Structure-Activity study of retinoid agonists bearing substituted dicarba-closo-dodecaborane. Relation between retinoidal activity and conformation of two aromatic nuclei

We have investigated the structure activity relationships of the potent retinoid agonist, 4-[4-(2-propyl-1,2-dicarba-closo-dodecaboran-l-yl)phenylamino]benzoic acid (BR403), which we have previously reported. Substitution of a methyl group on the aromatic nucleus or a methyl group on the nitrogen atom, or replacement of the amino group with ether, methylene, carboxyl or 1,1-ethylene greatly decreased the activity. The relatively planar conformation at the phenyl-N-phenyl moiety seems to play a critical role in the appearance of the biological activity.

Novel retinoidal tropolone derivatives. Bioisosteric relationship of tropolone ring with benzoic acid moiety in retinoid structure

Several tropolone derivatives (4-7) were designed as novel retinoids on the assumption that the tropolone ring may mimic the benzoic acid moiety in retinoid structures, such as Am80 (2). Among the synthesized compounds, 5-[2-(5,6,7,8-tetrahydro-5,5,8,8-tetramethyl-2-naphthyl)ethynyl]tropolone (7a) showed moderate potency as a differentiation-inducer of HL-60 cells. The activities of the tropolones were greatly enhanced in the presence of HX630, an RXR agonist (retinoid synergist).

Retinoidal pyrimidinecarboxylic acids. Unexpected diaza-substituent effects in retinobenzoic acids

Several pyridine- and pyrimidine-carboxylic acids were synthesized as ligand candidates for retinoid nuclear receptors, retinoic acid receptors (RARs) and retinoic X receptors (RXRs). Although the pyridine derivatives, 6-[(5,6,7,8-tetrahydro-5,5,8,8-tetramethyl-2-naphthalenyl)carbamoyl]pyri dine-3-carboxylic acid (2b) and 6-[(5,6,7,8-tetrahydro-5,5,8,8-tetramethyl-2-naphthalenyl)carboxamido]py ridine-3-carboxylic acid (5b) are more potent than the corresponding benzoic acid-type retinoids, Am80 (2a) and Am580 (5a), the replacement of the benzene ring of Am580 (5a), Am555 (6a), or Am55 (7a) with a pyrimidine ring caused loss of the retinoidal activity both in HL-60 cell differentiation assay and in RAR transactivation assay using COS-1 cells. On the other hand, pyrimidine analogs (PA series, 10 and 11) of potent RXR agonists (retinoid synergists) with a diphenylamine skeleton (DA series, 8 and 9) exhibited potent retinoid synergistic activity in HL-60 cell differentiation assay and activated RXRs. Among the synthesized compounds, 2-[N-n-propyl-N-(5,6,7,8-tetrahydro-5,5,8,8-tetramethyl-2-naphthalenyl)a mino]pyrimidine-5-carboxylic acid (PA013, 10e) is most active retinoid synergist in HL-60 assay.

Polymethylcarborane as a novel bioactive moiety: derivatives with potent retinoid antagonistic activity

4[(Deca-B-methyl-1,12-dicarba-closo-dodecaboran-1-yl)c arbamoyl]benzoic acid and its congeners showed potent antagonistic activity at concentrations of 10(-7)-10(-8) M on the differentiation-inducing action of retinoids towards human promyelocytic leukemia HL-60 cells. This is the first example of derivatives of polymethylcarborane, which resembles C60 in size, with biological activity.

Retinoid X receptor-antagonistic diazepinylbenzoic acids

Several dibenzodiazepine derivatives were identified as novel retinoid X receptor (RXR) antagonists on the basis of inhibitory activity on retinoid-induced cell differentiation of human promyelocytic leukemia cells HL-60 and transactivation assay using retinoic acid receptors (RARs) and RXRs in COS-1 cells. 4-(5H-2,3-(2,5-Dimethyl-2,5-hexano)-5-n- propyldibenzo[b,e][1,4]diazepin-11-yl)benzoic acid (HX603, 6c) is an N-n-propyl derivative of an RXR pan-agonist HX600 (6a), and exhibited RXR-selective antagonistic activity. Similar RXR-antagonistic activities were observed with 4-(5H-2,3-(2,5-dimethyl-2,5-hexano)-5-methyl- 8-nitrodibenzo[b,e][1,4]diazepin-11-yl)benzoic acid (HX531, 7a) and 4-(5H-10,11-dihydro-5,10-dimethyl-2,3-(2,5-dimethyl- 2,5-hexano)-dibenzo[b,e][1,4]diazepin-11-yl)benzoic acid (HX711, 8b), which also inhibited transactivation of RARs induced by an RAR agonist, Am80. These compounds inhibited HL-60 cell differentiation induced by the combination of a low concentration of the retinoid agonist Am80 with an RXR agonist (a retinoid synergist, HX600). These results indicated that HX603 (6c), and the related RXR antagonists inhibit the activation of RAR-RXR heterodimers as well as RXR homodimers, which is a distinct characteristic different from that of the known RXR antagonist, LG100754 (9).

Dicarba-closo-dodecaboranes as a pharmacophore. Novel potent retinoidal agonists

The synthesis and biological evaluation of the dicarba-closo-dodecaborane (carborane) derivatives of retinoids are described. Retinoidal activity was examined in terms of the differentiation-inducing ability toward human promyelocytic leukemia HL-60 cells. High retinoidal activity (agonist or antagonist for the retinoid receptor RAR) requires a carboxylic acid moiety and an appropriate hydrophobic group located at a suitable position on the molecule. 4-[4-(1,2-Dicarba-closo-dodecaboran-1-yl)phenylamino]b enzoic acids and 4-[3-(1,2-dicarba-closo-dodecaboran-1-yl)phenylamino]b enzoic acids showed potent agonistic activity at concentrations of 10(-8)-10(-9) M. The results indicate that carboranes are applicable as the hydrophobic moiety of biologically active molecules.

Dicarba-closo-dodecaboranes as a pharmacophore. Retinoidal antagonists and potential agonists

Synthesis and biological evaluation of the first dicarba-closo-dodecaborane (carborane) derivatives of retinoids are described. Their retinoidal activity were examined in terms of the differentiation-inducing ability toward human promyelocytic leukemia HL-60 cells. High retinoidal activity (agonist or antagonist for retinoic acid receptor (RAR) requires a carboxylic acid moiety and an appropriate hydrophobic group located at a suitable position on the molecule. The 4-carboranyl-substituted compounds (7, 11) showed antagonistic activity but no agonistic activity even in the presence of the potent synergist HX630. On the other hand, the 3-carboranyl-substituted compounds (8, 12) showed potential agonistic activity, but no antagonistic activity. The results indicates that carboranes are applicable as the hydrophobic moiety of biologically active molecules.

Potent retinoid synergists with a diphenylamine skeleton

4-[N-(5,6,7,8-Tetrahydro-5,5,8,8-tetramethyl-2-naphthyl)amino]benzoic acid (5) exhibited weak retinoidal and retinoid synergistic activities in HL-60 cell differentiation assay. N-Alkylation of 5 caused decrease or loss of differentiation-inducing activity, but enhanced the synergistic activity with a synthetic retinoid Am80 (2), as reflected in the potent synergistic EC50 (SEC50) values of DA023 (11, 1.6 x 10(-10) M) and DA113 (14, 1.4 x 10(-10) M) in the presence of 1.0 x 10(-10) M Am80 (2).

Novel thiazolidinedione derivatives with retinoid synergistic activity

Several arylmethylidene thiazolidinediones were synthesized and their retinoidal activities were examined. TZ181 (7a), having a benzanilide skeleton, exhibited differentiation-inducing activity in HL-60 cell assay, while TZ191 (7b), the N-methylated analog of TZ181 (7a), TZ245 (9) and TZ335 (10) acted as retinoid synergists like the RXR-selective ligand, LGD1069 (5).

Regulation of retinoidal actions by diazepinylbenzoic acids. Retinoid synergists which activate the RXR-RAR heterodimers

In human HL-60 promyelocytic leukemia cells, diazepinylbenzoic acid derivatives can exhibit either antagonistic or synergistic effects on the differentiation-inducing activities of natural or synthetic retinoids, the activity depending largely on the nature of the substituents on the diazepine ring. Thus, a benzolog of the retinoid antagonist LE135 (6), 4-(13H-10,11,12,13-tetrahydro-10, 10,13,13,15-pentamethyldinaphtho[2,3-b][1,2-e]diazepin-7-yl) benzoic acid (LE540, 17), exhibits a 1 order of magnitude higher antagonistic potential than the parental LE135 (6). In contrast, 4-[5H-2,3-(2,5-dimethyl-2,5-hexano)-5-methyldibenzo[b,e] [1,4]diazepin-11-yl]-benzoic acid (HX600, 7), a structural isomer of the antagonistic LE135 (6), enhanced HL-60 cell differentiation induced by RAR agonists, such as Am80 (2). This synergistic effect was further increased for a thiazepine, HX630 (29), and an azepine derivative, HX640 (30); both synergized with Am80 (2) more potently than HX600 (7). Notably, the negative and positive effects of the azepine derivatives on retinoidal actions can be related to their RAR-antagonistic and RXR-agonistic properties, respectively, in the context of the RAR-RXR heterodimer.

Polyenylidene thiazolidinedione derivatives with retinoidal activities

Several polyenylidene thiazolidine or 2-thioxo-4-thiazolidinone derivatives were synthesized and their retinoidal activities were examined in terms of the differentiation-inducing ability towards human promyelocytic leukemia HL-60 cells and inhibitory effect on interleukin (IL)-1 alpha-induced IL-6 production in MC3T3-E1 cells. Compounds containing a trimethylcyclohexenyl ring induced HL-60 cell differentiation with weaker activity than retinoic acid (1a) by one or two orders of magnitude. The thiazolidinedione derivatives (2, 5, 7) showed stronger activity than the corresponding 2-thioxo-4-thiazolidinone derivatives (3, 6, 8). The effects of a retinoid antagonist (LE540) and synergists (retinoid X receptor (RXR) agonists, HX600 or HX630) on the activities of thiazolidine derivatives indicate that these compounds elicit their activities through the nuclear retinoic acid receptors (RARs). All the thiazolidines examined also inhibited IL-1 alpha-induced IL-6 production with IC50 values of 10 nM order. The retinoidal activities of the thiazolidines are significant, considering that replacement of the carboxylic acid in retinoid structures with bioisosteric functional groups is generally ineffective, as seen in the structure-activity relationships of retinoidal benzoic acids.

Action mechanism of retinoid-synergistic dibenzodiazepines

4-[5H-2,3-(2,5-Dimethyl-2,5-hexano)-5-methyldibenzo[b,e][1,4 ]diazepin-11-yl]benzoic acid (HX600), as well as its oxa- (HX620) and thia- (HX630) analogs, enhanced the activity of retinoic acid and a receptor alpha (RAR alpha)-selective agonist Am80 in HL-60 cell differentiation assays. HX600 synergizes with Am80 by binding to, and transactivating through, the RXR subunit of the RXR-RAR heterodimer. HX600 exhibited RXR pan-agonist activity in transient transfections with a DR1-based reporter gene and synergized with RA-bound RAR alpha and RAR beta in inducing transcription from a DR5-based reporter. In addition, all three compounds at high concentrations acted as RAR pan-antagonists in stably transfected RAR "reporter cells." These efficient synergists bind only weakly with RXRs in vitro, suggesting that they are RXR-RAR heterodimer-selective activators. These HX retinoids exhibited dual functionality, since they affected signalling through both retinoid receptor families (RARs and RXRs).

Inhibition of IL-1-induced IL-6 production by synthetic retinoids

The effects of retinoids and retinoid antagonists on IL-6 production in MC3T3-E1 cells were investigated. None of the synthetic retinoids examined stimulated IL-6 production, but all of them strongly inhibited IL-6 production induced by mouse IL-1 alpha. Their inhibitory activities correlated well with their differentiation-inducing activities in HL-60 assay or their binding affinities to nuclear retinoic acid receptors (RARs). Among three retinoid antagonists, two weak antagonists exhibited similar inhibition of mouse IL-1 alpha-induced IL-6 production, whereas a potent retinoid antagonist, 4-(13H-10,11,12,13-tetrahydro-10,10,13,13,15-pentamethyl-dinaph tho[2,3-b] [1,2-e]diazepin-7-yl)benzoic acid (LE540, 14), enhanced IL-6 production under the same conditions.

Structural identification of a major cytokinin in coconut milk as 14-O-(3-O-[beta-D-galactopyranosyl-(1-->2)-alpha-D-galactopyranosyl- (1-->3)-alpha-L-arabinofuranosyl]-4-O-(alpha-L-arabinofuranosyl)- beta-d-galactopyranosyl)-trans-zeatin riboside

A cytokinin isolated from the fluid endosperm of Cocos mucifera L. (coconut milk), accounting for more than 20% of the total cytokinin activity, was structurally analyzed by NMR techniques, mass spectrometry, and sugar analysis by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). The planar structure of the cytokinin was deduced from its NMR and mass spectrometric data. The structure of the sugar moiety, including its absolute structure, was determined by HPLC analysis of alditol acetates and aldononitrile acetates derived from the cytokinin. The configuration of the sugar-sugar bonds was determined by NMR, and the structure was finally identified as 14-O-(3-O-[-beta-D-galactopyranosyl-(1-->2)-alpha-galactopyranosyl-(1--> 3)- alpha-L-arabinofuranosyl]-4-O-(alpha-L-arabino-furanosyl)-beta-D- galactopyranosyl)-trans-zeatin riboside.

Evaluation of differentiation-inducing activity of retinoids on human leukemia cell lines HL-60 and NB4

Retinoids, including all-trans-retinoic acid (ATRA), its isomers, and fifty synthetic retinoids (retinobenzoic acids), were tested for differentiation-inducing activity on human leukemia cell lines HL-60 and NB4. Binding activity of typical retinoids to nuclear retinoic acid receptors (RARs) was also investigated. A good linear correlation between the ED50 values of differentiation-inducing activity towards HL-60 cells and those towards NB4 cells was found. Binding activities of retinoids to RAR alpha and RAR beta also correlated well to the differentiation-inducing activities.

Identification of a major cytokinin in coconut milk

A major cytokinin found in coconut milk was isolated by using the tobacco callus growth-promoting assay as a guide during purification. The structure of the factor was determined to be 14-O-(3-O-[beta-D-galactopyranosyl-(1-->2)-alpha-D-galactopyranosyl-(1-- >3)- alpha-L-arabinofuranosyl]-4-O-(alpha-L-arabinofuranosyl)-beta-D- galactopyranosyl)-trans-zeatin riboside [G3A2-ZR] by various NMR techniques, including heteronuclear multiple bond connectivity by 2D multiple quantum NMR (HMBC), as well as mass spectroscopy and sugar analysis. The optimum concentration of G3A2-ZR for cytokinin activity in the tobacco callus assay was estimated to be 5 x 10(-6) M, so that G3A2-ZR is one order of magnitude more potent than 1,3-diphenylurea and one order less potent than zeatin riboside. At least 20% of the cytokinin activity of coconut milk could be attributed to G3A2-ZR.

Correlation of differentiation-inducing activity of retinoids on human leukemia cell lines HL-60 and NB4

Retinoids, including all-trans-retinoic acid, its isomers, and fifty synthetic retinoids (retinobenzoic acids), were tested for differentiation-inducing activity on human leukemia cell lines HL-60 and NB4. A good linear correlation, with an r value of 0.91, between the ED50 values for the differentiation-inducing activity towards HL-60 cells and that towards NB4 cells was found.

Synergists for retinoid in cellular differentiation of human promyelocytic leukemia cells HL-60

4-[5H-2,3-(2,5-Dimethyl-2,5-hexano)-5-methyldibenzo[b, e]diazepin-11-yl]benzoic acid (4) enhanced the differentiation-inducing activity of retinoic acid (1) and of a synthetic retinoid Am80 (2) toward human promyelocytic leukemia cells HL-60, although 4 alone did not induce differentiation. The synergistic effect of 4 on the activities of retinoids was also seen in suppression of proliferation of HL-60 cells.

Synthesis and biological activity of carboxyphenylquinolines and related compounds as new potent retinoids. Retinobenzoic acids. VII

A series of new quinoline, quinolone, and quinazolinedione derivatives was synthesized and tested for retinoid activity in the human promyelocytic cell line HL-60 differentiation assay. All the quinoline compounds exhibited significant activity, depending on the substituent on the heterocycle. However, the quinolone and quinazolinedione derivatives were poor inducers of the differentiation of the HL-60 cells, the activity depending strongly on the polarity of the molecule.

Retinobenzoic acids. 6. Retinoid antagonists with a heterocyclic ring

Several candidate retinoid antagonists were designed on the basis of the ligand superfamily concept and synthesized. Retinoidal activities of these benzimidazole and benzodiazepine derivatives were examined by assay of differentiation-inducing activity on human promyelocytic leukemia cell line HL-60. The parent benzimidazole derivative, 4-(5,6,7,8-tetrahydro-5,5,8,8- tetramethylnaphth-[2,3-d]imidazol-2-yl)benzoic acid (7a), and related compounds with a small alkyl group instead of the hydrogen on the nitrogen (1N) atom of the imidazole ring exhibited retinoidal activity, and the potency strongly depended on the bulkiness of the substituent. The compounds having a phenyl or benzyl group on the nitrogen lacked differentiation-inducing activity on HL-60 cells and acted as antagonists to the potent retinoid 4-[(5,6,7,8-tetrahydro-5,5,8,8- tetramethyl-2-naphthalenyl)carbamoyl]benzoic acid (Am80). Among the compounds possessing a seven-membered heterocyclic ring as a linking group, 4-(5H-7,8,9,10-tetrahydro-5,7,7,10,10- pentamethylbenzo[e]- naphtho[2,3-b][1,4]diazepin-13-yl)benzoic acid (16) also exhibited the antagonistic activity. The binding abilities of these compounds to retinoic acid receptors alpha and beta were consistent with their potency for the inhibition of HL-60 cell differentiation induced by the retinoid Am80.

Cytokinin-specific binding protein in etiolated mung bean seedlings

We have found that a synthetic urea derivative, N-(2-chloro-4-pyridyl)-N'-phenylurea (4PU30, forchlorfenuron), has even higher cytokinin activity than N6-benzyladenine (BA). Using [3H]4PU30 (2.83 TBq/mmol) as a probe, we confirmed chromatographically the presence of a high-affinity cytokinin-specific binding protein (CSBP) in whole-cell extract from etiolated mung bean seedlings. The apparent molecular weight of CSBP was estimated to be 21 kDa. The association constants (Ka's) of CSBP for 4PU30 and BA were calculated to be 4 x 10(10) M-1 and 3 x 10(9) M-1, respectively. Various active cytokinins showed mutually competitive binding to CSBP, and their affinities for CSBP corresponded well to their cytokinin activities at the tissue level.

Differentiation-inducing activity of retinoic acid isomers and their oxidized analogs on human promyelocytic leukemia HL-60 cells

Retinoidal activity of retinoic acid isomers [all-trans-retinoic acid (ATRA), 9-cis-retinoic acid (9CRA) and 13-cis-retinoic acid (13CRA)] and their oxidized derivatives [19-hydroxy and 19-oxo derivatives of ATRA (19-hydroxy-ATRA and 19-oxo-ATRA), 19-oxo derivative of 9CRA (19-oxo-9CRA), and 19-hydroxy derivative of 13CRA (19-hydroxy-13CRA)] was evaluated by means of a human promyelocytic leukemia HL-60 cell differentiation induction assay. All the compounds examined showed this activity with ED50 values of 2-30 nM, which are in accordance with their binding activity to nuclear retinoic acid receptors (RARs).

Base-catalyzed isomerization of retinoic acid. Synthesis and differentiation-inducing activities of 14-alkylated all-trans-, 13-cis-, and 20,14-retro-retinoic acids

Retinoic acid (1) is isomerized regioselectively by excess amounts of lithium diisopropylamide (LDA) to give 20,14-retro-retinoic acid (3). Alkylation of the intermediate dianion of retinoic acid gave 14-alkylated derivatives of 3. By isomerization of the alkylated retro isomers under basic conditions, several 14-alkyl-all-trans- and -13-cis-retinoic acids were synthesized. The retinoidal activities of these derivatives were examined, based on the ability to induce differentiation of human promyelocytic leukemia cell line HL-60. 20,14-retro-Retinoic acid (3) is 1/50 as active as retinoic acid (1). Although 14-methyl-20,14-retro-retinoic acid (4) is as active as 3, the introduction of a 14-methyl group into all-trans- and 13-cis-retinoic acid resulted in decreased activity. Introduction of bulkier alkyl groups at the C-14 position caused the disappearance of the activity.

Retinobenzoic acids. 5. Retinoidal activities of compounds having a trimethylsilyl or trimethylgermyl group(s) in human promyelocytic leukemia cells HL-60

The retinoidal activities of trimethylsilyl or trimethylgermyl-containing retinobenzoic acids are discussed on the basis of differentiation-inducing activity on human promyelocytic leukemia cells HL-60. Compounds with a trimethylsilyl or trimethylgermyl group at the meta position of the generic formula 2 have more potent activities than the corresponding retinobenzoic acids with a m-tert-butyl group. Compounds having two m-trimethylsilyl or -trimethylgermyl groups also have strong activities, and (E)-4-[3-[3,5-bis(trimethylsilyl)phenyl]-3-oxo-1-propenyl]benzoic acid (22, Ch55S) and (E)-4-[3-[3,5-bis(trimethylgermyl)phenyl]-3-oxo-1- propenyl]benzoic acid (35, Ch55G) are more active than retinoic acid by 1 order of magnitude. However, in the para-substituted chalcone derivatives, the replacement of a tert-butyl group (49, Ch40) with a trimethylsilyl (27, Ch40S) or a trimethylgermyl (30, Ch40G) group caused the disappearance of the activity.

Retinobenzoic acids. 4. Conformation of aromatic amides with retinoidal activity. Importance of trans-amide structure for the activity

N-Methylation of two retinoidal amide compounds, 4-[(5,6,7,8-tetrahydro-5,5,8,8-tetramethyl-2-naphthalenyl)carbamoyl]benz oic acid (3, Am80) and 4-[[(5,6,7,8-tetrahydro-5,5,8,8-tetramethyl-2- naphthalenyl)carbonyl]amino]benzoic acid (5, Am580), resulted in the disappearance of their potent differentiation-inducing activity on human promyelocytic leukemia cell line HL-60. Studies with 1H NMR and UV spectroscopy indicated that large conformational differences exist between the active secondary amides and the inactive N-methyl amides. From a comparison of the spectroscopic results of these amides with those of stilbene derivatives, the conformations of the active amides are expected to resemble that of (E)-stilbene, whereas the inactive amides resemble the Z isomer: 3 (Am80) and 5 (Am580) have a trans-amide bond and their whole structures are elongated, while the N-methylated compounds [4 (Am90) and 6 (Am590)] have a cis-amide bond, resulting in the folding of the two benzene rings. These structures in the crystals were related to those in solution by 13C NMR spectroscopic comparison between the two phases (solid and solution).

Retinobenzoic acids. 3. Structure-activity relationships of retinoidal azobenzene-4-carboxylic acids and stilbene-4-carboxylic acids

Alkyl-substituted azobenzene-4-carboxylic acids are potent differentiation inducers of human promyelocytic leukemia cell line HL-60 to mature granulocytes. Their structure-activity relationships are very similar to those of other retinoidal benzoic acids which are generally represented by 4 and named retinobenzoic acids. The structure-activity relationships of azobenzenecarboxylic acids can also be applied to the known retinoid TTNPB (3). Thus, (E)-4-[2-(3,4-diisopropylphenyl)-1-propenyl]benzoic acid (St30 (28] and (E)-4-[2-(3-tert-butylphenyl)ethenyl]benzoic acid (St40 (29], the acyclic alkyl analogues of TTNPB, are nearly as active as retinoic acid. Among the oxidatively derived compounds (Az90, Ep series and Ox series) of azobenzene- or stilbenecarboxylic acids, Az90 (71) and Ep80 (61) have strong activities. However, all the bishydroxylated derivatives of TTNPB are inactive, while a diketo analogue Ox580 (69) has only weak potency. The activities of conformationally restricted compounds of TTNPB offer some information on the stereochemistry of the active form of these retinoidal compounds.

Retinobenzoic acids. 2. Structure-activity relationships of chalcone-4-carboxylic acids and flavone-4'-carboxylic acids

The structure-activity relationships of (E)-chalcone-4-carboxylic acids, which are retinoidal benzoic acids represented by R-Ph-X-Ph-COOH (4, X = -COCH = CH-), are discussed on the basis of differentiation-inducing activity on human promyelocytic leukemia cells HL-60. The activity was increased by the substitution of a bulky alkyl group(s) (R), and among such compounds, (E)-4-[3-(3,5-di-tert-butylphenyl)-3-oxo-1-propenyl]benzoic acid (Ch55) and (E)-4-[3-oxo-3-(5,6,7,8-tetrahydro-5,5,8,8-tetramethyl-2-naphthalenyl)-1 -propenyl]benzoic acid (Ch80) are several times more active than retinoic acid. Though the stable conformer of chalcone derivatives is linear (s-cis form), the conformationally restricted analogue 4-(6,7,8,9-tetrahydro-6,6,9,9-tetramethyl-4H-4-oxonaphtho[2,3-b]py ran-2-yl)benzoic acid (Fv80) is more active than Ch80. While the effect of introduction of an oxygen atom varied, 4-[1-hydroxy-3-oxo-3-(5,6,7,8-tetrahydro-3-hydroxy-5,5,8,8-tetramethyl-2 - naphthalenyl)-1-propenyl]benzoic acid (Re80), regarded as a derivative of Ch80 with two additional hydroxyl groups, has very strong activity.

Retinobenzoic acids. 1. Structure-activity relationships of aromatic amides with retinoidal activity

Two types of aromatic amides, terephthalic monoanilides and (arylcarboxamido)benzoic acids, have been shown to possess potent retinoidal activities and can be classified as retinoids. The structure-activity relationships of these amides are discussed on the basis of differentiation-inducing activity on human promyelocytic leukemia cells HL-60. In generic formula 4 (X = NHCO or CONH), the necessary factors to elicit the retinoidal activities are a medium-sized alkyl group (isopropyl, tert-butyl, etc.) at the meta position and a carboxyl group at the para position of the other benzene ring. The bonding of the amide structure can be reversed, this moiety apparently having the role of locating the two benzene rings at suitable positions with respect to each other. Substitution at the ring position ortho to the amide group or N-methylation of the amide group caused loss of activity, presumably owing to the resultant change of conformation. It is clear that the mutual orientation of the benzylic methyl group(s) and the carboxyl group and their distance apart are essential factors determining the retinoidal activity. Among the synthesized compounds, 4-[(5,6,7,8-tetrahydro-5,5,8,8-tetramethyl-2-naphthalenyl)carbamoyl]benz oic acid (Am80) and 4-[(5,6,7,8-tetrahydro-5,5,8,8-tetramethyl-2-naphthalenyl)carboxamido] benzoic acid (Am580) were several times more active than retinoic acid in the assay. They are structurally related to retinoic acid, as is clear from the biological activity of the hybrid compounds (M2 and R2).

[Recent advances in retinoids studies]

Retinoids are defined as the compounds which elicit the specific biological responses through binding or activating the specific receptor(s). Retinoids modulate the cellular differentiation and proliferation in many types of cells. A series of retinoidal benzoic acids, named retinobenzoic acids, have potent activities on human promyelocytic leukemia cells, HL-60, and other assay systems. Among them, Am80, AM580 and Ch55 are more active than retinoic acid in most cases. As these compounds possess quite different structures or physicochemical properties from retinoic acid or conventional retinoids, they are expected to be applied clinically for the treatments of the diseases in oncology and dermatology. Recently, progresses on the mechanistic studies on retinoidal actions have been reported. One of them is isolation and cloning of human retinoic acid-receptors and the mechanism of retinoidal action was concluded that the retinoid-receptor complex interact directly with DNA to regulate the expression of the gene, like steroid hormone. The other is the establishment of the presence of the retinoid-specific-binding protein (RSBP) by the use of our retinobenzoic acids as the probe.

Affinity gels for purification of retinoid-specific binding protein (RSBP)

Retinoids are defined as compounds which elicit specific biological effects such as control of cell growth and cell differentiation by binding to a specific receptor. Recently, we demonstrated the presence of a protein (RSBP) which satisfies the criteria for the retinoid receptor. For purification of RSBP, we prepared two types of affinity gels with retinoidal ligands (Gel-Am and Gel-Ch) based on synthetic retinobenzoic acids which possess very potent retinoidal activities. RSBP in the crude fraction extracted from cultured cells could be purified about 300-fold by affinity column chromatography using these affinity gels.

Specific uptake of retinoids into human promyelocytic leukemia cells HL-60 by retinoid-specific binding protein: possibly the true retinoid receptor

The uptake of all-trans-retinoic acid (RA) and two new retinoids [4-(5,6,7,8-tetrahydro-5,5,8,8-tetramethyl-2-naphthalenylcarbamoyl )benzoic acid (Am80) and (E)-4-[3-(3,5-di-tert-butylphenyl)-3-oxo-1-propenyl]benzoic acid (Ch55)] by HL-60 human promyelocytic leukemia cells was investigated. For the investigation, [3H]RA and [3H]Am80 with high specific radioactivities (more than 50 Ci/mmol) were used. [3H]Am80 was prepared by hydrogenolysis of the corresponding chlorinated derivative of Am80 with tritium gas. The retinoids RA, Am80 and Ch55 were efficiently taken up by HL-60 cells, and induced differentiation of the cells into mature granulocytes. The specific bindings (uptake) of RA, Am80 and Ch55 (the bindings inhibited competitively by the other two retinoids) by HL-60 cells were due to a newly detected binding protein. The protein that bound specifically to RA appeared identical to that which bound specifically to Am80 by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), and was named retinoid-specific binding protein (RSBP). One HL-60 cell was found to contain about 1500 molecules of RSBP distributed between the nuclear fraction and cytosolic fraction in proportions of about 4:1. The bindings of the three retinoids (RA, Am80 and Ch55) to RSBP (i.e., formation of retinoid-RSBP complexes) greatly enhanced the affinity of RSBP for the nuclei. The apparent molecular weight of RSBP was estimated to be 95,000 daltons by size exclusion HPLC. The association constants (Ka) of RSBP were calculated to be 2.4 X 10(10) M-1 for RA and 4.4 X 10(10) M-1 for Am80 from Scatchard plots. The bindings of RA, Am80 and Ch55 to RSBP were mutually competitive, indicating that the binding sites for RA, Am80 and Ch55 were identical. The very high affinities of these retinoids for RSBP (Ka's of the order of 10(10) M-1) correspond to the effective concentrations of these retinoids in HL-60 cell culture medium for induction of differentiation of the cells. The mutually competitive bindings of these retinoids strongly support the idea that RSBP is the true receptor of retinoids.

Transforming activity of human c-Ha-ras-1 proto-oncogene generated by the binding of 2-amino-6-methyl-dipyrido[1,2-a:3',2'-d]imidazole and 4-nitroquinoline N-oxide: direct evidence of cellular transformation by chemically modified DNA

An activity that transforms NIH 3T3 cells was generated by the in vitro modification of plasmids containing the human c-Ha-ras-1 proto-oncogene with the synthesized ultimate carcinogen, 2-acetoxyamino-6-methyldipyrido[1,2-a:3',2'-d]-imidazole (N-OAc-Glu-P-1). DNAs isolated from the transformed cells were analyzed by restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) assay using the restriction enzyme Msp I. Of fourteen transformants studied, six contained a mutation in the region of the CCGG sequence of the eleventh and the twelfth codons, in which GG corresponds to the first two nucleotides of the twelfth codon. Transforming activity was also generated by the chemical modification of the plasmids with 4-acetoxyaminoquinoline N-oxide (N-OAc-4AQO). The results clearly indicate that formation of DNA adducts with N-OAc-Glu-P-1 or N-OAc-4AQO causes the induction of transformation of mammalian cells.

[Regulation of cell growth by retinoids and gene expression]

Retinoids are compounds that can elicit specific biological responses by virtue of their binding to and activating a specific receptor or a set of receptors. Retinoids produce various specific biological effects, including induction of terminal differentiation, regulation of cell proliferation, regulation of gene expression and regulation of the activity of specific enzymes in cells. In this article, the effects of retinoids on gene expression are reviewed. Among these effects suppression of myc expression and induction of EGF-receptor mRNA expression are considered to be closely related to regulation of cell proliferation. The effects of retinoids on cell growth are discussed on the basis of these two actions: myc mRNA suppression and EGFR mRNA induction. The mode of retinoidal action seems to be similar to that of steroids, as many investigators suggest. The molecular mechanism of retinoidal action is considered to be the formation of a retinoid-receptor complex and its interaction with regulatory elements of DNA. The possibility of application of the methodology used in the investigation of steroidal action to the study of retinoidal action is also discussed.