rationalized in a molecular modeling study.
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Affiliation(s)
- Miriam Carr
- a School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Trinity Biomedical Sciences Institute , Trinity College Dublin , Dublin , Ireland and
| | - Andrew J S Knox
- a School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Trinity Biomedical Sciences Institute , Trinity College Dublin , Dublin , Ireland and.,b School of Biochemistry and Immunology, Trinity Biomedical Sciences Institute , Trinity College Dublin , Dublin , Ireland
| | - David G Lloyd
- b School of Biochemistry and Immunology, Trinity Biomedical Sciences Institute , Trinity College Dublin , Dublin , Ireland
| | - Daniela M Zisterer
- b School of Biochemistry and Immunology, Trinity Biomedical Sciences Institute , Trinity College Dublin , Dublin , Ireland
| | - Mary J Meegan
- a School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Trinity Biomedical Sciences Institute , Trinity College Dublin , Dublin , Ireland and
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20
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Keely NO, Carr M, Yassin B, Ana G, Lloyd DG, Zisterer D, Meegan MJ. Design, Synthesis and Biochemical Evaluation of Novel Selective Estrogen Receptor Ligand Conjugates Incorporating an Endoxifen-Combretastatin Hybrid Scaffold. Biomedicines 2016; 4:biomedicines4030015. [PMID: 28536383 PMCID: PMC5344255 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines4030015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/01/2016] [Revised: 06/21/2016] [Accepted: 07/07/2016] [Indexed: 02/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Nuclear-receptors are often overexpressed in tumours and can thereby be used as targets when designing novel selective chemotherapeutic agents. To date, many conjugates incorporating an estrogen receptor (ER) ligand have been synthesised in order to direct chemical agents to tissue sites containing ERs. A series of ER ligand conjugates were synthesised incorporating an antagonistic ER ligand scaffold based on endoxifen, covalently-bound via an amide linkage to a variety of combretastatin-based analogues, which may act as antimitotic agents. These novel endoxifen-combretastatin hybrid scaffold analogues were biochemically evaluated in order to determine their antiproliferative and cytotoxicity effects in both the ER-positive MCF-7 and the ER-negative MDA-MB-231 human breast cancer cell lines. ER competitive binding assays were carried out to assess the binding affinity of the lead conjugate 28 towards both the ERα and ERβ isoforms. In results from the NCI 60-cell line screen, the lead conjugate 28 displayed potent and highly selective antiproliferative activity towards the MCF-7 human cancer cell line (IC50 = 5 nM). In the ER-binding assays, the lead conjugate 28 demonstrated potent ER competitive binding in ERα (IC50 value: 0.9 nM) and ERβ (IC50 value: 4.7 nM). Preliminary biochemical results also demonstrate that the lead conjugate 28 may exhibit pure antagonism. This series makes an important addition to the class of ER antagonists and may have potential applications in anticancer therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Niall O Keely
- School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin 2, Ireland.
| | - Miriam Carr
- School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin 2, Ireland.
| | - Bassem Yassin
- School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin 2, Ireland.
| | - Gloria Ana
- School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Trinity Biomedical Sciences Institute, 152-160 Pearse Street, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin 2, Ireland.
| | - David G Lloyd
- School of Biochemistry and Immunology, Trinity Biomedical Sciences Institute, 152-160 Pearse Street, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin 2, Ireland.
- Division of Health Sciences, University of South Australia, Adelaide SA 5000, Australia.
| | - Daniela Zisterer
- School of Biochemistry and Immunology, Trinity Biomedical Sciences Institute, 152-160 Pearse Street, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin 2, Ireland.
| | - Mary J Meegan
- School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin 2, Ireland.
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21
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Greene TF, Wang S, Greene LM, Nathwani SM, Pollock JK, Malebari AM, McCabe T, Twamley B, O’Boyle NM, Zisterer DM, Meegan MJ. Synthesis and Biochemical Evaluation of 3-Phenoxy-1,4-diarylazetidin-2-ones as Tubulin-Targeting Antitumor Agents. J Med Chem 2015; 59:90-113. [DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.5b01086] [Citation(s) in RCA: 49] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Thomas F. Greene
- School
of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin
2, Ireland
| | - Shu Wang
- School
of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin
2, Ireland
| | - Lisa M. Greene
- School of Biochemistry & Immunology, Trinity Biomedical Sciences Institute, Trinity College Dublin, 152-160 Pearse Street, Dublin 2, Ireland
| | - Seema M. Nathwani
- School of Biochemistry & Immunology, Trinity Biomedical Sciences Institute, Trinity College Dublin, 152-160 Pearse Street, Dublin 2, Ireland
| | - Jade K. Pollock
- School of Biochemistry & Immunology, Trinity Biomedical Sciences Institute, Trinity College Dublin, 152-160 Pearse Street, Dublin 2, Ireland
| | - Azizah M. Malebari
- School
of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin
2, Ireland
| | - Thomas McCabe
- School
of Chemistry, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin 2, Ireland
| | - Brendan Twamley
- School
of Chemistry, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin 2, Ireland
| | - Niamh M. O’Boyle
- School
of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin
2, Ireland
- School of Biochemistry & Immunology, Trinity Biomedical Sciences Institute, Trinity College Dublin, 152-160 Pearse Street, Dublin 2, Ireland
| | - Daniela M. Zisterer
- School of Biochemistry & Immunology, Trinity Biomedical Sciences Institute, Trinity College Dublin, 152-160 Pearse Street, Dublin 2, Ireland
| | - Mary J. Meegan
- School
of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin
2, Ireland
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22
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Pollock JK, Verma NK, Meegan MJ, Zisterer D. Abstract B81: Combretastatin (CA)-4 and its novel analogue CA-432 impair T-cell migration through the Rho/ROCK signalling pathway. Cancer Immunol Res 2015. [DOI: 10.1158/2326-6074.tumimm14-b81] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Abstract
Background: The capacity of T-cell lymphocytes to migrate and localize in tissues is important in their protective function against infectious agents, however, the ability of these cells to migrate and infiltrate the tumor microenvironment is also a major contributing factor in the development of cancer and cancer metastasis. T-cell migration requires ligand (ICAM-1)/integrin(LFA-1) interaction, activating intracellular signaling pathways which result in a distinct polarized morphology, with an actin-rich lamellipodium and microtubule-rich uropod. Microtubule-targeting agents (MTAs) are amongst some of the most widely used anti-cancer drugs and several have been shown to exhibit anti-inflammatory activity. Combretastatin (CA) A-4 is a MT-destabilizing agent that possesses potent anti-tumor and anti-vascular properties both in vitro and in vivo. CA-432, a novel cis-restriciting analogue containing a β-lactam ring, has recently been synthesized to circumvent the problem of CA-4 isomerisation from a biologically active cis-conformation to a more thermodynamically stable but inactive trans-isomer.
Methods: HuT-78 cell line and peripheral blood lymphocyte (PBL) T-cells were cultured. In this study, the effect of CA-4 and CA-432 on the migratory polarity of T-cells was explored using high content analysis (HCA). The active migration of PBL T-cells was studied using a transwell assay. The mechanistic and signaling pathways involved were examined using western blotting and confocal microscopy. Cytoxicity of both compounds was tested using a viability assay and flow cytometry.
Results: CA-4 and CA-432 treated cells displayed altered T-cell migratory polarity in HuT-78 and peripheral blood T-lymphocyte (PBTL) cells and inhibited active migration of PBTLs. Both compounds induced activation of the RhoA / RhoA associated kinase (ROCK) signaling pathway, leading to the phosphorylation of myosin light chain (MLC), acto-myosin contractility and impaired migration. Disruption of the MT network of T-cells through CA-induced MT depolymerisation was associated with reduced acetylated tubulin expression and decreased MT stability. GEF-H1 is a MT-associated nucleotide exchange factor which activates RhoA upon release from MTs, The siRNA-mediated depletion of GEF-H1 in Hut-78 T cells prevented CA-induced phosphorylation of MLC and attenuated the formation of actin-rich membrane protrusions and cell contractility.
Conclusions: These results suggest an important role for a GEF-H1/RhoA/ROCK/MLC signaling pathway in mediating CA-induced contractility of T cells. Therapeutic agents inhibiting cell migration may open new avenues in the treatment of cancer and metastasis.
Citation Format: Jade Kirstin Pollock, Navin K. Verma, Mary J. Meegan, Daniela Zisterer. Combretastatin (CA)-4 and its novel analogue CA-432 impair T-cell migration through the Rho/ROCK signalling pathway. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the AACR Special Conference: Tumor Immunology and Immunotherapy: A New Chapter; December 1-4, 2014; Orlando, FL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Immunol Res 2015;3(10 Suppl):Abstract nr B81.
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23
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Greene LM, Meegan MJ, Zisterer DM. Combretastatins: more than just vascular targeting agents? J Pharmacol Exp Ther 2015; 355:212-27. [PMID: 26354991 DOI: 10.1124/jpet.115.226225] [Citation(s) in RCA: 60] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/26/2015] [Accepted: 08/25/2015] [Indexed: 01/23/2023] Open
Abstract
Several prodrugs of the naturally occurring combretastatins have undergone extensive clinical evaluation as vascular targeting agents (VTAs). Their increased selectivity toward endothelial cells together with their innate ability to rapidly induce vascular shutdown and inhibit tumor growth at doses up to 10-fold less than the maximum tolerated dose led to the clinical evaluation of combretastatins as VTAs. Tubulin is well established as the molecular target of the combretastatins and the vast majority of its synthetic derivatives. Furthermore, tubulin is a highly validated molecular target of many direct anticancer agents routinely used as front-line chemotherapeutics. The unique vascular targeting properties of the combretastatins have somewhat overshadowed their development as direct anticancer agents and the delineation of the various cell death pathways and anticancer properties associated with such chemotherapeutics. Moreover, the ongoing clinical trial of OXi4503 (combretastatin-A1 diphosphate) together with preliminary preclinical evaluation for the treatment of refractory acute myelogenous leukemia has successfully highlighted both the indirect and direct anticancer properties of combretastatins. In this review, we discuss the development of the combretastatins from nature to the clinic. The various mechanisms underlying combretastatin-induced cell cycle arrest, mitotic catastrophe, cell death, and survival are also reviewed in an attempt to further enhance the clinical prospects of this unique class of VTAs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lisa M Greene
- School of Biochemistry and Immunology, Trinity Biomedical Sciences Institute (L.M.G., D.M.Z.), and School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Centre for Synthesis and Chemical Biology (M.J.M.), Trinity College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Mary J Meegan
- School of Biochemistry and Immunology, Trinity Biomedical Sciences Institute (L.M.G., D.M.Z.), and School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Centre for Synthesis and Chemical Biology (M.J.M.), Trinity College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Daniela M Zisterer
- School of Biochemistry and Immunology, Trinity Biomedical Sciences Institute (L.M.G., D.M.Z.), and School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Centre for Synthesis and Chemical Biology (M.J.M.), Trinity College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
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24
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O'Boyle NM, Pollock JK, Carr M, Knox AJS, Nathwani SM, Wang S, Caboni L, Zisterer DM, Meegan MJ. β-Lactam estrogen receptor antagonists and a dual-targeting estrogen receptor/tubulin ligand. J Med Chem 2014; 57:9370-82. [PMID: 25369367 DOI: 10.1021/jm500670d] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Twelve novel β-lactams were synthesized and their antiproliferative effects and binding affinity for the predominant isoforms of the estrogen receptor (ER), ERα and ERβ, were determined. β-Lactams 23 and 26 had the strongest binding affinities for ERα (IC50 values: 40 and 8 nM, respectively) and ERβ (IC50 values: 19 and 15 nM). β-Lactam 26 was the most potent in antiproliferative assays using MCF-7 breast cancer cells, and further biochemical analysis showed that it caused accumulation of cells in G2/M phase (mitotic blockade) and depolymerization of tubulin in MCF-7 cells. Compound 26 also induced apoptosis and downregulation of the expression of pro-survival proteins Bcl-2 and Mcl-1. Computational modeling predicted binding preferences for the dual ER/tubulin ligand 26. This series is an important addition to the known pool of ER antagonists and β-lactam 26 is the first reported compound that has dual-targeting properties for both the ER and tubulin.
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Affiliation(s)
- Niamh M O'Boyle
- School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Centre for Synthesis and Chemical Biology and ‡School of Biochemistry and Immunology, Trinity Biomedical Sciences Institute, Trinity College , 152-160 Pearse Street, Dublin 2, Ireland
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25
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Pollock JK, Verma NK, O'Boyle NM, Carr M, Meegan MJ, Zisterer DM. Combretastatin (CA)-4 and its novel analogue CA-432 impair T-cell migration through the Rho/ROCK signalling pathway. Biochem Pharmacol 2014; 92:544-57. [PMID: 25450669 DOI: 10.1016/j.bcp.2014.10.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/11/2014] [Revised: 10/02/2014] [Accepted: 10/03/2014] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
Abstract
The capacity of T-lymphocytes to migrate and localise in tissues is important in their protective function against infectious agents, however, the ability of these cells to infiltrate the tumour microenvironment is a major contributing factor in the development of cancer. T-cell migration requires ligand (ICAM-1)/integrin (LFA-1) interaction, activating intracellular signalling pathways which result in a distinct polarised morphology, with an actin-rich lamellipodium and microtubule (MT)-rich uropod. Combretastatin (CA)-4 is a MT-destabilising agent that possesses potent anti-tumour properties. In this study, the effect of CA-4 and its novel analogue CA-432 on human T-cell migration was assessed. Cellular pretreatment with either of CA compounds inhibited the migration and chemotaxis of the T-cell line HuT-78 and primary peripheral blood lymphocyte (PBL) T-cells. This migration-inhibitory effect of CA compounds was due to the disruption of the MT network of T-cells through tubulin depolymerisation, reduced tubulin acetylation and decreased MT stability. In addition, both CA compounds induced the RhoA/RhoA associated kinase (ROCK) signalling pathway, leading to the phosphorylation of myosin light chain (MLC). Furthermore, the siRNA-mediated depletion of GEF-H1, a MT-associated nucleotide exchange factor that activates RhoA upon release from MTs, in T-cells prevented CA-induced phosphorylation of MLC and attenuated the formation of actin-rich membrane protrusions and cell contractility. These results suggest an important role for a GEF-H1/RhoA/ROCK/MLC signalling axis in mediating CA-induced contractility of T-cells. Therapeutic agents that target cytoskeletal proteins and are effective in inhibiting cell migration may open new avenues in the treatment of cancer and metastasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jade K Pollock
- School of Biochemistry and Immunology, Trinity Biomedical Sciences Institute, 152-160 Pearse Street, Dublin 2, Ireland.
| | - Navin K Verma
- Lee Kong Chian School of Medicine, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore.
| | - Niamh M O'Boyle
- School of Pharmacy, Trinity Biomedical Sciences Institute, 152-160 Pearse Street, Dublin 2, Ireland.
| | - Miriam Carr
- School of Pharmacy, Trinity Biomedical Sciences Institute, 152-160 Pearse Street, Dublin 2, Ireland.
| | - Mary J Meegan
- School of Pharmacy, Trinity Biomedical Sciences Institute, 152-160 Pearse Street, Dublin 2, Ireland.
| | - Daniela M Zisterer
- School of Biochemistry and Immunology, Trinity Biomedical Sciences Institute, 152-160 Pearse Street, Dublin 2, Ireland.
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26
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Caboni L, Egan B, Kelly B, Blanco F, Fayne D, Meegan MJ, Lloyd DG. Structure–Activity Relationships in Non-Ligand Binding Pocket (Non-LBP) Diarylhydrazide Antiandrogens. J Chem Inf Model 2013; 53:2116-30. [DOI: 10.1021/ci400189m] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Laura Caboni
- Molecular Design Group, School
of Biochemistry and Immunology, Trinity Biomedical Sciences Institute, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin 2, Ireland
| | - Billy Egan
- School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical
Sciences, Trinity Biomedical Sciences Institute, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin 2, Ireland
| | - Brendan Kelly
- Molecular Design Group, School
of Biochemistry and Immunology, Trinity Biomedical Sciences Institute, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin 2, Ireland
| | - Fernando Blanco
- Molecular Design Group, School
of Biochemistry and Immunology, Trinity Biomedical Sciences Institute, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin 2, Ireland
| | - Darren Fayne
- Molecular Design Group, School
of Biochemistry and Immunology, Trinity Biomedical Sciences Institute, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin 2, Ireland
| | - Mary J. Meegan
- School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical
Sciences, Trinity Biomedical Sciences Institute, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin 2, Ireland
| | - David G. Lloyd
- Molecular Design Group, School
of Biochemistry and Immunology, Trinity Biomedical Sciences Institute, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin 2, Ireland
- Division of Health Sciences, University of South Australia, Adelaide SA5000, Australia
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27
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Greene LM, Wang S, O'Boyle NM, Bright SA, Reid JE, Kelly P, Meegan MJ, Zisterer DM. Combretazet-3 a novel synthetic cis-stable combretastatin A-4-azetidinone hybrid with enhanced stability and therapeutic efficacy in colon cancer. Oncol Rep 2013; 29:2451-8. [PMID: 23564200 DOI: 10.3892/or.2013.2379] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/28/2012] [Accepted: 12/20/2012] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
In recent years an extensive series of synthetic combretastatin A-4 (CA-4)-azetidinone (β-lactam) hybrids were designed and synthesised with a view to improve the stability, therapeutic efficacy and aqueous solubility of CA-4. Lead compounds containing a 3,4,5-trimethoxy aromatic ring at position 1 and a variety of substitution patterns at positions 3 and 4 of the β-lactam ring were screened in three adenocarcinoma-derived colon cancer cell lines (CT-26, Caco-2 and the CA-4 resistant cell line, HT-29). In both CT-26 and Caco-2 cells all β-lactam analogues analysed displayed potent therapeutic efficacy within the nanomolar range. Substitution of the ethylene bridge of CA-4 with the β-lactam ring together with the aforementioned aryl substitutions improved the therapeutic efficacy of CA-4 up to 300‑fold in the combretastatin refractory HT-29 cells. The lead compound combretazet-3 (CAZ-3); chemical name [4-(3-hydroxy-4-methoxyphenyl)-3-(4-hydroxyphenyl)-1-(3,4,5-trimethoxyphenyl)azetidin-2-one] demonstrated improved chemical stability together with enhanced therapeutic efficacy as compared with CA-4 whilst maintaining the natural biological properties of CA-4. Furthermore, CAZ-3 demonstrated significant tumour inhibition in a murine model of colon cancer. Our results suggest that combretastatin-azetidinone hybrids represent an effective novel therapy for the treatment of combretastatin resistant carcinomas.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lisa M Greene
- School of Biochemistry and Immunology, Trinity Biomedical Sciences Institute, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin 2, Ireland.
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28
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O'Boyle NM, Greene LM, Keely NO, Wang S, Cotter TS, Zisterer DM, Meegan MJ. Synthesis and biochemical activities of antiproliferative amino acid and phosphate derivatives of microtubule-disrupting β-lactam combretastatins. Eur J Med Chem 2013; 62:705-21. [PMID: 23454513 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2013.01.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/11/2012] [Revised: 01/10/2013] [Accepted: 01/11/2013] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
The synthesis and biochemical activities of novel water-soluble β-lactam analogues of combretastatin A-4 are described. The first series of compounds investigated, β-lactam phosphate esters 7a, 8a and 9a, exhibited potent antiproliferative activity and caused microtubule disruption in human breast carcinoma-derived MCF-7 cells. They did not inhibit tubulin polymerisation in vitro, indicating that biotransformation was necessary for their antiproliferative and tubulin binding effects in MCF-7 cells. The second series of compounds, β-lactam amino acid amides (including 10k and 11l) displayed potent antiproliferative activity in MCF-7 cells, disrupted microtubules in MCF-7 cells and also inhibited the polymerisation of tubulin in vitro. This indicates that the β-lactam amides did not require metabolic activation to have antiproliferative effects, in contrast to the phosphate series. Both series of compounds caused mitotic catastrophe and apoptosis in MCF-7 cells. Molecular modelling studies indicated potential binding conformations for the β-lactam amino acid amides 10k and 11l in the colchicine-binding site of tubulin. Due to their aqueous solubility and potent biochemical effects, these compounds are promising candidates for further development as microtubule-disrupting agents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Niamh M O'Boyle
- School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Centre for Synthesis and Chemical Biology, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin 2, Ireland.
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29
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Nathwani SM, Hughes L, Greene LM, Carr M, O'Boyle NM, McDonnell S, Meegan MJ, Zisterer DM. Novel cis-restricted β-lactam combretastatin A-4 analogues display anti-vascular and anti-metastatic properties in vitro. Oncol Rep 2012; 29:585-94. [PMID: 23232969 DOI: 10.3892/or.2012.2181] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/21/2012] [Accepted: 10/24/2012] [Indexed: 11/05/2022] Open
Abstract
Combretastatin A-4 (CA-4) is a naturally occurring microtubular-destabilising agent that possesses potent anti-tumour and anti-vascular properties both in vitro and in vivo. Clinical trials to date indicate that its water-soluble prodrug, combretastatin A-4 phosphate (CA-4P), is well tolerated at therapeutically useful doses. However, the stilbenoid structure of CA-4, consisting of two phenyl rings linked by an ethylene bridge, renders the compound readily susceptible to isomerisation from its biologically active cis-conformation to its more thermodynamically stable but inactive trans-isomer. To circumvent this problem, we synthesised a series of cis-restricted CA-4 analogues. Replacement of the ethylene bridge with a 1,4-diaryl-2-azetidinone (β-lactam) ring provided a rigid scaffold thus preventing cis-trans isomerisation. We previously documented that these tubulin-depolymerising β-lactam compounds potently induced cell cycle arrest and apoptosis in a variety of cancerous cell lines (including those displaying multidrug resistance) and ex vivo patient samples, whilst exerting only minimal toxicity to normal cells. The purpose of this study was to elucidate the effect of the β-lactam compounds on both tumour vascularisation and tumour cell migration, two critical elements that occur during the growth and metastatic progression of tumours. We established that two representative β-lactam compounds, CA-104 and CA-432, exerted both anti-endothelial effects [G2/M arrest and apoptosis of primary human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs)] and anti-angiogenic effects [inhibition of HUVEC migration and differentiation and reduced vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) release from MDA-MB-231 breast adenocarcinoma cells]. In addition, we established that lead analogue, CA-432, abrogated the migration of MDA-MB-231 cells indicating an anti-metastatic function for these compounds. In summary, our results to date collectively indicate that these cis-restricted β-lactam CA-4 analogues may prove to be useful alternatives to CA-4 in the treatment of cancer but with the added advantage of improved stability of the cis-isomer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Seema-Maria Nathwani
- School of Biochemistry and Immunology, Trinity Biomedical Sciences Institute, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin 2, Ireland.
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30
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Blanco F, Egan B, Caboni L, Elguero J, O’Brien J, McCabe T, Fayne D, Meegan MJ, Lloyd DG. Study of E/Z Isomerization in a Series of Novel Non-ligand Binding Pocket Androgen Receptor Antagonists. J Chem Inf Model 2012; 52:2387-97. [DOI: 10.1021/ci300299n] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - José Elguero
- Instituto
de Química Médica,
CSIC, Juan de la Cierva, 3, E-28006 Madrid, Spain
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31
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Greene LM, O'Boyle NM, Nolan DP, Meegan MJ, Zisterer DM. The vascular targeting agent Combretastatin-A4 directly induces autophagy in adenocarcinoma-derived colon cancer cells. Biochem Pharmacol 2012; 84:612-24. [PMID: 22705646 DOI: 10.1016/j.bcp.2012.06.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/01/2012] [Revised: 06/05/2012] [Accepted: 06/06/2012] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Recent clinical data demonstrated that the vascular targeting agent Combretastatin-A4 phosphate (CA-4P) prolonged survival of patients with advanced anaplastic thyroid cancer without any adverse side effects. However, as a single agent CA-4 failed to reduce tumour growth in the murine CT-26 adenocarcinoma colon cancer model. Furthermore, the molecular mechanism of the innate resistance of HT-29 human adenocarcinoma cells to CA-4 is largely unknown. In this report, we demonstrate for the first time that prolonged exposure to CA-4 and an azetidinone cis-restricted analogue, CA-432 (chemical name; 4-(3-Hydroxy-4-methoxyphenyl)-3-phenyl-1-(3,4,5-trimethoxyphenyl)-azetidin-2-one) induced autophagy in adenocarcinoma-derived CT-26, Caco-2 and HT-29 cells but not in fibrosarcoma-derived HT-1080 cells. Autophagy is a fundamental self-catabolic process which can facilitate a prolonged cell survival in spite of adverse stress by generating energy via lysosomal degradation of cytoplasmic constituents. Autophagy was confirmed by acridine orange staining of vesicle formation, electron microscopy and increased expression of LC3-II. Combretastatin-induced autophagy was associated with a loss of mitochondrial membrane potential and elongation of the mitochondria. Furthermore, inhibition of autophagy by the vacuolar H(+)ATPase inhibitor Bafilomycin-A1 (BAF-A1) significantly enhanced CA-432 induced HT-29 cell death. Both CA-4 and its synthetic derivative, CA-432 induced the formation of large hyperdiploid cells in Caco-2 and CT-26 cells. The formation of these polyploid cells was significantly inhibited by autophagy inhibitor, BAF-A1. Results presented within demonstrate that autophagy is a novel response to combretastatin exposure and may be manipulated to enhance the therapeutic efficacy of this class of vascular targeting agents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lisa M Greene
- School of Biochemistry and Immunology, Trinity College, Dublin 2, Ireland
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32
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O. Keely N, M. Zisterer D, J. Meegan M. Design, Synthesis and Biochemical Evaluation of Estrogen Receptor Ligand Conjugates as Tumour Targeting Agents. LETT DRUG DES DISCOV 2012. [DOI: 10.2174/157018012799129864] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
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33
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Caboni L, Kinsella GK, Blanco F, Fayne D, Jagoe WN, Carr M, Williams DC, Meegan MJ, Lloyd DG. "True" antiandrogens-selective non-ligand-binding pocket disruptors of androgen receptor-coactivator interactions: novel tools for prostate cancer. J Med Chem 2012; 55:1635-44. [PMID: 22280402 PMCID: PMC3295204 DOI: 10.1021/jm201438f] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/13/2023]
Abstract
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Prostate cancer (PCa) therapy typically involves administration
of “classical” antiandrogens, competitive inhibitors
of androgen receptor (AR) ligands, dihydrotestosterone (DHT) and testosterone
(tes), for the ligand-binding pocket (LBP) in the ligand-binding domain
(LBD) of AR. Prolonged LBP-targeting leads to resistance, and alternative
therapies are urgently required. We report the identification and
characterization of a novel series of diarylhydrazides as selective
disruptors of AR interaction with coactivators through application
of structure and ligand-based virtual screening. Compounds demonstrate
full (“true”) antagonism in AR with low micromolar potency,
selectivity over estrogen receptors α and β and glucocorticoid
receptor, and partial antagonism of the progesterone receptor. MDG506
(5) demonstrates low cellular toxicity in PCa models
and dose responsive reduction of classical antiandrogen-induced prostate
specific antigen expression. These data provide compelling evidence
for such non-LBP intervention as an alternative approach or in combination
with classical PCa therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura Caboni
- Molecular Design Group, School of Biochemistry and Immunology, Trinity Biomedical Sciences Institute, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin 2, Ireland
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34
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O’Boyle NM, Carr M, Greene LM, Keely NO, Knox AJ, McCabe T, Lloyd DG, Zisterer DM, Meegan MJ. Synthesis, biochemical and molecular modelling studies of antiproliferative azetidinones causing microtubule disruption and mitotic catastrophe. Eur J Med Chem 2011; 46:4595-607. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2011.07.039] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/14/2011] [Revised: 06/13/2011] [Accepted: 07/22/2011] [Indexed: 10/17/2022]
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35
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O'Boyle NM, Knox AJS, Price TT, Williams DC, Zisterer DM, Lloyd DG, Meegan MJ. Lead identification of β-lactam and related imine inhibitors of the molecular chaperone heat shock protein 90. Bioorg Med Chem 2011; 19:6055-68. [PMID: 21920765 DOI: 10.1016/j.bmc.2011.08.048] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/18/2011] [Revised: 08/18/2011] [Accepted: 08/19/2011] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Heat shock protein 90 is an emerging target for oncology therapeutics. Inhibitors of this molecular chaperone, which is responsible for the maintenance of a number of oncogenic proteins, have shown promise in clinical trials and represent a new and exciting area in the treatment of cancer. Heat shock protein 90 inhibitors have huge structural diversity, and here we present the lead identification of novel inhibitors based on β-lactam and imine templates. β-Lactam 5 and imines 12 and 18 exhibit binding to heat shock protein 90-α with IC(50) values of 5.6 μM, 14.5 μM, and 22.1 μM, respectively. The binding affinity displayed by these compounds positions them as lead compounds for the design of future inhibitors of heat shock protein 90 based on the β-lactam and imine templates.
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Affiliation(s)
- Niamh M O'Boyle
- School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Centre for Synthesis and Chemical Biology, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin 2, Ireland.
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36
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Acton JP, Cotter A, Nakib TA, Meegan MJ. 6,6-Dimethyl-6, 11-Dihydro(1)Benzothiopyrano(4,3-b) Indoles: Novel Polycyclic Heteroaromatic Compounds. J Pharm Pharmacol 2011. [DOI: 10.1111/j.2042-7158.1985.tb14205.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- J P Acton
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Trinity College, 18 Shrewsbury Road, Dublin 4, Ireland
| | - A Cotter
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Trinity College, 18 Shrewsbury Road, Dublin 4, Ireland
| | - T Al Nakib
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Trinity College, 18 Shrewsbury Road, Dublin 4, Ireland
| | - M J Meegan
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Trinity College, 18 Shrewsbury Road, Dublin 4, Ireland
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37
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Meegan MJ. The Synthesis and Antifungal Activity of 6-Hydroxy-11-Thioptero-Carpans. J Pharm Pharmacol 2011. [DOI: 10.1111/j.2042-7158.1986.tb14333.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Mary J Meegan
- School of Pharmacy, Trinity College Dublin, 18 Shrewsbury Road Dublin 4, Ireland
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38
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrew Cotter
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Trinity College, 18 Shrewsbury Road, Dublin 4, Ireland
| | - Una Ni Ghogain
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Trinity College, 18 Shrewsbury Road, Dublin 4, Ireland
| | - Mary J Meegan
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Trinity College, 18 Shrewsbury Road, Dublin 4, Ireland
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39
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Meegan MJ, Tyndall DV. A New Synthesis of 4-Phenylpyrido (3,2- b) (1,4)BENZOTHIAZINES (1-AZAPHENOTHIAZINES). J Pharm Pharmacol 2011. [DOI: 10.1111/j.2042-7158.1986.tb14332.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Mary J Meegan
- School of Pharmacy, Trinity College Dublin, 18 Shrewsbury Road, Dublin 4, Ireland
| | - D Vivian Tyndall
- School of Pharmacy, Trinity College Dublin, 18 Shrewsbury Road, Dublin 4, Ireland
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40
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O’Boyle NM, Greene LM, Bergin O, Fichet JB, McCabe T, Lloyd DG, Zisterer DM, Meegan MJ. Synthesis, evaluation and structural studies of antiproliferative tubulin-targeting azetidin-2-ones. Bioorg Med Chem 2011; 19:2306-25. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bmc.2011.02.022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 55] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/03/2011] [Revised: 02/11/2011] [Accepted: 02/13/2011] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
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41
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Kelly OM, McNamara YM, Manzke LH, Meegan MJ, Porter RK. The preservation of in vivo phosphorylated and activated uncoupling protein 3 (UCP3) in isolated skeletal muscle mitochondria following administration of 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA aka ecstasy) to rats/mice. Mitochondrion 2011; 12:110-9. [PMID: 21453795 DOI: 10.1016/j.mito.2011.03.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/16/2010] [Revised: 03/11/2011] [Accepted: 03/15/2011] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
Abstract
Previous researchers have demonstrated that 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA) induced hyperthermia, in skeletal muscle of animals, is uncoupling protein 3 (UCP3) dependent. In light of our investigations that in vivo phosphorylation of UCP1 is augmented under conditions of cold-acclimation, we set out to investigate whether (a) UCP3 was phosphorylated in vivo and (b) whether in vivo phosphorylation of UCP3 resulted in increased proton leak following MDMA administration to animals. Our data demonstrate that MDMA treatment (but not PBS treatment) of animals results in both in vivo serine and tyrosine phosphorylation of UCP3 in skeletal muscle mitochondria, isolated in the presence of phosphatase inhibitors to preserve in vivo phosphorylation. In addition, proton leak is only increased in skeletal muscle mitochondria isolated from MDMA treated animals (in the presence of phosphatase inhibitors) and the increased proton leak is due to phosphorylated UCP3. UCP3 abundance in skeletal muscle mitochondria is unaffected by MDMA administration. Preservation of UCP3 phosphorylation and increased proton leak is lost when skeletal muscle mitochondria are isolated in the absence of phosphatase inhibitors. We conclude that MDMA treatment of animals increases proton leak in skeletal muscle mitochondria by activating UCP3 through in vivo covalent modification of UCP3 by phosphorylation. Furthermore, we deduce that the MDMA induced hyperthermia in skeletal muscle is due to increased proton leak in vivo as a result of activation of UCP3 through phosphorylation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Orlagh M Kelly
- School of Biochemistry and Immunology, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin 2, Ireland
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42
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Greene LM, Carr M, Keeley NO, Lawler M, Meegan MJ, Zisterer DM. BubR1 is required for the mitotic block induced by combretastatin-A4 and a novel cis-restricted ß-lactam analogue in human cancer cells. Int J Mol Med 2011; 27:715-23. [PMID: 21369694 DOI: 10.3892/ijmm.2011.633] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/03/2010] [Accepted: 11/04/2010] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
BubR1 is a well-defined guardian of the mitotic spindle, initiating mitotic arrest in response to the lack of tension and/or chromosome alignment across the mitotic plate. However, the role of BubR1 in combretastatin-induced cell death remains unknown. In this study, we describe the effects of combretastatin A-4 (CA-4) and a synthetic cis-restricted 3,4-diaryl-2-azetidinone (ß-lactam) analogue (CA-432) on the modulation and phosphorylation of BubR1 in human cervical cancer-derived cells. We demonstrate that CA-4 and CA-432 depolymerise the microtubular network of human cervical carcinoma-derived cells. Both compounds induced the disassembly of the microtubules and the loss of microtubule tension led to the early phosphorylation of BubR1 and the late cleavage of BubR1. The phosphorylation of BubR1 correlated with the onset of G2M cell cycle arrest whilst the cleavage of BubR1 coincided with apoptosis induced by the combretastatins. The combretastatin-induced apoptosis and the BubR1 cleavage were caspase-dependent. In vitro enzyme digests demonstrated that combretastatin-activated BubR1 is a substrate for caspase-3. Gene silencing of BubR1 with small interfering RNA severely compromised combretastatin-induced G2M cell cycle arrest with a corresponding increase in the formation of polyploid cells in both cervical and breast cancer-derived cells. In summary, BubR1 is required to maintain the G2M arrest and limit the formation of polyploid cells in response to continued combretastatin exposure. Moreover, substitution of the ethylene bridge with 3,4-diaryl-2-azetidinone did not alter the tubulin depolymerising properties or the subsequent mitotic spindle checkpoint response to CA-4 in human cancer cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lisa M Greene
- School of Biochemistry and Immunology, Trinity College Dublin, College Green, Dublin 2, Ireland.
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43
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McNamara YM, Cloonan SM, Knox AJS, Keating JJ, Butler SG, Peters GH, Meegan MJ, Williams DC. Synthesis and serotonin transporter activity of 1,3-bis(aryl)-2-nitro-1-propenes as a new class of anticancer agents. Bioorg Med Chem 2010; 19:1328-48. [PMID: 21227702 DOI: 10.1016/j.bmc.2010.11.054] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/21/2010] [Revised: 11/22/2010] [Accepted: 11/23/2010] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
Structural derivatives of 4-MTA, an illegal amphetamine analogue have been previously shown to have anticancer effects in vitro. In this study we report the synthesis of a series of novel 1,3-bis(aryl)-2-nitro-1-propene derivatives related in structure to 4-MTA. A number of these compounds containing a classic nitrostyrene structure are shown to have antiproliferative activities in vitro in a range of malignant cell lines, particularly against Burkitt's lymphoma derived cell lines, whilst having no effect on 'normal' peripheral blood mononuclear cells. Such effects appear to be independent of the serotonin transporter, a high affinity target for amphetamines and independent of protein tyrosine phosphatases and tubulin dynamics both of which have been previously associated with nitrostyrene-induced cell death. We demonstrate that a number of these compounds induce caspase activation, PARP cleavage, chromatin condensation and membrane blebbing in a Burkitt's lymphoma derived cell line, consistent with these compounds inducing apoptosis in vitro. Although no specific target has yet been identified for the action of these compounds, the cell death elicited is potent, selective and worthy of further investigation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yvonne M McNamara
- School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Centre for Synthesis and Chemical Biology, Trinity College Dublin, Ireland
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44
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O'Boyle NM, Carr M, Greene LM, Bergin O, Nathwani SM, McCabe T, Lloyd DG, Zisterer DM, Meegan MJ. Synthesis and evaluation of azetidinone analogues of combretastatin A-4 as tubulin targeting agents. J Med Chem 2010; 53:8569-84. [PMID: 21080725 DOI: 10.1021/jm101115u] [Citation(s) in RCA: 96] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
The synthesis and antiproliferative activity of a new series of rigid analogues of combretastatin A-4 are described which contain the 1,4-diaryl-2-azetidinone (β-lactam) ring system in place of the usual ethylene bridge present in the natural combretastatin stilbene products. These novel compounds are also substituted at position 3 of the β-lactam ring with an aryl ring. A number of analogues showed potent nanomolar activity in human MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cell lines, displayed in vitro inhibition of tubulin polymerization, and did not cause significant cytotoxicity in normal murine breast epithelial cells. 4-(4-Methoxyaryl)-substituted compound 32, 4-(3-hydroxy-4-methoxyaryl)-substituted compounds 35 and 41, and the 3-(4-aminoaryl)-substituted compounds 46 and 47 displayed the most potent antiproliferative activity of the series. β-Lactam 41 in particular showed subnanomolar activity in MCF-7 breast cancer cells (IC₅₀= 0.8 nM) together with significant in vitro inhibition of tubulin polymerization and has been selected for further biochemical assessment. These novel β-lactam compounds are identified as potentially useful scaffolds for the further development of antitumor agents that target tubulin.
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Affiliation(s)
- Niamh M O'Boyle
- School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Centre for Synthesis and Chemical Biology, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin 2, Ireland
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45
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Greene LM, Nathwani SM, Bright SA, Fayne D, Croke A, Gagliardi M, McElligott AM, O'Connor L, Carr M, Keely NO, O'Boyle NM, Carroll P, Sarkadi B, Conneally E, Lloyd DG, Lawler M, Meegan MJ, Zisterer DM. The Vascular Targeting Agent Combretastatin-A4 and a Novel cis-Restricted β-Lactam Analogue, CA-432, Induce Apoptosis in Human Chronic Myeloid Leukemia Cells and Ex Vivo Patient Samples Including Those Displaying Multidrug Resistance. J Pharmacol Exp Ther 2010; 335:302-13. [DOI: 10.1124/jpet.110.170415] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/15/2023] Open
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46
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Barrett I, Carr M, O'Boyle N, Greene LM, Knox AJS, Lloyd DG, Zisterer DM, Meegan MJ. Lead identification of conformationally restricted benzoxepin type combretastatin analogs: synthesis, antiproliferative activity, and tubulin effects. J Enzyme Inhib Med Chem 2010; 25:180-94. [PMID: 20222762 DOI: 10.3109/14756360903169659] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
We have synthesized a series of polymethoxylated rigid analogs of combretastatin A-4 which contain a benzoxepin ring in place of the usual ethylene bridge present in the natural combretastatin products. The compounds display antiproliferative activity when evaluated against the MCF-7 and MDA human breast carcinoma cell lines. 5-(3-Hydroxy-4-methoxyphenyl)-4-(3,4,5-trimethoxyphenyl)-2,3-dihydro-benzoxepine (11g) was found to be the most potent product when evaluated against the MCF-7 breast cancer cell line. A brief computational study of the structure-activity relationship for the synthesized compounds is presented. These 4,5-diarylbenzoxepins are identified as potentially useful scaffolds for the further development of antitumor agents which target tubulin.
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Affiliation(s)
- Irene Barrett
- School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Centre for Synthesis and Chemical Biology, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
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47
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Cloonan SM, Keating JJ, Corrigan D, O’Brien JE, Kavanagh PV, Williams DC, Meegan MJ. Synthesis and in vitro toxicity of 4-MTA, its characteristic clandestine synthesis byproducts and related sulfur substituted α-alkylthioamphetamines. Bioorg Med Chem 2010; 18:4009-31. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bmc.2010.04.022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/27/2009] [Revised: 04/05/2010] [Accepted: 04/07/2010] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
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48
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Yang Y, Carta G, Peters MB, Price T, O'Boyle N, Knox AJ, Fayne D, Williams DC, Meegan MJ, Lloyd DG. ‘tieredScreen’ - Layered Virtual Screening Tool for the Identification of Novel Estrogen Receptor Alpha Modulators. Mol Inform 2010; 29:421-30. [DOI: 10.1002/minf.201000034] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/11/2009] [Accepted: 04/10/2010] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
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49
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Cloonan SM, Keating JJ, Butler SG, Knox AJ, Jørgensen AM, Peters GH, Rai D, Corrigan D, Lloyd DG, Williams DC, Meegan MJ. Synthesis and serotonin transporter activity of sulphur-substituted α-alkyl phenethylamines as a new class of anticancer agents. Eur J Med Chem 2009; 44:4862-88. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2009.07.027] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/28/2009] [Revised: 07/08/2009] [Accepted: 07/30/2009] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
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50
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Nathwani SM, Butler S, Meegan MJ, Campiani G, Lawler M, Williams DC, Zisterer DM. Dual targeting of tumour cells and host endothelial cells by novel microtubule-targeting agents, pyrrolo-1,5-benzoxazepines. Cancer Chemother Pharmacol 2009; 65:289-300. [DOI: 10.1007/s00280-009-1033-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/22/2009] [Accepted: 04/14/2009] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
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