Screening antiproliferative drug for breast cancer from bisbenzylisoquinoline alkaloid tetrandrine and fangchinoline derivatives by targeting BLM helicase.

Background: The high expression of BLM (Bloom syndrome) helicase in tumors involves its strong association with cell expansion. Bisbenzylisoquinoline alkaloids own an antitumor property and have developed as candidates for anticancer drugs. This paper aimed to screen potential antiproliferative small molecules from 12 small molecules (the derivatives of bisbenzylisoquinoline alkaloids tetrandrine and fangchinoline) by targeting BLM helicase. Then we explore the inhibitory mechanism of those small molecules on proliferation of MDA-MB-435 breast cancer cells.

Methods: Fluorescence polarization technique was used to screen small molecules which inhibited the DNA binding and unwinding of BLM helicase. The effects of positive small molecules on the ATPase and conformation of BLM helicase were studied by the malachite green-phosphate ammonium molybdate colorimetry and ultraviolet spectral scanning, respectively. The effects of positive small molecules on growth of MDA-MB-435 cells were studied by MTT method, colony formation and cell counting method. The mRNA and protein levels of BLM helicase in the MDA-MB-435 cells after positive small molecule treatments were examined by RT-PCR and ELISA, respectively.

Results: The compound HJNO (a tetrandrine derivative) was screened out which inhibited the DNA binding, unwinding and ATPase of BLM helicase. That HJNO could bind BLMhelicase to change its conformationcontribute to inhibiting the DNA binding, ATPase and DNA unwinding of BLM helicase. In addition, HJNO showed its inhibiting the growth of MDA-MB-435 cells. The values of IC after drug treatments for 24 h, 48 h and 72 h were 19.9 μmol/L, 4.1 μmol/L and 10.9 μmol/L, respectively. The mRNA and protein levels of BLM helicase in MDA-MB-435 cells increased after HJNO treatment. Those showed a significant difference (P < 0.05) compared with negative control when the concentrations of HJNO were 5 μmol/L and 10 μmol/L, which might contribute to HJNO inhibiting the DNA binding, ATPase and DNA unwinding of BLM helicase.

Conclusion: The small molecule HJNO was screened out by targeting BLM helicase. And it showed an inhibition on MDA-MB-435 breast cancer cells expansion.