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Katinas JM, Nayeen MJ, Schneider M, Shah K, Fifer AN, Klapper LM, Sharma A, Thalluri K, Van Nieuwenhze MS, Hou Z, Gangjee A, Matherly LH, Dann CE. Structural Characterization of 5-Substituted Pyrrolo[3,2- d]pyrimidine Antifolate Inhibitors in Complex with Human Serine Hydroxymethyl Transferase 2. Biochemistry 2024. [PMID: 38324671 DOI: 10.1021/acs.biochem.3c00613] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/09/2024]
Abstract
We previously discovered first-in-class multitargeted 5-substituted pyrrolo[3,2-d]pyrimidine antifolates that inhibit serine hydroxymethyltransferase 2 (SHMT2), resulting in potent in vitro and in vivo antitumor efficacies. In this report, we present crystallographic structures for SHMT2 in complex with an expanded series of pyrrolo[3,2-d]pyrimidine compounds with variations in bridge length (3-5 carbons) and the side chain aromatic ring (phenyl, thiophene, fluorine-substituted phenyl, and thiophene). We evaluated structural features of the inhibitor-SHMT2 complexes and correlations to inhibitor potencies (i.e., Kis), highlighting conserved polar contacts and identifying 5-carbon bridge lengths as key determinants of inhibitor potency. Based on the analysis of SHMT2 structural data, we investigated the impact of mutation of Tyr105 in SHMT2 kinetic analysis and studies with HCT116 cells with inducible expression of wild-type and Y105F SHMT2. Increased enzyme inhibition potency by the pyrrolo[3,2-d]pyrimidine inhibitors with Phe105 SHMT2 accompanied an increased growth inhibition of Phe105-expressing HCT116 cells compared to wild-type SHMT2. Pyrrolo[3,2-d]pyrimidine inhibitors with polyglutamate modifications were evaluated for potencies against SHMT2. We determined the crystal structures of SHMT2 in complex with our lead antifolate AGF347 lacking L-glutamate, or as a diglutamate and triglutamate, for comparison with parent AGF347. These data provide the first insights into the influence of antifolate polyglutamylation on SHMT2:inhibitor interactions. Collectively, our results provide new insights into the critical structural determinants of SHMT2 binding by pyrrolo[3,2-d]pyrimidine inhibitors as novel antitumor agents, as well as the first structural characterization of human SHMT2 in complex with polyglutamates of an SHMT2-targeted antifolate.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jade M Katinas
- Department of Chemistry, Indiana University, Bloomington, Indiana 47405, United States
| | - Md Junayed Nayeen
- School of Pharmacy & Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Duquesne University, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15282, United States
| | - Mathew Schneider
- Barbara Ann Karmanos Cancer Institute, Department of Oncology, Wayne State University, 4100 John R, Detroit, Michigan 48201, United States
| | - Khushbu Shah
- School of Pharmacy & Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Duquesne University, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15282, United States
| | - Alexandra N Fifer
- Department of Chemistry, Indiana University, Bloomington, Indiana 47405, United States
| | - Lily M Klapper
- Department of Chemistry, Indiana University, Bloomington, Indiana 47405, United States
| | - Abhishekh Sharma
- School of Pharmacy & Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Duquesne University, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15282, United States
| | - Kishore Thalluri
- Department of Chemistry, Indiana University, Bloomington, Indiana 47405, United States
| | | | - Zhanjun Hou
- Barbara Ann Karmanos Cancer Institute, Department of Oncology, Wayne State University, 4100 John R, Detroit, Michigan 48201, United States
| | - Aleem Gangjee
- School of Pharmacy & Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Duquesne University, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15282, United States
| | - Larry H Matherly
- Barbara Ann Karmanos Cancer Institute, Department of Oncology, Wayne State University, 4100 John R, Detroit, Michigan 48201, United States
| | - Charles E Dann
- Department of Chemistry, Indiana University, Bloomington, Indiana 47405, United States
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2
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Kaku K, Ravindra MP, Tong N, Choudhary S, Li X, Yu J, Karim M, Brzezinski M, O’Connor C, Hou Z, Matherly LH, Gangjee A. Discovery of Tumor-Targeted 6-Methyl Substituted Pemetrexed and Related Antifolates with Selective Loss of RFC Transport. ACS Med Chem Lett 2023; 14:1682-1691. [PMID: 38116433 PMCID: PMC10726441 DOI: 10.1021/acsmedchemlett.3c00326] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/26/2023] [Revised: 11/09/2023] [Accepted: 11/10/2023] [Indexed: 12/21/2023] Open
Abstract
Pemetrexed and related 5-substituted pyrrolo[2,3-d]pyrimidine antifolates are substrates for the ubiquitously expressed reduced folate carrier (RFC), and the proton-coupled folate transporter (PCFT) and folate receptors (FRs) which are more tumor-selective. A long-standing goal has been to discover tumor-targeted therapeutics that draw from one-carbon metabolic vulnerabilities of cancer cells and are selective for transport by FRs and PCFT over RFC. We discovered that a methyl group at the 6-position of the pyrrole ring in the bicyclic scaffold of 5-substituted 2-amino-4-oxo-pyrrolo[2,3-d]pyrimidine antifolates 1-4 (including pemetrexed) abolished transport by RFC with modest impacts on FRs or PCFT. From molecular modeling, loss of RFC transport involves steric repulsion in the scaffold binding site due to the 6-methyl moiety. 6-Methyl substitution preserved antiproliferative activities toward human tumor cells (KB, IGROV3) with selectivity over IOSE 7576 normal ovary cells and inhibition of de novo purine biosynthesis. Thus, adding a 6-methyl moiety to 5-substituted pyrrolo[2,3-d]pyrimidine antifolates affords tumor transport selectivity while preserving antitumor efficacy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Krishna Kaku
- Division
of Medicinal Chemistry, Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Duquesne University, 600 Forbes Avenue, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15282, United States
| | - Manasa P. Ravindra
- Division
of Medicinal Chemistry, Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Duquesne University, 600 Forbes Avenue, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15282, United States
| | - Nian Tong
- Division
of Medicinal Chemistry, Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Duquesne University, 600 Forbes Avenue, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15282, United States
| | - Shruti Choudhary
- Division
of Medicinal Chemistry, Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Duquesne University, 600 Forbes Avenue, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15282, United States
| | - Xinxin Li
- Division
of Medicinal Chemistry, Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Duquesne University, 600 Forbes Avenue, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15282, United States
| | - Jianming Yu
- Division
of Medicinal Chemistry, Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Duquesne University, 600 Forbes Avenue, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15282, United States
| | - Mohammad Karim
- Division
of Medicinal Chemistry, Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Duquesne University, 600 Forbes Avenue, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15282, United States
| | - Madelyn Brzezinski
- Department
of Oncology, Wayne State University School
of Medicine, Detroit, Michigan 48201, United States
| | - Carrie O’Connor
- Department
of Oncology, Wayne State University School
of Medicine, Detroit, Michigan 48201, United States
| | - Zhanjun Hou
- Molecular
Therapeutics Program, Barbara Ann Karmanos
Cancer Institute, 4100 John R, Detroit, Michigan 48201, United States
- Department
of Oncology, Wayne State University School
of Medicine, Detroit, Michigan 48201, United States
| | - Larry H. Matherly
- Molecular
Therapeutics Program, Barbara Ann Karmanos
Cancer Institute, 4100 John R, Detroit, Michigan 48201, United States
- Department
of Oncology, Wayne State University School
of Medicine, Detroit, Michigan 48201, United States
- Department
of Pharmacology, Wayne State University
School of Medicine, Detroit, Michigan 48201, United States
| | - Aleem Gangjee
- Division
of Medicinal Chemistry, Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Duquesne University, 600 Forbes Avenue, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15282, United States
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Tang C, Ke M, Yu X, Sun S, Luo X, Liu X, Zhou Y, Wang Z, Cui X, Gu C, Yang Y. GART Functions as a Novel Methyltransferase in the RUVBL1/β-Catenin Signaling Pathway to Promote Tumor Stemness in Colorectal Cancer. ADVANCED SCIENCE (WEINHEIM, BADEN-WURTTEMBERG, GERMANY) 2023; 10:e2301264. [PMID: 37439412 PMCID: PMC10477903 DOI: 10.1002/advs.202301264] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/24/2023] [Revised: 06/30/2023] [Indexed: 07/14/2023]
Abstract
Tumor stemness is associated with the recurrence and incurability of colorectal cancer (CRC), which lacks effective therapeutic targets and drugs. Glycinamide ribonucleotide transformylase (GART) fulfills an important role in numerous types of malignancies. The present study aims to identify the underlying mechanism through which GART may promote CRC stemness, as to developing novel therapeutic methods. An elevated level of GART is associated with poor outcomes in CRC patients and promotes the proliferation and migration of CRC cells. CD133+ cells with increased GART expression possess higher tumorigenic and proliferative capabilities both in vitro and in vivo. GART is identified to have a novel methyltransferase function, whose enzymatic activity center is located at the E948 site. GART also enhances the stability of RuvB-like AAA ATPase 1 (RUVBL1) through methylating its K7 site, which consequently aberrantly activates the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway to induce tumor stemness. Pemetrexed (PEM), a compound targeting GART, combined with other chemotherapy drugs greatly suppresses tumor growth both in a PDX model and in CRC patients. The present study demonstrates a novel methyltransferase function of GART and the role of the GART/RUVBL1/β-catenin signaling axis in promoting CRC stemness. PEM may be a promising therapeutic agent for the treatment of CRC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chao Tang
- Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital Clinical College of Traditional Chinese and Western MedicineNanjing University of Chinese MedicineNanjing210008China
- School of Medicine & Holistic Integrative MedicineNanjing University of Chinese MedicineNanjing210046China
| | - Mengying Ke
- School of Medicine & Holistic Integrative MedicineNanjing University of Chinese MedicineNanjing210046China
| | - Xichao Yu
- School of Medicine & Holistic Integrative MedicineNanjing University of Chinese MedicineNanjing210046China
| | - Shanliang Sun
- School of PharmacyNanjing University of Chinese MedicineNanjing210046China
| | - Xian Luo
- School of Medicine & Holistic Integrative MedicineNanjing University of Chinese MedicineNanjing210046China
| | - Xin Liu
- School of Medicine & Holistic Integrative MedicineNanjing University of Chinese MedicineNanjing210046China
| | - Yanyan Zhou
- School of Medicine & Holistic Integrative MedicineNanjing University of Chinese MedicineNanjing210046China
| | - Ze Wang
- School of Medicine & Holistic Integrative MedicineNanjing University of Chinese MedicineNanjing210046China
| | - Xing Cui
- Department of Hematology and OncologyThe Second Affiliated Hospital of Shandong University of Traditional Chinese MedicineJinan250001China
| | - Chunyan Gu
- Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital Clinical College of Traditional Chinese and Western MedicineNanjing University of Chinese MedicineNanjing210008China
- School of Medicine & Holistic Integrative MedicineNanjing University of Chinese MedicineNanjing210046China
| | - Ye Yang
- School of Medicine & Holistic Integrative MedicineNanjing University of Chinese MedicineNanjing210046China
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Nayeen MJ, Katinas JM, Magdum T, Shah K, Wong JE, O’Connor CE, Fifer AN, Wallace-Povirk A, Hou Z, Matherly LH, Dann CE, Gangjee A. Structure-Based Design of Transport-Specific Multitargeted One-Carbon Metabolism Inhibitors in Cytosol and Mitochondria. J Med Chem 2023; 66:11294-11323. [PMID: 37582241 PMCID: PMC10461232 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.3c00763] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/27/2023] [Indexed: 08/17/2023]
Abstract
Multitargeted agents provide tumor selectivity with reduced drug resistance and dose-limiting toxicities. We previously described the multitargeted 6-substituted pyrrolo[3,2-d]pyrimidine antifolate 1 with activity against early- and late-stage pancreatic tumors with limited tumor selectivity. Structure-based design with our human serine hydroxymethyl transferase (SHMT) 2 and glycinamide ribonucleotide formyltransferase (GARFTase) structures, and published X-ray crystal structures of 5-aminoimidazole-4-carboxamide ribonucleotide formyltransferase/inosine monophosphate cyclohydrolase (ATIC), SHMT1, and folate receptor (FR) α and β afforded 11 analogues. Multitargeted inhibition and selective tumor transport were designed by providing promiscuous conformational flexibility in the molecules. Metabolite rescue identified mitochondrial C1 metabolism along with de novo purine biosynthesis as the targeted pathways. We identified analogues with tumor-selective transport via FRs and increased SHMT2, SHMT1, and GARFTase inhibition (28-, 21-, and 11-fold, respectively) compared to 1. These multitargeted agents represent an exciting new structural motif for targeted cancer therapy with substantial advantages of selectivity and potency over clinically used antifolates.
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Affiliation(s)
- Md. Junayed Nayeen
- Division
of Medicinal Chemistry, Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Duquesne University, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15282, United States
| | - Jade M. Katinas
- Department
of Chemistry, Indiana University, Bloomington, Indiana 47408, United States
| | - Tejashree Magdum
- Division
of Medicinal Chemistry, Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Duquesne University, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15282, United States
| | - Khushbu Shah
- Division
of Medicinal Chemistry, Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Duquesne University, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15282, United States
| | - Jennifer E. Wong
- Department
of Chemistry, Indiana University, Bloomington, Indiana 47408, United States
| | - Carrie E. O’Connor
- Department
of Oncology, Wayne State University School
of Medicine, Detroit, Michigan 48201, United States
| | - Alexandra N. Fifer
- Department
of Chemistry, Indiana University, Bloomington, Indiana 47408, United States
| | - Adrianne Wallace-Povirk
- Department
of Oncology, Wayne State University School
of Medicine, Detroit, Michigan 48201, United States
| | - Zhanjun Hou
- Department
of Oncology, Wayne State University School
of Medicine, Detroit, Michigan 48201, United States
- Molecular
Therapeutics Program, Barbara Ann Karmanos
Cancer Institute, 4100 John R, Detroit, Michigan 48201, United States
| | - Larry H. Matherly
- Department
of Oncology, Wayne State University School
of Medicine, Detroit, Michigan 48201, United States
- Molecular
Therapeutics Program, Barbara Ann Karmanos
Cancer Institute, 4100 John R, Detroit, Michigan 48201, United States
| | - Charles E. Dann
- Department
of Chemistry, Indiana University, Bloomington, Indiana 47408, United States
| | - Aleem Gangjee
- Division
of Medicinal Chemistry, Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Duquesne University, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15282, United States
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Tong N, Wong-Roushar J, Wallace-Povirk A, Shah Y, Nyman MC, Katinas JM, Schneider M, O’Connor C, Bao X, Kim S, Li J, Hou Z, Matherly LH, Dann CE, Gangjee A. Multitargeted 6-Substituted Thieno[2,3- d]pyrimidines as Folate Receptor-Selective Anticancer Agents that Inhibit Cytosolic and Mitochondrial One-Carbon Metabolism. ACS Pharmacol Transl Sci 2023; 6:748-770. [PMID: 37200803 PMCID: PMC10186366 DOI: 10.1021/acsptsci.3c00020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2023] [Indexed: 05/20/2023]
Abstract
Multitargeted agents with tumor selectivity result in reduced drug resistance and dose-limiting toxicities. We report 6-substituted thieno[2,3-d]pyrimidine compounds (3-9) with pyridine (3, 4), fluorine-substituted pyridine (5), phenyl (6, 7), and thiophene side chains (8, 9), for comparison with unsubstituted phenyl (1, 2) and thiophene side chain (10, 11) containing thieno[2,3-d]pyrimidine compounds. Compounds 3-9 inhibited proliferation of Chinese hamster ovary cells (CHO) expressing folate receptors (FRs) α or β but not the reduced folate carrier (RFC); modest inhibition of CHO cells expressing the proton-coupled folate transporter (PCFT) by 4, 5, 6, and 9 was observed. Replacement of the side-chain 1',4'-phenyl ring with 2',5'-pyridyl, or 2',5'-pyridyl with a fluorine insertion ortho to l-glutamate resulted in increased potency toward FR-expressing CHO cells. Toward KB tumor cells, 4-9 were highly active (IC50's from 2.11 to 7.19 nM). By metabolite rescue in KB cells and in vitro enzyme assays, de novo purine biosynthesis was identified as a targeted pathway (at 5-aminoimidazole-4-carboxamide ribonucleotide formyltransferase (AICARFTase) and glycinamide ribonucleotide formyltransferase (GARFTase)). Compound 9 was 17- to 882-fold more potent than previously reported compounds 2, 10, and 11 against GARFTase. By targeted metabolomics and metabolite rescue, 1, 2, and 6 also inhibited mitochondrial serine hydroxymethyl transferase 2 (SHMT2); enzyme assays confirmed inhibition of SHMT2. X-ray crystallographic structures were obtained for 4, 5, 9, and 10 with human GARFTase. This series affords an exciting new structural platform for potent multitargeted antitumor agents with FR transport selectivity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nian Tong
- Division
of Medicinal Chemistry, Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Duquesne University, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15282, United States
| | - Jennifer Wong-Roushar
- Department
of Chemistry, Indiana University, Bloomington, Indiana 47405, United States
| | - Adrianne Wallace-Povirk
- Department
of Oncology, Wayne State University School
of Medicine, Detroit, Michigan 48201, United States
| | - Yesha Shah
- Division
of Medicinal Chemistry, Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Duquesne University, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15282, United States
| | - Morgan C. Nyman
- Department
of Chemistry, Indiana University, Bloomington, Indiana 47405, United States
| | - Jade M. Katinas
- Department
of Chemistry, Indiana University, Bloomington, Indiana 47405, United States
| | - Mathew Schneider
- Department
of Oncology, Wayne State University School
of Medicine, Detroit, Michigan 48201, United States
| | - Carrie O’Connor
- Department
of Oncology, Wayne State University School
of Medicine, Detroit, Michigan 48201, United States
| | - Xun Bao
- Barbara
Ann Karmanos Cancer Institute, Detroit, Michigan 48201, United States
| | - Seongho Kim
- Department
of Oncology, Wayne State University School
of Medicine, Detroit, Michigan 48201, United States
- Barbara
Ann Karmanos Cancer Institute, Detroit, Michigan 48201, United States
| | - Jing Li
- Department
of Oncology, Wayne State University School
of Medicine, Detroit, Michigan 48201, United States
- Barbara
Ann Karmanos Cancer Institute, Detroit, Michigan 48201, United States
| | - Zhanjun Hou
- Department
of Oncology, Wayne State University School
of Medicine, Detroit, Michigan 48201, United States
- Barbara
Ann Karmanos Cancer Institute, Detroit, Michigan 48201, United States
| | - Larry H. Matherly
- Department
of Oncology, Wayne State University School
of Medicine, Detroit, Michigan 48201, United States
- Department
of Pharmacology, Wayne State University
School of Medicine, Detroit, Michigan 48201, United States
| | - Charles E. Dann
- Department
of Chemistry, Indiana University, Bloomington, Indiana 47405, United States
| | - Aleem Gangjee
- Division
of Medicinal Chemistry, Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Duquesne University, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15282, United States
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Matherly LH, Schneider M, Gangjee A, Hou Z. Biology and therapeutic applications of the proton-coupled folate transporter. Expert Opin Drug Metab Toxicol 2022; 18:695-706. [PMID: 36239195 PMCID: PMC9637735 DOI: 10.1080/17425255.2022.2136071] [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: 07/26/2022] [Accepted: 10/11/2022] [Indexed: 01/19/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION The proton-coupled folate transporter (PCFT; SLC46A1) was discovered in 2006 as the principal mechanism by which folates are absorbed in the intestine and the causal basis for hereditary folate malabsorption (HFM). In 2011, it was found that PCFT is highly expressed in many tumors. This stimulated interest in using PCFT for cytotoxic drug targeting, taking advantage of the substantial levels of PCFT transport and acidic pH conditions commonly associated with tumors. AREAS COVERED We summarize the literature from 2006 to 2022 that explores the role of PCFT in the intestinal absorption of dietary folates and its role in HFM and as a transporter of folates and antifolates such as pemetrexed (Alimta) in relation to cancer. We provide the rationale for the discovery of a new generation of targeted pyrrolo[2,3-d]pyrimidine antifolates with selective PCFT transport and inhibitory activity toward de novo purine biosynthesis in solid tumors. We summarize the benefits of this approach to cancer therapy and exciting new developments in the structural biology of PCFT and its potential to foster refinement of active structures of PCFT-targeted anti-cancer drugs. EXPERT OPINION We summarize the promising future and potential challenges of implementing PCFT-targeted therapeutics for HFM and a variety of cancers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Larry H. Matherly
- Molecular Therapeutics Program, Barbara Ann Karmanos Cancer Institute, Detroit, Michigan 48201, United States
- Department of Oncology, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, Michigan 48201, United States
- Department of Pharmacology, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, Michigan 48201, United States
| | - Mathew Schneider
- Department of Oncology, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, Michigan 48201, United States
| | - Aleem Gangjee
- Division of Medicinal Chemistry, Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Duquesne University, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15282, United States
| | - Zhanjun Hou
- Molecular Therapeutics Program, Barbara Ann Karmanos Cancer Institute, Detroit, Michigan 48201, United States
- Department of Oncology, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, Michigan 48201, United States
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Wang C, Zhang M, Shi S, Jiang Y, Fei X, Liu L, Ye D, Zhang S. Interaction mechanism of novel fluorescent antifolates targeted with folate receptors α and β via molecular docking and molecular dynamic simulations. J Mol Model 2022; 28:205. [PMID: 35780236 DOI: 10.1007/s00894-022-05210-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/24/2022] [Accepted: 06/26/2022] [Indexed: 10/17/2022]
Abstract
Eight novel fluorescent antifolates were designed and docked with folate receptors FRα and FRβ. The structures of the complexes were further calculated by molecular dynamic (MD) simulations. The binding energies were calculated by molecular docking and molecular mechanics Poisson-Boltzmann surface area (MM-PBSA) studies. The binding energy differences between FRα and FRβ (|Ebα|-|Ebβ|) values for compounds 3 and 8 were 1.3 and 1.1 kcal/mol calculated by molecular docking, and 13.9 and 10.4 kcal/mol by MM-PBSA simulation, respectively. The results indicated that compounds 3 and 8 may be the best candidates for targeted drug delivery to FRα. The binding structures, interaction residues, negatively charged pocket volume, and surface area were analyzed for all the complexes. We further calculated the root mean square displacement and secondary structural elements of the bound complexes using molecular dynamics simulations. The purpose of this study is to design novel antifolates targeted to FRα and FRβ, and to further distinguish between cancer cells and inflammation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cuihong Wang
- School of Science, TianJin ChengJian University, Tianjin, China.
| | - Meiling Zhang
- School of Biomedical Engineering and Technology, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, China
| | - Shuhui Shi
- School of Mathematics and Physics, Handan College, Handan, China
| | - Yue Jiang
- School of Science, TianJin ChengJian University, Tianjin, China
| | - Xuening Fei
- School of Science, TianJin ChengJian University, Tianjin, China.
| | - Lijuan Liu
- School of Science, TianJin ChengJian University, Tianjin, China
| | - Dan Ye
- School of Science, TianJin ChengJian University, Tianjin, China
| | - Shouchao Zhang
- School of Science, TianJin ChengJian University, Tianjin, China
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8
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Newstead S. Structural basis for recognition and transport of folic acid in mammalian cells. Curr Opin Struct Biol 2022; 74:102353. [PMID: 35303537 PMCID: PMC7612623 DOI: 10.1016/j.sbi.2022.102353] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/22/2021] [Revised: 01/29/2022] [Accepted: 02/08/2022] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Structural studies on mammalian vitamin transport lag behind other metabolites. Folates, also known as B9 vitamins, are essential cofactors in one-carbon transfer reactions in biology. Three different systems control folate uptake in the human body; folate receptors function to capture and internalise extracellular folates via endocytosis, whereas two major facilitator superfamily transporters, the reduced folate carrier (RFC; SLC19A1) and proton-coupled folate transporter (PCFT; SLC46A1) control the transport of folates across cellular membranes. Targeting specific folate transporters is being pursued as a route to developing new antifolates with improved pharmacology. Recent structures of the proton-coupled folate transporter, PCFT, revealed key insights into antifolate recognition and the mechanism of proton-coupled transport. Combined with previously determined structures of folate receptors and new predictions for the structure of the RFC, we are now able to develop a structure-based understanding of folate and antifolate recognition to accelerate efforts in antifolate drug development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Simon Newstead
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Oxford, Oxford, OX1 3QU, UK.
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9
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Talukdar A, Mukherjee A, Bhattacharya D. Fascinating Transformation of SAM-Competitive Protein Methyltransferase Inhibitors from Nucleoside Analogues to Non-Nucleoside Analogues. J Med Chem 2022; 65:1662-1684. [PMID: 35014841 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.1c01208] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
The abnormal expression of protein methyltransferase (PMT) has been linked with many diseases such as diabetes, neurological disorders, and cancer. S-Adenyl-l-methionine (SAM) is a universal methyl donor and gets converted to S-adenyl-l-homocysteine (SAH), an endogenous competitive inhibitor of SAM. Initially developed SAM/SAH mimetic nucleoside analogues were pan methyltransferase inhibitors. The gradual understanding achieved through ligand-receptor interaction paved the way for various rational approaches of drug design leading to potent and selective nucleoside inhibitors. The present perspective is based on the systematic evolution of selective SAM-competitive heterocyclic non-nucleoside inhibitors from nucleoside inhibitors. This fascinating transition has resolved several issues inherent to nucleoside analogues such as poor pharmacokinetics leading to poor in vivo efficacy. The perspective has brought together various concepts and strategies of drug design that contributed to this rational transition. We firmly believe that the strategies described herein will serve as a template for the future development of drugs in general.
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Affiliation(s)
- Arindam Talukdar
- Department of Organic and Medicinal Chemistry, CSIR-Indian Institute of Chemical Biology, 4 Raja S. C. Mullick Road, Kolkata 700032, WB, India.,Academy of Scientific and Innovative Research, Ghaziabad 201002, India
| | - Ayan Mukherjee
- Department of Organic and Medicinal Chemistry, CSIR-Indian Institute of Chemical Biology, 4 Raja S. C. Mullick Road, Kolkata 700032, WB, India.,Academy of Scientific and Innovative Research, Ghaziabad 201002, India
| | - Debomita Bhattacharya
- Department of Organic and Medicinal Chemistry, CSIR-Indian Institute of Chemical Biology, 4 Raja S. C. Mullick Road, Kolkata 700032, WB, India
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10
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Ghergurovich JM, Xu X, Wang JZ, Yang L, Ryseck RP, Wang L, Rabinowitz JD. Methionine synthase supports tumour tetrahydrofolate pools. Nat Metab 2021; 3:1512-1520. [PMID: 34799699 PMCID: PMC9284419 DOI: 10.1038/s42255-021-00465-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/02/2020] [Accepted: 09/01/2021] [Indexed: 01/02/2023]
Abstract
Mammalian cells require activated folates to generate nucleotides for growth and division. The most abundant circulating folate species is 5-methyl tetrahydrofolate (5-methyl-THF), which is used to synthesize methionine from homocysteine via the cobalamin-dependent enzyme methionine synthase (MTR). Cobalamin deficiency traps folates as 5-methyl-THF. Here, we show using isotope tracing that MTR is only a minor source of methionine in cell culture, tissues or xenografted tumours. Instead, MTR is required for cells to avoid folate trapping and assimilate 5-methyl-THF into other folate species. Under conditions of physiological extracellular folates, genetic MTR knockout in tumour cells leads to folate trapping, purine synthesis stalling, nucleotide depletion and impaired growth in cell culture and as xenografts. These defects are rescued by free folate but not one-carbon unit supplementation. Thus, MTR plays a crucial role in liberating THF for use in one-carbon metabolism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jonathan M Ghergurovich
- Lewis-Sigler Institute for Integrative Genomics, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ, USA
- Department of Molecular Biology, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ, USA
- The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Xincheng Xu
- Lewis-Sigler Institute for Integrative Genomics, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ, USA
- Department of Chemistry, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ, USA
| | - Joshua Z Wang
- Lewis-Sigler Institute for Integrative Genomics, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ, USA
- Department of Chemistry, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ, USA
| | - Lifeng Yang
- Lewis-Sigler Institute for Integrative Genomics, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ, USA
- Department of Molecular Biology, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ, USA
| | - Rolf-Peter Ryseck
- Lewis-Sigler Institute for Integrative Genomics, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ, USA
| | - Lin Wang
- Lewis-Sigler Institute for Integrative Genomics, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ, USA
- Department of Chemistry, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ, USA
| | - Joshua D Rabinowitz
- Lewis-Sigler Institute for Integrative Genomics, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ, USA.
- Department of Chemistry, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ, USA.
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11
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Wallace-Povirk A, Tong N, Wong-Roushar J, O'Connor C, Zhou X, Hou Z, Bao X, Garcia GE, Li J, Kim S, Dann CE, Matherly LH, Gangjee A. Discovery of 6-substituted thieno[2,3-d]pyrimidine analogs as dual inhibitors of glycinamide ribonucleotide formyltransferase and 5-aminoimidazole-4-carboxamide ribonucleotide formyltransferase in de novo purine nucleotide biosynthesis in folate receptor expressing human tumors. Bioorg Med Chem 2021; 37:116093. [PMID: 33773393 PMCID: PMC8058616 DOI: 10.1016/j.bmc.2021.116093] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/17/2020] [Revised: 02/16/2021] [Accepted: 02/19/2021] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
We discovered 6-substituted thieno[2,3-d]pyrimidine compounds (3-9) with 3-4 bridge carbons and side-chain thiophene or furan rings for dual targeting one-carbon (C1) metabolism in folate receptor- (FR) expressing cancers. Synthesis involved nine steps starting from the bromo-aryl carboxylate. From patterns of growth inhibition toward Chinese hamster ovary cells expressing FRα or FRβ, the proton-coupled folate transporter or reduced folate carrier, specificity for uptake by FRs was confirmed. Anti-proliferative activities were demonstrated toward FRα-expressing KB tumor cells and NCI-IGROV1 ovarian cancer cells. Inhibition of de novo purine biosynthesis at both 5-aminoimidazole-4-carboxamide ribonucleotide formyltransferase and glycinamide ribonucleotide formyltransferase (GARFTase) was confirmed by metabolite rescue, metabolomics and enzyme assays. X-ray crystallographic structures were obtained with compounds 3-5 and human GARFTase. Our studies identify first-in-class C1 inhibitors with selective uptake by FRs and dual inhibition of enzyme targets in de novo purine biosynthesis, resulting in anti-tumor activity. This series affords an exciting new platform for selective multi-targeted anti-tumor agents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adrianne Wallace-Povirk
- Department of Oncology, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, MI 48201, United States
| | - Nian Tong
- Division of Medicinal Chemistry, Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Duquesne University, Pittsburgh, PA 15282, United States
| | | | - Carrie O'Connor
- Department of Oncology, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, MI 48201, United States
| | - Xilin Zhou
- Division of Medicinal Chemistry, Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Duquesne University, Pittsburgh, PA 15282, United States
| | - Zhanjun Hou
- Department of Oncology, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, MI 48201, United States; Barbara Ann Karmanos Cancer Institute, Detroit, MI 48201, United States
| | - Xun Bao
- Department of Oncology, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, MI 48201, United States
| | - Gloria E Garcia
- Department of Chemistry, Indiana University, Bloomington, IN 47405, United States
| | - Jing Li
- Department of Oncology, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, MI 48201, United States; Barbara Ann Karmanos Cancer Institute, Detroit, MI 48201, United States
| | - Seongho Kim
- Department of Oncology, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, MI 48201, United States; Barbara Ann Karmanos Cancer Institute, Detroit, MI 48201, United States
| | - Charles E Dann
- Department of Chemistry, Indiana University, Bloomington, IN 47405, United States.
| | - Larry H Matherly
- Department of Oncology, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, MI 48201, United States; Barbara Ann Karmanos Cancer Institute, Detroit, MI 48201, United States.
| | - Aleem Gangjee
- Division of Medicinal Chemistry, Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Duquesne University, Pittsburgh, PA 15282, United States.
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12
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Hilmy K, Tag M, Aish E, Elsafty M, Attia H. Synthesis and Biological Evaluation of Pyrrolo[2,3-d]pyrimidine Derivatives as a Novel Class of Antimicrobial and Antiviral Agents. RUSSIAN JOURNAL OF ORGANIC CHEMISTRY 2021. [DOI: 10.1134/s1070428021030155] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/20/2023]
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13
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Jiang Y, Wang C, Zhang M, Fei X, Gu Y. Type and size effect of functional groups on the novel antifolate target recognition folate receptors α and β: Docking, molecular dynamics and MM/PBSA study. J Mol Graph Model 2020; 100:107663. [PMID: 32659629 DOI: 10.1016/j.jmgm.2020.107663] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2020] [Revised: 05/23/2020] [Accepted: 05/26/2020] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
A series of novel antifolates (32 compounds) were used to study the interactions with folate receptors α and β. The compounds had different sizes of methyl (-CH3), carboxyl (-COOH), hydroxyl (-OH), and amino groups (-NH2). The binding properties of the complexes were studied by molecular docking, molecular dynamic (MD) simulations, and MM/PBSA free energy calculations. The docked binding energies and modes were analyzed to identify compounds with good recognition of FRα from FRβ. The stable conformers, root mean square displacement, root mean square fluctuation free binding energy, and contribution of residues to the binding energy of the complexes were further analyzed to illustrate the interactions between the novel compounds and folate receptors. The data show that introducing long functional groups in folate will increase the binding affinity with FRα but will decrease the binding affinity with FRβ. The results provide a strategy for the design of novel antifolates targeted to FRα.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yue Jiang
- School of Science, TianJin ChengJian University, Tianjin, China
| | - Cuihong Wang
- School of Science, TianJin ChengJian University, Tianjin, China.
| | - Meiling Zhang
- School of Biomedical Engineering and Technology, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, China
| | - Xuening Fei
- School of Science, TianJin ChengJian University, Tianjin, China.
| | - Yingchun Gu
- School of Science, TianJin ChengJian University, Tianjin, China
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14
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Preparation of Biphenyl-Conjugated Bromotyrosine for Inhibition of PD-1/PD-L1 Immune Checkpoint Interactions. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:ijms21103639. [PMID: 32455628 PMCID: PMC7279355 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21103639] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/07/2020] [Revised: 05/14/2020] [Accepted: 05/17/2020] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Cancer immunotherapy has been revolutionized by the development of monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) that inhibit interactions between immune checkpoint molecules, such as programmed cell-death 1 (PD-1), and its ligand PD-L1. However, mAb-based drugs have some drawbacks, including poor tumor penetration and high production costs, which could potentially be overcome by small molecule drugs. BMS-8, one of the potent small molecule drugs, induces homodimerization of PD-L1, thereby inhibiting its binding to PD-1. Our assay system revealed that BMS-8 inhibited the PD-1/PD-L1 interaction with IC50 of 7.2 μM. To improve the IC50 value, we designed and synthesized a small molecule based on the molecular structure of BMS-8 by in silico simulation. As a result, we successfully prepared a biphenyl-conjugated bromotyrosine (X) with IC50 of 1.5 μM, which was about five times improved from BMS-8. We further prepared amino acid conjugates of X (amino-X), to elucidate a correlation between the docking modes of the amino-Xs and IC50 values. The results suggested that the displacement of amino-Xs from the BMS-8 in the pocket of PD-L1 homodimer correlated with IC50 values. This observation provides us a further insight how to derivatize X for better inhibitory effect.
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15
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Golani LK, Islam F, O'Connor C, Dekhne AS, Hou Z, Matherly LH, Gangjee A. Design, synthesis and biological evaluation of novel pyrrolo[2,3-d]pyrimidine as tumor-targeting agents with selectivity for tumor uptake by high affinity folate receptors over the reduced folate carrier. Bioorg Med Chem 2020; 28:115544. [PMID: 32503687 DOI: 10.1016/j.bmc.2020.115544] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2019] [Revised: 04/29/2020] [Accepted: 04/30/2020] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
Tumor-targeted 6-substituted pyrrolo[2,3-d]pyrimidine benzoyl compounds based on 2 were isosterically modified at the 4-carbon bridge by replacing the vicinal (C11) carbon by heteroatoms N (4), O (5) or S (6), or with an N-substituted formyl (7), trifluoroacetyl (8) or acetyl (9). Replacement with sulfur (6) afforded the most potent KB tumor cell inhibitor, ~6-fold better than the parent 2. In addition, 6 retained tumor transport selectivity via folate receptor (FR) α and -β over the ubiquitous reduced folate carrier (RFC). FRα-mediated cell inhibition for 6 was generally equivalent to 2, while the FRβ-mediated activity was improved by 16-fold over 2. N (4) and O (5) substitutions afforded similar tumor cell inhibitions as 2, with selectivity for FRα and -β over RFC. The N-substituted analogs 7-9 also preserved transport selectivity for FRα and -β over RFC. For FRα-expressing CHO cells, potencies were in the order of 8 > 7 > 9. Whereas 8 and 9 showed similar results with FRβ-expressing CHO cells, 7 was ~16-fold more active than 2. By nucleoside rescue experiments, all the compounds inhibited de novo purine biosynthesis, likely at the step catalyzed by glycinamide ribonucleotide formyltransferase. Thus, heteroatom replacements of the CH2 in the bridge of 2 afford analogs with increased tumor cell inhibition that could provide advantages over 2, as well as tumor transport selectivity over clinically used antifolates including methotrexate and pemetrexed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lalit K Golani
- Division of Medicinal Chemistry, Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Duquesne University, 600 Forbes Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15282, United States.
| | - Farhana Islam
- Division of Medicinal Chemistry, Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Duquesne University, 600 Forbes Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15282, United States
| | - Carrie O'Connor
- Department of Oncology, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, MI 48201, United States
| | - Aamod S Dekhne
- Department of Oncology, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, MI 48201, United States
| | - Zhanjun Hou
- Department of Oncology, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, MI 48201, United States; Molecular Therapeutics Program, Barbara Ann Karmanos Cancer Institute, 421 East Canfield, Detroit, MI 48201, United States
| | - Larry H Matherly
- Department of Oncology, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, MI 48201, United States; Department of Pharmacology, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, MI 48201, United States; Molecular Therapeutics Program, Barbara Ann Karmanos Cancer Institute, 421 East Canfield, Detroit, MI 48201, United States.
| | - Aleem Gangjee
- Division of Medicinal Chemistry, Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Duquesne University, 600 Forbes Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15282, United States.
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16
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Design, synthesis and biological activity of N 5-substituted tetrahydropteroate analogs as non-classical antifolates against cobalamin-dependent methionine synthase and potential anticancer agents. Eur J Med Chem 2020; 190:112113. [PMID: 32058237 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2020.112113] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/18/2019] [Revised: 01/28/2020] [Accepted: 01/31/2020] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Cobalamin-dependent methionine synthase (MetH) is involved in the process of tumor cell growth and survival. In this study, a novel series of N5-electrophilic substituted tetrahydropteroate analogs without glutamate residue were designed as non-classical antifolates and evaluated for their inhibitory activities against MetH. In addition, the cytotoxicity of target compounds was evaluated in human tumor cell lines. With N5-chloracetyl as the optimum group, further structure research on the benzene substituent and on the 2,4-diamino group was also performed. Compound 6c, with IC50 value of 12.1 μM against MetH and 0.16-6.12 μM against five cancer cells, acted as competitive inhibitor of MetH. Flow cytometry studies indicated that compound 6c arrested HL-60 cells in the G1-phase and then inducted late apoptosis. The molecular docking further explained the structure-activity relationship.
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17
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Discovery of amide-bridged pyrrolo[2,3-d]pyrimidines as tumor targeted classical antifolates with selective uptake by folate receptor α and inhibition of de novo purine nucleotide biosynthesis. Bioorg Med Chem 2019; 27:115125. [PMID: 31679978 DOI: 10.1016/j.bmc.2019.115125] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/01/2019] [Accepted: 09/17/2019] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
We previously showed that classical 6-substituted pyrrolo[2,3-d]pyrimidine antifolates bind to folate receptor (FR) α and the target purine biosynthetic enzyme glycinamide ribonucleotide formyltransferase (GARFTase) with different cis and trans conformations. In this study, we designed novel analogs of this series with an amide moiety in the bridge region that can adopt both the cis and trans lowest energy conformations. This provides entropic benefit, by restricting the number of side-chain conformations of the unbound ligand to those most likely to promote binding to FRα and the target enzyme required for antitumor activity. NMR of the most active compound 7 showed both cis and trans amide bridge conformations in ~1:1 ratio. The bridge amide group in the best docked poses of 7 in the crystal structures of FRα and GARFTase adopted both cis and trans conformations, with the lowest energy conformations predicted by Maestro and evidenced by NMR within 1 kcal/mol. Compound 7 showed ~3-fold increased inhibition of FRα-expressing cells over its non-restricted parent analog 1 and was selectively internalized by FRα over the reduced folate carrier (RFC), resulting in significant in vitro antitumor activity toward FRα-expressing KB human tumor cells. Antitumor activity of 7 was abolished by treating cells with adenosine but was incompletely protected by 5-aminoimidazole-4-carboxamide (AICA) at higher drug concentrations, suggesting GARFTase and AICA ribonucleotide formyltransferase (AICARFTase) in de novo purine biosynthesis as the likely intracellular targets. GARFTase inhibition by compound 7 was confirmed by an in situ cell-based activity assay. Our results identify a "first-in-class" classical antifolate with a novel amide linkage between the scaffold and the side chain aryl L-glutamate that affords exclusive selectivity for transport via FRα over RFC and antitumor activity resulting from inhibition of GARFTase and likely AICARFTase. Compound 7 offers significant advantages over clinically used inhibitors of this class that are transported by the ubiquitous RFC, resulting in dose-limiting toxicities.
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18
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Dekhne AS, Shah K, Ducker GS, Katinas JM, Wong-Roushar J, Nayeen MJ, Doshi A, Ning C, Bao X, Frühauf J, Liu J, Wallace-Povirk A, O'Connor C, Dzinic SH, White K, Kushner J, Kim S, Hüttemann M, Polin L, Rabinowitz JD, Li J, Hou Z, Dann CE, Gangjee A, Matherly LH. Novel Pyrrolo[3,2- d]pyrimidine Compounds Target Mitochondrial and Cytosolic One-carbon Metabolism with Broad-spectrum Antitumor Efficacy. Mol Cancer Ther 2019; 18:1787-1799. [PMID: 31289137 PMCID: PMC6774887 DOI: 10.1158/1535-7163.mct-19-0037] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/09/2019] [Revised: 04/05/2019] [Accepted: 07/03/2019] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Abstract
Folate-dependent one-carbon (C1) metabolism is compartmentalized into the mitochondria and cytosol and supports cell growth through nucleotide and amino acid biosynthesis. Mitochondrial C1 metabolism, including serine hydroxymethyltransferase (SHMT) 2, provides glycine, NAD(P)H, ATP, and C1 units for cytosolic biosynthetic reactions, and is implicated in the oncogenic phenotype across a wide range of cancers. Whereas multitargeted inhibitors of cytosolic C1 metabolism, such as pemetrexed, are used clinically, there are currently no anticancer drugs that specifically target mitochondrial C1 metabolism. We used molecular modeling to design novel small-molecule pyrrolo[3,2-d]pyrimidine inhibitors targeting mitochondrial C1 metabolism at SHMT2. In vitro antitumor efficacy was established with the lead compounds (AGF291, AGF320, AGF347) toward lung, colon, and pancreatic cancer cells. Intracellular targets were identified by metabolic rescue with glycine and nucleosides, and by targeted metabolomics using a stable isotope tracer, with confirmation by in vitro assays with purified enzymes. In addition to targeting SHMT2, inhibition of the cytosolic purine biosynthetic enzymes, β-glycinamide ribonucleotide formyltransferase and/or 5-aminoimidazole-4-carboxamide ribonucleotide formyltransferase, and SHMT1 was also established. AGF347 generated significant in vivo antitumor efficacy with potential for complete responses against both early-stage and upstage MIA PaCa-2 pancreatic tumor xenografts, providing compelling proof-of-concept for therapeutic targeting of SHMT2 and cytosolic C1 enzymes by this series. Our results establish structure-activity relationships and identify exciting new drug prototypes for further development as multitargeted antitumor agents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aamod S Dekhne
- Department of Oncology, Wayne State University School of Medicine, and the Barbara Ann Karmanos Cancer Institute, Detroit, Michigan
| | - Khushbu Shah
- Division of Medicinal Chemistry, Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Duquesne University, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
| | - Gregory S Ducker
- Department of Chemistry/Lewis-Sigler Institute for Integrative Genomics, Princeton University, Princeton, New Jersey
| | - Jade M Katinas
- Department of Chemistry, Indiana University, Bloomington, Indiana
| | | | - Md Junayed Nayeen
- Division of Medicinal Chemistry, Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Duquesne University, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
| | - Arpit Doshi
- Division of Medicinal Chemistry, Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Duquesne University, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
| | - Changwen Ning
- Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Jilin University, Changchun, Jilin Province, China
| | - Xun Bao
- Department of Oncology, Wayne State University School of Medicine, and the Barbara Ann Karmanos Cancer Institute, Detroit, Michigan
| | - Josephine Frühauf
- Department of Oncology, Wayne State University School of Medicine, and the Barbara Ann Karmanos Cancer Institute, Detroit, Michigan
| | - Jenney Liu
- Center for Molecular Medicine and Genetics, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, Michigan
| | - Adrianne Wallace-Povirk
- Department of Oncology, Wayne State University School of Medicine, and the Barbara Ann Karmanos Cancer Institute, Detroit, Michigan
| | - Carrie O'Connor
- Department of Oncology, Wayne State University School of Medicine, and the Barbara Ann Karmanos Cancer Institute, Detroit, Michigan
| | - Sijana H Dzinic
- Department of Oncology, Wayne State University School of Medicine, and the Barbara Ann Karmanos Cancer Institute, Detroit, Michigan
| | - Kathryn White
- Department of Oncology, Wayne State University School of Medicine, and the Barbara Ann Karmanos Cancer Institute, Detroit, Michigan
| | - Juiwanna Kushner
- Department of Oncology, Wayne State University School of Medicine, and the Barbara Ann Karmanos Cancer Institute, Detroit, Michigan
| | - Seongho Kim
- Department of Oncology, Wayne State University School of Medicine, and the Barbara Ann Karmanos Cancer Institute, Detroit, Michigan
| | - Maik Hüttemann
- Center for Molecular Medicine and Genetics, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, Michigan
| | - Lisa Polin
- Department of Oncology, Wayne State University School of Medicine, and the Barbara Ann Karmanos Cancer Institute, Detroit, Michigan
| | - Joshua D Rabinowitz
- Department of Chemistry/Lewis-Sigler Institute for Integrative Genomics, Princeton University, Princeton, New Jersey
| | - Jing Li
- Department of Oncology, Wayne State University School of Medicine, and the Barbara Ann Karmanos Cancer Institute, Detroit, Michigan
| | - Zhanjun Hou
- Department of Oncology, Wayne State University School of Medicine, and the Barbara Ann Karmanos Cancer Institute, Detroit, Michigan
| | - Charles E Dann
- Department of Chemistry, Indiana University, Bloomington, Indiana.
| | - Aleem Gangjee
- Division of Medicinal Chemistry, Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Duquesne University, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
| | - Larry H Matherly
- Department of Oncology, Wayne State University School of Medicine, and the Barbara Ann Karmanos Cancer Institute, Detroit, Michigan.
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19
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Jiang Y, Wang C, Zhang M, Fei X, Gu Y. Interacted mechanism of functional groups in ligand targeted with folate receptor via docking, molecular dynamic and MM/PBSA. J Mol Graph Model 2018; 87:121-128. [PMID: 30537642 DOI: 10.1016/j.jmgm.2018.12.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/26/2018] [Revised: 12/04/2018] [Accepted: 12/04/2018] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
Twenty novel compounds with different functional groups (-COOH, -OH, -NH2 and -CH3) were designed to study the interaction mechanism of ligands with folate receptors (FRs). The optimized structure and the dipole moment of the novel compounds were calculated by a density functional tight-binding method (DFTB). The binding mechanism of the compounds with FRs was studied by molecular docking, molecular dynamic (MD) simulations and MM/PBSA free energy calculations. The binding energies, root mean square displacement and root mean square fluctuation of the complexes were analyzed to further illustrate the effect of the functional groups. The functional groups play important roles in stabilizing the bound complexes. Compared to other groups, -OH is more stably linked with the compound. These data provide a theoretical basis for the design of novel compounds targeted with FRs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yue Jiang
- School of Science, TianJin ChengJian University, Tianjin, China
| | - Cuihong Wang
- School of Science, TianJin ChengJian University, Tianjin, China.
| | - Meiling Zhang
- School of Biomedical Engineering and Technology, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, China
| | - Xuening Fei
- School of Science, TianJin ChengJian University, Tianjin, China.
| | - Yingchun Gu
- School of Science, TianJin ChengJian University, Tianjin, China
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20
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Shah K, Raghavan S, Hou Z, Matherly LH, Gangjee A. Development and validation of chemical features-based proton-coupled folate transporter/activity and reduced folate carrier/activity models (pharmacophores). J Mol Graph Model 2018; 81:125-133. [PMID: 29550744 PMCID: PMC5959037 DOI: 10.1016/j.jmgm.2018.02.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2017] [Revised: 02/09/2018] [Accepted: 02/12/2018] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
Abstract
All clinically used antifolates lack transport selectivity for tumors over normal cells resulting in dose-limiting toxicities. There is growing interest in developing novel tumor-targeted cytotoxic antifolates with selective transport into tumors over normal cells via the proton-coupled folate transporter (PCFT) over the ubiquitously expressed reduced folate carrier (RFC). A lack of X-ray crystal structures or predictive models for PCFT or RFC has hindered structure-aided drug design for PCFT-selective therapeutics. Four-point validated models (pharmacophores) were generated for PCFT/Activity (HBA, NI, RA, RA) and RFC/Activity (HBD, NI, HBA, HBA) based on inhibition (IC50) of proliferation of isogenic Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells engineered to express only human PCFT or only RFC. Our results revealed substantial differences in structural features required for transport of novel molecules by these transporters which can be utilized for developing transporter-selective antifolates.
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Affiliation(s)
- Khushbu Shah
- Division of Medicinal Chemistry, Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Duquesne University, 600 Forbes Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15282, United States
| | - Sudhir Raghavan
- Division of Medicinal Chemistry, Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Duquesne University, 600 Forbes Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15282, United States
| | - Zhanjun Hou
- Molecular Therapeutics Program, Barbara Ann Karmanos Cancer Institute, and Department of Oncology, Wayne State University School of Medicine, 421 East Canfield Street, Detroit, MI 48201, United States
| | - Larry H Matherly
- Molecular Therapeutics Program, Barbara Ann Karmanos Cancer Institute, and Department of Oncology, Wayne State University School of Medicine, 421 East Canfield Street, Detroit, MI 48201, United States
| | - Aleem Gangjee
- Division of Medicinal Chemistry, Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Duquesne University, 600 Forbes Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15282, United States.
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21
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Ravindra M, Wilson MR, Tong N, O'Connor C, Karim M, Polin L, Wallace-Povirk A, White K, Kushner J, Hou Z, Matherly LH, Gangjee A. Fluorine-Substituted Pyrrolo[2,3- d]Pyrimidine Analogues with Tumor Targeting via Cellular Uptake by Folate Receptor α and the Proton-Coupled Folate Transporter and Inhibition of de Novo Purine Nucleotide Biosynthesis. J Med Chem 2018; 61:4228-4248. [PMID: 29701475 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.8b00408] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Novel fluorinated 2-amino-4-oxo-6-substituted pyrrolo[2,3- d]pyrimidine analogues 7-12 were synthesized and tested for selective cellular uptake by folate receptors (FRs) α and β or the proton-coupled folate transporter (PCFT) and for antitumor efficacy. Compounds 8, 9, 11, and 12 showed increased in vitro antiproliferative activities (∼11-fold) over the nonfluorinated analogues 2, 3, 5, and 6 toward engineered Chinese hamster ovary and HeLa cells expressing FRs or PCFT. Compounds 8, 9, 11, and 12 also inhibited proliferation of IGROV1 and A2780 epithelial ovarian cancer cells; in IGROV1 cells with knockdown of FRα, 9, 11, and 12 showed sustained inhibition associated with uptake by PCFT. All compounds inhibited glycinamide ribonucleotide formyltransferase, a key enzyme in the de novo purine biosynthesis pathway. Molecular modeling studies validated in vitro cell-based results. NMR evidence supports the presence of an intramolecular fluorine-hydrogen bond. Potent in vivo efficacy of 11 was established with IGROV1 xenografts in severe compromised immunodeficient mice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Manasa Ravindra
- Division of Medicinal Chemistry, Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences , Duquesne University , 600 Forbes Avenue , Pittsburgh , Pennsylvania 15282 , United States
| | - Mike R Wilson
- Division of Medicinal Chemistry, Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences , Duquesne University , 600 Forbes Avenue , Pittsburgh , Pennsylvania 15282 , United States.,Department of Oncology , Wayne State University School of Medicine , Detroit , Michigan 48201 , United States
| | - Nian Tong
- Division of Medicinal Chemistry, Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences , Duquesne University , 600 Forbes Avenue , Pittsburgh , Pennsylvania 15282 , United States
| | - Carrie O'Connor
- Department of Oncology , Wayne State University School of Medicine , Detroit , Michigan 48201 , United States
| | - Mohammad Karim
- Division of Medicinal Chemistry, Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences , Duquesne University , 600 Forbes Avenue , Pittsburgh , Pennsylvania 15282 , United States
| | - Lisa Polin
- Molecular Therapeutics Program , Barbara Ann Karmanos Cancer Institute , 421 East Canfield Street , Detroit , Michigan 48201 , United States.,Department of Oncology , Wayne State University School of Medicine , Detroit , Michigan 48201 , United States
| | - Adrianne Wallace-Povirk
- Department of Oncology , Wayne State University School of Medicine , Detroit , Michigan 48201 , United States
| | - Kathryn White
- Molecular Therapeutics Program , Barbara Ann Karmanos Cancer Institute , 421 East Canfield Street , Detroit , Michigan 48201 , United States.,Department of Oncology , Wayne State University School of Medicine , Detroit , Michigan 48201 , United States
| | - Juiwanna Kushner
- Molecular Therapeutics Program , Barbara Ann Karmanos Cancer Institute , 421 East Canfield Street , Detroit , Michigan 48201 , United States.,Department of Oncology , Wayne State University School of Medicine , Detroit , Michigan 48201 , United States
| | - Zhanjun Hou
- Molecular Therapeutics Program , Barbara Ann Karmanos Cancer Institute , 421 East Canfield Street , Detroit , Michigan 48201 , United States.,Department of Oncology , Wayne State University School of Medicine , Detroit , Michigan 48201 , United States
| | - Larry H Matherly
- Molecular Therapeutics Program , Barbara Ann Karmanos Cancer Institute , 421 East Canfield Street , Detroit , Michigan 48201 , United States.,Department of Oncology , Wayne State University School of Medicine , Detroit , Michigan 48201 , United States.,Department of Pharmacology , Wayne State University School of Medicine , Detroit , Michigan 48201 , United States
| | - Aleem Gangjee
- Division of Medicinal Chemistry, Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences , Duquesne University , 600 Forbes Avenue , Pittsburgh , Pennsylvania 15282 , United States
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22
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Ravindra M, Wallace-Povirk A, Karim MA, Wilson MR, O'Connor C, White K, Kushner J, Polin L, George C, Hou Z, Matherly LH, Gangjee A. Tumor Targeting with Novel Pyridyl 6-Substituted Pyrrolo[2,3- d]Pyrimidine Antifolates via Cellular Uptake by Folate Receptor α and the Proton-Coupled Folate Transporter and Inhibition of De Novo Purine Nucleotide Biosynthesis. J Med Chem 2018; 61:2027-2040. [PMID: 29425443 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.7b01708] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/02/2023]
Abstract
Tumor-targeted specificities of 6-substituted pyrrolo[2,3- d]pyrimidine analogues of 1, where the phenyl side-chain is replaced by 3',6' (5, 8), 2',5' (6, 9), and 2',6' (7, 10) pyridyls, were analyzed. Proliferation inhibition of isogenic Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells expressing folate receptors (FRs) α and β were in rank order, 6 > 9 > 5 > 7 > 8, with 10 showing no activity, and 6 > 9 > 5 > 8, with 10 and 7 being inactive, respectively. Antiproliferative effects toward FRα- and FRβ-expressing cells were reflected in competitive binding with [3H]folic acid. Only compound 6 was active against proton-coupled folate receptor (PCFT)-expressing CHO cells (∼4-fold more potent than 1) and inhibited [3H]methotrexate uptake by PCFT. In KB and IGROV1 tumor cells, 6 showed <1 nM IC50, ∼2-3-fold more potent than 1. Compound 6 inhibited glycinamide ribonucleotide formyltransferase in de novo purine biosynthesis and showed potent in vivo efficacy toward subcutaneous IGROV1 tumor xenografts in SCID mice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Manasa Ravindra
- Division of Medicinal Chemistry, Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences , Duquesne University , 600 Forbes Avenue , Pittsburgh , Pennsylvania 15282 , United States
| | - Adrianne Wallace-Povirk
- Department of Oncology , Wayne State University School of Medicine , Detroit , Michigan 48201 , United States
| | - Mohammad A Karim
- Division of Medicinal Chemistry, Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences , Duquesne University , 600 Forbes Avenue , Pittsburgh , Pennsylvania 15282 , United States
| | - Mike R Wilson
- Department of Oncology , Wayne State University School of Medicine , Detroit , Michigan 48201 , United States
| | - Carrie O'Connor
- Department of Oncology , Wayne State University School of Medicine , Detroit , Michigan 48201 , United States
| | - Kathryn White
- Department of Oncology , Wayne State University School of Medicine , Detroit , Michigan 48201 , United States
| | - Juiwanna Kushner
- Department of Oncology , Wayne State University School of Medicine , Detroit , Michigan 48201 , United States
| | - Lisa Polin
- Molecular Therapeutics Program , Barbara Ann Karmanos Cancer Institute , 421 East Canfield Street , Detroit , Michigan 48201 , United States.,Department of Oncology , Wayne State University School of Medicine , Detroit , Michigan 48201 , United States
| | - Christina George
- Department of Oncology , Wayne State University School of Medicine , Detroit , Michigan 48201 , United States
| | - Zhanjun Hou
- Molecular Therapeutics Program , Barbara Ann Karmanos Cancer Institute , 421 East Canfield Street , Detroit , Michigan 48201 , United States.,Department of Oncology , Wayne State University School of Medicine , Detroit , Michigan 48201 , United States
| | - Larry H Matherly
- Molecular Therapeutics Program , Barbara Ann Karmanos Cancer Institute , 421 East Canfield Street , Detroit , Michigan 48201 , United States.,Department of Oncology , Wayne State University School of Medicine , Detroit , Michigan 48201 , United States.,Department of Pharmacology , Wayne State University School of Medicine , Detroit , Michigan 48201 , United States
| | - Aleem Gangjee
- Division of Medicinal Chemistry, Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences , Duquesne University , 600 Forbes Avenue , Pittsburgh , Pennsylvania 15282 , United States
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23
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Matherly LH, Hou Z, Gangjee A. The promise and challenges of exploiting the proton-coupled folate transporter for selective therapeutic targeting of cancer. Cancer Chemother Pharmacol 2017; 81:1-15. [PMID: 29127457 DOI: 10.1007/s00280-017-3473-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/16/2017] [Accepted: 10/20/2017] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
This review considers the "promise" of exploiting the proton-coupled folate transporter (PCFT) for selective therapeutic targeting of cancer. PCFT was discovered in 2006 and was identified as the principal folate transporter involved in the intestinal absorption of dietary folates. The recognition that PCFT was highly expressed in many tumors stimulated substantial interest in using PCFT for cytotoxic drug targeting, taking advantage of its high level transport activity under the acidic pH conditions that characterize many tumors. For pemetrexed, among the best PCFT substrates, transport by PCFT establishes its importance as a clinically important transporter in malignant pleural mesothelioma and non-small cell lung cancer. In recent years, the notion of PCFT-targeting has been extended to a new generation of tumor-targeted 6-substituted pyrrolo[2,3-d]pyrimidine compounds that are structurally and functionally distinct from pemetrexed, and that exhibit near exclusive transport by PCFT and potent inhibition of de novo purine nucleotide biosynthesis. Based on compelling preclinical evidence in a wide range of human tumor models, it is now time to advance the most optimized PCFT-targeted agents with the best balance of PCFT transport specificity and potent antitumor efficacy to the clinic to validate this novel paradigm of highly selective tumor targeting.
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Affiliation(s)
- Larry H Matherly
- Molecular Therapeutics Program, Barbara Ann Karmanos Cancer Institute, 421 East Canfield Street, Detroit, MI, 48201, USA. .,Department of Oncology, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, MI, 48201, USA. .,Department of Pharmacology, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, MI, 48201, USA.
| | - Zhanjun Hou
- Molecular Therapeutics Program, Barbara Ann Karmanos Cancer Institute, 421 East Canfield Street, Detroit, MI, 48201, USA.,Department of Oncology, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, MI, 48201, USA
| | - Aleem Gangjee
- Division of Medicinal Chemistry, Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Duquesne University, 600 Forbes Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA, 15282, USA
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24
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Tian C, Wang M, Han Z, Fang F, Zhang Z, Wang X, Liu J. Design, synthesis and biological evaluation of novel 6-substituted pyrrolo [3,2-d] pyrimidine analogues as antifolate antitumor agents. Eur J Med Chem 2017; 138:630-643. [PMID: 28711701 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2017.07.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/05/2017] [Revised: 06/30/2017] [Accepted: 07/02/2017] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
A series of novel 6-substituted pyrrolo[3,2-d]pyrimidine analogues (10a, 11a-13a, 15a, 17a, 18a, 27a and 28a) have been designed and synthesized as antifolate antitumor agents. The anti-proliferative activities of these compounds against HL60, A549, H1299, Hela, HCT116 and HT29 tumor cells were evaluated. Most of the compounds exhibited micromolar anti-proliferative potencies. Compound 15a, the most potent one, has GI50 value of 0.73, 1.72, and 8.92 μM against A549, H1299 and HL60 cells, respectively. The cell cycle distribution assay displayed that 15a could increase the accumulation of G2/M-phase cells. 15a showed low potency in induction of apoptosis. However, the inhibition of A549 cell colony formation was observed. These indicated that the tumor cell death relied on the irreversible effect of 15a on clonogenicity and cell proliferation. The identification of targeted pathway of 15a implied that the anti-proliferative potencies of 15a probably act through dual inhibition of thymidylate synthase (TS) and dihydrofolate reductase (DHFR).
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Affiliation(s)
- Chao Tian
- Department of Chemical Biology, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Peking University, Beijing 100191, China
| | - Meng Wang
- Department of Chemical Biology, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Peking University, Beijing 100191, China
| | - Zifei Han
- Department of Chemical Biology, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Peking University, Beijing 100191, China
| | - Fang Fang
- Department of Chemical Biology, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Peking University, Beijing 100191, China
| | - Zhili Zhang
- Department of Chemical Biology, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Peking University, Beijing 100191, China
| | - Xiaowei Wang
- Department of Chemical Biology, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Peking University, Beijing 100191, China
| | - Junyi Liu
- Department of Chemical Biology, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Peking University, Beijing 100191, China; State Key Laboratory of Natural and Biomimetic Drugs, Peking University, Beijing 100191, China.
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25
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Ngambenjawong C, Gustafson HH, Pun SH. Progress in tumor-associated macrophage (TAM)-targeted therapeutics. Adv Drug Deliv Rev 2017; 114:206-221. [PMID: 28449873 DOI: 10.1016/j.addr.2017.04.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 456] [Impact Index Per Article: 65.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/17/2017] [Revised: 04/13/2017] [Accepted: 04/14/2017] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
As an essential innate immune population for maintaining body homeostasis and warding off foreign pathogens, macrophages display high plasticity and perform diverse supportive functions specialized to different tissue compartments. Consequently, aberrance in macrophage functions contributes substantially to progression of several diseases including cancer, fibrosis, and diabetes. In the context of cancer, tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs) in tumor microenvironment (TME) typically promote cancer cell proliferation, immunosuppression, and angiogenesis in support of tumor growth and metastasis. Oftentimes, the abundance of TAMs in tumor is correlated with poor disease prognosis. Hence, significant attention has been drawn towards development of cancer immunotherapies targeting these TAMs; either depleting them from tumor, blocking their pro-tumoral functions, or restoring their immunostimulatory/tumoricidal properties. This review aims to introduce readers to various aspects in development and evaluation of TAM-targeted therapeutics in pre-clinical and clinical stages.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chayanon Ngambenjawong
- Department of Bioengineering and Molecular Engineering and Sciences Institute, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, United States
| | - Heather H Gustafson
- Department of Bioengineering and Molecular Engineering and Sciences Institute, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, United States
| | - Suzie H Pun
- Department of Bioengineering and Molecular Engineering and Sciences Institute, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, United States.
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26
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Efficient synthesis of novel furo[2,3- d ]pyrimidine derivatives under catalyst-free conditions. Tetrahedron Lett 2017. [DOI: 10.1016/j.tetlet.2017.03.019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
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27
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Wang M, Yang J, Yuan M, Xue L, Li H, Tian C, Wang X, Liu J, Zhang Z. Synthesis and antiproliferative activity of a series of novel 6-substituted pyrido[3,2-d]pyrimidines as potential nonclassical lipophilic antifolates targeting dihydrofolate reductase. Eur J Med Chem 2017; 128:88-97. [PMID: 28152430 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2017.01.033] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2016] [Revised: 01/20/2017] [Accepted: 01/21/2017] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Abstract
Dihydrofolate reductase (DHFR) has been a well-recognized target for the treatment of many diseases. Based on 8,10-dideazaminopterins, which are classical antifolates that potently inhibit DHFR, we have designed a series of novel 2,4-diamino-6-substituted pyrido[3,2-d]pyrimidines. By removing the glutamate moiety and introducing lipophilic groups, we hoped to improve passive diffuse through the cell membranes. The target compounds were efficiently synthesized using one-pot procedure and evaluated in vitro for DHFR inhibition and antitumor activity. Compounds 5e, 5h, 5i and 5k were the most potent inhibitors of recombinant human DHFR (rhDHFR) with IC50 values in the range 0.2-1.0 μM. Analysis using flow cytometric indicated that the effect of compound 5k on cell cycle progression was linked to induction of S phase arrest. Compounds 5g, 5h, 5i and 5k showed broad spectrum antitumor activity against four different tumor cell lines, with IC50 values in the range 0.07-23 μM. Molecular docking investigations showed that the trimethoyphenyl ring of compound 5k occupied a position near the cofactor-binding site in the rhDHFR-inhibitor complex, with close intermolecular contacts with Asp21, Phe31, Ser59, Ile60 and Pro61.
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Affiliation(s)
- Meng Wang
- Department of Chemical Biology, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Peking University, Beijing 100191, China
| | - Jiajia Yang
- Department of Chemical Biology, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Peking University, Beijing 100191, China
| | - Mengmeng Yuan
- Department of Chemical Biology, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Peking University, Beijing 100191, China
| | - Liangmin Xue
- Department of Chemical Biology, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Peking University, Beijing 100191, China
| | - Hao Li
- Department of Chemical Biology, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Peking University, Beijing 100191, China
| | - Chao Tian
- Department of Chemical Biology, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Peking University, Beijing 100191, China
| | - Xiaowei Wang
- Department of Chemical Biology, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Peking University, Beijing 100191, China
| | - Junyi Liu
- Department of Chemical Biology, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Peking University, Beijing 100191, China; State Key Laboratory of Natural and Biomimetic Drugs, Peking University, Beijing 100191, China.
| | - Zhili Zhang
- Department of Chemical Biology, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Peking University, Beijing 100191, China
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