ABSTRACT
A library of iminolactones was prepared by esterification of several 2-hydroxyketones with a number of N-protected d- and l-α-amino acids. Some of the hydroxyketones were of terpenoid origin while others were obtained via synthesis. After N-deprotection of the intermediate esters, the free amines spontaneously underwent condensation with the ketone to form iminolactones. Esters of (1S,2S,5S)-2-hydroxypinan-3-one with both d- and l-α-amino acids were partially epimerized at the α-carbon atom to give a diastereomeric ester mixture. Only iminolactones of l-amino acids were formed after cyclization of (1S,2S,5S)-2-hydroxypinan-3-one, and correspondingly only d-amino acid iminolactones were formed after reaction with (1R,2R,5R)-2-hydroxypinan-3-one. The protocol thus enables inversion of the absolute configuration of amino acids. Some members of the prepared library of iminolactones displayed significant anti-proliferative effects toward three cancer cell lines (EL4, MCF7, PC3) with insignificant effect on non-malign cell lines (McCoy, MCF10A, NIH3T3). Thus, iminolactones appear to be potential lead structures for preparation of drugs selectively affecting proliferation of malign cell lines.
Subject(s)
Amino Acids/chemistry , Amino Acids/pharmacology , Antineoplastic Agents/chemistry , Antineoplastic Agents/pharmacology , Lactones/pharmacology , Neoplasms/pathology , Antineoplastic Agents/chemical synthesis , Cell Line, Tumor , Cell Proliferation/drug effects , Crystallography, X-Ray , Dose-Response Relationship, Drug , Drug Screening Assays, Antitumor , Humans , Lactones/chemical synthesis , Lactones/chemistry , Models, Molecular , Molecular Structure , Structure-Activity RelationshipABSTRACT
Removal of each of the acyl groups of thapsigargin at O-3, O-8 and O-10 significant reduces the affinity of the inhibitors to the SERCA1a pump. Replacement of the acyl groups at O-3 and O-10 with flexible residues could be performed with only a minor decrease of the affinity, whereas introduction of voluminous stiff residues caused dramatic reduction of the affinity. The results can be rationalized on the basis of the interactions of thapsigargin with the SERCA1a pump as revealed from 3D X-ray structural models of thapsigargin bound to the SERCA1a. In conclusion the results confirm and elaborate the previously suggested pharmocophore model of thapsigargin.
