Subcellular localization of anthracyclines in cultured rat cardiomyoblasts as possible predictors of cardiotoxicity.

In this study, we compared the cellular uptake, intracellular localization and cytotoxicity of two groups of anthracycline derivatives in cultured H9c2(2-1) rat cardiomyoblasts. The first group consisted of doxorubicin (DOX) and two of its derivatives containing a formamidino group (-N = CH-N<) at the C-3' position with a morpholine (DOXM) or a hexamethyleneimine (DOXH) ring. The second group consisted of daunorubicin (DRB) and its derivatives containing a morpholine (DRBM) or a hexamethyleneimine (DRBH) ring.

trans-Platinum(II) complex of 3-aminoflavone - synthesis, X-ray crystal structure and biological activities in vitro.

This paper describes the synthesis of trans-bis-(3-aminoflavone)dichloridoplatinum(ii) (trans-Pt(3-af)2Cl2; TCAP) for use as a potential anticancer compound, and the evaluation of its structure by elemental and spectral analyses, and X-ray crystallography. The complex demonstrated a significant cytotoxic effect against human and murine cancer cell lines, as well as weaker toxicity towards healthy cells (human peripheral blood lymphocytes) in comparison with cisplatin. Various biochemical and morphological methods confirm that the proapoptotic activity of trans-Pt(3-af)2Cl2 is markedly higher than the reference cisplatin.

Oxazolinodoxorubicin - a promising new anthracycline.

Oxazolinodoxorubicin, a doxorubicin analog with a modified daunosamine moiety was synthesized. The properties of this compound and the parent doxorubicin were compared. The cytotoxicity in vitro studies against several human tumor cell lines (PC-3, MCF-7, SW707, HL-60, RPMI 8226, ACHN) showed higher antiproliferative potency for this new compound.

Synthesis and cytotoxic evaluation of beta-alkyl or beta-aryl-delta-methyl-alpha-methylene-delta-lactones. Comparison with the corresponding gamma-lactones.

We present a simple and general strategy for the synthesis of beta,delta-disubstituted-alpha-methylene-delta-lactones starting from easily available tert-butyl 2-(diethoxyphosphoryl)alk-2-enoates. The elaborated synthetic protocol includes pyrrolidine-catalyzed Michael addition of acetone, diastereoselective reduction of the carbonyl group, lactonization and finally the Horner-Wadsworth-Emmons reaction with formaldehyde. All alpha-methylene-delta-lactones were evaluated in vitro against mouse leukemia cell line L-1210 and two human leukemia cell lines HL-60 and NALM-6.

Cytotoxicity and inhibitory properties against topoisomerase II of doxorubicin and its formamidine derivatives.

Unlabelled: This work was undertaken to compare cytotoxicity, DNA damaging properties and effect on DNA cleavage by topoisomerase II of the anthracycline drug doxorubicin (DOX) and its two derivatives with a formamidino group containing a cyclic amine moiety such as morpholine (DOXM) or hexamethyleneimine (DOXH). The tetrazolium dye colorimetric assay was used to determine the cytotoxic activity of anthracyclines toward L1210 leukemia cells. DNA damage was measured by alkaline elution technique.

Cytotoxic activity and chemical reactivity of cis-platinum(II) and trans-palladium(II) complexes with diethyl (pyridinylmethyl)phosphates.

A series of square-planar platinum(II) and palladium(II) complexes of the formula cis-[PtCl2L2] and trans-[PdCl2L2] [L stands for diethyl (pyridin-2-ylmethyl)phosphate (2-pmOpe) or diethyl (pyridin-3-ylmethyl)phosphate (3-pmOpe) or diethyl (pyridin-4-ylmethyl)phosphate (4-pmOpe)] have been synthesized and tested in vitro for their cytotoxicity against mouse leukemia L1210 cells. The results indicated that the cis-platinum complexes showed superior activity than trans-palladium complexes, but lower in comparison to cisplatin. The chemical reactivity of the tested complexes has been determined in an in vitro NBP test.

Synthesis and cytotoxic activity of gamma-aryl substituted alpha-alkylidene-gamma-lactones and alpha-alkylidene-gamma-lactams.

A series of 5-aryl-3-alkylidenedihydrofuran-2(3H)-ones 6a-g'' and 11a,b as well as 5-aryl-3-methylidenepyrrolidin-2-ones 10a-c and 12 were synthesized starting from 4-aryl-2-diethoxyphosphoryl-4-oxobutanoates 3a-g. Reaction sequence includes reduction or reductive amination of the carbonyl group, lactonization or lactamization step and finally the Horner-Wadsworth-Emmons olefination of aldehydes using thus obtained 5-aryl-3-diethoxyphosphoryl-3,4-dihydrofuran-2(5H)-ones 5a-g'' or 5-aryl-3-diethoxyphosphorylpyrrolidin-2-ones 9a-c. Furanones 6 and 11, as well as pyrrolidinones 10 and 12, were evaluated in vitro against mouse leukemia cell line L-1210 and two human leukemia cell lines HL-60 and NALM-6.

Enantioselective synthesis and cytotoxic evaluation of 4,5-dihydro-5-[aryl(hydroxy)methyl]-3-methylidenefuran-2(3H)-ones.

A series of enantiomerically enriched 4,5-dihydro-5-[aryl(hydroxy)methyl]-3-methylidenefuran-2(3H)-ones (8) were synthesized by means of asymmetric Sharpless dihydroxylation of the 2-phosphorylated 5-aryl-pent-4-enoic acids 13, followed by Horner-Wadsworth-Emmons reaction of the resulting furanones 15 (Scheme 2). An enantiomeric excess (ee) of 20-95% was achieved for compounds 8, and their absolute configurations were determined by the Mosher ester method. Cytotoxic evaluation against L-1210 and HL-60 leukemia cell lines revealed that the target compounds 8 are active in the micromolar concentration range (Table 2).

Functional comparison of two evolutionary conserved insect neurokinin-like receptors.

Tachykinins are multifunctional neuropeptides that have been identified in vertebrates as well as invertebrates. The C-terminal FXGXRa-motif constitutes the consensus active core region of invertebrate tachykinins. In Drosophila, two putative G protein-coupled tachykinin receptors have been cloned: DTKR and NKD.

Comparative studies on the mechanism of cytotoxic action of novel platinum II complexes with pyrazole ligands.

In search for new platinum-based anticancer drugs, four cisplatin analogues, which contain pyrazole rings as non-leaving ligands, have been synthesized: cis-PtCl(2)(3,5-DM HMPz)(2), cis-PtCl(2)(Pz)(2), cis-PtCl(2)(ClMPz)(2), and cis-PtCl(2)(HMPz)(2), where Pz=pyrazole, H=hydroxyl, M=methyl. We tested their cytotoxicity, apoptosis induction ability, DNA damaging and modification properties comparing them in respect to the parent compound. The cytotoxic activity of these platinum pyrazole complexes toward the murine leukemia cell line was 2.

Cytotoxicity, cellular uptake and DNA damage by daunorubicin and its new analogues with modified daunosamine moiety.

Daunorubicin (DRB) and its two analogues containing a trisubstituted amidino group at the C-3' position of the daunosamine moiety have been compared regarding their cytotoxic activity, cellular uptake, subcellular localization and DNA damaging properties. An analogue containing in the amidino group a morpholine moiety (DRBM) as well as an analogue with a hexamethyleneimine moiety (DRBH), tested against cultured L1210 cells, exhibited lower cytotoxicity then DRB. The decrease of cytotoxic activity was not related to cellular uptake and subcellular localization of drugs.

4-Methylideneisoxazolidin-5-ones--a new class of alpha-methylidene-gamma-lactones with high cytostatic activity.

A novel, general method of synthesis of 4-methylideneisoxazolidin-5-ones 10 is described. The target compounds were synthesized starting from ethyl 2-diethoxyphosphoryl-2-alkenoates 6 or dicyclohexylammonium 4-diethoxyphosphoryl-2-alkenoates 7. Addition of N-methylhydroxylamine hydrochloride to these Michael acceptors, lactonization to 4-diethoxyphosphorylisoxazolidin-5-ones 9, and Horner-Wadsworth-Emmons olefination of formaldehyde using 9 gave the title isoxazolidinones 10.

Comparison of antagonist activity of spantide family at human neurokinin receptors measured by aequorin luminescence-based functional calcium assay.

Neurokinin receptors (NK1, NK2, NK3) are G-protein-coupled receptors, which upon activation by a peptide agonist induce a transient increase in the concentration of intracellular calcium. The functional assay based on aequorin-derived luminescence triggered by receptor-mediated changes in Ca2+ levels was used to compare the effect of spantides I-III on SP-, NKA- and NKB-stimulated NK1, NK2 and NK3 receptors, respectively. Recombinant cell lines expressing neurokinin receptors and apoaequorin were used in the study.

Novel synthesis, cytotoxic evaluation, and structure-activity relationship studies of a series of alpha-alkylidene-gamma-lactones and lactams.

5-Alkyl- and 5-arylalkyl-3-methylenedihydrofuran-2-ones 13a-e, 3-alkylidenedihydrofuran-2-ones 18a-c, and 3-methylenepyrrolidin-2-ones 16a-e were synthesized utilizing ethyl 2-diethoxyphosphoryl-4-nitroalkanoates 9a-e as common intermediates. All obtained compounds were tested against L-1210, HL-60, and NALM-6 leukemia cells. The highest cytotoxic activity was observed for 3-methylenefuranones 13d,e bearing benzyl or 3,4-dimethoxyphenylmethyl substituents at position 5, with IC(50) values of 5.

Interactions of novel morpholine and hexamethylene derivatives of anthracycline antibiotics with DNA.

Doxorubicin (DOX), daunorubicin (DRB), epidoxorubicin (EDOX) and their analogues with a 3'-NH2 group in daunosamine form a covalent bond with a 2-NH2 group of guanine via a methylene group from formaldehyde (CH2O). It is assumed that a Schiff base type intermediate is formed between CH2O and the 3'-NH2 group in the reaction. This reaction is supposed to occur in the cell.

New stereocontrolled synthesis and biological evaluation of 5-(1'-hydroxyalkyl)-3-methylidenetetrahydro-2-furanones as potential cytotoxic agents.

A series of 3-methylidenetetrahydro-2-furanones 7 bearing various hydroxyalkyl substituents in position 5 were synthesized using novel diastereo- and enantioselective methodology. In vitro cytotoxicity data demonstrated that all prepared compounds were active against L-1210 and HL-60 tissue culture cells with 7e being the most potent (IC(50) = 6.9 microM).

Inhibition of RNA synthesis in vitro and cell growth by anthracycline antibiotics.

New derivatives of doxorubicin and daunorubicin with amidine group bonded to daunosamine at C-3' atom and bearing the morpholine ring attached to the amidine group have been recently synthesized. Their cytotoxic activities and effects on RNA synthesis in vitro were assayed. The drug concentrations inhibiting mouse leukaemia L1210 cell growth to 50% were about two- and three fold higher for the derivatives compared to doxorubicin and daunorubicin respectively.

Effects of anticancer drugs on transcription in vitro.

The effects of DNA interacting drugs on: (1) total RNA synthesis catalyzed by E. coli and T7 RNA polymerase; (2) synthesis of the initiating dinucleotide (pppApU) by E. coli RNA polymerase ("abortive initiation"); (3) elongation of RNA chains synthesized by T7 RNA polymerase on pT7-7 plasmid DNA bearing T7 RNA polymerase promoter phi 10 with human Cu/Zn superoxide dismutase coding sequence, (4) interaction of transcription factor Sp1 and its binding site were studied.

Uptake of acridinecarboxamide derivatives by L1210 cells.

The uptake of six 9-aminoacridinecarboxamide derivatives by L1210 cells in relation to their lipophilicity and cytotoxic activity was studied. The amount of acridines taken up by cells was estimated by fluorimetric measurements. It was found that the uptake efficiency of this class of compounds by cells depends on the size of carboxamide residue as well as on position of the substituent.

Crosslinking of cellular DNA by nitracrine and furocoumarin derivatives.

The anticancer drug, nitracrine, a 1-nitro-9-aminoalkyl derivative of acridine exhibits potent cytotoxic effects which are due to its metabolic activation, followed by covalent binding to macromolecules--DNA being the target for the drug. The renaturable fraction of DNA from L-1210 cells pretreated with nitracrine is assayed by means of ethidium bromide fluorescence assay and chromatography on hydroxyapatite column. The effect of the drug was compared with furocoumarins of different DNA crosslinking potencies.

Effect of DNA-interacting drugs on phage T7 RNA polymerase.

9-Aminoacridine carboxamide derivatives studied here form with DNA intercalative complexes which differ in the kinetics of dissociation. Inhibition of total RNA synthesis catalyzed by phage T7 and Escherichia coli DNA-dependent RNA polymerases correlates with the formation of slowly dissociating acridine-DNA complex of time constant of 0.4-2.

Inhibition of RNA synthesis in vitro by acridines--relation between structure and activity.

The effects of acridine derivatives (proflavine and 2,7-dialkyl derivatives, diacridines and triacridines, 9-aminoacridine carboxamides, and 9-anilinoacridine, amsacrine and its congeners) on overall RNA synthesis in vitro, on synthesis of initiating oligonucleotides and the binding of the enzyme to DNA were studied. The primary mechanism of action is related to inhibition of the enzyme binding to DNA. The acridines (intercalating or non-intercalating and bis-intercalating ligands) assayed here differ in the properties of their complexes with DNA.

Transcriptional template activity of covalently modified DNA.

The transcriptional template activity of covalent modified DNA is compared. 8-Methoxypsoralen (MOP), 3,4'dimethyl-8-methoxypsoralen (DMMOP) and benzopsoralen (BP) forming with DNA covalent complexes upon UV irradiation and exhibiting preference to pyrimidines, mostly thymines, differ in their cross-linking potency. MOP and DMMOP form both monoadducts and diadducts while no cross-links are formed by BP.

A new complementation group of mitomycin C-hypersensitive Chinese hamster cell mutants that closely resembles the phenotype of fanconi anemia cells.

Three Mitomycin C (MMC)-hypersensitive mutants (CL-V1B, CL-V5B, and CL-V101B) were isolated from Chinese hamster V79B cells by the replica plating technique. In comparison to the parental cell line, CL-V1B, CL-V5B, and CL-V101B show about a 22-, 32-, and 13-fold increased sensitivity to MMC, respectively (judged by the D10). These mutants are also sensitive to other DNA cross-linking agents, such as 1,2,3,4-diepoxybutane (9-, 19-, and 12-fold, respectively) and cis-diamminedichloroplatinum(II) (17-, 12-, and 6-fold, respectively).

Mutagenic response and repair of cis-DDP-induced DNA cross-links in the Chinese hamster V79 cell mutant V-H4 which is homologous to Fanconi anemia (group A).

Previously, it has been shown that the V-H4 mutant of Chinese hamster V79 cells is homologous to Fanconi anemia (FA) group A cells. This hamster cell mutant shows a specific sensitivity to DNA cross-linking agents; therefore, the induction and repair of DNA cross-links were studied in V-H4 and wild-type V79 cells after cis-DDP treatment by the DNA alkaline elution technique. A significant difference in repair of these lesions in V-H4 and wild-type cells was observed.