Biomedical subjects

E Hamel

Publications and source records attributed to E Hamel.

At least 145 records · Page 8Linked to original sources

PubMed1993

Dual inhibition of topoisomerase II and tubulin polymerization by azatoxin, a novel cytotoxic agent.

Azatoxin (NSC 640737) is a synthetic molecule that was rationally designed as a topoisomerase II inhibitor (Leteurtre et al., Cancer Res 52: 4478-4483, 1992). The present study was undertaken in order to investigate the molecular pharmacology and the cytotoxic activity of azatoxin in human tumor cells. Alkaline elution experiments performed in HL-60 cells demonstrated that: (1) azatoxin induces DNA-protein cross-links and protein-linked DNA single- and double-strand breaks characteristics of topoisomerase II inhibition in HL-60 cells; and (2) the potency of azatoxin is comparable to that of etoposide (VP-16). Testing of azatoxin in 45 human cell lines in the National Cancer Institute (NCI) in vitro Drug Screening Program indicated that azatoxin was potent (mean IC50 = 0.13 microM), but that its cell line sensitivity profile was correlated with that of tubule inhibitors rather than that of topoisomerase II inhibitors. These data led us to investigate the anti-tubulin activity of azatoxin. We found that azatoxin inhibited tubulin polymerization in vitro and was a mitotic inhibitor at 1 microM and above in the human colon cancer cell line KM20L2. In these cells topoisomerase II inhibition, as detected by the induction of protein-linked DNA strand breaks, required azatoxin concentrations of at least 10 microM. In summary, azatoxin is a potent cytotoxic agent that inhibited both tubulin and topoisomerase II. At lower azatoxin concentrations the former activity prevailed whereas at higher concentrations topoisomerase II inhibition became prominent.

Cell Death↗

PubMed1993

Antitumor agents. 141. Synthesis and biological evaluation of novel thiocolchicine analogs: N-acyl-, N-aroyl-, and N-(substituted benzyl)deacetylthiocolchicines as potent cytotoxic and antimitotic compounds.

Three series of novel thiocolchicine analogs, N-acyl-, N-aroyl-, and N-(substituted benzyl)-deacetylthiocolchicinoids, have been synthesized and evaluated for their cytotoxicity against various tumor cell lines, especially solid tumor cell lines, and for their inhibitory effects on tubulin polymerization in vitro. Most of these compounds showed strong inhibitory effects on tubulin polymerization comparable to that obtained with thiocolchicine and greater than that obtained with colchicine. Only compounds with a long side chain at the C(7) position, such as 22-24, did not inhibit tubulin polymerization. Several of the active N-aroyldeacetylthiocolchicine analogs had positive optical rotations, in contrast to the negative optical rotation observed with most colchicinoids. This property might be attributed to a reversal of biaryl configuration from the normal aS to aR. Therefore, the N-aroyl analogs were further evaluated by circular dichroism, which readily distinguishes between the aS and aR biaryl configurations. This latter technique demonstrated that the active N-aroyl analogs do have an aS configuration despite their positive optical rotations. However, comparison of 1H NMR and UV spectral data of N-(substituted benzyl)-deacetylthiocolchicines with those of corresponding N-aroyldeacetylthiocolchicines suggested a different biaryl dihedral angle [even though these compounds have the same aS biaryl configuration]. The similar tubulin binding properties of these compounds suggest that a biaryl dihedral angle of 53 degrees is not essential for colchicinoid-tubulin interaction. The increased cytotoxicity of N-(substituted benzyl)deacetylthiocolchicines compared to the N-aroyldeacetylthiocolchicines may be attributed to different lipophilicity, drug uptake, or drug metabolism in the tumor cells. The side chain at the C(7) position affects inhibition of tubulin polymerization and the cytotoxic activity of colchicinoids as a function of its size and its contribution to lipophilicity.

Antineoplastic Agents↗

PubMed1993

Synthesis and cytotoxicity of 1,6,7,8-substituted 2-(4'-substituted phenyl)-4-quinolones and related compounds: identification as antimitotic agents interacting with tubulin.

A series of 1,6,7,8-substituted 2-(4'-substituted phenyl)-4-quinolones and related compounds have been synthesized and evaluated as cytotoxic compounds and as antimitotic agents interacting with tubulin. The 2-phenyl-4-quinolones (22-30) with substituents (e.g. F, Cl, and OCH3) at C-6, C-7, and C-8 show, in general, potent cytotoxicity against human lung carcinoma (A-549), ileocecal carcinoma (HCT-8), melanoma (RPMI-7951), and epidermoid carcinoma of the nasopharynx (KB) and two murine leukemia lines (P-388 and L1210). Introduction of alkyl groups at N-1 or C-4 oxygen led to inactive compounds (35-43 and 50). In addition, compounds 24, 26, and 27 were evaluated in the National Cancer Institute's 60 human tumor cell line in vitro screen. These compounds demonstrated the most marked effects in the screen on two colon carcinoma cell lines (COLO-205 and KM-20L2) and on a central nervous system tumor cell line (SF-539) with compound 26 the most potent of the three agents. Compounds 24, 26, and 27 were potent inhibitors of tubulin polymerization, with activity nearly comparable to that of the potent antimitotic natural products colchicine, podophyllotoxin, and combretastatin A-4. The three agents also inhibited the binding of radiolabeled colchicine to tubulin, but this inhibition was less potent than that obtained with the natural products.

Animals↗

PubMed1993

Differential effects of active isomers, segments, and analogs of dolastatin 10 on ligand interactions with tubulin. Correlation with cytotoxicity.

Dolastatin 10 is a potent antimitotic peptide isolated from the marine mollusk Dolabella auricularia. Four of its five residues are modified amino acids (in sequence, dolavaline, valine, dolaisoleuine, dolaproine, dolaphenine). Besides inhibiting tubulin polymerization, dolastatin 10 non-competitively inhibits vinca alkaloid binding to tubulin, inhibits nucleotide exchange and formation of the beta s cross-link, and stabilizes the colchicine binding activity of tubulin. To examine the mechanism of action of dolastatin 10 we prepared six chiral isomers, one tri- and one tetrapeptide segment, and one pentapeptide analog of dolastatin 10, all of which differ little from dolastatin 10 as inhibitors of tubulin polymerization. However, only two of the chiral isomers were similar to dolastatin 10 in their cytotoxicity for L1210 murine leukemia cells and in their effects on vinblastine binding, nucleotide exchange, beta s cross-link formation, and colchicine binding. These were isomer 2, with reversal of configuration at position C(19a) in the dolaisoleuine moiety, and isomer 19, with reversal of configuration at position C(6) in the dolaphenine moiety. The pentapeptides with reduced cytotoxicity and reduced effects on tubulin interactions with other ligands were all modified in the dolaproine moiety at positions C(9) and/or C(10). The tripeptide and tetrapeptide segments which inhibited polymerization but not ligand interactions were the amino terminal tripeptide (lacking dolaproine and dolaphenine) and the carboxyl terminal tetrapeptide (lacking dolavaline). We speculate that strong inhibition of other ligand interactions with tubulin requires stable peptide binding to tubulin (i.e. slow dissociation), but that inhibition of polymerization requires only rapid binding to tubulin.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

PubMed1993

Antitumor agents. 139. Synthesis and biological evaluation of thiocolchicine analogs 5,6-dihydro-6(S)-(acyloxy)- and 5,6-dihydro-6(S)-[(aroyloxy)methyl]-1,2,3-trimethoxy-9-(methylthio)-8H- cyclohepta[a]naphthalen-8-ones as novel cytotoxic and antimitotic agents.

A series of novel thiocolchicine analogs, 5,6-dihydro-6(S)-(acyloxy)-and 5,6-dihydro-6(S)-[(aroyloxy)-methyl]-1,2,3-trimethoxy-9-(methylthi o)-8H- cyclohepta[a]naphthalen-8-ones, possessing a six-membered ring B, have been synthesized and evaluated for their cytotoxicity against various tumor cell lines, including solid tumor cell lines, and for their interaction with tubulin. The configuration of the parent alcohol (compound 5) was established unequivocally as (aR,6S) by X-ray crystallographic analysis. The side chain at the C(6) position is in a pseudoaxial orientation. The optical properties and 1H NMR data indicated that these compounds have the same conformations in solution as in the solid state. Biological results showed that compounds (5, 6, 14, 15, 17, and 18) bearing a small side chain at C(6) demonstrate high potency in inhibiting tubulin polymerization and binding of radiolabeled colchicine to tubulin. The most cytotoxic compounds were 14, 15, 17, and 18, with good activity against several solid tumor cell lines. To explain the strong antitubulin activity of compound 5 (with an aR configured biaryl system in contrast to the aS configuration previously described for colchicinoids, allocolchicinoids, and steganacin) we speculate that a rapid atropisomerism equilibrium must exist for 5 and its active derivatives. This equilibrium would yield adequate amounts of aS-configured conformers that interact, strongly with tubulin. Since the optically inactive 18 is also a potent inhibitor of tubulin, the configuration of the side chain of these six-membered ring B analogs cannot be essential for their binding to tubulin. Instead we propose that the size of ring B and of its side chain play important roles in tubulin binding activity by affecting the rotation of the rings A and C along their linking C-C bond axis.

Animals↗

PubMed1993

Modified taxols, 9. Synthesis and biological evaluation of 7-substituted photoaffinity analogues of taxol.

The 7-substituted taxol analogues 7, 19, 27, and 32 have been prepared as potential photoaffinity-labeled derivatives for studies of the nature of the binding site of taxol on polymerized tubulin. The analogue 32 has been prepared in both deuterium- and tritium-labeled versions. Tubulin-assembly studies were carried out with these compounds, and it was found that they showed some but not all of the properties of taxol. We conclude that these specific taxol analogues labeled at the 7 position are not ideal derivatives for photoaffinity labeling studies.

Affinity Labels↗

PubMed1993

Two new cytotoxic chalcones from Calythropsis aurea.

The crude extract of Calythropsis aurea (Myrtaceae) produced a pattern of differential cytotoxicity in the NCI 60 cell line assay which was similar to those of known tubulin-interactive compounds. Cytotoxicity-guided fractionation led to the isolation of two new chalcones, calythropsin [1] and dihydrocalythropsin [2], which were responsible for the activity. Calythropsin was demonstrated to have a weak effect on mitosis, and presumably also on tubulin polymerization.

Animals↗

PubMed1993

Spinal cord serotonin receptors in cardiovascular regulation and potentiation of the pressor response to intrathecal substance P after serotonin depletion.

The aim of this study was to characterize, in conscious rats, the spinal cord 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) receptors involved in mean arterial pressure (MAP) and heart rate (HR) regulation as well as to examine the influence of bulbospinal 5-HT fibers on cardiovascular responses to intrathecal (i.t.) substance P (SP). The i.t. injection of 5-HT or 5-carboxamidotryptamine (5-CT) (5-HT1A,1B,1D agonist) reduced MAP and increased HR in a dose-dependent manner. In contrast, the agonists 8-hydroxy-2-(di-n-propylamino)tetralin (8-OH-DPAT, 5-HT1A agonist) and alpha-CH3-5-HT (5-HT1C and 5-HT2) only caused a decrease in HR, while the agonist 2-CH3-5-HT (5-HT3) was devoid of cardiovascular effects. The vasodepressor response to 5-CT was antagonized by methiothepin but not affected by mesulergine, ketanserin, propranolol, or yohimbine. However, all five antagonists reduced the HR increase to 5-CT. Ketanserin, propranolol, mesulergine, yohimbine, and methylsergide were without effect on resting MAP, while methiothepin reduced MAP. Methiothepin, ketanserin, and methylsergide increased resting HR, yet the other antagonists had no effect on this parameter. Rats treated with p-chlorophenylalanine or 5,7-dihydroxytryptamine, but not with 6-hydroxydopamine, exhibited higher resting HR than that of control rats. Although the resting MAP was unaffected, the pressor response to i.t. SP was significantly enhanced by either 5-HT toxin. The results suggest that the receptor mediating the depressor response to 5-HT and 5-CT conforms with the broad pharmacological profile of a 5-HT1-like receptor and is unlikely to be of the 5-HT2 or 5-HT3 subtype. Since the HR response evoked by 5-CT was blocked by antagonists that exhibit affinities for various 5-HT receptor subtypes, it is suggested that a nonspecific blockade or, alternatively, that more than one receptor contributes to this cardiac effect. In addition, the results raise the possibility that a spinal 5-HT input, likely mediated by 5-HT2 receptors, tonically inhibits HR. Hence, an antagonistic interaction between 5-HT and SP is proposed to play a role in the control of arterial blood pressure in the spinal cord.

Animals↗

PubMed1993

Spongistatin 1, a highly cytotoxic, sponge-derived, marine natural product that inhibits mitosis, microtubule assembly, and the binding of vinblastine to tubulin.

A highly cytotoxic macrocyclic lactone polyether has been isolated from a Spongia species and named spongistatin 1. With L1210 murine leukemia cells an IC50 value for cell proliferation of 20 pM was obtained, and an increase in the mitotic index concordant with the decrease in cell number was observed. Kangaroo rat kidney PtK1 cells were examined by indirect immunofluorescence with a spongistatin 1 concentration that caused 50% reduction in cellular protein (0.3 nM) and with a 10-fold higher concentration. These cells displayed mitotic and nuclear aberrations at both concentrations, and intracellular microtubules were reduced in number at the lower concentration and disappeared at the higher. Similar changes in PtK1 cells were observed after treatment with equivalent toxic concentrations of the antimitotic agents colchicine, vinblastine, halichondrin B, and dolastatin 10. Spongistatin 1 inhibited the glutamate-induced polymerization of purified tubulin (IC50 value of 3.6 microM versus 2.1 microM for dolastatin 10 and vinblastine and 5.2 microM for halichondrin B). Spongistatin 1 had no effect on the binding of colchicine to tubulin, but it was a potent inhibitor of the binding of vinblastine and GTP to tubulin. In initial experiments with 5 microM tubulin and 5 microM vinblastine, spongistatin 1 and dolastatin 10 both had IC50 values of 2 microM, whereas halichondrin B had an IC50 value of 5 microM. Spongistatin 1 thus represents a new member of the group of complex natural products that inhibit mitosis by binding in the Vinca alkaloid domain of tubulin.

Animals↗

PubMed1993

Expression of mRNA for the serotonin 5-hydroxytryptamine1D beta receptor subtype in human and bovine cerebral arteries.

Serotonin [5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT)] has been implicated in the pathophysiology of migraine, and the clinical efficacy of the 5-HT1B/5-HT1D receptor agonist sumatriptan points to neural and/or vascular 5-HT1D receptors as relevant targets in migraine therapy. We characterized the human and/or bovine 5-HT1D receptor subtype in cerebral blood vessels pharmacologically by correlation analysis and molecularly by Northern blot hybridization of cerebrovascular RNA extracts. Pharmacological analysis showed that sumatriptan was less potent than 5-HT in inducing contraction in freshly isolated human cerebral arteries and revealed an overall pharmacological profile positively and significantly correlated with that published for the 5-HT1D alpha (r = 0.746, p = 0.021) and 5-HT1D beta (r = 0.942, p = 0.0001) cloned human receptor subtypes. These results are suggestive of a contractile 5-HT1D beta receptor subtype but are not conclusive. However, Northern blots revealed the presence of mRNA transcripts for the 5-HT1D beta subtype, but not the 5-HT1D alpha subtype, in bovine (approximately 2.2 kilobases) and human (approximately 4.5 kilobases) cerebral blood vessels. Expression of either subtype could not be detected in intraparenchymal microvessels or capillaries isolated from bovine or human cerebral cortex. These results clearly indicate that the beneficial effect of sumatriptan in migraine attack, if vascularly related, is mediated by contractile 5-HT1D beta receptors most likely located on cerebral blood vessels at the surface of the brain. This study points to the 5-HT1D beta receptor subtype as the putative cerebrovascular target for migraine therapeutic agents.

Animals↗

PubMed1992

Cerebrovascular nerve fibers immunoreactive for tryptophan-5-hydroxylase in the rat: distribution, putative origin and comparison with sympathetic noradrenergic nerves.

The distribution of serotonergic nerves in major basal and isolated small pial arteries (diameter > or = 50 microns) was investigated immunohistochemically using an antibody directed against tryptophan-5-hydroxylase (TPOH), the rate-limiting enzyme in the synthesis of 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT or serotonin), and compared to that of the noradrenergic system labeled for the selective noradrenaline (NA) synthesizing enzyme, dopamine-beta-hydroxylase (DBH). In addition, the possible peripheral and/or central origins of the cerebrovascular serotonergic (TPOH-positive) nerve fibers were examined. Strongly labeled TPOH-immunoreactive (TPOH-I) fiber bundles were observed in major basal arteries and gave rise to small varicose fibers organized in a meshwork pattern. The highest density of TPOH-I fibers was found in the middle cerebral artery followed by the anterior cerebral and the anterior communicating arteries, with a moderate to low density in the internal carotid and the vertebro-basilar trunk. Of the isolated pial arteries, only the larger ones (diameter > 75 microns) were significantly endowed with TPOH-I varicose fibers. However, free floating TPOH-I nerves were observed coursing through the pia-arachnoid membranes and reaching small pial vessels. In contrast, DBH-I nerve fibers were fine and were visualized primarily as numerous varicosities distributed in a circumferential manner around the vessel wall. A very high density of DBH-I varicosities was seen in the rostral part of the circle of Willis, with the internal carotid being the most richly supplied followed by the anterior cerebral and the anterior communicating arteries; comparatively, the middle cerebral artery was moderately innervated. The differences in distribution pattern and density between TPOH-I and DBH-I cerebrovascular fibers clearly suggest that these two innervation systems are not exactly superimposable. Superior cervical ganglionectomy caused an almost complete disappearance of TPOH-I nerves in all vascular segments, with some residual fibers in selected vessels. Lesion of the central serotonergic component with the neurotoxin 5,7-dihydroxytryptamine had virtually no effect on the TPOH-I fibers in the major basal and isolated pial arteries. These results strongly suggest that the serotonergic innervation of major cerebral as well as pial arteries has a prominent peripheral origin closely related to the sympathetic system. Processing of superior cervical ganglion slices for TPOH immunocytochemistry, however, failed to unequivocally detect TPOH-I neurons.

5,7-Dihydroxytryptamine↗

PubMed1992

Chloroacetates of 2- and 3-demethylthiocolchicine: specific covalent interactions with tubulin with preferential labeling of the beta-subunit.

We synthesized two chemically reactive A ring modified analogs of colchicine, 2-chloroacetyl-2-demethylthiocolchicine (2-CTC) and 3-chloroacetyl-3-demethylthiocolchicine (3-CTC). Both are similar to colchicine as inhibitors of tubulin polymerization and act as competitive inhibitors of colchicine binding (apparent Ki values, 3 microM). [14C]-labeled 2-CTC and 3-CTC bound to tubulin at 37 degrees C but not at 0 degree C, and bound drug formed covalent bond(s) with tubulin. The binding and covalent reactions were inhibited by podophyllotoxin. About 60% of the bound 3-CTC rapidly formed a covalent bond with tubulin. With 2-CTC the covalent reaction was slower than the binding reaction, and only one-third of the bound 2-CTC reacted covalently with tubulin. The ratio of radiolabel in beta-tubulin to that in alpha-tubulin was about 4:1 with both 2-CTC and 3-CTC.

Binding, Competitive↗

PubMed1992

Identification of novel antimitotic agents acting at the tubulin level by computer-assisted evaluation of differential cytotoxicity data.

Data generated in the new National Cancer Institute drug evaluation program, which are based on inhibition of cell growth in 60 human tumor cell lines, were probed with nine known antimitotic agents using the COMPARE algorithm. Cytotoxicity data were available on approximately 7000 compounds at the time of the analysis, and, based on the criteria used, 82 compounds were selected as positive by the computer search. Nine were the probe compounds themselves, and 41 were analogues of known antimitotic agents. Among the remaining 32 compounds there were 19 distinct chemical species. Agents in ten of these groups (containing 20 compounds) were effective inhibitors of in vitro tubulin polymerization and caused the mitotic arrest of cells grown in culture. Two compounds were related natural products binding in the Vinca domain of tubulin, and the others were synthetic agents which interfered with colchicine binding. The remaining 12 agents (one natural product, the remainder synthetic) fell into several groups: two compounds were weak inhibitors of tubulin polymerization, inhibited colchicine binding, and caused mitotic arrest; one compound weakly inhibited tubulin polymerization but did not cause an increase in the number of cells arrested in mitosis; two compounds caused mitotic arrest at micromolar concentrations, but thus far no in vitro interaction with tubulin has been observed; the remainder neither inhibited tubulin polymerization nor caused a rise in the number of cultured cells arrested in mitosis. Tubulin-dependent GTP hydrolysis was stimulated or inhibited by all agents which inhibited tubulin polymerization with the exception of one compound. The analysis of differential cytotoxicity data thus appears to have great promise for the identification of new antimitotic agents with antineoplastic potential.

Algorithms↗

PubMed1992

Increased densities of binding sites for the 'peripheral-type' benzodiazepine receptor ligand [3H]PK 11195 in rat brain following portacaval anastomosis.

Using quantitative receptor radioautography, binding sites for the 'peripheral-type' benzodiazepine receptor ligand [3H]PK 11195 were studied in rats 4 week after end-to-side portacaval anastomosis and in sham-operated controls. Portacaval anastomosis resulted in region-selective increases in density of [3H]PK 11195 binding sites in cerebellum, pons greater than thalamus, cerebral cortex greater than hippocampus greater than striatum. Possible mechanisms implicated in these changes include (i) the action of endogenous ligands for the mitochondrial benzodiazepine receptor such as octadecaneuropeptide and (ii) neurotoxic actions of ammonia. In view of the proposed role of these receptors as modulators of intermediary metabolism and neurosteroid biosynthesis, such changes could contribute to the neurochemical mechanisms responsible for portal-systemic encephalopathy.

Animals↗

PubMed1992

Dolastatin 15, a potent antimitotic depsipeptide derived from Dolabella auricularia. Interaction with tubulin and effects of cellular microtubules.

Dolastatin 15, a seven-subunit depsipeptide derived from Dolabella auricularia, is a potent antimitotic agent structurally related to the antitubulin agent dolastatin 10, a five-subunit peptide obtained from the same organism. We have compared dolastatin 15 with dolastatin 10 for its effects on cells grown in culture and on biochemical properties of tubulin. The IC50 values for cell growth were obtained for dolastatin 15 with L1210 murine leukemia cells, human Burkitt lymphoma cells, and Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells (3, 3, and 5 nM with the three cell lines, respectively). For dolastatin 10, IC50 values of 0.4 and 0.5 nM were obtained with the L1210 and CHO cells, respectively. At toxic concentrations dolastatin 15 caused the leukemia and lymphoma cells to arrest in mitosis. In the CHO cells both dolastatin 15 and dolastatin 10 caused moderate loss of microtubules at the IC50 values and complete disappearance of microtubules at concentrations 10-fold higher. Despite its potency and the loss of microtubules in treated cells, the interaction of dolastatin 15 with tubulin in vitro was weak. Its IC50 value for inhibition of glutamate-induced polymerization of tubulin was 23 microM, as compared to values of 1.2 microM for dolastatin 10 and 1.5 microM for vinblastine. Dolastatin 10 noncompetitively inhibits the binding of vincristine to tubulin, inhibits nucleotide exchange, stabilizes the colchicine binding activity of tubulin, and inhibits tubulin-dependent GTP hydrolysis (Bai et al., Biochem Pharmacol 39: 1941-1949, 1990; Bai et al. J Biol Chem 265: 17141-17149, 1990). Only the latter reaction was inhibited by dolastatin 15. Nevertheless, its structural similarity to dolastatin 10 indicates that dolastatin 15 may bind weakly in the "vinca domain" of tubulin (a region of the protein we postulate to be physically close to but not identical with the specific binding site of vinca alkaloids and maytansinoids), presumably in the same site as dolastatin 10 (the "peptide site").

Amino Acid Sequence↗

PubMed1992

Synthesis and evaluation of analogues of (Z)-1-(4-methoxyphenyl)-2-(3,4,5-trimethoxyphenyl)ethene as potential cytotoxic and antimitotic agents.

A series of stilbenes has been prepared and tested for cytotoxicity in the five human cancer cell lines A-549 non-small cell lung, MCF-7 breast, HT-29 colon, SKMEL-5 melanoma, and MLM melanoma. The cis stilbenes 6a-f proved to be cytotoxic in all five cell lines, with potencies comparable to that of combretastatin A-4. These cytotoxic compounds were all potent inhibitors of tubulin polymerization. The corresponding trans stilbenes 7b-f were inactive as tubulin polymerization inhibitors and were significantly less cytotoxic in the five cancer cell lines. In the dihydro series, 8b, 8c, and 8f were inactive as tubulin polymerization inhibitors, while 8a, 8d, and 8e were less active than the corresponding cis compounds 6a, 6d, and 6e. The lack of tubulin polymerization inhibitory activity and cytotoxicity displayed by the phenanthrene 23b, which was synthesized as a conformationally rigid analogue of the lead compound 1, indicates that the activity of the stilbenes is not due to a totally planar conformation. Similarly, inactivity of the conformationally restricted analogue 26 suggests that the biologically active conformation of 1a resembles that of the cis alkene 1. Additional inactive compounds prepared include the benzylisoquinoline series 28-32 as well as the protoberberines 38 and 39. Shortening the two-carbon bridge of 1a to a one-carbon bridge in the diphenylmethane 20 resulted in a decrease in cytotoxicity and tubulin polymerization inhibitory activity. Although the corresponding benzophenone 18 was as active as 1a as a tubulin polymerization inhibitor, it was less cytotoxic than 1a, and the benzhydrol 19 was essentially inactive. With the exception of the amide 15c, which displayed low antitubulin activity, all of the phenylcinnamic acid derivatives 14a-c and 15a-f were inactive in the tubulin polymerization inhibition assay. The acid 14b and the ester 15a were cytotoxic in several of the cancer cell cultures in spite of their inactivity as tubulin polymerization inhibitors.

Antineoplastic Agents↗

PubMed1992

Synthesis of alkoxy-substituted diaryl compounds and correlation of ring separation with inhibition of tubulin polymerization: differential enhancement of inhibitory effects under suboptimal polymerization reaction conditions.

A number of cytostatic compounds (2-4, 7, and 8), which can be described as "diaryl", inhibit tubulin polymerization, cause cells to accumulate in mitotic arrest, and competitively inhibit the binding of colchicine to tubulin. They differ, however, in the separation of the two aryl moieties. To attempt to understand this variability we prepared a series of analogues modeled on 3 and 4 ("benzodioxole series") and on 7 and 8 ("combretastatin series") which differed only in the number of methylene units (ranging from none to four) separating the aryl moieties. These compounds were evaluated for their effects on tubulin polymerization, colchicine binding, and the growth of L1210 murine leukemia cells. In terms of inhibitory effects on tubulin polymerization, for the combretastatin series there was an optimal separation of the two phenyl rings by a two-carbon bridge (compound 24), with progressively decreasing inhibitory activity when the separation was by one carbon (20), three carbons (25), or four carbons (28) (the biphenyl analogue 16 was inactive). The benzodioxole series, however, did not permit us to generalize this finding, because the least active agents prepared (39 and 40) had a two-carbon bridge, while those with one- (5 and 6) and three-carbon (46 and 47) bridges were nearly equivalent in potency. Submicromolar IC50 values for inhibition of L1210 cell growth were only obtained for compounds 20 (IC50, 0.2 microM), 24 (0.07 microM), and 25 (0.4 microM). While evaluating the effects of these agents on tubulin polymerization, we noted with the combretastatin series and with several standard agents that apparent potency (in terms of IC50 values) was always lower if the reaction was performed at 30 degrees C, with 0.25 mM MgCl2, than at 37 degrees C, with 1.0 mM MgCl2. This enhancement of IC50 values in the former system as compared with the latter was particularly dramatic for the less active agents (e.g., 28) as compared with the more active (e.g. 24).

Animals↗

PubMed1992

Modulation of tubulin-nucleotide interactions by metal ions: comparison of beryllium with magnesium and initial studies with other cations.

With microtubule-associated proteins (MAPs) BeSO4 and MgSO4 stimulated tubulin polymerization as compared to a reaction mixture without exogenously added metal ion, while beryllium fluoride had no effect (E. Hamel et al., 1991, Arch. Biochem. Biophys. 286, 57-69). Effects of both cations were most dramatic at GTP concentrations in the same molar range as the tubulin concentration. We have now compared effects of beryllium and magnesium on tubulin-nucleotide interactions in both unpolymerized tubulin and in polymer. Polymer formed with magnesium had properties similar to those of polymer formed without exogenous cation, except for a 20% lower stoichiometry of exogenous GTP incorporated into the latter. In both polymers the incorporated GTP was hydrolyzed to GDP. Stoichiometry of GTP incorporation into polymers formed with beryllium or magnesium was identical, but much of the GTP in the beryllium polymer was not hydrolyzed. The beryllium polymer was more stable than the magnesium polymer. Beryllium also differed from magnesium in only weakly enhancing the binding of GTP in the exchangeable site of unpolymerized tubulin, while neither cation affected GDP exchange at the site. If both cations were present in a reaction mixture, polymer stability was little changed from that of the beryllium polymer, but most of the GTP incorporated into polymer was hydrolyzed. Six additional metal salts (AlCl3, CdCl2, CoCl2, MnCl2, SnCl2, and ZnCl2) also stimulated MAP-dependent tubulin polymerization, but enhanced polymer stability did not correlate with polymer GTP content. We postulate that enhanced polymer stability is a consequence of cation binding directly to tubulin and/or polymer while deficient GTP hydrolysis in the presence of beryllium, as well as aluminum and tin, is a consequence of tight binding of cation to GTP in the exchangeable site.

Beryllium↗