1
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Ma F, Yao J, Niu X, Zhang J, Shi D, Da M. MARK4 promotes the malignant phenotype of gastric cancer through the MAPK/ERK signaling pathway. Pathol Res Pract 2024; 261:155471. [PMID: 39079384 DOI: 10.1016/j.prp.2024.155471] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/17/2024] [Revised: 06/27/2024] [Accepted: 07/14/2024] [Indexed: 08/18/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Microtubule affinity regulating kinase 4 (MARK4), which is overexpressed in various tumors, is involved in the regulation of cell division, proliferation, migration, and the cell cycle, and has been considered a potential marker for cancer; however, its mechanism of action in gastric cancer (GC) remains unclear. This study aimed to investigate the role of MARK4 in the proliferation, migration, and invasion of GC cell through the MAPK/ERK signaling pathway by targeting MARK4 knockdown. METHODS Using The Cancer Genome Atlas data and clinical information, MARK4 expression and its relationship with prognosis were analyzed. Possible pathways involving MARK4 were explored using enrichment analysis. Western blotting and real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction were used to detect MARK4 expression in GC. After targeted transfection of siRNA, the transfection efficiency of the experimental group was detected in AGS and HGC-27 cells. The effects of knockdown MARK4 on the proliferation, migration, and invasion of GC cells were verified using CCK-8, colony formation, wound healing, and transwell assays. Finally, the relationship between MARK4, the MAPK/ERK pathway, and epithelial-mesenchymal transition in GC was verified by western blotting. RESULTS MARK4 expression was upregulated in GC and associated with poor prognosis in patients with GC. Enrichment analysis showed that MARK4 was involved in the activation of the MAPK signaling pathway. Western blotting results indicated that MARK4 overexpression promoted the proliferation, migration, and invasion of GC cells through the MAPK/ERK pathway. CONCLUSION MARK4 expression was upregulated in GC and promoted the proliferation, migration, and invasion of GC cells through the MAPK/ERK pathway.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fubin Ma
- The First School of Clinical Medicine, Ningxia Medical University, Yinchuan, PR China.
| | - Jibin Yao
- The First School of Clinical Medicine, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, PR China; Department of Surgical Oncology, Gansu Provincial Hospital, Lanzhou, PR China.
| | - Xingdong Niu
- The First School of Clinical Medicine, Gansu University of Chinese Medicine, Lanzhou, PR China.
| | - Junrui Zhang
- The First School of Clinical Medicine, Gansu University of Chinese Medicine, Lanzhou, PR China.
| | - Donghai Shi
- The First School of Clinical Medicine, Gansu University of Chinese Medicine, Lanzhou, PR China.
| | - Mingxu Da
- The First School of Clinical Medicine, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, PR China; Department of Surgical Oncology, Gansu Provincial Hospital, Lanzhou, PR China.
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2
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Mushtaq A, Wu P, Naseer MM. Recent drug design strategies and identification of key heterocyclic scaffolds for promising anticancer targets. Pharmacol Ther 2024; 254:108579. [PMID: 38160914 DOI: 10.1016/j.pharmthera.2023.108579] [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: 10/05/2023] [Revised: 11/29/2023] [Accepted: 12/12/2023] [Indexed: 01/03/2024]
Abstract
Cancer, a noncommunicable disease, is the leading cause of mortality worldwide and is anticipated to rise by 75% in the next two decades, reaching approximately 25 million cases. Traditional cancer treatments, such as radiotherapy and surgery, have shown limited success in reducing cancer incidence. As a result, the focus of cancer chemotherapy has switched to the development of novel small molecule antitumor agents as an alternate strategy for combating and managing cancer rates. Heterocyclic compounds are such agents that bind to specific residues in target proteins, inhibiting their function and potentially providing cancer treatment. This review focuses on privileged heterocyclic pharmacophores with potent activity against carbonic anhydrases and kinases, which are important anticancer targets. Evaluation of ongoing pre-clinical and clinical research of heterocyclic compounds with potential therapeutic value against a variety of malignancies as well as the provision of a concise summary of the role of heterocyclic scaffolds in various chemotherapy protocols have also been discussed. The main objective of the article is to highlight key heterocyclic scaffolds involved in recent anticancer drug design that demands further attention from the drug development community to find more effective and safer targeted small-molecule anticancer agents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alia Mushtaq
- Department of Chemistry, Quaid-i-Azam University, Islamabad 45320, Pakistan
| | - Peng Wu
- Chemical Genomics Centre, Max Planck Institute of Molecular Physiology, Otto-Hahn Str. 11, Dortmund 44227, Germany
| | - Muhammad Moazzam Naseer
- Department of Chemistry, Quaid-i-Azam University, Islamabad 45320, Pakistan; Chemical Genomics Centre, Max Planck Institute of Molecular Physiology, Otto-Hahn Str. 11, Dortmund 44227, Germany.
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3
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Zhao W, Zheng XD, Tang PYZ, Li HM, Liu X, Zhong JJ, Tang YJ. Advances of antitumor drug discovery in traditional Chinese medicine and natural active products by using multi-active components combination. Med Res Rev 2023; 43:1778-1808. [PMID: 37183170 DOI: 10.1002/med.21963] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2022] [Revised: 03/03/2023] [Accepted: 04/12/2023] [Indexed: 05/16/2023]
Abstract
The antitumor efficacy of Chinese herbal medicines has been widely recognized. Leading compounds such as sterols, glycosides, flavonoids, alkaloids, terpenoids, phenylpropanoids, and polyketides constitute their complex active components. The antitumor monomers derived from Chinese medicine possess an attractive anticancer activity. However, their use was limited by low bioavailability, significant toxicity, and side effects, hindering their clinical applications. Recently, new chemical entities have been designed and synthesized by combining natural drugs with other small drug molecules or active moieties to improve the antitumor activity and selectivity, and reduce side effects. Such a novel conjugated drug that can interact with several vital biological targets in cells may have a more significant or synergistic anticancer activity than a single-molecule drug. In addition, antitumor conjugates could be obtained by combining pharmacophores containing two or more known drugs or leading compounds. Based on these studies, the new drug research and development could be greatly shortened. This study reviews the research progress of conjugates with antitumor activity based on Chinese herbal medicine. It is expected to serve as a valuable reference to antitumor drug research and clinical application of traditional Chinese medicine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wei Zhao
- State Key Laboratory of Microbial Technology, Shandong University, Qingdao, China
| | - Xiao-Di Zheng
- Hubei Key Laboratory of Industrial Microbiology, Hubei Provincial Cooperative Innovation Center of Industrial Fermentation, Key Laboratory of Fermentation Engineering (Ministry of Education), Hubei University of Technology, Wuhan, China
| | | | - Hong-Mei Li
- State Key Laboratory of Microbial Technology, Shandong University, Qingdao, China
| | - Xue Liu
- Jinan Intellectual Property Protection Center, Jinan, China
| | - Jian-Jiang Zhong
- State Key Laboratory of Microbial Metabolism, Joint International Research Laboratory of Metabolic and Developmental Sciences, School of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
| | - Ya-Jie Tang
- State Key Laboratory of Microbial Technology, Shandong University, Qingdao, China
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4
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Alam M, Ahmed S, Abid M, Hasan GM, Islam A, Hassan MI. Therapeutic targeting of microtubule affinity-regulating kinase 4 in cancer and neurodegenerative diseases. J Cell Biochem 2023; 124:1223-1240. [PMID: 37661636 DOI: 10.1002/jcb.30468] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/20/2023] [Revised: 08/12/2023] [Accepted: 08/21/2023] [Indexed: 09/05/2023]
Abstract
Microtubule affinity-regulating kinase 4 (MARK4) is a member of the Ser/Thr protein kinase family, phosphorylates the microtubule-connected proteins and plays a vital role in causing cancers and neurodegenerative diseases. This kinase modulates multiple signaling pathways, including mammalian target of rapamycin, nuclear factor-κB, and Hippo-signaling, presumably responsible for cancer and Alzheimer's. MARK4 acts as a negative controller of the Hippo-kinase cassette for promoting YAP/TAZ action, and the loss of MARK4 detains the tumorigenic properties of cancer cells. MARK4 is involved in tau hyperphosphorylation that consequently affects neurodegeneration. MARK4 is a promising drug target for cancer, diabetes, and Alzheimer's. Developing the potent and selective inhibitors of MAKR4 are promising in the therapeutic management of associated diseases. Despite its great significance, a few reviews are available to discuss its structure, function and clinical significance. In the current review, we aimed to provide detailed information on the structural features of MARK4 targeted in drug development and its role in various signaling pathways related to cancer and neurodegenerative diseases. We further described the therapeutic potential of MARK4 inhibitors in preventing numerous diseases. Finally, the updated information on MARK4 will be helpful in the further development of effective therapeutic molecules.
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Affiliation(s)
- Manzar Alam
- Center for Interdisciplinary Research in Basic Sciences, Jamia Millia Islamia, New Delhi, India
| | - Sarfraz Ahmed
- Center for Interdisciplinary Research in Basic Sciences, Jamia Millia Islamia, New Delhi, India
- Department of Biosciences, Jamia Millia Islamia, New Delhi, India
| | - Mohammad Abid
- Department of Biosciences, Jamia Millia Islamia, New Delhi, India
| | - Gulam Mustafa Hasan
- Department of Biochemistry, College of Medicine, Prince Sattam Bin Abdulaziz University, Al-Kharj, Saudi Arabia
| | - Asimul Islam
- Center for Interdisciplinary Research in Basic Sciences, Jamia Millia Islamia, New Delhi, India
| | - Md Imtaiyaz Hassan
- Center for Interdisciplinary Research in Basic Sciences, Jamia Millia Islamia, New Delhi, India
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5
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Peerzada M, Vullo D, Paoletti N, Bonardi A, Gratteri P, Supuran CT, Azam A. Discovery of Novel Hydroxyimine-Tethered Benzenesulfonamides as Potential Human Carbonic Anhydrase IX/XII Inhibitors. ACS Med Chem Lett 2023; 14:810-819. [PMID: 37312840 PMCID: PMC10258898 DOI: 10.1021/acsmedchemlett.3c00094] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2023] [Accepted: 05/04/2023] [Indexed: 06/15/2023] Open
Abstract
To discover novel carbonic anhydrase (CA, EC 4.2.1.1) inhibitors for cancer treatment, a series of 4-{4-[(hydroxyimino)methyl]piperazin-1-yl}benzenesulfonamides were designed and synthesized using SLC-0111 as the lead molecule. The developed novel compounds 27-34 were investigated for the inhibition of human (h) isoforms hCA I, hCA II, hCA IX, and hCA XII. The hCA I was inhibited by compound 29 with a Ki value of 3.0 nM, whereas hCA II was inhibited by compound 32 with a Ki value of 4.4 nM. The tumor-associated hCA IX isoform was inhibited by compound 30 effectively with an Ki value of 43 nM, whereas the activity of another cancer-related isoform, hCA XII, was significantly inhibited by 29 and 31 with a Ki value of 5 nM. Molecular modeling showed that drug molecule 30 participates in significant hydrophobic and hydrogen bond interactions with the active site of the investigated hCAs and binds to zinc through the deprotonated sulfonamide group.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mudasir
Nabi Peerzada
- Medicinal
Chemistry and Drug Discovery Research Laboratory, Department of Chemistry, Jamia Millia Islamia, Jamia Nagar, New Delhi-110025, India
| | - Daniela Vullo
- Department
of NEUROFARBA, Section of Pharmaceutical and Nutraceutical Sciences,
Laboratory of Molecular Modeling, Cheminformatics & QSAR, University of Florence, Polo Scientifico, Via U. Schiff 6, 50019 Sesto Fiorentino, Florence, Italy
| | - Niccolò Paoletti
- Department
of NEUROFARBA, Section of Pharmaceutical and Nutraceutical Sciences,
Laboratory of Molecular Modeling, Cheminformatics & QSAR, University of Florence, Polo Scientifico, Via U. Schiff 6, 50019 Sesto Fiorentino, Florence, Italy
| | - Alessandro Bonardi
- Department
of NEUROFARBA, Section of Pharmaceutical and Nutraceutical Sciences,
Laboratory of Molecular Modeling, Cheminformatics & QSAR, University of Florence, Polo Scientifico, Via U. Schiff 6, 50019 Sesto Fiorentino, Florence, Italy
| | - Paola Gratteri
- Department
of NEUROFARBA, Section of Pharmaceutical and Nutraceutical Sciences,
Laboratory of Molecular Modeling, Cheminformatics & QSAR, University of Florence, Polo Scientifico, Via U. Schiff 6, 50019 Sesto Fiorentino, Florence, Italy
| | - Claudiu T. Supuran
- Department
of NEUROFARBA, Section of Pharmaceutical and Nutraceutical Sciences,
Laboratory of Molecular Modeling, Cheminformatics & QSAR, University of Florence, Polo Scientifico, Via U. Schiff 6, 50019 Sesto Fiorentino, Florence, Italy
| | - Amir Azam
- Medicinal
Chemistry and Drug Discovery Research Laboratory, Department of Chemistry, Jamia Millia Islamia, Jamia Nagar, New Delhi-110025, India
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6
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Atiya A, Das Gupta D, Alsayari A, Alrouji M, Alotaibi A, Sharaf SE, Abdulmonem WA, Alorfi NM, Abdullah KM, Shamsi A. Linagliptin and Empagliflozin Inhibit Microtubule Affinity Regulatory Kinase 4: Repurposing Anti-Diabetic Drugs in Neurodegenerative Disorders Using In Silico and In Vitro Approaches. ACS OMEGA 2023; 8:6423-6430. [PMID: 36844587 PMCID: PMC9948186 DOI: 10.1021/acsomega.2c06634] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/17/2022] [Accepted: 01/24/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and Alzheimer's disease (AD) are significant public health burdens. Many studies have revealed the possibility of common pathophysiology between T2DM and AD. Thus, in recent years, studies deciphering the action mechanism of anti-diabetic drugs with their future use in AD and related pathologies are on high demand. Drug repurposing is a safe and effective approach owing to its low cost and time-saving attributes. Microtubule affinity regulating kinase 4 (MARK4) is a druggable target for various diseases and is found to be linked with AD and diabetes mellitus. MARK4 plays a vital role in energy metabolism and regulation and thus serves as an irrefutable target to treat T2DM. The present study was intended to identify the potent MARK4 inhibitors among FDA-approved anti-diabetic drugs. We performed structure-based virtual screening of FDA-approved drugs to identify the top hits against MARK4. We identified five FDA-approved drugs having an appreciable affinity and specificity toward the binding pocket of MARK4. Among these identified hits, two drugs, linagliptin, and empagliflozin, favorably bind to the MARK4 binding pocket, interacting with its critical residues and thus subjected to detailed analysis. All-atom detailed molecular dynamics (MD) simulations revealed the dynamics of binding of linagliptin and empagliflozin with MARK4. Kinase assay showed significant inhibition of MARK4 kinase activity in the presence of these drugs, implying them as potent MARK4 inhibitors. In conclusion, linagliptin and empagliflozin may be promising MARK4 inhibitors, which can further be exploited as potential lead molecules against MARK4-directed neurodegenerative diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Akhtar Atiya
- Department
of Pharmacognosy, College of Pharmacy, King
Khalid University (KKU), Guraiger St., Abha 62529, Saudi Arabia
| | - Debarati Das Gupta
- College
of Pharmacy, University of Michigan, 2428 Church Street, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109, United States
| | - Abdulrhman Alsayari
- Department
of Pharmacognosy, College of Pharmacy, King
Khalid University (KKU), Guraiger St., Abha 62529, Saudi Arabia
- Complementary
and Alternative Medicine Unit, King Khalid
University (KKU), Guraiger St., Abha 62529, Saudi Arabia
| | - Mohammed Alrouji
- Department
of Medical Laboratories, College of Applied Medical Sciences, Shaqra University, Shaqra 11961, Saudi Arabia
| | - Abdulmajeed Alotaibi
- College
of Applied Medical Sciences, King Saud bin
Abdulaziz University for Health Sciences, Riyadh 11426, Saudi Arabia
| | - Sharaf E. Sharaf
- Pharmaceutical
Chemistry Department, College of Pharmacy, Umm Al-Qura University, Makkah 21421, Saudi Arabia
| | - Waleed Al Abdulmonem
- Department
of Pathology, College of Medicine, Qassim
University, Buraydah 52571, Saudi Arabia
| | - Nasser M. Alorfi
- Department
of Pharmacology and Toxicology, College of Pharmacy, Umm Al-Qura University, Makkah 21421, Saudi Arabia
| | - K. M. Abdullah
- Department
of Biochemistry, Jain University, Bengaluru 560069, India
| | - Anas Shamsi
- Centre
of Medical and Bio-Allied Health Sciences Research, Ajman University, Ajman 346, United Arab Emirates
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7
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Peerzada MN, Hamdy R, Rizvi MA, Verma S. Privileged Scaffolds in Drug Discovery against Human Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor 2 for Cancer Treatment. Curr Pharm Des 2023; 29:3563-3578. [PMID: 38141192 DOI: 10.2174/0113816128283615231218094706] [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: 09/22/2023] [Revised: 11/08/2023] [Accepted: 11/14/2023] [Indexed: 12/25/2023]
Abstract
HER2 is the membrane receptor tyrosine kinase showing overexpression in several human malignancies, particularly breast cancer. HER2 overexpression causes the activation of Ras- MAPK and PI3K/Akt/ NF-κB cellular signal transduction pathways that lead to cancer development and progression. HER2 is, therefore, presumed as one of the key targets for the development of tumor-specific therapies. Several preclinical have been developed that function by inhibiting the HER2 tyrosine kinase activity through the prevention of the dimerization process. Most HER2 inhibitors act as ATP competitors and prevent the process of phosphorylation, and abort the cell cycle progression and proliferation. In this review, the clinical drug candidates and potent pre-clinical newly developed molecules are described, and the core chemical scaffolds typically responsible for anti-HER2 activity are deciphered. In addition, the monoclonal antibodies that are either used in monotherapy or in combination therapy against HER2-positive cancer are briefly described. The identified key moieties in this study could result in the discovery of more effective HER2-targeted anticancer drug molecules and circumvent the development of resistance by HER2-specific chemotherapeutics in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mudasir Nabi Peerzada
- Tumor Biology and Drug Discovery Laboratory, National Institute of Pathology, Indian Council of Medical Research, Safdarjang Hospital Campus, New Delhi 110029, India
| | - Rania Hamdy
- Research Institute for Science and Engineering (RISE), University of Sharjah, Sharjah P.O. Box 27272, United Arab Emirates
- Faculty of Pharmacy, Zagazig University, Zagazig 44519, Egypt
| | | | - Saurabh Verma
- Tumor Biology and Drug Discovery Laboratory, National Institute of Pathology, Indian Council of Medical Research, Safdarjang Hospital Campus, New Delhi 110029, India
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8
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Ezeh M, Okonkwo OE, Okpoli IN, Orji CE, Modozie BU, Onyema AC, Ezebuo FC. Chemoinformatic Design and Profiling of Derivatives of Dasabuvir, Efavirenz, and Tipranavir as Potential Inhibitors of Zika Virus RNA-Dependent RNA Polymerase and Methyltransferase. ACS OMEGA 2022; 7:33330-33348. [PMID: 36157724 PMCID: PMC9494688 DOI: 10.1021/acsomega.2c03945] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/23/2022] [Accepted: 08/24/2022] [Indexed: 05/29/2023]
Abstract
Zika virus (ZIKV) infection is one of the mosquito-borne flaviviruses of human importance with more than 2 million suspected cases and more than 1 million people infected in about 30 countries. There are reported inhibitors of the zika virus replication machinery, but no approved effective antiviral therapy including vaccines directed against the virus for treatment or prevention is currently available. The study investigated the chemoinformatic design and profiling of derivatives of dasabuvir, efavirenz, and tipranavir as potential inhibitors of the zika virus RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (RdRP) and/or methyltransferase (MTase). The three-dimensional (3D) coordinates of dasabuvir, efavirenz, and tipranavir were obtained from the PubChem database, and their respective derivatives were designed with DataWarrior-5.2.1 using an evolutionary algorithm. Derivatives that were not mutagenic, tumorigenic, or irritant were selected; docked into RdRP and MTase; and further subjected to absorption, distribution, metabolism, excretion, and toxicity (ADMET) evaluation with Swiss-ADME and pkCSM web tools. Some of the designed compounds are Lipinski's rule-of-five compliant, with good synthetic accessibilities. Compounds 20d, 21d, 22d, and 1e are nontoxic with the only limitation of CYP1A2, CYP2C19, and/or CYP2C9 inhibition. Replacements of -CH3 and -NH- in the methanesulfonamide moiety of dasabuvir with -OH and -CH2- or -CH2CH2-, respectively, improved the safety/toxicity profile. Hepatotoxicity in 5d, 4d, and 18d is likely due to -NH- in their methanesulfonamide/sulfamic acid moieties. These compounds are potent inhibitors of N-7 and 2'-methylation activities of ZIKV methyltransferase and/or RNA synthesis through interactions with amino acid residues in the priming loop/"N-pocket" in the virus RdRP. Synthesis of these compounds and wet laboratory validation against ZIKV are recommended.
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Affiliation(s)
- Madeleine
I. Ezeh
- Department
of Pharmaceutical and Medicinal Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmaceutical
Sciences, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, PMB 5025, Awka 420110, Anambra
State, Nigeria
| | - Onyinyechi E. Okonkwo
- Department
of Pharmaceutical and Medicinal Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmaceutical
Sciences, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, PMB 5025, Awka 420110, Anambra
State, Nigeria
| | - Innocent N. Okpoli
- Department
of Pharmaceutical and Medicinal Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmaceutical
Sciences, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, PMB 5025, Awka 420110, Anambra
State, Nigeria
- Drug
Design and Informatics Group, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, PMB 5025, Awka 420110, Anambra State, Nigeria
| | - Chima E. Orji
- Department
of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, PMB 5025, Awka 420110, Anambra State, Nigeria
| | - Benjamin U. Modozie
- Department
of Pharmaceutical and Medicinal Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmaceutical
Sciences, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, PMB 5025, Awka 420110, Anambra
State, Nigeria
| | - Augustine C. Onyema
- Department
of Biochemistry, Graduate Center, City University
of New York (CUNY), New York, New York 10016, United States
| | - Fortunatus C. Ezebuo
- Department
of Pharmaceutical and Medicinal Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmaceutical
Sciences, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, PMB 5025, Awka 420110, Anambra
State, Nigeria
- Drug
Design and Informatics Group, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, PMB 5025, Awka 420110, Anambra State, Nigeria
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9
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Wattanathamsan O, Pongrakhananon V. Emerging role of microtubule-associated proteins on cancer metastasis. Front Pharmacol 2022; 13:935493. [PMID: 36188577 PMCID: PMC9515585 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2022.935493] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/04/2022] [Accepted: 08/29/2022] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
The major cause of death in cancer patients is strongly associated with metastasis. While much remains to be understood, microtubule-associated proteins (MAPs) have shed light on metastatic progression’s molecular mechanisms. In this review article, we focus on the role of MAPs in cancer aggressiveness, particularly cancer metastasis activity. Increasing evidence has shown that a growing number of MAP member proteins might be fundamental regulators involved in altering microtubule dynamics, contributing to cancer migration, invasion, and epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition. MAP types have been established according to their microtubule-binding site and function in microtubule-dependent activities. We highlight that altered MAP expression was commonly found in many cancer types and related to cancer progression based on available evidence. Furthermore, we discuss and integrate the relevance of MAPs and related molecular signaling pathways in cancer metastasis. Our review provides a comprehensive understanding of MAP function on microtubules. It elucidates how MAPs regulate cancer progression, preferentially in metastasis, providing substantial scientific information on MAPs as potential therapeutic targets and prognostic markers for cancer management.
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Affiliation(s)
- Onsurang Wattanathamsan
- Preclinical Toxicity and Efficacy Assessment of Medicines and Chemicals Research Unit, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand
- Department of Pharmacology and Physiology, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Varisa Pongrakhananon
- Preclinical Toxicity and Efficacy Assessment of Medicines and Chemicals Research Unit, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand
- Department of Pharmacology and Physiology, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand
- *Correspondence: Varisa Pongrakhananon,
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10
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Multitargeting the Action of 5-HT 6 Serotonin Receptor Ligands by Additional Modulation of Kinases in the Search for a New Therapy for Alzheimer's Disease: Can It Work from a Molecular Point of View? Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23158768. [PMID: 35955902 PMCID: PMC9368844 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23158768] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/20/2022] [Revised: 08/03/2022] [Accepted: 08/05/2022] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
Abstract
In view of the unsatisfactory treatment of cognitive disorders, in particular Alzheimer’s disease (AD), the aim of this review was to perform a computer-aided analysis of the state of the art that will help in the search for innovative polypharmacology-based therapeutic approaches to fight against AD. Apart from 20-year unrenewed cholinesterase- or NMDA-based AD therapy, the hope of effectively treating Alzheimer’s disease has been placed on serotonin 5-HT6 receptor (5-HT6R), due to its proven, both for agonists and antagonists, beneficial procognitive effects in animal models; however, research into this treatment has so far not been successfully translated to human patients. Recent lines of evidence strongly emphasize the role of kinases, in particular microtubule affinity-regulating kinase 4 (MARK4), Rho-associated coiled-coil-containing protein kinase I/II (ROCKI/II) and cyclin-dependent kinase 5 (CDK5) in the etiology of AD, pointing to the therapeutic potential of their inhibitors not only against the symptoms, but also the causes of this disease. Thus, finding a drug that acts simultaneously on both 5-HT6R and one of those kinases will provide a potential breakthrough in AD treatment. The pharmacophore- and docking-based comprehensive literature analysis performed herein serves to answer the question of whether the design of these kind of dual agents is possible, and the conclusions turned out to be highly promising.
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11
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Jiang D, Ding S, Mao Z, You L, Ruan Y. Integrated analysis of potential pathways by which aloe-emodin induces the apoptosis of colon cancer cells. Cancer Cell Int 2021; 21:238. [PMID: 33902610 PMCID: PMC8077783 DOI: 10.1186/s12935-021-01942-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/23/2020] [Accepted: 04/19/2021] [Indexed: 01/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Colon cancer is a malignant gastrointestinal tumour with high incidence, mortality and metastasis rates worldwide. Aloe-emodin is a monomer compound derived from hydroxyanthraquinone. Aloe-emodin produces a wide range of antitumour effects and is produced by rhubarb, aloe and other herbs. However, the mechanism by which aloe-emodin influences colon cancer is still unclear. We hope these findings will lead to the development of a new therapeutic strategy for the treatment of colon cancer in the clinic. Methods We identified the overlapping targets of aloe-emodin and colon cancer and performed protein–protein interaction (PPI), Gene Ontology (GO), and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway analyses. In addition, we selected apoptosis pathways for experimental verification with cell viability, cell proliferation, caspase-3 activity, DAPI staining, cell cycle and western blotting analyses to evaluate the apoptotic effect of aloe-emodin on colon cancer cells. Results The MTT assay and cell colony formation assay showed that aloe-emodin inhibited cell proliferation. DAPI staining confirmed that aloe-emodin induced apoptosis. Aloe-emodin upregulated the protein level of Bax and decreased the expression of Bcl-2, which activates caspase-3 and caspase-9. Furthermore, the protein expression level of cytochrome C increased in a time-dependent manner in the cytoplasm but decreased in a time-dependent manner in the mitochondria. Conclusion These results indicate that aloe-emodin may induce the apoptosis of human colon cancer cells through mitochondria-related pathways.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dongxiao Jiang
- College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou, 310053, People's Republic of China
| | - Shufei Ding
- Shaoxing Hospital Of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shaoxing, 312000, People's Republic of China
| | - Zhujun Mao
- College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou, 310053, People's Republic of China
| | - Liyan You
- College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou, 310053, People's Republic of China
| | - Yeping Ruan
- College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou, 310053, People's Republic of China.
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Peerzada MN, Hamel E, Bai R, Supuran CT, Azam A. Deciphering the key heterocyclic scaffolds in targeting microtubules, kinases and carbonic anhydrases for cancer drug development. Pharmacol Ther 2021; 225:107860. [PMID: 33895188 DOI: 10.1016/j.pharmthera.2021.107860] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2021] [Revised: 03/31/2021] [Accepted: 04/06/2021] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Heterocyclic scaffolds are widely utilized for drug design by taking into account the molecular structure of therapeutic targets that are related to a broad spectrum of ailments, including tumors. Such compounds display various covalent and non-covalent interactions with the specific residues of the target proteins while causing their inhibition. There is a substantial number of heterocyclic compounds approved for cancer treatment, and these compounds function by interacting with different therapeutic targets involved in tumorogenesis. In this review, we trace and emphasize the privileged heterocyclic pharmacophores that have immense potency against several essential chemotherapeutic tumor targets: microtubules, kinases and carbonic anhydrases. Potent compounds currently undergoing pre-clinical and clinical studies have also been assessed for ascertaining the effective class of chemical scaffolds that have significant therapeutic potential against multiple malignancies. In addition, we also describe briefly the role of heterocyclic compounds in various chemotherapy regimens. The optimized molecular hybridization of delineated motifs may result in the discovery of more active anticancer therapeutics and circumvent the development of resistance by specific targets in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mudasir Nabi Peerzada
- Medicinal Chemistry Research Laboratory, Department of Chemistry, Jamia Millia Islamia, Jamia Nagar, New Delhi 110025, India
| | - Ernest Hamel
- Molecular Pharmacology Branch, Developmental Therapeutics Program, Division of Cancer Treatment and Diagnosis, Frederick National Laboratory for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Frederick, MD 21702, USA
| | - Ruoli Bai
- Molecular Pharmacology Branch, Developmental Therapeutics Program, Division of Cancer Treatment and Diagnosis, Frederick National Laboratory for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Frederick, MD 21702, USA
| | - Claudiu T Supuran
- Department of NEUROFARBA, Section of Pharmaceutical and Nutraceutical Sciences, University of Florence, Polo Scientifico, Via U. Schiff 6, 50019 Sesto Fiorentino, Florence, Italy.
| | - Amir Azam
- Medicinal Chemistry Research Laboratory, Department of Chemistry, Jamia Millia Islamia, Jamia Nagar, New Delhi 110025, India.
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Gupta P, Taiyab A, Hassan MI. Emerging role of protein kinases in diabetes mellitus: From mechanism to therapy. ADVANCES IN PROTEIN CHEMISTRY AND STRUCTURAL BIOLOGY 2020; 124:47-85. [PMID: 33632470 DOI: 10.1016/bs.apcsb.2020.11.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/29/2023]
Abstract
Diabetes mellitus has emerged as a severe burden on the medical health system across the globe. Presently, around 422 million people are suffering from diabetes which is speculated to be expanded to about 600 million by 2035. Patients with type 2 diabetes are at increased risk of developing detrimental metabolic and cardiovascular complications. The scientific understanding of this chronic disease and its underlying root cause is not yet fully unraveled. Protein kinases are well known to regulate almost every cellular process through phosphorylation of target protein in diverse signaling pathways. The important role of several protein kinases including AMP-activated protein kinase, IκB kinase and protein kinase C have been well demonstrated in various animal models. They modulate glucose tolerance, inflammation and insulin resistance in the cells via acting on diverse downstream targets and signaling pathways. Thus, modulating the activity of potential human kinases which are significantly involved in diabetes by targeting with small molecule inhibitors could be an attractive therapeutic strategy to tackle diabetes. In this chapter, we have discussed the potential role of protein kinases in glucose metabolism and insulin sensitivity, and in the pathogenesis of diabetes mellitus. Furthermore, the small molecules reported in the literature that can be potentially used for the treatment of diabetes have been discussed in detail.
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Affiliation(s)
- Preeti Gupta
- Centre for Interdisciplinary Research in Basic Sciences, Jamia Millia Islamia, New Delhi, India
| | - Aaliya Taiyab
- Centre for Interdisciplinary Research in Basic Sciences, Jamia Millia Islamia, New Delhi, India
| | - Md Imtaiyaz Hassan
- Centre for Interdisciplinary Research in Basic Sciences, Jamia Millia Islamia, New Delhi, India.
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