Cellular effect of styrene substituted biscoumarin caused cellular apoptosis and cell cycle arrest in human breast cancer cells

BackgroundCoumarins occurs naturally across plant kingdoms exhibits significant pharmacological properties and pharmacokinetic activity. The conventional, therapeutic agents are often associated with poor stability, absorption and increased side effects. Therefore, identification of a drug that has little or no-side effect on humans is consequential. Here, we investigated the antiproliferative activity of styrene substituted biscoumarin against various human breast cancer cell lines, such as MCF-7, (ER-) MDA-MB-231 and (AR+) MDA-MB-453. Styrene substituted biscoumarin induced cell death by apoptosis in MDA-MB-231 cell line was analyzed.MethodsAntiproliferative activity of Styrene substituted biscoumarin was performed by using 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyl tetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay. Styrene substituted biscoumarin induced apoptosis was assessed by Hoechst staining, Annexin V-fluorescein isothiocyanate/propidium iodide (Annexin V-FITC/PI) staining and flow cytometric analysis. Migratory and proliferating characteristic of breast cancer cell line MDA-MB-231 was also analyzed by wound healing and colony formation assay. Furthermore, mRNA expression of BAX and BCL-2 were quantified using qRT-PCR and protein expression level analyzed by Western blot.ResultsThe inhibition concentration (IC₅₀) of styrene substituted biscoumarin was assayed against three breast cancer cell lines. The inhibition concentration (IC₅₀) value of styrene substituted biscoumarin toward MDA-MB-231, MDA-MB-453 and MCF-7 cell lines was 5.63, 7.30 and 10.84 μg/ml respectively. Styrene substituted biscoumarin induced apoptosis was detected by Hoechst staining, DAPI/PI analysis and flow-cytometric analysis. The migration and proliferative efficiency of MDA-MB-231 cells were completely arrested upon styrene substituted biscoumarin treatment. Also, mRNA gene expression and protein expression of pro-apoptotic (BAX) and anti-apoptotic (BCL-2) genes were analyzed by qRT-PCR and western blot analysis upon styrene substituted biscoumarin treatment to MDA-MB-231 cells. Our results showed that styrene substituted biscoumarin downregulated BCL-2 gene expression and upregulated BAX gene expression to trigger apoptotic process.ConclusionStyrene substituted biscoumarin could induce apoptosis through intrinsic mitochondrial pathway in breast cancer cell lines, particularly in MDA-MB-231. Our data suggest that styrene substituted biscoumarin may act as a potential chemotherapeutic agent against breast cancer.     

Design and synthesis of chromone-nitrogen mustard derivatives and evaluation of anti-breast cancer activity

Chromone has emerged as one of the most important synthetic scaffolds for antitumor activity, which promotes the development of candidate drugs with better activity. In this study, a series of nitrogen mustard derivatives of chromone were designed and synthesised, in order to discover promising anti-breast tumour candidates. Almost all target derivatives showed antiproliferative activity against MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231 cell lines. In particular, methyl (S)-3-(4-(bis(2-chloroethyl)amino)phenyl)-2-(5-(((6-methoxy-4-oxo-4H-chromen-3-yl)methyl)amino)-5-oxopentanamido)propanoate showed the most potent antiproliferative activity with IC₅₀ values of 1.83 and 1.90 μM, respectively, and it also exhibited certain selectivity between tumour cells and normal cells. Further mechanism exploration against MDA-MB-231 cells showed that it possibly induced G2/M phase arrest and apoptosis by generating intracellular ROS and activating DNA damage. In addition, it also inhibited MDA-MB-231 cells metastasis, invasion and adhesion. Overall, methyl (S)-3-(4-(bis(2-chloroethyl)amino)phenyl)-2-(5-(((6-methoxy-4-oxo-4H-chromen-3-yl)methyl)amino)-5-oxopentanamido)propanoate showed potent antitumor activities and relatively low side effects, and deserved further investigation.     

Houttuyninum, an active constituent of Chinese herbal medicine, inhibits phosphorylation of HER2/neu receptor tyrosine kinase and the tumor growth of HER2/neu-overexpressing cancer cells

AimsThe overexpression of HER2/neu receptor plays a key role in tumorigenesis and tumor progression. Small molecules targeting HER2/neu have therapeutic value in cancers that overexpress HER2. In this present study, the effect of houttuyninum, a component in the Chinese herbal medicine Houttuynia cordata Thunb, on HER2/neu tyrosine phosphorylation and its in vivo antitumour activity was investigated.Main methodsThe phosphorylation and expression of proteins were determined by Western blot analysis. The MTT assay was employed to examine the inhibition of cell proliferation in vitro. Xenografts were established in nude mice for evaluating the antitumour activity of houttuyninum in vivo.Key findingsHouttuyninum inhibited phosphorylation of HER2 in a dose-dependent manner with an IC50 of 5.52 μg/ml without reducing HER2/neu protein expression in MDA-MB-453 cells. Houttuyninum also inhibited the activation of ERK1/2 and AKT, downstream molecules in the HER2/neu-mediated signal transduction pathway. In contrast, tyrosine phosphorylation of EGFR was unaffected when the concentration of houttuyninum was increased to 40 μg/ml in both A431 cells and MDA-MB-468 cells. Additionally, houttuyninum preferentially inhibited the growth of MDA-MB-453 cells that overexpressed HER2/neu; the MDA-MB-468 cells that overexpress EGFR remained unaffected. Administration of houttuyninum in vivo resulted in a significant reduction of phosphorylated HER2 levels and in tumor volumes of the BT474 and N87 xenografts, which both overexpress HER2/neu.SignificanceOur findings showed that houttuyninum can inhibit the HER2/neu signalling pathway and the tumor growth of cancer cells that overexpress HER2/neu. This drug may provide therapeutic value in the treatment of cancers that involve overexpression of HER2/neu.     

Design,synthesis and antitumor activity of a novel PEG-A6-conjugated irinotecan derivative

A novel PEG-A6-conjugated irinotecan derivative 8 was designed and synthesized as antitumor agent by the PEGylation and A6-peptide modification of irinotecan. In vivo antitumor activity screening assay revealed that 8 exhibited better in vivo antiproliferation activity than irinotecan and its previous PEG-cRGD-conjugated derivative BGC0222 in MIA PaCa-2, NCI-H446, MDA-MB-231, HT-29 and NCI-N87 xenograft models, while the tumor of one in six mice in NCI-H446 assay and the tumors of two in six mice in MIA PaCa-2 assay completely subsided and disappeared within the 21-day period of 8-treatment, indicating that 8 should be a potential antitumor agent.     

Antitumor potential of dark sweet cherry sweet (Prunus avium) phenolics in suppressing xenograft tumor growth of MDA-MB-453 breast cancer cells

This study investigated in vivo the antitumor activity of dark sweet cherry (DSC) whole extracted phenolics (WE) and fractions enriched in anthocyanins (ACN) or proanthocyanidins (PCA) in athymic mice xenografted with MDA-MB-453 breast cancer cells. Mice were gavaged with WE, ACN or PCA extracts (150 mg/kg body weight/day) for 36 days.Results showed that tumor growth was suppressed at similar levels by WE, ACN and PCA compared to control group (C) without signs of toxicity or significant changes in mRNA oncogenic biomarkers in tumors or mRNA invasive biomarker in distant organs. Tumor protein analyses showed that WE, ACN and PCA induced at similar levels the stress-regulated ERK1/2 phosphorylation, known to be linked to apoptosis induction. However, ACN showed enhanced antitumor activity through down-regulation of total oncogenic and stress-related Akt, STAT3, p38, JNK and NF-kB proteins. In addition, immunohistochemistry analysis of Ki-67 revealed inhibition of tumor cell proliferation with potency WE ≥ ACN ≥ PCA. Differential quantitative proteomic high-resolution nano-HPLC tandem mass spectrometry analysis of tumors from ACN and C groups revealed the identity of 66 proteins associated with poor breast cancer prognosis that were expressed only in C group (61 proteins) or differentially up-regulated (P<.05) in C group (5 proteins). These findings revealed ACN-targeted proteins associated to tumor growth and invasion and the potential of DSC ACN for breast cancer treatment. Results lead to a follow-up study with highly immunodeficient mice/invasive cell line subtype and advanced tumor development to validate the anti-invasive activity of DSC anthocyanins.     

Design,synthesis and antiproliferative activity of novel substituted 2-amino-7,8-dihydropteridin-6(5H)-one derivatives

Based on our previous work, a series of novel 2-amino-7,8-dihydropteridin-6(5H)-one derivatives were designed and synthesized via a ring-closing strategy. Biological evaluation with four human cancer cell lines (BT549, T47D, MDA-MB-468, and MDA-MB-231) showed that most of these compounds possessed moderate to potent antiproliferative activities. The most promising compound 8-benzyl-2-(phenethylamino)-7,8-dihydropteridin-6(5H)-one (6q) possessing IC₅₀ values of 7.75, 6.37, and 10.73 μM against MDA-MB-468, T47D, and BT549, respectively, which were 49, 11, and 8 folds more active than the positive control fluorouracil. Moreover, fluorescence-activated cell sorting analysis revealed that compound 6q displayed a significant effect on G1 cell-cycle arrest in a concentration-dependent manner in T47D cells. The initial structure–activity relationship studies indicated that linker-length of amine chain in C-2 position of pyrimidine ring played a crucial role in modulating the antitumor activity, which could be of help in the rational design of dihydropteridin-6(5H)-ones as novel anticancer drugs.     

Discovery of pyrazolone spirocyclohexadienone derivatives with potent antitumor activity

Starting from easy accessible pyrazoletetrahydropyran acetals, a series of new pyrazolone spirocyclohexadienone derivatives were synthesized and assayed for antitumor activity. Compound 10s was identified to possess good antitumor activity. It could induce MDA-MB-231 cancer cell apoptosis in a concentration dependent manner and arrest the cell cycle progression mainly at the G1 phase.     

Progranulin Stimulated by LPA Promotes the Migration of Aggressive Breast Cancer Cells

Abstract

Activator and inhibitor roles for the 88-kDa-secreted glycoprotein progranulin (PGRN) have been demonstrated in ovarian cancer cells. Here, we investigated the effects of PGRN in breast cancer migration. Testing MCF7, MDA-MB-453, and MDA-MB-231 human breast cancer cells and the MCF10A breast epithelial cell line, we demonstrate that LPA-induced PGRN stimulation led to a significant increase in cell invasion of MDA-MB-453 and MDA-MB-231 cells only (p < 0.05). Moreover, incubation with an anti-PGRN antibody, an inhibitor of the ERK pathway (PD98059) or both in combination inhibited the ability of MDA-MB-231 cells to invade. Furthermore, the expression of focal adhesion kinases promoted by LPA-induced PGRN was also inhibited by PD98059 alone or in combination with an anti-PGRN antibody (p < 0.05). Taken together, these results suggest that the LPA activation of PGRN involving the ERK pathway is critical to promote MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cell invasion.     

Guanacastane-type diterpenoids from Coprinus radians

Thirteen diterpenoids, named radianspenes A–M (1–13), including three lactams radianspenes J (10), K (11) and L (12) and one dimer radianspene M (13), were isolated from fermentation products of the higher fungal strain Coprinus radians M65. All these compounds possessing guanacastane skeleton were evaluated for antitumor activity using MDA-MB-435 cell line. Radianspene C exhibited inhibitory activity with IC₅₀ of 0.91 μM.     

Design,synthesis and anticancer activity of novel nopinone-based thiosemicarbazone derivatives

A series of new nopinone-based thiosemicarbazone derivatives were designed and synthesized as potent anticancer agents. All these compounds were identified by ¹H NMR, ¹³C NMR, HR-MS spectra analyses. In the in vitro anticancer activity, most derivatives showed considerable cytotoxic activity against three human cancer cell lines (MDA-MB-231, SMMC-7721 and Hela). Among them, compound 4i exhibited most potent antitumor activity against three cancer cell lines with the IC₅₀ values of 2.79 ± 0.38, 2.64 ± 0.17 and 3.64 ± 0.13 μM, respectively. Furthermore, the cell cycle analysis indicated that compound 4i caused cell cycle arrest of MDA-MB-231 cells at G2/M phase. The Annexin V-FITC/7-AAD dual staining assay also revealed that compound 4i induced the early apoptosis of MDA-MB-231 cells.     

Synthesis, characterization, X-ray structure and in vitro antimycobacterial and antitumoral activities of Ru(II) phosphine/diimine complexes containing the "SpymMe2" ligand, SpymMe2=4,6-dimethyl-2-mercaptopyrimidine

The reaction of cis-[RuCl₂(dppb)(N-N)], dppb = 1,4-bis(diphenylphosphino)butane, complexes with the ligand HSpymMe₂, 4,6-dimethyl-2-mercaptopyrimidine, yielded the cationic complexes [Ru(SpymMe₂)(dppb)(N-N)]PF₆, N-N = bipy (1) and Me-bipy (2), bipy = 2,2′-bipyridine and Me-bipy = 4,4′-dimethyl-2,2′-bipyridine, which were characterized by spectroscopic and electrochemical techniques and X-ray crystallography and elemental analysis. Additionally, preliminary in vitro tests for antimycobacterial activity against Mycobacterium tuberculosis H37Rv ATCC 27264 and antitumor activity against the MDA-MB-231 human breast tumor cell line were carried out on the new complexes and also on the precursors cis-[RuCl₂(dppb)(N-N)], N-N = bipy (3) and Me-bipy (4) and the free ligands dppb, bipy, Me-bipy and SpymMe₂. The minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) of compounds needed to kill 90% of mycobacterial cells and the IC₅₀ values for the antitumor activity were determined. Compounds 1-4 exhibited good in vitro activity against M. tuberculosis, with MIC values ranging between 0.78 and 6.25 μg/mL, compared to the free ligands (MIC of 25 to >50 μg/mL) and the drugs used to treat tuberculosis. Complexes 1 and 2 also showed promising antitumor activity, with IC₅₀ values of 0.46 ± 0.02 and 0.43 ± 0.08 μM, respectively, against MDA-MB-231 breast tumor cells.     

Anti-cancer activity of m-carborane-containing trimethoxyphenyl derivatives through tubulin polymerization inhibition

m-Carborane-containing compound 1a was identified as a cell growth inhibitor from a random screening of a boron compound library. As 1a is a mixture of diastereomers due to the presence of two chiral carbons, we designed achiral derivatives 2–4 and studied the structure-activity relationships of the methoxy groups on the benzene ring. 3,4,5-Trimethoxybenzyl derivative 2a and 3,4,5-trimethoxybenzoyl derivative 3a showed more potent anti-cancer activity against the human breast cancer cell line MDA-MB-453 than lead compound 1a. Compound 3a inhibited tubulin polymerization in a dose-dependent manner.     

Suppression of Shrimp Melanization during White Spot Syndrome Virus Infection

The melanization cascade, activated by the prophenoloxidase (proPO) system, plays a key role in the production of cytotoxic intermediates, as well as melanin products for microbial sequestration in invertebrates. Here, we show that the proPO system is an important component of the Penaeus monodon shrimp immune defense toward a major viral pathogen, white spot syndrome virus (WSSV). Gene silencing of PmproPO(s) resulted in increased cumulative shrimp mortality after WSSV infection, whereas incubation of WSSV with an in vitro melanization reaction prior to injection into shrimp significantly increased the shrimp survival rate. The hemolymph phenoloxidase (PO) activity of WSSV-infected shrimp was extremely reduced at days 2 and 3 post-injection compared with uninfected shrimp but was fully restored after the addition of exogenous trypsin, suggesting that WSSV probably inhibits the activity of some proteinases in the proPO cascade. Using yeast two-hybrid screening and co-immunoprecipitation assays, the viral protein WSSV453 was found to interact with the proPO-activating enzyme 2 (PmPPAE2) of P. monodon. Gene silencing of WSSV453 showed a significant increase of PO activity in WSSV-infected shrimp, whereas co-silencing of WSSV453 and PmPPAE2 did not, suggesting that silencing of WSSV453 partially restored the PO activity via PmPPAE2 in WSSV-infected shrimp. Moreover, the activation of PO activity in shrimp plasma by PmPPAE2 was significantly decreased by preincubation with recombinant WSSV453. These results suggest that the inhibition of the shrimp proPO system by WSSV partly occurs via the PmPPAE2-inhibiting activity of WSSV453.     

Design,synthesis and biological evaluation of novel thieno[3,2-d]pyrimidine and quinazoline derivatives as potent antitumor agents

Four series of novel thieno[3,2-d]pyrimidine and quinazoline derivatives containing N-acylhydrazone or semicarbazone were designed, synthesized, and evaluated for their biological activity. Of which compound 14 showed the most potent antitumor activities with IC₅₀ values of 1.78 μM, 1.02 μM, 1.98 μM, 0.41 μM and 0.22 μM against HT-29, MDA-MB-231, U87MG, PC-3 and HCT-116 cell lines respectively. Inhibition of enzymatic assays showed that PI3Kα was very likely to be one of the drug targets of 14 with the IC₅₀ value of 0.20 μM. According to the results of antitumor activity, the SARs were summarized, which indicated that thieno[3,2-d]pyrimidine and semicarbazone are optimal fragments. In addition, compounds with hydroxyl group at the 4-position on the terminal phenyl ring were more active. Annexin-V and propidium iodide (PI) double staining confirmed that the most active cytotoxic compound 14 can induce cell apoptosis in HCT-116 cells. Moreover, the influence of 14 on the cell cycle distribution was assessed on the HCT-116 cell line, exhibiting a cell cycle arrest at the G2/M phase. Furthermore, molecular docking analysis was also performed to determine possible binding modes between PI3Kα and the target compound. These results will guide us to further refine the structure of the thieno[3,2-d]pyrimidine and quinazoline derivatives to achieve optimal antitumor activity.     

Synthesis,anticancer and apoptosis-inducing activities of quinazoline–isatin conjugates: epidermal growth factor receptor-tyrosine kinase assay and molecular docking studies

A new series of quinazolinone compounds 16–34 incorporating isatin moieties was synthesized. The antitumor efficacy of the compounds against MDA-MB-231, a breast cancer cell line, and LOVO, a colon cancer cell line, was assessed. Compounds 20, 21, 22, 23, 25, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, and 34 displayed potent antitumor activity against MDA-MB-231 and LOVO cells (IC₅₀: 10.38–38.67?μM and 9.91–15.77?μM, respectively); the comparative IC₅₀ values for 5-fluorouracil and erlotinib in these cells lines were 70.28?μM, 22.24?μM and 15.23?μM, 25.31?μM respectively. The EGFR-TK assay and induction of apoptosis for compound 31 were investigated to assess its potential cytotoxic activity as a representative example of the novel synthesized compounds. At a concentration of 10?μM, compound 31 exhibited efficient inhibitory effect against EGFR-TK and induced apoptosis in MDA-MB-231 cells. Furthermore, a molecular docking study for compound 31 and erlotinib was performed to verify the binding mode toward the EGFR kinase enzyme, and showed a similar interaction as that with erlotinib alone.

Graphical Abstract: Compound 31 showed potent antitumor activity and efficient inhibitory effect against EGFR-TK and induced apoptosis of MDA-MB-231 cells at a concentration of 10?μM.     

Design,synthesis and in vitro anticancer activity of novel quinoline and oxadiazole derivatives of ursolic acid

A series of new quinoline derivatives of ursolic acid were designed and synthesized in an attempt to develop potential anticancer agents. The structures of these compounds were identified by ¹H NMR, ¹³C NMR, IR and ESI-MS spectra analysis. The target compounds were evaluated for their in vitro cytotoxicity against three human cancer cell lines (MDA-MB-231, Hela and SMMC-7721). From the results, compounds 3a–d displayed significant antitumor activity against three cancer cell lines. Especially, compound 3b was found to be the most potent derivative with IC₅₀ values of 0.61 ± 0.07, 0.36 ± 0.05, 12.49 ± 0.08 μM against MDA-MB-231, HeLa and SMMC-7721 cells, respectively, stronger than positive control etoposide. Furthermore, the Annexin V-FITC/PI dual staining assay revealed that compound 3b could significantly induce the apoptosis of MDA-MB-231 cells in a dose-dependent manner. The cell cycle analysis also indicated that compound 3b could cause cell cycle arrest of MDA-MB-231 cells at G0/G1 phase.     

Breast Cancer Anti-Estrogen Resistance 4 (BCAR4) Drives Proliferation of IPH-926 lobular Carcinoma Cells

Background

Most breast cancers depend on estrogenic growth stimulation. Functional genetic screenings in in vitro cell models have identified genes, which override growth suppression induced by anti-estrogenic drugs like tamoxifen. Using that approach, we have previously identified Breast Cancer Anti-Estrogen Resistance 4 (BCAR4) as a mediator of cell proliferation and tamoxifen-resistance. Here, we show high level of expression and function of BCAR4 in human breast cancer.

Methods

BCAR4 mRNA expression was evaluated by (q)RT-PCR in a panel of human normal tissues, primary breast cancers and cell lines. A new antibody raised against C78-I97 of the putative BCAR4 protein and used for western blot and immunoprecipitation assays. Furthermore, siRNA-mediated gene silencing was implemented to study the function of BCAR4 and its downstream targets ERBB2/3.

Results

Except for placenta, all human normal tissues tested were BCAR4-negative. In primary breast cancers, BCAR4 expression was comparatively rare (10%), but associated with enhanced proliferation. Relative high BCAR4 mRNA expression was identified in IPH-926, a cell line derived from an endocrine-resistant lobular breast cancer. Moderate BCAR4 expression was evident in MDA-MB-134 and MDA-MB-453 breast cancer cells. BCAR4 protein was detected in breast cancer cells with ectopic (ZR-75-1-BCAR4) and endogenous (IPH-926, MDA-MB-453) BCAR4 mRNA expression. Knockdown of BCAR4 inhibited cell proliferation. A similar effect was observed upon knockdown of ERBB2/3 and exposure to lapatinib, implying that BCAR4 acts in an ERBB2/3-dependent manner.

Conclusion

BCAR4 encodes a functional protein, which drives proliferation of endocrine-resistant breast cancer cells. Lapatinib, a clinically approved EGFR/ERBB2 inhibitor, counteracts BCAR4-driven tumor cell growth, a clinical relevant observation.     

桑葚花色苷提取物对乳腺癌细胞凋亡及线粒体膜电位的影响

目的:观察桑葚花色苷提取物对人乳腺癌细胞株MDA-MB-453、MDA-MB-231和MCF-7细胞凋亡及线粒体膜电位的影响.方法:利用超声辅助乙醇萃取法提取桑葚花色苷,pH示差法测定提取物花色苷总含量,以50、100和150 mg/mL桑葚花色苷提取物作用三种乳腺癌细胞MDA-MB-231、MDA-MB-453和MCF-7 24h,采用Annexin V/PI双染流式细胞分析法检测细胞凋亡水平变化,JC-1探针染色激光共聚焦扫描显微镜观察MDA-MB-453细胞线粒体膜电位水平变化.结果:凋亡分析结果表明,桑葚花色苷提取物作用后三种乳腺癌细胞凋亡率均升高,显示出促凋亡效应,且具有剂量-效应关系,100和150 mg/mL组凋亡率显著升高(P＜0.05).激光共聚焦扫描显微镜检测结果显示,桑葚花色苷提取物作用24h,可使MDA-MB-453细胞线粒体膜电位显著下降,表现为红色/绿色荧光的比值显著降低(P＜0.05).结论:桑葚花色苷提取物可显著降低乳腺癌细胞线粒体膜电位,并促发细胞凋亡.