7-hydroxyfrullanolide, isolated from Sphaeranthus indicus, inhibits colorectal cancer cell growth by p53-dependent and -independent mechanism.

Sphaeranthus indicus Linn. is commonly used in Indian traditional medicine for management of multiple pathological conditions. However, there are limited studies on anticancer activity of this plant and its underlying molecular mechanisms. Here, we isolated an active constituent, 7-hydroxyfrullanolide (7-HF), from the flowers of this plant, which showed promising chemotherapeutic potential. The compound was more effective in inhibiting in vitro proliferation of colon cancers cells through G2/M phase arrest than other cancer cell lines that were used in this study. Consistent with in vitro data, 7-HF caused substantial regression of tumour volume in a syngeneic mouse model of colon cancer. The molecule triggered extrinsic apoptotic pathway, which was evident as upregulation of DR4 and DR5 expression as well as induction of their downstream effector molecules (FADD, Caspase-8). Concurrent activation of intrinsic pathway was demonstrated with loss of ΔΨm to release pro-apoptotic cytochrome c from mitochondria and activation of downstream caspase cascades (Caspase -9, -3). Loss of p53 resulted in decreased sensitivity of cells towards pro-apoptotic effect of 7-HF with increased number of viable cells indicating p53-dependent arrest of cancer cell growth. This notion was further supported with 7-HF-mediated elevation of endogenous p53 level, decreased expression of MDM2 and transcriptional upregulation of p53 target genes in apoptotic pathway. However, 7-HF was equally effective in preventing progression of HCT116 p53+/+ and p53-/- cell derived xenografts in nude mice, which suggests that differences in p53 status may not influence its in vivo efficacy. Taken together, our results support 7-HF as a potential chemotherapeutic agent and provided a new mechanistic insight into its anticancer activity.

New orally active DNA minor groove binding small molecule CT-1 acts against breast cancer by targeting tumor DNA damage leading to p53-dependent apoptosis.

Targeting tumor DNA damage and p53 pathway is a clinically established strategy in the development of cancer chemotherapeutics. Majority of anti-cancer drugs are delivered through parenteral route for reasons like severe toxicity, lack of stability, and poor enteral absorption. Current DNA targeting drugs in clinical like anthracycline suffers from major drawbacks like cardiotoxicity. Here, we report identification of a new orally active small molecule curcumin-triazole conjugate (CT-1) with significant anti-breast cancer activity in vitro and in vivo. CT-1 selectively and significantly inhibits viability of breast cancer cell lines; retards cells cycle progression at S phase and induce mitochondrial-mediated cell apoptosis. CT-1 selectively binds to minor groove of DNA and induces DNA damage leading to increase in p53 along with decrease in its ubiquitination. Inhibition of p53 with pharmacological inhibitor as well as siRNA revealed the necessity of p53 in CT-1-mediated anti-cancer effects in breast cancer cells. Studies using several other intact p53 and deficient p53 cancer cell lines further confirmed necessity of p53 in CT-1-mediated anti-cancer response. Pharmacological inhibition of pan-caspase showed CT-1 induces caspase-dependent cell death in breast cancer cells. Most interestingly, oral administration of CT-1 induces significant inhibition of tumor growth in LA-7 syngeneic orthotropic rat mammary tumor model. CT-1 treated mammary tumor shows enhancement in DNA damage, p53 upregulation, and apoptosis. Collectively, CT-1 exhibits potent anti-cancer effect both in vitro and in vivo and could serve as a safe orally active lead for anti-cancer drug development. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Identification of gallic acid based glycoconjugates as a novel tubulin polymerization inhibitors.

A novel class of gallic acid based glycoconjugates were designed and synthesized as potential anticancer agents. Among all the compounds screened, compound 2a showed potent anticancer activity against breast cancer cells. The latter resulted in tubulin polymerization inhibition and induced G2/M cell cycle arrest, generation of reactive oxygen species, mitochondrial depolarization and subsequent apoptosis in breast cancer cells. In addition, ultraviolet-visible spectroscopy and fluorescence quenching studies of the compound with tubulin confirmed direct interaction of compounds with tubulin. Molecular modeling studies revealed that it binds at the colchicine binding site in tubulin. Further, 2a also exhibited potent in vivo anticancer activity in LA-7 syngeneic rat mammary tumor model. Current data projects its strong candidature to be developed as anticancer agent.

Recognition and coacervation of G-quadruplexes by a multifunctional disordered region in RECQ4 helicase.

Biomolecular polyelectrolyte complexes can be formed between oppositely charged intrinsically disordered regions (IDRs) of proteins or between IDRs and nucleic acids. Highly charged IDRs are abundant in the nucleus, yet few have been functionally characterized. Here, we show that a positively charged IDR within the human ATP-dependent DNA helicase Q4 (RECQ4) forms coacervates with G-quadruplexes (G4s). We describe a three-step model of charge-driven coacervation by integrating equilibrium and kinetic binding data in a global numerical model. The oppositely charged IDR and G4 molecules form a complex in the solution that follows a rapid nucleation-growth mechanism leading to a dynamic equilibrium between dilute and condensed phases. We also discover a physical interaction with Replication Protein A (RPA) and demonstrate that the IDR can switch between the two extremes of the structural continuum of complexes. The structural, kinetic, and thermodynamic profile of its interactions revealed a dynamic disordered complex with nucleic acids and a static ordered complex with RPA protein. The two mutually exclusive binding modes suggest a regulatory role for the IDR in RECQ4 function by enabling molecular handoffs. Our study extends the functional repertoire of IDRs and demonstrates a role of polyelectrolyte complexes involved in G4 binding.

3-Arylindanones and related compounds as antiproliferative agents against colorectal cancer.

Diverse benzylidene indanones and their derivatives were synthesized as anticancer agents. Two of the analogues, that is 7 and 22, exhibited significant antiproliferative activity against several human cancer cell lines. Both the compounds possessed antimitotic activity and induced apoptosis in DLD1 colorectal adenocarcinoma cells through activation of caspase pathways. In cell cycle analysis, both the compounds induced predominantly G2/M phase arrest in DLD1 cells. Molecular docking studies revealed that compound 7 occupies colchicine binding pocket of ß-tubulin. Both the compounds were safe in acute oral toxicity in rodents. Both the compounds are further being optimized for better efficacy.

Coumarin-chalcone hybrid instigates DNA damage by minor groove binding and stabilizes p53 through post translational modifications.

S009-131, a coumarin-chalcone hybrid, had been shown to possess anti-proliferative and anti-tumour effect by triggering apoptosis. In this report, we investigated role of DNA damage signalling pathway in S009-131 induced cancer cell death. Here we show that S009-131 causes DNA damage by potential binding to the minor groove which led to the phosphorylation and activation of ATM and DNA-PK, but not ATR, at earlier time points in order to initiate repair process. S009-131 induced DNA damage response triggered activation of p53 through phosphorylation at its key residues. Pharmacological inhibition of PIKKs abrogated S009-131 induced phosphorylation of p53 at Ser 15. DNA damage induced phosphorylation resulted in reduced proteasomal degradation of p53 by disrupting p53-MDM2 interaction. Additionally, our docking studies revealed that S009-131 might also contribute to increased cellular p53 level by occupying p53 binding pocket of MDM2. Posttranslational modifications of p53 upon S009-131 treatment led to enhanced affinity of p53 towards responsive elements (p53-RE) in the promoter regions of target genes and increased transcriptional efficiency. Together, the results suggest that S009-131 cleaves DNA through minor groove binding and eventually activates PIKKs associated DNA damage response signalling to promote stabilization and enhanced transcriptional activity of p53 through posttranslational modifications at key residues.

(22ß,25R)-3ß-Hydroxy-spirost-5-en-7-iminoxy-heptanoic acid exhibits anti-prostate cancer activity through caspase pathway.

Prostate cancer is one of the most common cancers in men. Diosgenin and related compounds are potential cytotoxic agents. Twelve diverse analogues of long chain fatty acid/ester of diosgenin-7-ketoxime have been prepared. Six of the analogues exhibited significant anticancer activity against a panel of human cancer cell lines with IC50 ranging from 12 to 35µM. Compound 16, the best representative of the series exerted S phase arrest in DU145 prostate cancer cells and induced apoptosis through caspase pathway. Additionally, these analogues inhibited lipopolysaccharide induced pro-inflammatory cytokines (TNF-α and IL-6) up to 47.7% and 23.3% respectively. Compound 16 was found to be safe in acute oral toxicity in Swiss albino mice up to 300mg/kg dose. The anticancer and antiinflammatory properties of compound 16 are important and can further be optimized for a better anti-prostate cancer candidate.

Anticancer activity and toxicity profiles of 2-benzylidene indanone lead molecule.

3-(3',4',5'-Trimethoxyphenyl)-4,5,6-trimethoxy,2-(3″,4″-methylenedioxybenzylidene)-indan-1-one (1) is an optimized anti-cancer lead molecule obtained on modification of gallic acid, a plant phenolic acid. It exhibited potent cytotoxicities (IC50=0.010-14.76µM) against various human carcinoma cells. In cell cycle analysis, benzylidene indanone 1 induced G2/M phase arrest in both MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231 cells. It also induced apoptosis in DU145 cells which was evident by cleavage of PARP. In Ehrlich ascites carcinoma, benzylidene indanone 1 showed 45.48% inhibition of tumour growth at 20mg/kg dose in Swiss albino mice. Further, in sub-acute toxicity experiment in Swiss-albino mice, it was found to be non-toxic up to 100mg/kg dose for 28days. The lead compound benzylidene indanone 1 can further be optimized for better anti-cancer activity.

Monomeric banana lectin at acidic pH overrules conformational stability of its native dimeric form.

Banana lectin (BL) is a homodimeric protein categorized among jacalin-related family of lectins. The effect of acidic pH was examined on conformational stability of BL by using circular dichroism, intrinsic fluorescence, 1-anilino-8-napthalene sulfonate (ANS) binding, size exclusion chromatography (SEC) and dynamic light scattering (DLS). During acid denaturation of BL, the monomerization of native dimeric protein was found at pH 2.0. The elution profile from SEC showed two different peaks (59.65 ml & 87.98 ml) at pH 2.0 while single peak (61.45 ml) at pH 7.4. The hydrodynamic radii (R h) of native BL was 2.9 nm while at pH 2.0 two species were found with R h of 1.7 and 3.7 nm. Furthermore at, pH 2.0 the secondary structures of BL remained unaltered while tertiary structure was significantly disrupted with the exposure of hydrophobic clusters confirming the existence of molten globule like state. The unfolding of BL with different subunit status was further evaluated by urea and temperature mediated denaturation to check their stability. As inferred from high Cm and ΔG values, the monomeric form of BL offers more resistance towards chemical denaturation than the native dimeric form. Besides, dimeric BL exhibited a Tm of 77°C while no loss in secondary structures was observed in monomers even up to 95°C. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report on monomeric subunit of lectins showing more stability against denaturants than its native dimeric state.