Structure-activity relationship and multidrug resistance study of new S-trityl-L-cysteine derivatives as inhibitors of Eg5

J Med Chem. 2011 Mar 24;54(6):1576-86. doi: 10.1021/jm100991m. Epub 2011 Feb 23.

Abstract

The mitotic spindle is a validated target for cancer chemotherapy. Drugs such as taxanes and vinca alkaloids specifically target microtubules and cause the mitotic spindle to collapse. However, toxicity and resistance are problems associated with these drugs. Thus, alternative approaches to inhibiting the mitotic spindle are being pursued. These include targeting Eg5, a human kinesin involved in the formation of the bipolar spindle. We previously identified S-trityl-L-cysteine (STLC) as a potent allosteric inhibitor of Eg5. Here, we report the synthesis of a new series of STLC-like compounds with in vitro inhibition in the low nanomolar range. We also performed a multidrug resistance study in cell lines overexpressing P-glycoprotein and showed that some of these inhibitors may have the potential to overcome susceptibility to this efflux pump. Finally, we performed molecular docking of the compounds and determined the structures of two Eg5-inhibitor complexes to explain the structure-activity relationship of these compounds.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adenosine Triphosphatases / antagonists & inhibitors
  • Animals
  • Antineoplastic Agents / chemical synthesis*
  • Antineoplastic Agents / pharmacology
  • Cell Line
  • Cell Proliferation / drug effects
  • Crystallography, X-Ray
  • Cysteine / analogs & derivatives*
  • Cysteine / chemical synthesis*
  • Cysteine / pharmacology
  • Dogs
  • Drug Design
  • Drug Resistance, Multiple*
  • Drug Resistance, Neoplasm*
  • Epithelial Cells / cytology
  • Epithelial Cells / drug effects
  • Epithelial Cells / metabolism
  • Humans
  • Kinesins / antagonists & inhibitors*
  • Models, Molecular*
  • Molecular Structure
  • Stereoisomerism
  • Structure-Activity Relationship
  • Trityl Compounds / chemical synthesis*
  • Trityl Compounds / pharmacology

Substances

  • Antineoplastic Agents
  • KIF11 protein, human
  • Trityl Compounds
  • Adenosine Triphosphatases
  • Kinesins
  • Cysteine

Associated data

  • PDB/2X2R
  • PDB/2XAE