Synergistic Interaction of the Class IIa HDAC Inhibitor CHDI0039 with Bortezomib in Head and Neck Cancer Cells.

In contrast to class I/IIb/pan histone deacetylase inhibitors (HDACi), the role of class IIa HDACi as anti-cancer chemosensitizing agents is less well understood. Here, we studied the effects of HDAC4 in particular and the class IIa HDACi CHDI0039 on proliferation and chemosensitivity in Cal27 and cisplatin-resistant Cal27CisR head and neck squamous cell cancer (HNSCC). HDAC4 and HDAC5 overexpression clones were generated. HDAC4 overexpression (Cal27_HDAC4) increased proliferation significantly compared to vector control cells (Cal27_VC). Chicken chorioallantoic membrane (CAM) studies confirmed the in vitro results: Cal27_HDAC4 tumors were slightly larger than tumors from Cal27_VC, and treatment with CHDI0039 resulted in a significant decrease in tumor size and weight of Cal27_HDAC4 but not Cal27_VC. Unlike class I/pan-HDACi, treatment with CHDI0039 had only a marginal impact on cisplatin cytotoxicity irrespective of HDAC4 and HDAC5 expression. In contrast, the combination of CHDI0039 with bortezomib was synergistic (Chou-Talalay) in MTT and caspase 3/7 activation experiments. RNAseq indicated that treatment with CHDI0039 alters the expression of genes whose up- or downregulation is associated with increased survival in HNSCC patients according to Kaplan-Meier data. We conclude that the combination of class IIa HDACi with proteasome inhibitors constitutes an effective treatment option for HNSCC, particularly for platinum-resistant cancers.

The Novel Class IIa Selective Histone Deacetylase Inhibitor YAK540 Is Synergistic with Bortezomib in Leukemia Cell Lines.

The treatment of leukemias, especially acute myeloid leukemia (AML), is still a challenge as can be seen by poor 5-year survival of AML. Therefore, new therapeutic approaches are needed to increase the treatment success. Epigenetic aberrations play a role in pathogenesis and resistance of leukemia. Histone deacetylase (HDAC) inhibitors (HDACIs) can normalize epigenetic disbalance by affecting gene expression. In order to decrease side effects of so far mainly used pan-HDACIs, this paper introduces the novel highly selective class IIa HDACI YAK540. A synergistic cytotoxic effect was observed between YAK540 and the proteasome inhibitor bortezomib (BTZ) as analyzed by the Chou-Talalay method. The combination of YAK540 and BTZ showed generally increased proapoptotic gene expression, increased p21 expression, and synergistic, caspase 3/7-mediated apoptosis. Notably, the cytotoxicity of YAK540 is much lower than that of pan-HDACIs. Further, combinations of YAK540 and BTZ are clearly less toxic in non-cancer HEK293 compared to HL-60 leukemia cells. Thus, the synergistic combination of class IIa selective HDACIs such as YAK540 and proteasome inhibitors represents a promising approach against leukemias to increase the anticancer effect and to reduce the general toxicity of HDACIs.

New Acetophenones and Chromenes from the Leaves of Melicope barbigera A. Gray.

The dichloromethane extract from leaves of Melicope barbigera (Rutaceae), endemic to the Hawaiian island of Kaua'i, yielded four new and three previously known acetophenones and 2H-chromenes, all found for the first time in M. barbigera. The structures of the new compounds obtained from the dichloromethane extract after purification by chromatographic methods were unambiguously elucidated by spectroscopic analyses including 1D/2D NMR spectroscopy and HRESIMS. The absolute configuration was determined by modified Mosher's method. Compounds 2, 4 and the mixture of 6 and 7 exhibited moderate cytotoxic activities against the human ovarian cancer cell line A2780 with IC50 values of 30.0 and 75.7 µM for 2 and 4, respectively, in a nuclear shrinkage cytotoxicity assay.

Targeting HSP90 dimerization via the C terminus is effective in imatinib-resistant CML and lacks the heat shock response.

Heat shock protein 90 (HSP90) stabilizes many client proteins, including the BCR-ABL1 oncoprotein. BCR-ABL1 is the hallmark of chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) in which treatment-free remission (TFR) is limited, with clinical and economic consequences. Thus, there is an urgent need for novel therapeutics that synergize with current treatment approaches. Several inhibitors targeting the N-terminal domain of HSP90 are under investigation, but side effects such as induction of the heat shock response (HSR) and toxicity have so far precluded their US Food and Drug Administration approval. We have developed a novel inhibitor (aminoxyrone [AX]) of HSP90 function by targeting HSP90 dimerization via the C-terminal domain. This was achieved by structure-based molecular design, chemical synthesis, and functional preclinical in vitro and in vivo validation using CML cell lines and patient-derived CML cells. AX is a promising potential candidate that induces apoptosis in the leukemic stem cell fraction (CD34+CD38-) as well as the leukemic bulk (CD34+CD38+) of primary CML and in tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI)-resistant cells. Furthermore, BCR-ABL1 oncoprotein and related pro-oncogenic cellular responses are downregulated, and targeting the HSP90 C terminus by AX does not induce the HSR in vitro and in vivo. We also probed the potential of AX in other therapy-refractory leukemias. Therefore, AX is the first peptidomimetic C-terminal HSP90 inhibitor with the potential to increase TFR in TKI-sensitive and refractory CML patients and also offers a novel therapeutic option for patients with other types of therapy-refractory leukemia because of its low toxicity profile and lack of HSR.

Novel alkoxyamide-based histone deacetylase inhibitors reverse cisplatin resistance in chemoresistant cancer cells.

Although histone deacetylase inhibitors (HDACi) have shown promising antitumor effects in specific types of blood cancer, their effects on solid tumors are limited. Previously, we developed LMK235 (5), a class I and class IIb preferential HDACi with chemosensitizing effects on breast cancer, ovarian cancer and HNSCC. Based on its promising effects on solid tumor cells, we modified the cap group of 5 to improve its anticancer activity. The tri- and dimethoxy-phenyl substituted compounds 13a and 13d turned out to be the most potent HDAC inhibitors of this study. The isoform profiling revealed a dual HDAC2/HDAC6 inhibition profile, which was confirmed by the acetylation of α-tubulin and histone H3 in Cal27 and Cal27CisR. In combination with cisplatin, both compounds enhanced the cisplatin-induced cytotoxicity via caspase-3/7 activation. The effect was more pronounced in the cisplatin resistant subline Cal27CisR. The pretreatment with 13d resulted in a complete resensitisation of Cal27CisR with IC50 values in the range of the parental cell line. Therefore, 13d may serve as an epigenetic tool to analyze and modulate the cisplatin resistance of solid tumors.

P2 Receptors Influence hMSCs Differentiation towards Endothelial Cell and Smooth Muscle Cell Lineages.

BACKGROUND: Human mesenchymal stem cells (hMSCs) have shown their multipotential including differentiating towards endothelial and smooth muscle cell lineages, which triggers a new interest for using hMSCs as a putative source for cardiovascular regenerative medicine. Our recent publication has shown for the first time that purinergic 2 receptors are key players during hMSC differentiation towards adipocytes and osteoblasts. Purinergic 2 receptors play an important role in cardiovascular function when they bind to extracellular nucleotides. In this study, the possible functional role of purinergic 2 receptors during MSC endothelial and smooth muscle differentiation was investigated. METHODS AND RESULTS: Human MSCs were isolated from liposuction materials. Then, endothelial and smooth muscle-like cells were differentiated and characterized by specific markers via Reverse Transcriptase-PCR (RT-PCR), Western blot and immunochemical stainings. Interestingly, some purinergic 2 receptor subtypes were found to be differently regulated during these specific lineage commitments: P2Y4 and P2Y14 were involved in the early stage commitment while P2Y1 was the key player in controlling MSC differentiation towards either endothelial or smooth muscle cells. The administration of natural and artificial purinergic 2 receptor agonists and antagonists had a direct influence on these differentiations. Moreover, a feedback loop via exogenous extracellular nucleotides on these particular differentiations was shown by apyrase digest. CONCLUSIONS: Purinergic 2 receptors play a crucial role during the differentiation towards endothelial and smooth muscle cell lineages. Some highly selective and potent artificial purinergic 2 ligands can control hMSC differentiation, which might improve the use of adult stem cells in cardiovascular tissue engineering in the future.

Priming with HDAC Inhibitors Sensitizes Ovarian Cancer Cells to Treatment with Cisplatin and HSP90 Inhibitors.

Ovarian cancer is the fifth leading cause of cancer deaths. Chemoresistance, particularly against platinum compounds, contributes to a poor prognosis. Histone deacetylase inhibitors (HDACi) and heat shock protein 90 inhibitors (HSP90i) are known to modulate pathways involved in chemoresistance. This study investigated the effects of HDACi (panobinostat, LMK235) and HSP90i (luminespib, HSP990) on the potency of cisplatin in ovarian cancer cell lines (A2780, CaOV3, OVCAR3 and cisplatin-resistant sub-clones). Preincubation with HDACi increased the cytotoxic potency of HSP90i, whereas preincubation with HSP90i had no effect. Preincubation with HSP90i or HDACi 48h prior to cisplatin enhanced the cisplatin potency significantly in all cell lines via apoptosis induction and affected the expression of apoptosis-relevant genes and proteins. For CaOV3CisR and A2780CisR, a preincubation with HDACi for 48-72 h led to complete reversal of cisplatin resistance. Furthermore, permanent presence of HDACi in sub-cytotoxic concentrations prevented the development of cisplatin resistance in A2780. However, triple combinations of HDACi, HSP90i and cisplatin were not superior to dual combinations. Overall, priming with HDACi sensitizes ovarian cancer cells to treatment with HSP90i or cisplatin and has an influence on the development of cisplatin resistance, both of which may contribute to an improved ovarian cancer treatment.

In Vitro Assessment of the Genotoxic Hazard of Novel Hydroxamic Acid- and Benzamide-Type Histone Deacetylase Inhibitors (HDACi).

Histone deacetylase inhibitors (HDACi) are already approved for the therapy of leukemias. Since they are also emerging candidate compounds for the treatment of non-malignant diseases, HDACi with a wide therapeutic window and low hazard potential are desirable. Here, we investigated a panel of 12 novel hydroxamic acid- and benzamide-type HDACi employing non-malignant V79 hamster cells as toxicology guideline-conform in vitro model. HDACi causing a ≥10-fold preferential cytotoxicity in malignant neuroblastoma over non-malignant V79 cells were selected for further genotoxic hazard analysis, including vorinostat and entinostat for control. All HDACi selected, (i.e., KSK64, TOK77, DDK137 and MPK77) were clastogenic and evoked DNA strand breaks in non-malignant V79 cells as demonstrated by micronucleus and comet assays, histone H2AX foci formation analyses (γH2AX), DNA damage response (DDR) assays as well as employing DNA double-strand break (DSB) repair-defective VC8 hamster cells. Genetic instability induced by hydroxamic acid-type HDACi seems to be independent of bulky DNA adduct formation as concluded from the analysis of nucleotide excision repair (NER) deficient mutants. Summarizing, KSK64 revealed the highest genotoxic hazard and DDR stimulating potential, while TOK77 and MPK77 showed the lowest DNA damaging capacity. Therefore, these compounds are suggested as the most promising novel candidate HDACi for subsequent pre-clinical in vivo studies.

Hydroxamic Acids Immobilized on Resins (HAIRs): Synthesis of Dual-Targeting HDAC Inhibitors and HDAC Degraders (PROTACs).

Inhibition of more than one cancer-related pathway by multi-target agents is an emerging approach in modern anticancer drug discovery. Here, based on the well-established synergy between histone deacetylase inhibitors (HDACi) and alkylating agents, we present the discovery of a series of alkylating HDACi using a pharmacophore-linking strategy. For the parallel synthesis of the target compounds, we developed an efficient solid-phase-supported protocol using hydroxamic acids immobilized on resins (HAIRs) as stable and versatile building blocks for the preparation of functionalized HDACi. The most promising compound, 3 n, was significantly more active in apoptosis induction, activation of caspase 3/7, and formation of DNA damage (γ-H2AX) than the sum of the activities of either active principle alone. Furthermore, to demonstrate the utility of our preloaded resins, the HAIR approach was successfully extended to the synthesis of a proof-of-concept proteolysis-targeting chimera (PROTAC), which efficiently degrades histone deacetylases.

Histone deacetylase inhibitor LMK235 attenuates vascular constriction and aortic remodelling in hypertension.

Here, we report that LMK235, a class I and histone deacetylase (HDAC6)-preferential HDAC inhibitor, reduces hypertension via inhibition of vascular contraction and vessel hypertrophy. Angiotensin II-infusion mice and spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHRs) were used to test the anti-hypertensive effect of LMK235. Daily injection of LMK235 lowered angiotensin II-induced systolic blood pressure (BP). A reduction in systolic BP in SHRs was observed on the second day when SHRs were treated with 3 mg/kg LMK235 every 3 days. However, LMK235 treatment did not affect angiotensin-converting enzyme 1 and angiotensin II receptor mRNA expression in either hypertensive model. LMK235, acting via the nitric oxide pathway, facilitated the relaxing of vascular contractions induced by a thromboxane A2 agonist in the rat aortic and mesenteric artery ring test. In addition, LMK235 increased nitric oxide production in HUVECs and inhibited the increasing of aortic wall thickness in both animal hypertensive models. LMK235 decreased the enhanced cell cycle-related genes cyclin D1 and E2F3 in angiotensin II-infusion mice and restored the decreased p21 expression. In addition, LMK235 suppressed calcium calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II (CaMKII) α, which is related to vascular smooth muscle cell proliferation. Inhibition or knockdown of HDAC5 blocked the CaMKIIα-induced cell cycle gene expression. Immunoprecipitation demonstrated that class I HDACs were involved in the inhibition of CaMKII α-induced HDAC4/5 by LMK235. We suggest that LMK235 should be further investigated for its use in the development of new therapeutic options to treat hypertension via reducing vascular hyperplasia or vasoconstriction.

3-O-Methyl-Alkylgallates Inhibit Fatty Acid Desaturation in Mycobacterium tuberculosis.

In the quest for new antibacterial lead structures, activity screening against Mycobacterium tuberculosis identified antitubercular effects of gallic acid derivatives isolated from the Nigerian mistletoe Loranthus micranthus Structure-activity relationship studies indicated that 3-O-methyl-alkylgallates comprising aliphatic ester chains with four to eight carbon atoms showed the strongest growth inhibition in vitro against M. tuberculosis, with a MIC of 6.25 µM. Furthermore, the most active compounds (3-O-methyl-butyl-, 3-O-methyl-hexylgallate, and 3-O-methyl-octylgallate) were devoid of cytotoxicity against various human cell lines. Furthermore, 3-O-methyl-butylgallate showed favorable absorption, distribution, metabolism, and excretion (ADME) criteria, with a Papp of 6.2 × 10-6 cm/s, and it did not inhibit P-glycoprotein (P-gp), CYP1A2, CYP2B6 or CYP3A4. Whole-genome sequencing of spontaneous resistant mutants indicated that the compounds target the stearoyl-coenzyme A (stearoyl-CoA) delta-9 desaturase DesA3 and thereby inhibit oleic acid synthesis. Supplementation assays demonstrated that oleic acid addition to the culture medium antagonizes the inhibitory properties of gallic acid derivatives and that sodium salts of saturated palmitic and stearic acid did not show compensatory effects. The moderate bactericidal effect of 3-O-methyl-butylgallate in monotreatment was synergistically enhanced in combination treatment with isoniazid, leading to sterilization in liquid culture.

Profiling of a suramin-derived compound library at recombinant human P2Y receptors identifies NF272 as a competitive but non-selective P2Y2 receptor antagonist.

Extracellular nucleotides mediate multiple physiological effects such as proliferation, differentiation, or induction of apoptosis through G protein-coupled P2Y receptors or P2X ion channels. Evaluation of the complete physiological role of nucleotides has long been hampered by a lack of potent and selective ligands for all P2 subtypes. Meanwhile, for most of the P2 receptors, selective ligands are available, but only a few potent and selective P2Y2 receptor antagonists are described. This limits the understanding of the role of P2Y2 receptors. The purpose of this study was to search for P2Y2 receptor antagonists by a combinatorial screening of a library of around 415 suramin-derived compounds. Calcium fluorescence measurements at P2Y2 receptors recombinantly expressed in human 1321N1 astrocytoma cells identified NF272 [8-(4-methyl-3-(3-phenoxycarbonylimino-benzamido)benzamido)-naphthalene-1,3,5-trisulfonic acid trisodium salt] as a competitive P2Y2 receptor antagonist with a Ki of 19 µM which is 14-fold more potent than suramin at this receptor subtype. The SCHILD analysis of competitive inhibition resulted in a pA2 value of 5.03 ± 0.22 (mean ± SEM) with a slope not significantly different from unity. Among uracil-nucleotide-preferring P2Y receptors, NF272 shows a moderate selectivity over P2Y4 (3.6-fold) and P2Y6 (5.7-fold). However, NF272 is equipotent at P2Y1, and even more potent at P2Y11 and P2Y12 receptors. Up to 250 µM, NF272 showed no cytotoxicity in MTT cell viability assays in 1321N1, HEK293, and OVCAR-3 cells. Further, NF272 was able to inhibit the ATP-induced calcium signal in OVCAR-3 cells demonstrated to express P2Y2 receptors. In conclusion, NF272 is a competitive but non-selective P2Y2 receptor antagonist with 14-fold higher potency than suramin lacking cytotoxic effects. Therefore, NF272 may serve as a lead structure for further development of P2Y2 receptor antagonists.

Recent advances in class IIa histone deacetylases research.

Epigenetic control plays an important role in gene regulation through chemical modifications of DNA and post-translational modifications of histones. An essential post-translational modification is the histone acetylation/deacetylation-process which is regulated by histone acetyltransferases (HATs) and histone deacetylases (HDACs). The mammalian zinc dependent HDAC family is subdivided into three classes: class I (HDACs 1-3, 8), class II (IIa: HDACs 4, 5, 7, 9; IIb: HDACs 6, 10) and class IV (HDAC 11). In this review, recent studies on the biological role and regulation of class IIa HDACs as well as their contribution in neurodegenerative diseases, immune disorders and cancer will be presented. Furthermore, the development, synthesis, and future perspectives of selective class IIa inhibitors will be highlighted.

The tetrahydroxanthone-dimer phomoxanthone A is a strong inducer of apoptosis in cisplatin-resistant solid cancer cells.

Platinum compounds are the first-line therapy for many types of cancer. However, drug resistance has frequently been reported for and is a major limitation of platinum-based chemotherapy in the clinic. In the current study, we examined the anti-tumor activity of phomoxanthone A (PXA), a tetrahydroxanthone dimer isolated from the endophytic fungus Phomopsis longicolla, in several solid cancer cell lines and their cisplatin-resistant sub-cell lines. PXA showed strong cytotoxic effects with IC50 values in the high nanomolar or low micromolar range in MTT assays. IC50 values of PXA were lower than those of cisplatin. Remarkably, equipotent anti-cancer activity was found in cisplatin-sensitive and respective cisplatin-resistant cells. Anticancer effects of PXA were studied in further detail in ovarian cancer (A2780) and bladder cancer (J82) cell pairs. PXA led to rapid depolarization of the mitochondrial membrane potential and strong activation of caspase 3 and 7, eventually resulting in strong induction of apoptosis. These effects occurred again both in sensitive and resistant cell lines. IC50 values of PXA from MTT and mitochondrial membrane depolarization assays were in good agreement. Configurational free energy computations indicate that both the neutral and singly negatively charged PXA show membrane partitioning and can penetrate the inner mitochondrial membrane. PXA treatment did not damage the plasma membranes of cancer cells, thus excluding unspecific membrane effects. Further, PXA had neither an effect on intracellular ROS nor on reduction of ROS after hydrogen peroxide treatment. In conclusion, our studies present PXA as a natural compound with strong apoptotic anticancer effects against platinum-resistant solid cancers. This may open new treatment options in clinically resistant malignancies.

Novel α,ß-unsaturated hydroxamic acid derivatives overcome cisplatin resistance.

A series of α,ß-unsaturated hydroxamic acid derivatives as novel HDAC inhibitors (HDACi) with structural modifications of the connecting unit and the CAP group was synthesized. The in vitro evaluation against the human cancer cell lines A2780 and Cal27 identified 6e and 7j as the most potent compounds regarding HDAC inhibitory activity and inhibition of proliferation. Isoform profiling against HDAC2, 4, 6 and 8 revealed a preference for HDAC2 and 6 for both compounds in contrast to the pan HDACi panobinostat. 6e and 7j enhanced significantly cisplatin-induced cytotoxicity in a combination treatment mediated by increased apoptosis induction and caspase-3/7 activation. The interaction between 6e or 7j and cisplatin was highly synergistic and more pronounced for the cisplatin resistant subline Cal27CisR. IC50 values of cisplatin were even lower in Cal27CisR pretreated with 6e or 7j than for the parental cell line Cal27. Based on our findings, the novel dual class I/HDAC6 inhibitors could serve as an option to overcome cisplatin resistance with fewer side effects in comparison to panobinostat.

Cyclic heptapeptides from the soil-derived fungus Clonostachys rosea.

Three new cyclic heptapeptides (1-3) together with three known compounds (4-6) were isolated from a solid rice culture of the soil-derived fungus Clonostachys rosea. Fermentation of the fungus on white beans instead of rice afforded a new γ-lactam (7) and a known γ-lactone (8) that were not detected in the former extracts. The structures of the new compounds were elucidated on the basis of 1D and 2D NMR spectra as well as by HRESIMS data. Compounds 1 and 4 exhibited significant cytotoxicity against the L5178Y mouse lymphoma cell line with IC50 values of 4.1 and 0.1 µM, respectively. Compound 4 also displayed cytotoxicity against the A2780 human ovarian cancer cell line with an IC50 value of 3.5 µM. The preliminary structure-activity relationships are discussed.

Indole Diterpenoids from an Endophytic Penicillium sp.

A chemical investigation of the endophyte Penicillium sp. (strain ZO-R1-1), isolated from roots of the medicinal plant Zingiber officinale, yielded nine new indole diterpenoids (1-9), together with 13 known congeners (10-22). The structures of the new compounds were elucidated by 1D and 2D NMR analysis in combination with HRESIMS data. The absolute configuration of the new natural products 1, 3, and 7 was determined using the TDDFT-ECD approach and confirmed for 1 by single-crystal X-ray determination through anomalous dispersion. The isolated compounds were tested for cytotoxicity against L5178Y, A2780, J82, and HEK-293 cell lines. Compound 1 was the most active metabolite toward L5178Y cells, with an IC50 value of 3.6 µM, and an IC50 against A2780 cells of 8.7 µM. Interestingly, 1 features a new type of indole diterpenoid scaffold with a rare 6/5/6/6/6/6/5 heterocyclic system bearing an aromatic ring C, which is suggested to be important for the cytotoxic activity of this natural product against L5278Y and A2780 cells.

Brominated Azaphilones from the Sponge-Associated Fungus Penicillium canescens Strain 4.14.6a.

The fungus Penicillium canescens was isolated from the inner tissue of the Mediterranian sponge Agelas oroides. Fermentation of the fungus on solid rice medium yielded one new chlorinated diphenyl ether (1) and 13 known compounds (2-14). Addition of 5% NaBr to the rice medium increased the amounts of 4-6, while lowering the amounts of 8, 12, and 14. Furthermore, it induced the accumulation of 17 and two new brominated azaphilones, bromophilones A and B (15 and 16). Compounds 15 and 16 are the first example of azaphilones with the connection of a benzene moiety and the pyranoquinone core through a methylene group. The structures of the new compounds were elucidated based on the 1D and 2D NMR spectra as well as on HRESIMS data. The absolute configuration of the condensed bicyclic moiety of 15 and 16 was determined by sTDA ECD calculations. Compound 16 exhibited moderate cytotoxicity against the mouse lymphoma cell line L5178Y (IC50 8.9 µM), as well as against the human ovarian cancer cell line A2780 (IC50 2.7 µM), whereas the stereoisomer 15 was considerably less active.

Cryptic Secondary Metabolites from the Sponge-Associated Fungus Aspergillus ochraceus.

The fungus Aspergillus ochraceus was isolated from the Mediterranean sponge Agelas oroides. The initial fermentation of the fungus on solid rice medium yielded 16 known compounds (4⁻19). The addition of several inorganic salts to the rice medium mainly influenced the accumulation of these secondary metabolites. Fermentation of the fungus on white bean medium yielded the new waspergillamide B (1) featuring an unusual p-nitrobenzoic acid as partial structure. Moreover, two new compounds, ochraspergillic acids A and B (2 and 3), which are both adducts of dihydropenicillic acid and o- or p-aminobenzoic acid, were isolated from the co-culture of the fungus with Bacillus subtilis. Compound 2 was also detected in axenic fungal cultures following the addition of either anthranilic acid or tryptophan to the rice medium. The structures of the new compounds were established by 1D and 2DNMR experiments as well as from the HRMS data. The absolute configuration of 1 was elucidated following hydrolysis and derivatization of the amino acids using Marfey's reagent. Viomellein (9) and ochratoxin B (18) exhibited strong cytotoxicity against the A2780 human ovarian carcinoma cells with IC50 values of 5.0 and 3.0 µM, respectively.

Class I-Histone Deacetylase (HDAC) Inhibition is Superior to pan-HDAC Inhibition in Modulating Cisplatin Potency in High Grade Serous Ovarian Cancer Cell Lines.

High grade serous ovarian cancer (HGSOC) is the most common and aggressive ovarian cancer subtype with the worst clinical outcome due to intrinsic or acquired drug resistance. Standard treatment involves platinum compounds. Cancer development and chemoresistance is often associated with an increase in histone deacetylase (HDAC) activity. The purpose of this study was to examine the potential of HDAC inhibitors (HDACi) to increase platinum potency in HGSOC. Four HGSOC cell lines with different cisplatin sensitivity were treated with combinations of cisplatin and entinostat (class I HDACi), panobinostat (pan-HDACi), or nexturastat A (class IIb HDACi), respectively. Inhibition of class I HDACs by entinostat turned out superior in increasing cisplatin potency than pan-HDAC inhibition in cell viability assays (MTT), apoptosis induction (subG1), and caspase 3/7 activation. Entinostat was synergistic with cisplatin in all cell lines in MTT and caspase activation assays. MTT assays gave combination indices (CI values) < 0.9 indicating synergism. The effect of HDAC inhibitors could be attributed to the upregulation of pro-apoptotic genes (CDNK1A, APAF1, PUMA, BAK1) and downregulation of survivin. In conclusion, the combination of entinostat and cisplatin is synergistic in HGSOC and could be an effective strategy for the treatment of aggressive ovarian cancer.