The DNA-binding domain of yeast heat shock transcription factor independently regulates both the N- and C-terminal activation domains.

The expression of heat shock proteins in response to cellular stresses is dependent on the activity of the heat shock transcription factor (HSF). In yeast, HSF is constitutively bound to DNA; however, the mitigation of negative regulation in response to stress dramatically increases transcriptional activity. Through alanine-scanning mutagenesis of the surface residues of the DNA-binding domain, we have identified a large number of mutants with increased transcriptional activity. Six of the strongest mutations were selected for detailed study. Our studies suggest that the DNA-binding domain is involved in the negative regulation of both the N-terminal and C-terminal activation domains of HSF. These mutations do not significantly affect DNA binding. Circular dichroism analysis suggests that a subset of the mutants may have altered secondary structure, whereas a different subset has decreased thermal stability. Our findings suggest that the regulation of HSF transcriptional activity (under both constitutive and stressed conditions) may be partially dependent on the local topology of the DNA-binding domain. In addition, the DNA-binding domain may mediate key interactions with ancillary factors and/or other intramolecular regulatory regions in order to modulate the complex regulation of HSF's transcriptional activity.

The synthesis and evaluation of temperature sensitive tubulin toxins.

The synthesis of several potent inhibitors of tubulin polymerization that exert their activities through interaction at the colchicine binding site is described. These agents were evaluated for their abilities to inhibit the polymerization of tubulin and the growth of neoplastic cell cultures. Additionally, the inhibition of tubulin polymerization activity of these agents was assessed over a temperature range of 30-45 degrees C to ascertain the effect of temperature on this activity. Several of the compounds possess significant inhibition of tubulin polymerization activity, and select compounds exhibit this activity in a temperature dependent manner.

The synthesis and evaluation of benzannelated-azatoxins: the benzazatoxins.

The synthesis and evaluation of azatoxin congeners possessing annealed aromatic frameworks are described. The compounds were evaluated for their abilities to affect topoisomerase II inhibition through the stabilization of "cleavable complex" and for the inhibition of tubulin polymerization using purified bovine brain tubulin.

Synthesis and structure-activity profiles of A-homoestranes, the estratropones.

2-Methoxyestradiol, a mammalian metabolite of estradiol, has reported antiangiogenic activity which has been proposed to be mediated through interaction at the colchicine binding site on the tubulin monomer. Subsequent structure-activity studies of 2-methoxyestradiol have yielded highly potent steroidal inhibitors of tubulin polymerization. In an effort to probe the scope of binding at the colchicine binding site and the nature of the relationship between 2-methoxyestradiol and colchicine, a series of colchicine/2-methoxyestradiol hybrids was synthesized. These A-homoestrane hybrid systems, collectively termed estratropones, possessed an A-ring tropone system with the keto functionality at either the C-2, C-3, or C-4 position of the steroid nucleus. The estratropones were evaluated for their ability to inhibit the polymerization of tubulin using an in vitro purified bovine brain assay. Most of these hybrids inhibit polymerization with greater potency than either of the natural products. The most potent of these congeners possessed an approximate 5-fold enhancement of the activity of colchicine for the inhibition of tubulin polymerization. alpha-Substituents on the tropone ring showed varied effects on the activities for the two classes of estratropones studied in this regard, the C-3 oxo and the C-4 oxo species. The 3-substituted 4-oxoestratropones exhibited antitubulin activity according to Cl approximately Br > OCH3, whereas the 4-substituted 3-oxoestratropones exhibited activity according to OCH3 > Br approximately Cl. It is unclear if these substituent factors are purely electronic or steric effects or if the substituent operates indirectly by altering the conformation of the nonplanar troponoid ring. The estratropones represent a new class of tubulin binding agents with potential antiangiogenic utility.