Four diterpenoid inhibitors of Cdc25B phosphatase from a marine anemone

Three new diterpenoids and one known diterpenoid have been isolated from a sea anemone of the order Actiniara, and the structures of the new compounds, actiniarins A-C (1-3) were established on the basis of extensive 1D and 2D NMR spectroscopic data interpretation. Compound 1 has a six-membered ring hemiacetal ring, and the equilibrium of this ring is discussed. All the isolates were evaluated for their inhibition of Cdc25B and for cytotoxicity against the A2780 ovarian cancer cell line.     

Regulation of the anaphase-promoting complex by the dual specificity phosphatase human Cdc14a

Two forms of the anaphase-promoting complex (APC) mediate the degradation of critical cell cycle regulators. APC(Cdc20) promotes sister-chromatid separation by ubiquitinating securin, whereas APC(Cdh1) ubiquitinates mitotic cyclins, allowing the exit from mitosis. Here we show that phosphorylation of human Cdh1 (hCdh1) by cyclin B-Cdc2 alters the conformation of hCdh1 and prevents it from activating APC. A human homologue of yeast Cdc14, human Cdc14a (hCdc14a), dephosphorylates hCdh1 and activates APC(Cdh1). In contrast, hCdc14a does not affect the activity of APC(Cdc20). hCdc14a is a major phosphatase for hCdh1 and localizes to centrosomes in HeLa cells. Therefore, hCdc14a may promote the activation of APC(Cdh1) and exit from mitosis in mammalian cells.     

The dual specificity phosphatase Cdc25B, but not the closely related Cdc25C, is capable of inhibiting cellular proliferation in a manner dependent upon its catalytic activity

Cdc25B and Cdc25C are closely related dual specificity phosphatases that activate cyclin-dependent kinases by removal of inhibitory phosphorylations, thereby triggering entry into mitosis. Cdc25B, but not Cdc25C, has been implicated as an oncogene and been shown to be overexpressed in a variety of human tumors. Surprisingly, ectopic expression of Cdc25B, but not Cdc25C, inhibits cell proliferation in long term assays. Chimeric proteins generated from the two phosphatases show that the anti-proliferative activity is associated with the C-terminal end of Cdc25B. Indeed, the catalytic domain of Cdc25B is sufficient to suppress cell viability in a manner partially dependent upon its C-terminal 26 amino acids that is shown to influence substrate binding. Mutation analysis demonstrates that both the phosphatase activity of Cdc25B as well as its ability to interact with its substrates contribute to the inhibition of cell proliferation. These results demonstrate key differences in the biological activities of Cdc25B and Cdc25C caused by differential substrate affinity and recognition. This also argues that the antiproliferative activity of Cdc25B needs to be overcome for it to act as an oncogene during tumorigenesis.     

Potent and selective small molecule inhibitors of specific isoforms of Cdc2-like kinases (Clk) and dual specificity tyrosine-phosphorylation-regulated kinases (Dyrk)

Continued examination of substituted 6-arylquinazolin-4-amines as Clk4 inhibitors resulted in selective inhibitors of Clk1, Clk4, Dyrk1A and Dyrk1B. Several of the most potent inhibitors were validated as being highly selective within a comprehensive kinome scan.     

Synthesis of small molecule CDC25 phosphatases inhibitors

A targeted library of small molecules has been prepared to optimize the biological activity of BN82002, our initial lead compound, recently described as an original inhibitor of CDC25 phosphatases. Some of these compounds inhibit CDC25 in the micromolar range and therefore reinforce the interest of CDC25 as an anticancer target.     

Steroidal derived acids as inhibitors of human Cdc25A protein phosphatase

A group of steroidal derived acids were synthesized and found to be human Cdc25A inhibitors. Their potency ranged from 1.1 to > 100 microM; the best ones compare very favorably with that of the novel cyano-containing 5,6-seco-cholesteryl acid 1 (IC50=2.2microM) reported by us recently (Peng, H.; Zalkow, L. H.; Abraham, R. T.; Powis, G. J. Med. Chem. 1998, 41, 4677). Structure-activity relationships of these compounds revealed that a hydrophobic cholesteryl side chain and a free carboxyl group are crucial for activity. The distance between these two pharmacophores is also important for the potency of these compounds. Several of the compounds showed selective growth inhibition effects in the NCI in vitro cancer cell line panel.     

Halenaquinone and xestoquinone derivatives, inhibitors of Cdc25B phosphatase from a Xestospongia sp

Separation of an extract of a Xestospongia sp., guided by bioassay against Cdc25B, led to the isolation of nine compounds, halenaquinone (1), xestoquinone (2), adociaquinones A (3) and B (4), 3-ketoadociaquinones A (5) and B (6), tetrahydrohalenaquinones A (7) and B (8), and 13-O-methyl xestoquinol sulfate (9). The structures of the new natural products 6 and 9 were established on the basis of extensive one- and two-dimensional NMR studies. Compounds 1, 4, and 6 inhibited recombinant human Cdc25B in vitro with IC50 values of 0.7, 0.07, and 0.2 microM, respectively, and were 19- to 150-fold less active against two related protein phosphatases. Compound 4 blocked cell cycle progression through mitosis.     

Structure-based de novo design and biochemical evaluation of novel Cdc25 phosphatase inhibitors

Cdc25 phosphatases have been considered as attractive drug targets for anticancer therapy due to the correlation of their overexpression with a wide variety of cancers. We have been able to identify 32 novel Cdc25 phosphatase inhibitors with micromolar activity by means of a structure-based de novo design method with the two known inhibitor scaffolds. Because the newly discovered inhibitors are structurally diverse and have desirable physicochemical properties as a drug candidate, they deserve further investigation as anticancer drugs. The differences in binding modes of the identified inhibitors in the active sites of Cdc25A and B are addressed in detail.     

Synthesis and biological evaluation of novel heterocyclic quinones as inhibitors of the dual specificity protein phosphatase CDC25C

A focused set of heterocyclic quinones based on the benzothiazole, benzoxazole, benzimidazole, indazole and isoindole was prepared and screened with respect to the inhibition of the phosphatase activity of CDC25C. Benzoxazole- and benzothiazole-diones were at least 50 times more potent in inhibiting CDC25C than their benzimidazole-indazole- or isoindole-dione counterparts. These in vitro activities were in good correlation with the anti-proliferative effects observed with Mia PaCa-2 and DU-145 human tumor cell cultures. The IC(50) values obtained by WST-1 colorimetric assay ranged from 0.10 to 0.50 microM for the benzoxazole- or benzothiazole-diones and were above 10 microM for the other heterocyclic diones. This study further illustrates how the activity of the quinone pharmacophore can be selectively modulated by changing the type of five-membered heterocycle fused to the quinone ring.     

Identification of epidermal growth factor receptor as a target of Cdc25A protein phosphatase

Cdc25A, a dual-specificity protein phosphatase, plays a critical role in cell cycle progression. Although cyclin-dependent kinases are established substrates, Cdc25A may also affect other proteins. We have shown here that Cdc25A interacts with epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) both physically and functionally in Hep3B human hepatoma cells. Cdc25A inhibitor Cpd 5, a vitamin K analog, inhibited Cdc25A activity in the Cdc25A-EGFR immunocomplex and consequently caused prolonged EGFR tyrosine phosphorylation. Both purified GST-Cdc25A protein and endogenous Hep3B cellular Cdc25A dephosphorylated tyrosine-phosphorylated EGFR, and Cpd 5 antagonized the phosphatase activity of Cdc25A. A functional Cdc25A-EGFR interaction was seen in NR-6 fibroblasts expressing ectopic EGFR but not with a receptor lacking the C terminus or a mutated kinase domain. These data link the cell cycle control Cdc25A phosphatase to an EGFR-linked mitogenic signaling pathway specifically involving EGFR dephosphorylation.     

Structure-based virtual screening approach to identify novel classes of Cdc25B phosphatase inhibitors

Discovery of Cdc25B phosphatase inhibitors has been actively pursued with the aim to develop anticancer agents. We have been able to identify eight novel Cdc25B inhibitors by means of a computer-aided drug design protocol involving the virtual screening with docking simulations under consideration of the effects of ligand solvation in the binding free energy function. Structural features relevant to the interactions of the newly identified inhibitors with the active-site residues of Cdc25B are also discussed in detail.     

Identification of small molecule inhibitors of anthrax lethal factor

The virulent spore-forming bacterium Bacillus anthracis secretes anthrax toxin composed of protective antigen (PA), lethal factor (LF) and edema factor (EF). LF is a Zn-dependent metalloprotease that inactivates key signaling molecules, such as mitogen-activated protein kinase kinases (MAPKK), to ultimately cause cell death. We report here the identification of small molecule (nonpeptidic) inhibitors of LF. Using a two-stage screening assay, we determined the LF inhibitory properties of 19 compounds. Here, we describe six inhibitors on the basis of a pharmacophoric relationship determined using X-ray crystallographic data, molecular docking studies and three-dimensional (3D) database mining from the US National Cancer Institute (NCI) chemical repository. Three of these compounds have K(i) values in the 0.5-5 microM range and show competitive inhibition. These molecular scaffolds may be used to develop therapeutically viable inhibitors of LF.     

Identification of small molecule inhibitors of human COQ7

Given that the associated clinical manifestations of ubiquinone (UQ, or coenzyme Q) deficiency diseases are highly heterogeneous and complicated, effective new research tools for UQ homeostasis studies are awaited. We set out to develop human COQ7 inhibitors that interfere with UQ synthesis. Systematic structure-activity relationship development starting from a screening hit compound led to the identification of highly potent COQ7 inhibitors that did not disturb physiological cell growth of human normal culture cells. These new COQ7 inhibitors may serve as useful tools for studying the balance between UQ supplementation pathways: de novo UQ synthesis and extracellular UQ uptake.     

Arylstibonic acids are potent and isoform-selective inhibitors of Cdc25a and Cdc25b phosphatases

Arylstibonates structurally resemble phosphotyrosine side chains in proteins and here we addressed the ability of such compounds to act as inhibitors of a panel of mammalian tyrosine and dual-specificity phosphatases. Two arylstibonates both possessing a carboxylate side chain were identified as potent inhibitors of the protein tyrosine phosphatase PTP-ß. In addition, they inhibited the dual-specificity, cell cycle regulatory phosphatases Cdc25a and Cdc25b with sub-micromolar potency. However, the Cdc25c phosphatase was not affected demonstrating that arylstibonates may be viable leads from which to develop isoform specific Cdc25 inhibitors.     

Sesterterpenoids and an alkaloid from a Thorectandra sp. as inhibitors of the phosphatase Cdc25B

Bioassay-directed separation of an extract of a Thorectandra sp. sponge led to the isolation of three new sesterterpenoids, 16-oxoluffariellolide (1), 16-hydroxyluffariellolide (2) and (2E,6E,10E)-3-formyl-7,11-dimethyl-13-(2,6,6-trimethylcyclohex-1-enyl)trideca-2,6,10-trienoic acid (3); two known sesterterpenoids, luffariellolide (4) and dehydroluffariellolide diacid (5); and one known alkaloid, fascaplysin (6). The structures of the new compounds 1-3 were established on the basis of extensive 1D and 2D NMR spectroscopic data interpretation. Compound 6 showed inhibitory activity in the Cdc25B assay, with an IC50 value of 1.0 microg/mL.     

Purification and biochemical analysis of catalytically active human cdc25C dual specificity phosphatase

We describe a reliable and efficient method for the purification of catalytically active and mutant inactive full-length forms of the human dual specificity phosphatase cdc25C from bacteria. The protocol involves isolating insoluble cdc25C protein in inclusion bodies, solubilization in guanidine HCL, and renaturation through rapid dilution into low salt buffer. After binding renatured proteins to an ion exchange resin, cdc25C elutes in two peaks at 350 and 450 mM NaCl. Analysis by gel exclusion chromatography and enzymatic assays reveals the highest phosphatase activity is associated with the 350 mM NaCl with little or no activity present in the 450 mM peak. Furthermore, active cdc25C has a native molecular mass of 220 kDa consistent with a potential tetrameric complex of the 55-kDa cdc25C protein. Assaying phosphatase activity against artificial substrates pNPP and 3-OMFP reveals a 220 kDa form of the phosphatase is active in a non-phosphorylated state. The protein effectively activates cdk1/cyclin B prokinase complexes in vitro in the absence of cdk1 kinase activity in an orthovanadate sensitive manner but is inactivated by A-kinase phosphorylation. In vitro phosphorylation of purified cdc25C by cdk1/cyclin B1, cdk2/cyclin A2 and cdk2/cyclin E shows that distinct TP/SP mitotic phosphorylation sites on cdc25C are differentially phosphorylated by these 3 cdk/cyclin complexes associated with different levels of cdc25C activation. Finally, we show that endogenous native cdc25C from human cells is present in high molecular weight complexes with other proteins and resolves mostly above 200-kDa. These data show that untagged cdc25C can be purified with a simple protocol as an active dual specificity phosphatase with a native molecular mass consistent with a homo-tetrameric configuration.     

Synthesis of the naphthalene-derived inhibitors against Cdc25A dual-specificity protein phosphatase and their biological activity

The novel naphthalene-type analogues 14 and 18 and the naphthoquinone-type analogues, 8, 9, 15, 16, 19, 21, 22, and 23-28 have been synthesized, and their in vitro Cdc25A phosphatase-inhibitory activity was examined. In assessment of the inhibitory activity, it was revealed that the naphthoquinone core is contributed to the activity, rather than the alkyl side chain.     

Regulation of the Rab5 GTPase-activating protein RN-tre by the dual specificity phosphatase Cdc14A in human cells

The Cdc14 family of dual specificity phosphatases regulates key mitotic events in the eukaryotic cell cycle. Although extensively characterized in yeast, little is known about the function of mammalian Cdc14 family members. Here we report a genetic substrate-trapping system designed to identify substrates of the human Cdc14A (hCdc14A) phosphatase. Using this approach, we identify RN-tre, a GTPase-activating protein for the Rab5 GTPase, as a novel physiological target of hCdc14A. As a Rab5 GTPase-activating protein, RN-tre has previously been implicated in control of intracellular membrane trafficking. We find that RN-tre forms a stable complex with the catalytically inactive hCdc14A C278S mutant but not with the wild type protein in human cells, indicative of a substrate/enzyme interaction. In support, we show that RN-tre is regulated by cell cycle-dependent phosphorylation peaking at mitosis, which can be antagonized by hCdc14A activity in vitro as well as in vivo. Furthermore, we show that RN-tre phosphorylation is critical for efficient hCdc14A association and that RN-tre binding can be displaced by tungstate, a competitive inhibitor that binds to the active site of hCdc14A. Consistent with the preference of hCdc14A for phosphorylations mediated by proline-directed kinases, we find that RN-tre is a direct substrate of cyclin-dependent kinase. Finally, phosphorylation of RN-tre appears to finely modulate its catalytic activity. Our findings reveal a novel connection between the cell cycle machinery and the endocytic pathway.