DNA interaction and cytotoxicity of a new series of indolo[2,3-b]quinoxaline and pyridopyrazino[2,3-b]indole derivatives

Effects of an unusual poison identify a lifespan role for Topoisomerase 2 in Saccharomyces cerevisiae

A progressive loss of genome maintenance has been implicated as both a cause and consequence of aging. Here we present evidence supporting the hypothesis that an age-associated decay in genome maintenance promotes aging in Saccharomyces cerevisiae (yeast) due to an inability to sense or repair DNA damage by topoisomerase 2 (yTop2). We describe the characterization of LS1, identified in a high throughput screen for small molecules that shorten the replicative lifespan of yeast. LS1 accelerates aging without affecting proliferative growth or viability. Genetic and biochemical criteria reveal LS1 to be a weak Top2 poison. Top2 poisons induce the accumulation of covalent Top2-linked DNA double strand breaks that, if left unrepaired, lead to genome instability and death. LS1 is toxic to cells deficient in homologous recombination, suggesting that the damage it induces is normally mitigated by genome maintenance systems. The essential roles of yTop2 in proliferating cells may come with a fitness trade-off in older cells that are less able to sense or repair yTop2-mediated DNA damage. Consistent with this idea, cells live longer when yTop2 expression levels are reduced. These results identify intrinsic yTop2-mediated DNA damage as a potentially manageable cause of aging.

Synthesis, cytotoxic evaluation and DNA binding study of 9-fluoro-6H-indolo[2,3-b]quinoxaline derivatives

New quaternary ammonium salts of 9-fluoro-6H-indolo[2,3-b] derivatives were synthesized. These compounds possessed enhanced DNA binding ability and improved antitumor activity.

A Green Synthesis of Indolo[2,3-b]Quinoxaline Derivatives

A simple, efficient and eco-friendly synthesis of a series of structurally new indolo[2,3- b]quinoxaline derivatives has been developed. The synthesis mainly relies on the condensation reaction of various isatins with o-phenylenediamine in water with the use of benzyltriethylammonium chloride as catalyst. The protocol is very simple, avoids toxic solvents and catalysts, is easy to work-up and is thus especially ‘green’.

Synthesis of chromeno[3,4-b]indoles as Lamellarin D analogues: a novel DYRK1A inhibitor class

A library of substituted chromeno[3,4-b]indoles was developed as Lamellarin isosters. Synthesis was achieved from indoles after a four-step pathway sequence involving C-3 iodination, a Suzuki cross-coupling reaction, and a one pot deprotection/lactonisation step. Twenty final compounds were tested in order to determine their activity against topoisomerase I and kinases, the two major biological activities of Lamellarins. One newly synthesized derivative exhibited a strong topoisomerase activity comparable to reference compounds such as campthotecin and Lamellarin with only a weak kinase inhibition. Two other lead compounds were identified as new nanomolar DYRK1A inhibitors and several other drugs affected the kinases in the sub-micromolar range. These results will enable us to use the chromeno[3,4-b]indole as a pharmacophore to develop potent treatments for neurological or oncological disorders in which DYRK1A is fully involved.

{2-[1-(3-Methoxycarbonylmethyl-1H-indol-2-yl)-1-methyl-ethyl]-1H-indol-3-yl}-acetic acid methyl ester (MIAM): its anti-cancer efficacy and intercalation mechanism identified via multi-model systems

{2-[1-(3-Methoxycarbonylmethyl-1H-indol-2-yl)-1-methyl-ethyl]-1H-indol-3-yl}-acetic acid methyl ester (MIAM) was provided as a DNA-intercalator. For the comprehensive evaluation of this new intercalator, an assay system consisting of cell, S180 mouse, healthy mouse, spectrum, non-spectrum, and gel electrophoresis models was constructed. On the cell (S180, K562, MCF-7, HeLa and HepG2) models, MIAM selectively inhibited the viability of HeLa. On the S180 mouse model, 0.89, 8.9, 89 and 890 μmol kg(-1) of MIAM dose-dependently inhibited the tumor growth. Even at a dose of 890 μmol kg(-1), MIAM did not damage the treated S180 mice. The safety of MIAM was supported by a high spleen index and an obvious increase of body weight of the treated S180 mice. On the healthy mouse model the LD(50) value of MIAM is higher than 890 μmol kg(-1). The ultraviolet (UV), fluorescence, circular dichroism (CD), relative viscosity, melting curve, and gel electrophoresis assays of DNA with or without MIAM consistently supported an intercalation mechanism for MIAM.

Design, synthesis, cytotoxic evaluation, and QSAR study of some 6H-indolo[2,3-b]quinoxaline derivatives

In the pathway of anticancer drug development, we designed and synthesized some 6H-indolo[2,3-b]quinoxaline derivatives (which act as DNA intercalators) by structural modification. The structure of the 6H-indolo[2,3-b]quinoxaline derivatives was confirmed by IR, NMR, Mass and elemental analysis. The compounds (IDQ-5, IDQ-10, IDQ-11, IDQ-13, and IDQ-14) exhibited significant in vitro activity against a human leukemia (HL-60) cell line. The QSAR derived for modeling the cytotoxic activity of 6H-indolo[2,3-b]quinoxaline derivatives suggests that candidate structures for increased cytotoxic potency should incorporate cyclic substituents or substituents with primary carbon atoms.

Interactions of the anti-tumor sesquiterpene hydroquinone avarol with DNA in vitro

Changes in electrophoresis pattern after interaction of supercoiled plasmid pBR322 DNA with avarol was studied at a micromolar concentration of reactants under mild reaction conditions. Interactions of avarol with linear high-molecular CT-DNA at millimolar concentrations were analyzed by electrophoresis and UV spectrophotometry. It was observed that avarol is capable of quenching ethidium bromide fluorescence in DNA bands. An increase in the absorbance of DNA was detected. The results indicate the binding of avarol to DNA and/or modification of nucleotide bases.