Identification and structure-activity relationship studies of 3-methylene-2-norbornanone as potent anti-proliferative agents presumably working through p53 mediated apoptosis

We have identified a novel series of alpha-methylene carbonyl compounds through structure-activity relationship (SAR) studies with high levels of anti-proliferative activities. The lead molecule, 3-methylene-2-norbornanone (3) showed potent activity (LC(50)=3-8 microM) against mutant p53 cell types and many fold selectivity (>13-29) over wild-type p53 cells. Further, compound 3 and its analogs showed refolding of mutant p53 protein comparable to their anti-proliferative activities suggesting possible interaction with mutant p53 protein.