Interaction of 4-arylcoumarin analogues of combretastatins with microtubule network of HBL100 cells and binding to tubulin

The synthesis of different 4-arylcoumarin analogues of combretastatin A-4 led to the identification of two new compounds (1 and 2) with potent cytotoxic activity on a CEM leukemia cell line and a third one completely inactive (compound 3). It was suggested that the cytotoxicity of compounds 1 and 2 may be related to their interaction with microtubules and tubulin, since these compounds inhibit microtubule formation from purified tubulin in vitro [Bailly et al. (2003) J. Med. Chem. 46 (25), 5437-5444]. In the present study, tubulin was identified as the main target of these molecules. We studied structure-activity relationships of these compounds using biological experiments specific for tubulin binding. The modification of cell cycle progression induced by compounds 1 and 2 was characterized by an apoptotic induction on human breast cells (HBL100). In addition, these two molecules disturbed cell survival by depolymerizing the microtubule network, leading to a mitotic block. We then determined the thermodynamic parameters of their interaction with purified tubulin by fluorescence spectroscopy and isothermal microcalorimetry. These results, together with a superimposition of the molecule on colchicine in the X-ray-determined three-dimensional structure model of tubulin-colchicine complex, allowed us to identify the pharmacophore of the combretastatin A-4 analogues responsible for their biological activity.     

Novel sulfonate analogues of combretastatin A-4: potent antimitotic agents

Sulfonate analogues of combretastatin A-4 have been prepared. These compounds compete with colchicine and combretastatin A-4 for the colchicine binding site on tubulin and are potent inhibitors of tubulin polymerization and cell proliferation. Importantly, these compounds also inhibit the proliferation of P-glycoprotein positive (+) cancer cells, which are resistant to many other antitumor agents.     

Naphthalene combretastatin analogues: synthesis, cytotoxicity and antitubulin activity

Synthesis and evaluation of new combretastatin analogues with varied modifications on the bridge and the aromatic rings, have shown that the 2-naphthyl moiety is a good surrogate for the 3-hydroxy-4-methoxyphenyl (B-ring) of combretastatin A-4. Other bicyclic systems, such as 6(7)-quinolyl and 5-indolyl, can replace the B-ring, but they produce less potent analogues in the cytotoxicity and tubulin polymerization inhibition assays. Other modifications are detrimental for the potency of the studied analogues. The 2-naphthyl combretastatin 53 and the related 6-quinolyl combretastatin 106 analogues are the most potent among the derivatives of this type, whereas 92 and 95 are the most potent among the naphthalene derivatives with a heterocycle in the bridge. Previous and new results in this family of combretastatin analogues are discussed.     

Tubulysin analogs incorporating desmethyl and dimethyl tubuphenylalanine derivatives

A series of tubulysin analogs in which one of the stereogenic centers of tubuphenylalanine was eliminated were synthesized. All compounds were tested for antiproliferative activity towards ovarian cancer cells and for inhibition of tubulin polymerization. The dimethyl analogs were generally more active than the desmethyl analogs, and four analogs have tubulin polymerization IC₅₀ values similar to combretastatin A4 and the hemiasterlin analog HTI-286.     

Review ArticleNaphthalene Combretastatin Analogues: Synthesis,Cytotoxicity and Antitubulin Activity

Synthesis and evaluation of new combretastatin analogues with varied modifications on the bridge and the aromatic rings, have shown that the 2-naphthyl moiety is a good surrogate for the 3-hydroxy-4-methoxyphenyl (B-ring) of combretastatin A-4. Other bicyclic systems, such as 6(7)-quinolyl and 5-indolyl, can replace the B-ring, but they produce less potent analogues in the cytotoxicity and tubulin polymerization inhibition assays. Other modifications are detrimentral for the potency of the studied analogues. The 2-naphthyl combretastatin 53 and the related 6-quinolyl combretastatin 106 analogues are the most potent among the derivatives of this type, whereas 92 and 95 are the most potent among the naphthalene derivatives with a heterocycle in the bridge. Previous and new results in this family of combretastatin analogues are discussed.     

Synthesis, evaluation and structural studies of antiproliferative tubulin-targeting azetidin-2-ones

A series of azetidin-2-ones substituted at positions 1, 3 and 4 of the azetidinone ring scaffold were synthesised and evaluated for antiproliferative, cytotoxic and tubulin-binding activity. In these compounds, the cis double bond of the vascular targeting agent combretastatin A-4 is replaced with the azetidinone ring in order to enhance the antiproliferative effects displayed by combretastatin A-4 and prevent the cis/trans isomerisation that is associated with inactivation of combretastatin A-4. The series of azetidinones was synthetically accessible via the Staudinger and Reformatsky reactions. Of a diverse range of heterocyclic derivatives, 3-(2-thienyl) analogue 28 and 3-(3-thienyl) analogue 29 displayed the highest potency in human MCF-7 breast cancer cells with IC(50) values of 7 nM and 10nM, respectively, comparable to combretastatin A-4. Compounds from this series also exhibited potent activity in MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cells and in the NCI60 cell line panel. No significant toxicity was observed in normal murine breast epithelial cells. The presence of larger, bulkier groups at the 3-position, for example, 3-naphthyl derivative 21 and 3-benzothienyl derivative 26, resulted in relatively lower antiproliferative activity in the micromolar range. Tubulin-binding studies of 28 (IC(50)=1.37 μM) confirmed that the molecular target of this series of compounds is tubulin. These novel 3-(thienyl) β-lactam antiproliferative agents are useful scaffolds for the development of tubulin-targeting drugs.     

Biological and anti-vascular activity evaluation of ethoxy-erianin phosphate as a vascular disrupting agent

The effects of ethoxy-erianin phosphate (EBTP) on cell proliferation, mitotic cell arrest, migration, infiltration, and endothelial tubular structures were evaluated in this study. The antiproliferative activity of EBTP and combretastatin A-4P (CA4P) was analyzed on several tumor cells (including MCF-7, HeLa, 2LL, and 2LL-IDO) and on an endothelial cell (human umbilical vein endothelial cells [HUVECs]) as well as a human normal liver cell (L02). The results showed that EBTP possessed antiproliferative activity in the micromole range and was relatively less toxic than CA4P. Treating HUVECs with EBTP caused cell accumulation in the G2/M phase, and wound-healing assays indicated that EBTP inhibited cell migration. Furthermore, EBTP and CA4P destroyed the vasculature in endothelial cells and showed vascular disrupting activity of the chorioallantoic membrane in fertilized chicken eggs. In addition, we found that EBTP suppressed the expression of indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase (IDO) and significantly inhibited IDO-induced migration and infiltration of 2LL-IDO cells. Administration of EBTP blocked vasculogenic mimicry in 2LL-IDO cells, which was typically observed in tube formation assays of 2LL-IDO cells. Moreover, the results of Lewis lung carcinoma in mice showed a high inhibition rate of EBTP. EBTP is an effective vascular disrupting agent that is superior to CA4P and may prevent and treat malignancy by inhibiting the expression of IDO.     

Application of the McMurry coupling reaction in the synthesis of tri- and tetra-arylethylene analogues as potential cancer chemotherapeutic agents

Structural redesign of selected non-steroidal estrogen receptor binding compounds has previously been successful in the discovery of new inhibitors of tubulin assembly. Accordingly, tetra-substituted alkene analogues (21–30) were designed based in part on combinations of the structural and electronic components of tamoxifen and combretastatin A-4 (CA4). The McMurry coupling reaction was used as the key synthetic step in the preparation of these tri- and tetra-arylethylene analogues. The structural assignment of E, Z isomers was determined on the basis of 2D-NOESY experiments. The ability of these compounds to inhibit tubulin polymerization and cell growth in selected human cancer cell lines was evaluated. Although the compounds were found to be less potent than CA4, these analogues significantly advance the known structure–activity relationship associated with the colchicine binding site on β-tubulin.     

Synthesis and evaluation of diaryl sulfides and diaryl selenide compounds for antitubulin and cytotoxic activity

We have devised a procedure for the synthesis of analogs of combretastatin A-4 (CA-4) containing sulfur and selenium atoms as spacer groups between the aromatic rings. CA-4 is well known for its potent activity as an inhibitor of tubulin polymerization, and its prodrugs combretastatin A-4 phosphate (CA-4P) and combretastatin A-1 phosphate (CA-1P) are being investigated as antitumor agents that cause tumor vascular collapse in addition to their activity as cytotoxic compounds. Here we report the preparation of two sulfur analogs and one selenium analog of CA-4. All synthesized compounds, as well as several synthetic intermediates, were evaluated for inhibition of tubulin polymerization and for cytotoxic activity in human cancer cells. Compounds 3 and 4 were active at nM concentration against MCF-7 breast cancer cells. As inhibitors of tubulin polymerization, both 3 and 4 were more active than CA-4 itself. In addition, 4 was the most active of these agents against 786, HT-29 and PC-3 cancer cells. Molecular modeling binding studies are also reported for compounds 1, 3, 4 and CA-4 to tubulin within the colchicine site.     

The modulation of tissue factor by endothelial cells during heat shock

Tissue factor (TF) initiates the extrinsic coagulation cascade on the surface of macrophages and endothelial cells. In septic patients, the extrinsic coagulation cascade is activated. When septic patients are febrile, mortality is decreased. The purpose of this study was to investigate the role of elevated temperatures on TF expression by endothelial cells during a sepsis-like challenge. Human endothelial vein cells (HUVECs) were incubated with lipopolysaccharide (LPS) or interleukin-1 beta (IL-1 beta) for 0, 2, 4, 6, or 8 h. At the 0-h time point, some HUVECs were heat shocked at 43 degrees C for 2 h and then recovered at 37 degrees C for 0, 2, 4, or 6 h. Heat-shocked and non-heat-shocked LPS-stimulated HUVECs were analyzed for TF-specific mRNA expression by ribonuclease protection assay (RPA), surface TF expression by flow cytometry, and TF activity by a two-stage clotting assay. Heat shocked LPS-stimulated HUVECs expressed significantly reduced TF-specific mRNA, TF surface protein levels, and TF surface activity when compared with non-heat-shocked, LPS-stimulated HUVECs (p < 0.0125, p < 0.0125, and p < 0.0001, respectively; repeated measures analysis of variance, ANOVA). If heat shock models elevated core temperature, these results suggest that fever may protect the host during sepsis by reducing TF activity on the surface of endothelial cells.     

Toward chelerythrine optimization: Analogues designed by molecular simplification exhibit selective growth inhibition in non-small-cell lung cancer cells

A series of novel chelerythrine analogues was designed and synthesized. Antitumor activity was evaluated against A549, NCI-H1299, NCI-H292, and NCI-H460 non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) cell lines in vitro. The selectivity of the most active analogues and chelerythrine was also evaluated, and we compared their cytotoxicity in NSCLC cells and non-tumorigenic cell lines, including human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) and LL24 human lung fibroblasts. In silico studies were performed to establish structure–activity relationships between chelerythrine and the analogues. The results showed that analogue compound 3f induced significant dose-dependent G₀/G₁ cell cycle arrest in A549 and NCI-H1299 cells. Theoretical studies indicated that the molecular arrangement and electron characteristics of compound 3f were closely related to the profile of chelerythrine, supporting its activity. The present study presents a new and simplified chelerythrinoid scaffold with enhanced selectivity against NSCLC tumor cells for further optimization.     

Isocombretastatins A: 1,1-Diarylethenes as potent inhibitors of tubulin polymerization and cytotoxic compounds

Isocombretastatins A are 1,1-diarylethene isomers of combretastatins A. We have synthesized the isomers of combretastatin A-4, deoxycombretastatin A-4, 3-amino-deoxycombretastatin A-4 (AVE-8063), naphthylcombretastatin and the N-methyl- and N-ethyl-5-indolyl analogues of combretastatin A-4. Analogues with a 2,3,4-trimethoxyphenyl ring instead of the 3,4,5-trimethoxyphenyl ring have also been prepared. The isocombretastatins A strongly inhibit tubulin polymerization and are potent cytotoxic compounds, some of them with IC₅₀s in the nanomolar range. This new family of tubulin inhibitors shows higher or comparable potency when compared to phenstatin or combretastatin analogues. These results suggest that one carbon bridges with a geminal diaryl substitution can successfully replace the two carbon bridge of combretastatins and that the carbonyl group of phenstatins is not essential for high potency.     

Synthesis and antitumor activities of a series of novel quinoxalinhydrazides

Recently, we discovered a novel class of anticancer compounds with remarkable potency in a panel of cancer cell lines. A prototype compound, SC144, showed significant in vivo efficacy in mice xenograft models of human breast cancer cells. Herein, we report on a new synthetic route to SC144 and the synthesis of several of its analogues in order to understand required features for activity. A one-step coupling of 7-fluoro-4-chloropyrrolo[1,2-a]quinoxaline with pyrazin-2-carbohydrazide improved the yield significantly. Although several of the analogues showed significant activities, modification of the heteroacyl moiety had a dramatic effect on potency.     

Synthesis and Biological Evaluation of 3-Alkyl-1,5-Diaryl-1H-Pyrazoles as Rigid Analogues of Combretastatin A-4 with Potent Antiproliferative Activity

A series of novel 3-alkyl-1,5-diaryl-1H-pyrazoles were synthesized as combretastatin A-4 (CA-4) analogues and evaluated for antiproliferative activity against three human cancer cell lines (SGC-7901, A549 and HT-1080). Most of the target compounds displayed moderate to potent antiproliferative activity, and 7k was found to be the most potent compound. Structure-activity relationships indicated that compounds with a trimethoxyphenyl A-ring at the N-1 position of the pyrazole skeleton were more potent than those with the A-ring at the C-5 position. Tubulin polymerization and immunostaining experiments revealed that 7k potently inhibited tubulin polymerization and disrupted tubulin microtubule dynamics in a manner similar to CA-4. Computational modelling demonstrated that the binding of 7k to the colchicine binding site on microtubules may involve a similar mode as CA-4.     

PIWIL4在人卵巢癌中的表达及其功能研究

采用半定量RT-PCR方法检测人卵巢透明细胞癌ES-2细胞中PIWIL1、PIWIL2、PIWIL3、PIWIL4 mRNA表达水平,以及PIWIL4在卵巢癌组织和癌旁正常组织中的表达情况．设计并化学合成针对PIWIL4的siRNA,用脂质体转染法将其转入ES-2细胞内,通过MTT和克隆形成实验,观察PIWIL4-siRNA对ES-2细胞生长活性和增殖能力的影响．半定量RT-PCR实验结果发现,ES-2细胞中,PIWIL4相对PIWIL1、PIWIL2、PIWIL3,其表达水平最高(P < 0.05),而且PIWIL4在卵巢癌组织中的表达明显高于癌旁正常组织(P < 0.01)．MTT实验和克隆形成实验结果显示,转染PIWIL4-siRNA的ES-2细胞生长活性和克隆形成率明显低于对照组(P < 0.05)．由此得出结论：PIWIL4在卵巢癌细胞系ES-2细胞表达较高,且它在卵巢癌组织中的表达明显上调,同时PIWIL4-siRNA可有效抑制ES-2细胞的生长活性和增殖能力,提示PIWIL4可能与卵巢癌发生、发展相关．     

Synthesis and biological evaluation of enantiomerically pure cyclopropyl analogues of combretastatin A4

To evaluate the influence of stereochemistry on biological activities of cis-cyclopropyl combretastatin A4 (CA4) analogues, we have prepared several cyclopropyl compounds in their pure enantiomeric forms. The key reactions in our synthesis are the cyclopropanation of a (Z)-alkenylboron compound bearing a chiral auxiliary, and the cross-coupling of both enantiomeric cyclopropyl trifluoroborate salts with aryl and olefinic halides. Three pairs of cis-cyclopropyl CA4 analogues were evaluated for their potential antivascular activities. The diarylcyclopropyl compounds with SR-configuration (?)-1b, (?)-2b and the cyclopropylvinyl enantiomer (+)-3a with RR-configuration were the most potent tubulin polymerization inhibitors. A correlation was noted between anti-tubulin activity and rounding up activity of endothelial cells. The cytotoxic activity on B16 melanoma cells was in the submicromolar range for most compounds, but unlike the anti-tubulin activity, there was no difference in cytotoxic activity between racemic and enantiomerically pure forms for the three series of compounds. Molecular docking studies within the colchicine binding site of tubulin were in good agreement with the tubulin polymerization inhibitory data and confirmed the importance of the configuration of the synthesized cis-cyclopropyl CA4 analogues for potential antivascular activities.     

Synthesis and biological evaluation of novel heterocyclic derivatives of combretastatin A-4

A novel series of combretastatin A-4 heterocyclic analogues was prepared by replacement of the B ring with indole, benzofurane or benzothiophene, attached at the C2 position. These compounds were evaluated for their abilities to inhibit tubulin assembly: derivative cis 3b, having a benzothiophene, showed an activity similar to those of colchicine or deoxypodophyllotoxine. The antiproliferative and antimitotic properties of cis 3b against keratinocyte cancer cell lines were also evaluated and the intracellular organization of microtubules in the cells after treatment with both stereoisomers of 3b was also determined, using confocal microscopy.     

Synthesis of (aminoalkyl)cycleanine analogues: cytotoxicity,cellular uptake,and apoptosis induction in ovarian cancer cells

Our previous studies demonstrated that cycleanine, a macrocyclic bisbenzylisoquinoline (BBIQ) alkaloid, showed potent anti-ovarian cancer activity via apoptosis induction. Here, we synthesized two novel (aminoalkyl)cycleanine analogues (2 and 3) through a simple and efficient two-step reaction starting from cycleanine isolated from Triclisia subcordata Oliv. These analogues showed greater potency than the unmodified cycleanine in three human ovarian cancer cell lines. Both 2 and 3 induced apoptosis in ovarian cancer cells by activations of caspases 3/7, cleavage of PARP, increase in subG₁ cell cycle phase and in the percentage of apoptotic cells. Further confocal fluorescence microscopy analysis confirmed the cellular uptake of alkaloids in ovarian cancer cells by using the unique (alkynyl)cycleanine (3) via click chemistry reaction. Our results suggest that cycleanine could be a hit compound for the future development in attacking ovarian cancer.     

New antitubulin derivatives in the combretastatin A4 series: synthesis and biological evaluation

Two series of combretastatin A4 derivatives (acrylamide=carboxamide and carbamate) were synthesized in order to improve the water solubility and stabilize the cis-configuration of the double bond. Their cytotoxic effects were evaluated against MCF-7, KB-3-1 and IGROV human cancer cell lines, as well as their inhibitory activity on tubulin polymerization. Results were compared to those of carboxamide 1, chosen as reference. Potent inhibitions were observed on both tests in the carboxamide series, particularly for compound 4d bearing a fluorine group in replacement of the 3-hydroxyl of CA4. In contrast, most of the carbamates were either inactive or displayed only moderate cytotoxicities. Interestingly, a submicromolar IC(50) was measured on MCF-7 cells for 6g, although this compound was totally devoid of antitubulin activity.