Screening of indeno[1,2-b]indoloquinones by MALDI-MS: a new set of potential CDC25 phosphatase inhibitors brought to light.

Quinones and quinones-like compounds are potential candidates for the inhibition of CDC25 phosphatases. The combination of MALDI-MS analyses and biological studies was used to develop a rapid screening of a targeted library of indeno[1,2-b]indoloquinone derivatives. The screening protocol using MALDI-TOFMS and MALDI-FTICRMS highlighted four new promising candidates.

A novel coumarin-quinone derivative SV37 inhibits CDC25 phosphatases, impairs proliferation, and induces cell death.

Cell division cycle (CDC) 25 proteins are key phosphatases regulating cell cycle transition and proliferation by regulating CDK/cyclin complexes. Overexpression of these enzymes is frequently observed in cancer and is related to aggressiveness, high-grade tumors and poor prognosis. Thus, targeting CDC25 by compounds, able to inhibit their activity, appears a good therapeutic approach.

Coumarin polysulfides inhibit cell growth and induce apoptosis in HCT116 colon cancer cells.

Coumarins and coumarin derivatives as well as diallyl polysulfides are well known as anticancer drugs. In order to find new drugs with anticancer activities, we combined coumarins with polysulfides in the form of di-coumarin polysulfides. These novel compounds were tested in the HCT116 colorectal cancer cell line.

Synthesis and biological evaluation of novel coumarin-based inhibitors of Cdc25 phosphatases.

The cell division cycle 25 (Cdc25) family of proteins are dual specificity phosphatases that activate cyclin-dependent kinase (CDK) complexes, which in turn regulate progression through the cell division cycle. Overexpression of Cdc25 proteins has been reported in a wide variety of cancers; their inhibition may thus represent a novel approach for the development of anticancer therapeutics. Herein we report new coumarin-based scaffolds endowed with a selective inhibition against Cdc25A and Cdc25C, being 6a and 6d the most efficient inhibitors and worthy of further investigation as anticancer agents.