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Borrego EA, Guerena CD, Schiaffino Bustamante AY, Gutierrez DA, Valenzuela CA, Betancourt AP, Varela-Ramirez A, Aguilera RJ. A Novel Pyrazole Exhibits Potent Anticancer Cytotoxicity via Apoptosis, Cell Cycle Arrest, and the Inhibition of Tubulin Polymerization in Triple-Negative Breast Cancer Cells. Cells 2024; 13:1225. [PMID: 39056806 PMCID: PMC11274517 DOI: 10.3390/cells13141225] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/04/2024] [Revised: 07/13/2024] [Accepted: 07/17/2024] [Indexed: 07/28/2024] Open
Abstract
In this study, we screened a chemical library to find potent anticancer compounds that are less cytotoxic to non-cancerous cells. This study revealed that pyrazole PTA-1 is a potent anticancer compound. Additionally, we sought to elucidate its mechanism of action (MOA) in triple-negative breast cancer cells. Cytotoxicity was analyzed with the differential nuclear staining assay (DNS). Additional secondary assays were performed to determine the MOA of the compound. The potential MOA of PTA-1 was assessed using whole RNA sequencing, Connectivity Map (CMap) analysis, in silico docking, confocal microscopy, and biochemical assays. PTA-1 is cytotoxic at a low micromolar range in 17 human cancer cell lines, demonstrating less cytotoxicity to non-cancerous human cells, indicating a favorable selective cytotoxicity index (SCI) for the killing of cancer cells. PTA-1 induced phosphatidylserine externalization, caspase-3/7 activation, and DNA fragmentation in triple-negative breast MDA-MB-231 cells, indicating that it induces apoptosis. Additionally, PTA-1 arrests cells in the S and G2/M phases. Furthermore, gene expression analysis revealed that PTA-1 altered the expression of 730 genes at 24 h (198 upregulated and 532 downregulated). A comparison of these gene signatures with those within CMap indicated a profile similar to that of tubulin inhibitors. Subsequent studies revealed that PTA-1 disrupts microtubule organization and inhibits tubulin polymerization. Our results suggest that PTA-1 is a potent drug with cytotoxicity to various cancer cells, induces apoptosis and cell cycle arrest, and inhibits tubulin polymerization, indicating that PTA-1 is an attractive drug for future clinical cancer treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Edgar A. Borrego
- The Border Biomedical Research Center, The University of Texas El Paso, El Paso, TX 79968, USA; (C.D.G.); (A.Y.S.B.); (D.A.G.); (C.A.V.); (A.P.B.); (A.V.-R.)
- Department of Biological Sciences, The University of Texas El Paso, El Paso, TX 79968, USA
| | - Cristina D. Guerena
- The Border Biomedical Research Center, The University of Texas El Paso, El Paso, TX 79968, USA; (C.D.G.); (A.Y.S.B.); (D.A.G.); (C.A.V.); (A.P.B.); (A.V.-R.)
- Department of Biological Sciences, The University of Texas El Paso, El Paso, TX 79968, USA
| | - Austre Y. Schiaffino Bustamante
- The Border Biomedical Research Center, The University of Texas El Paso, El Paso, TX 79968, USA; (C.D.G.); (A.Y.S.B.); (D.A.G.); (C.A.V.); (A.P.B.); (A.V.-R.)
- Department of Biological Sciences, The University of Texas El Paso, El Paso, TX 79968, USA
| | - Denisse A. Gutierrez
- The Border Biomedical Research Center, The University of Texas El Paso, El Paso, TX 79968, USA; (C.D.G.); (A.Y.S.B.); (D.A.G.); (C.A.V.); (A.P.B.); (A.V.-R.)
- Department of Biological Sciences, The University of Texas El Paso, El Paso, TX 79968, USA
| | - Carlos A. Valenzuela
- The Border Biomedical Research Center, The University of Texas El Paso, El Paso, TX 79968, USA; (C.D.G.); (A.Y.S.B.); (D.A.G.); (C.A.V.); (A.P.B.); (A.V.-R.)
- Department of Biological Sciences, The University of Texas El Paso, El Paso, TX 79968, USA
| | - Ana P. Betancourt
- The Border Biomedical Research Center, The University of Texas El Paso, El Paso, TX 79968, USA; (C.D.G.); (A.Y.S.B.); (D.A.G.); (C.A.V.); (A.P.B.); (A.V.-R.)
- Department of Biological Sciences, The University of Texas El Paso, El Paso, TX 79968, USA
| | - Armando Varela-Ramirez
- The Border Biomedical Research Center, The University of Texas El Paso, El Paso, TX 79968, USA; (C.D.G.); (A.Y.S.B.); (D.A.G.); (C.A.V.); (A.P.B.); (A.V.-R.)
- Department of Biological Sciences, The University of Texas El Paso, El Paso, TX 79968, USA
| | - Renato J. Aguilera
- The Border Biomedical Research Center, The University of Texas El Paso, El Paso, TX 79968, USA; (C.D.G.); (A.Y.S.B.); (D.A.G.); (C.A.V.); (A.P.B.); (A.V.-R.)
- Department of Biological Sciences, The University of Texas El Paso, El Paso, TX 79968, USA
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Xu C, Lu T, Lv X, Cheng T, Cheng H. Role of the bone marrow vascular niche in chemotherapy for MLL-AF9-induced acute myeloid leukemia. BLOOD SCIENCE 2023; 5:92-100. [PMID: 37228781 PMCID: PMC10205361 DOI: 10.1097/bs9.0000000000000158] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/05/2023] [Accepted: 04/08/2023] [Indexed: 05/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Leukemia stem cells in acute myeloid leukemia (AML) can persist within unique bone marrow niches similar to those of healthy hematopoietic stem cells and resist chemotherapy. In the context of AML, endothelial cells (ECs) are crucial components of these niches that appear to promote malignant expansion despite treatment. To better understand these interactions, we developed a real-time cell cycle-tracking mouse model of AML (Fucci-MA9) with an aim of unraveling why quiescent leukemia cells are more resistant to chemotherapy than cycling cells and proliferate during disease relapse. We found that quiescent leukemia cells were more prone to escape chemotherapy than cycling cells, leading to relapse and proliferation. Importantly, post-chemotherapy resting leukemia cells tended to localize closer to blood vessels. Mechanistically, after chemotherapy, resting leukemia cells interacted with ECs, promoting their adhesion and anti-apoptotic capacity. Further, expression analysis of ECs and leukemia cells during AML, after chemotherapy, and after relapse revealed the potential of suppressing the post-chemotherapy inflammatory response to regulate the functions of leukemia cells and ECs. These findings highlight the role of leukemia cells in evading chemotherapy by seeking refuge near blood vessels and provide important insights and directions for future AML research and treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chang Xu
- State Key Laboratory of Experimental Hematology, National Clinical Research Center for Blood Diseases, Haihe Laboratory of Cell Ecosystem, Institute of Hematology & Blood Diseases Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Tianjin 300020, China
- Tianjin Institutes of Health Science, Tianjin 300020, China
| | - Ting Lu
- State Key Laboratory of Experimental Hematology, National Clinical Research Center for Blood Diseases, Haihe Laboratory of Cell Ecosystem, Institute of Hematology & Blood Diseases Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Tianjin 300020, China
- Tianjin Institutes of Health Science, Tianjin 300020, China
| | - Xue Lv
- State Key Laboratory of Experimental Hematology, National Clinical Research Center for Blood Diseases, Haihe Laboratory of Cell Ecosystem, Institute of Hematology & Blood Diseases Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Tianjin 300020, China
- Tianjin Institutes of Health Science, Tianjin 300020, China
| | - Tao Cheng
- State Key Laboratory of Experimental Hematology, National Clinical Research Center for Blood Diseases, Haihe Laboratory of Cell Ecosystem, Institute of Hematology & Blood Diseases Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Tianjin 300020, China
- Tianjin Institutes of Health Science, Tianjin 300020, China
| | - Hui Cheng
- State Key Laboratory of Experimental Hematology, National Clinical Research Center for Blood Diseases, Haihe Laboratory of Cell Ecosystem, Institute of Hematology & Blood Diseases Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Tianjin 300020, China
- Tianjin Institutes of Health Science, Tianjin 300020, China
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Chhikara A, Roayapalley PK, Sakagami H, Amano S, Satoh K, Uesawa Y, Das U, Das S, Borrego EA, Guerena CD, Hernandez CR, Aguilera RJ, Dimmock JR. Novel Unsymmetric 3,5-Bis(benzylidene)-4-piperidones That Display Tumor-Selective Toxicity. MOLECULES (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2022; 27:molecules27196718. [PMID: 36235258 PMCID: PMC9572513 DOI: 10.3390/molecules27196718] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/23/2022] [Revised: 09/30/2022] [Accepted: 10/03/2022] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
Two series of novel unsymmetrical 3,5-bis(benzylidene)-4 piperidones 2a-f and 3a-e were designed as candidate antineoplastic agents. These compounds display potent cytotoxicity towards two colon cancers, as well as several oral squamous cell carcinomas. These compounds are less toxic to various non-malignant cells giving rise to large selectivity index (SI) figures. Many of the compounds are also cytotoxic towards CEM lymphoma and HL-60 leukemia cells. Representative compounds induced apoptotic cell death characterized by caspase-3 activation and subG1 accumulation in some OSCC cells, as well as the depolarization of the mitochondrial membrane potential in CEM cells. A further line of inquiry was directed to finding if the SI values are correlated with the atomic charges on the olefinic carbon atoms. The potential of these compounds as antineoplastic agents was enhanced by an ADME (absorption, distribution, metabolism, and excretion) evaluation of five lead molecules, which revealed no violations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aruna Chhikara
- Department of Chemistry, Dyal Singh College, University of Delhi, New Delhi 110003, India
| | - Praveen K. Roayapalley
- Drug Discovery and Development Research Cluster, College of Pharmacy and Nutrition, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, SK S7N 5E5, Canada
| | | | - Shigeru Amano
- School of Dentistry, Meikai University, Sakado 350-0283, Japan
| | - Keitaro Satoh
- School of Dentistry, Meikai University, Sakado 350-0283, Japan
| | - Yoshihiro Uesawa
- Department of Medical Molecular Informatics, Meiji Pharmaceutical University, Tokyo 204-8588, Japan
| | - Umashankar Das
- Drug Discovery and Development Research Cluster, College of Pharmacy and Nutrition, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, SK S7N 5E5, Canada
| | - Swagatika Das
- Drug Discovery and Development Research Cluster, College of Pharmacy and Nutrition, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, SK S7N 5E5, Canada
| | - Edgar A. Borrego
- Department of Biological Sciences and Border Biomedical Research Center, The University of Texas at El Paso, El Paso, TX 79968-0519, USA
| | - Cristina D. Guerena
- Department of Biological Sciences and Border Biomedical Research Center, The University of Texas at El Paso, El Paso, TX 79968-0519, USA
| | - Clare R. Hernandez
- Department of Biological Sciences and Border Biomedical Research Center, The University of Texas at El Paso, El Paso, TX 79968-0519, USA
| | - Renato J. Aguilera
- Department of Biological Sciences and Border Biomedical Research Center, The University of Texas at El Paso, El Paso, TX 79968-0519, USA
| | - Jonathan R. Dimmock
- Drug Discovery and Development Research Cluster, College of Pharmacy and Nutrition, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, SK S7N 5E5, Canada
- Correspondence:
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Swain RM, Contreras L, Varela-Ramirez A, Hossain M, Das U, Valenzuela CA, Penichet ML, Dimmock JR, Aguilera RJ. Two novel piperidones induce apoptosis and antiproliferative effects on human prostate and lymphoma cancer cell lines. Invest New Drugs 2022; 40:905-921. [PMID: 35793039 PMCID: PMC9896656 DOI: 10.1007/s10637-022-01266-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2022] [Accepted: 06/01/2022] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
Cancer remains the second most common cause of death in the US. Due to a recurrent problem with anticancer drug resistance, there is a current need for anticancer drugs with distinct modes of action for combination drug therapy We have tested two novel piperidone compounds, named 2608 (1-dichloroacetyl - 3,5-bis(3,4-difluorobenzylidene)-4-piperidone) and 2610 (1-dichloroacetyl-3,5-bis(3,4-dichlorobenzylidene)-4-piperidone), for their potential cytotoxicity on numerous human cancer cell lines. We found that both compounds were cytotoxic for breast, pancreatic, leukemia, lymphoma, colon, and fibroblast cell lines, with a cytotoxic concentration 50% (CC50) in the low micromolar to nanomolar concentration range. Further assays focused primarily on an acute lymphoblastic lymphoma and colon cancer cell lines since they were the most sensitive and resistant to the experimental piperidones. The cell death mechanism was evaluated through assays commonly used to detect the induction of apoptosis. These assays revealed that both 2608 and 2610 induced reactive oxygen species (ROS) accumulation, mitochondrial depolarization, and activated caspase-3/7. Our findings suggest that the piperidones induced cell death via the intrinsic apoptotic pathway. Additional assays revealed that both piperidones cause cell cycle alteration in lymphoma and colon cell lines. Both piperidones elicited DNA fragmentation, as evidenced by an increment in the sub-G0/G1 subpopulation in both cell lines. Similar to other related compounds, both piperidones were found to act as proteasome inhibitors by increasing the levels of poly-ubiquitinated proteins in both lymphoma and colon cell lines. Hence, the two piperidones exhibited attractive cytotoxic properties and suitable mechanisms of action, which makes them good candidates as anticancer drugs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Risa Mia Swain
- The Border Biomedical Research Center, Department of Biological Sciences, The University of Texas at El Paso, El Paso, Texas, USA
| | - Lisett Contreras
- The Border Biomedical Research Center, Department of Biological Sciences, The University of Texas at El Paso, El Paso, Texas, USA
| | - Armando Varela-Ramirez
- The Border Biomedical Research Center, Department of Biological Sciences, The University of Texas at El Paso, El Paso, Texas, USA
| | | | - Umashankar Das
- Drug Discovery and Development Research Cluster, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, Canada
| | - Carlos A Valenzuela
- The Border Biomedical Research Center, Department of Biological Sciences, The University of Texas at El Paso, El Paso, Texas, USA
| | - Manuel L Penichet
- Division of Surgical Oncology, Department of Surgery, Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Molecular Genetics, The Molecular Biology Institute, Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center, AIDS Institute, The University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), California, USA
| | - Jonathan R Dimmock
- Drug Discovery and Development Research Cluster, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, Canada
| | - Renato J Aguilera
- The Border Biomedical Research Center, Department of Biological Sciences, The University of Texas at El Paso, El Paso, Texas, USA.
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