Synthesis of selenophene derivatives as novel CHK1 inhibitors.

A series of selenophene derivatives 3 were synthesized as potential CHK1 inhibitors. The effects of substitution on the 4'- or 5'-position of selenophene moiety and shifting the hydroxyl group position on C6- phenolic ring of oxindole were explored. This study led to the discovery of the most potent CHK1 inhibitors 29-33 and 39-43, which had IC(50) values in the subnanomolar range.

D-501036, a novel selenophene-based triheterocycle derivative, exhibits potent in vitro and in vivo antitumoral activity which involves DNA damage and ataxia telangiectasia-mutated nuclear protein kinase activation.

D-501036 [2,5-bis(5-hydroxymethyl-2-selenienyl)-3-hydroxymethyl-N-methylpyrrole] is herein identified as a novel antineoplastic agent with a broad spectrum of antitumoral activity against several human cancer cells and an IC(50) value in the nanomolar range. The IC(50) values for D-501036 in the renal proximal tubule, normal bronchial epithelial, and fibroblast cells were >10 mumol/L. D-501036 exhibited no cross-resistance with vincristine- and paclitaxel-resistant cell lines, whereas a low level of resistance toward the etoposide-resistant KB variant was observed. Cell cycle analysis established that D-501036 treatment resulted in a dose-dependent accumulation in S phase with concomitant loss of both the G(0)-G(1) and G(2)-M phase in both Hep 3B and A-498 cells. Pulsed-field gel electrophoresis showed D-501036-induced, concentration-dependent DNA breaks in both Hep 3B and A-498 cells. These breaks did not involve interference with either topoisomerase-I and topoisomerase-II function or DNA binding. Rapid reactive oxygen species production and formation of Se-DNA adducts were evident following exposure of cells to D-501036, indicating that D-501036-mediated DNA breaks were attributable to the induction of reactive oxygen species and DNA adduct formation. Moreover, D-501036-induced DNA damage activated ataxia telangiectasia-mutated nuclear protein kinase, leading to hyperphosphorylation of Chk1, Chk2, and p53, decreased expression of CDC25A, and up-regulation of p21(WAF1) in both p53-proficient and p53-deficient cells. Collectively, the results indicate that D-501036-induced cell death was associated with DNA damage-mediated induction of ataxia telangiectasia-mutated activation, and p53-dependent and -independent apoptosis pathways. Notably, D-501036 shows potent activity against the growth of xenograft tumors of human renal carcinoma A-498 cells. Thus, D-501036 is a promising anticancer compound that has strong potential for the management of human cancers.

Mitochondria-mediated and p53-associated apoptosis induced in human cancer cells by a novel selenophene derivative, D-501036.

D-501036 [2,5-bis(5-hydroxymethyl-2-selenienyl)-3-hydroxymethyl-N-methylpyrrol], a novel selenophene derivative, is a highly potent cytotoxic agent with broad spectrum antitumor activity. The present study was undertaken to explore the mechanism(s) through which D-501036 exerts its action mode on the cancer cell death. D-501036 was found to suppress the growth of KB and HepG(2) cells in an irreversible manner. The results of annexin-V assays and PARP cleavage studies were consistent with the D-501036-induced apoptosis. Findings provided a strong support for the induction of mitochondria-mediated apoptosis by this drug. The examination of two canonical pathways of initiation caspases, those for caspases -8 and -9, revealed that caspase-9 protein and the activities of caspases -9 and -3 were increased in a dose- and time-dependent manner. The concentrations of Fas/Fas-L and procaspase-8 and the activity of caspase-8 were not altered. Furthermore, the mitochondrial membrane potential permeability and the release of cytochrome c to the cytosol were both increased by D-501036. The concentrations of the pro-apoptotic protein Bax and translocation of Bax from the cytosol to the mitochondria were increased in response to D-501036, whereas the concentrations of the anti-apoptotic protein Bcl-2 were decreased. Two DNA damage-related pro-apoptotic proteins, Puma and Noxa, were upregulated in a dose- and time-dependent manner. These pro-apoptotic and anti-apoptotic proteins are downstream effectors of p53. Accordingly, the phosphorylated and total forms of p53 were induced and p53 was translocated from the cytosol to the mitochondria in response to D-501036 treatment. Collectively, we conclude that D-501036 induces cellular apoptosis through the p53-associated mitochondrial pathway.