Inhibition of eukaryote protein kinases and of a cyclic nucleotide-binding phosphatase by prenylated xanthones.

A series of prenylated xanthones are variously potent inhibitors of the catalytic subunit (cAK) of rat liver cyclic AMP-dependent protein kinase (PKA), rat brain Ca2+ and phospholipid-dependent protein kinase C (PKC), chicken gizzard myosin light chain kinase (MLCK), wheat embryo Ca2+-dependent protein kinase (CDPK) and potato tuber cyclic nucleotide-binding phosphatase (Pase). The prenylated xanthones examined are mostly derivatives of alpha-mangostin in which the 3-hydroxyl and 6-hydroxyl are variously substituted with groups R or R', respectively, or derivatives of 3-isomangostin (mangostanol) in which the 9-hydroxyl is substituted with groups R' or the prenyl side chain is modified. The most potent inhibitors of cAK have non-protonatable and relatively small R' and R groups. Conversely, the most potent inhibitors of PKC and MLCK have bulkier and basic R' groups. Some prenylated xanthones are also potent inhibitors of CDPK. PKC and cAK are competitively inhibited by particular prenylated xanthones whereas the compounds that are the most potent inhibitors of MLCK and CDPK are non-competitive inhibitors. Prenylated xanthones having relatively small and non-protonatable R' and R groups inhibit a high-affinity cyclic nucleotide binding Pase in a non-competitive fashion.

Specific inhibition of cyclic AMP-dependent protein kinase by warangalone and robustic acid.

The prenylated isoflavone warangalone from the insecticidal plant Derris scandens is a selective and potent inhibitor of rat liver cyclic AMP-dependent protein kinase catalytic subunit (cAK) (IC50 3.5 microM). The inhibition of rat liver cAK by warangalone is non-competitive with respect to both ATP and the synthetic peptide substrate (LRRASLG) employed in this study. Warangalone is a poor inhibitor of avian calmodulin-dependent myosin light chain kinase (MLCK), rat brain Ca(2+)- and phospholipid-dependent protein kinase C (PKC) and wheat embryo Ca(2+)-dependent protein kinase (CDPK). The related plant derived prenylisoflavones are also potent cAK inhibitors. Thus, 8-gamma-gamma-dimethylallylwighteone, 3' -gamma-gamma-dimethlallylwighteone and nallanin are inhibitors of cAK with IC50 values in the range 20-33 microM. The prenyl-substituted isoflavones tested in this study are ineffective or poor as inhibitors of PKC. Thus nallanin is a poor PKC inhibitor (IC50 value of 120 microM). The related isoflavones biochanin A and genistein are poor inhibitors of cAK (IC50 values 100 microM and 126 microM, respectively). Genistein inhibits MLCK (IC50 value 14 microM) but biochanin A is a poor MLCK inhibitor (IC50 value 300 microM). The D. scandens prenyl-isoflavones and related isoflavones are ineffective inhibitors of wheat embryo Ca(2+)-dependent protein kinase (CDPK). The 4-methoxy-3-phenyl-coumarin robustic acid is a potent inhibitor of rat liver cAK (IC50 value 10 microM) but is a poor inhibitor of rat brain PKC, avian MLCK and wheat embryo CDPK. The coumarins 5-methoxypsoralen and 4,4'-di-O-methyl scandenin are poor cAK inhibitors (IC50 values 240 and 248 microM, respectively). All of the non-prenylated coumarins examined are ineffective as inhibitors of the eukaryote signal-regulated protein kinases cAK, MLCK, PKC and CDPK. The selective, high affinity interaction of warangalone and robustic acid with cAK may contribute to their biological effects in vivo and to the insecticidal activity of the plant D. scandens.

Specific inhibition of cyclic AMP-dependent protein kinase by the antimalarial halofantrine and by related phenanthrenes.

The phenanthrenemethanol antimalarial halofantrine is a potent inhibitor of bovine heart and rat liver cyclic AMP-dependent protein kinase catalytic subunit (cAK) (IC50 values 2.1 microM and 0.6 microM, respectively). The inhibition of rat liver cAK by halofantrine is non-competitive with respect to both ATP and to the synthetic peptide substrate employed (LRRASLG). Halofantrine is a poor inhibitor of calmodulin-dependent myosin light chain kinase (MLCK) and wheat embryo Ca(2+)-dependent protein kinase (CDPK) and does not inhibit rat brain Ca(2+)- and phospholipid-dependent protein kinase C (PKC). In contrast, the acridine-based antimalarial quinacrine and a variety of quinoline-based antimalarials are very poor inhibitors of cAK, the best inhibitor being chloroquine (IC50 for bovine heart cAK, 80 microM). Quinacrine and the quinoline-based antimalarials variously inhibit CDPK, PKC and MLCK albeit at relatively high concentrations (about 1 to 4 x 10(-4) M), the best inhibitors found being primaquine, pentaquine and mefloquine (IC50 values for MLCK 49, 103 and 33 microM, respectively). A number of phenanthrene derivatives having a 9-hydroxy or 9-keto substituent, namely phenanthrenequinone, 6(5H)-phenanthridinone and 9-phenanthrol are potent inhibitors of bovine heart cAK (IC50 values 8, 10 and 10 microM, respectively) and of MLCK (IC50 values 6, 53 and 10 microM, respectively). The selective, high affinity interaction of halofantrine with cAK may contribute to biological effects in vivo of this clinically-employed antimalarial compound.

Protein kinase inhibitors in plants of the myrtaceae, proteaceae, and leguminosae.

Methanolic extracts of leaves, flowers, stems, bark, and other parts of representative plants of the Myrtaceae, specifically of the EUCALYPTUS, MELALEUCA, THRYPTOMENA, CALLISTOMEN, ACMENA, AND ANGOPHORA genera, variously contain high levels of inhibitors of plant Ca (2+)-dependent protein kinase (CDPK) and of Ca (2+)-calmodulin-dependent myosin light chain kinase (MLCK). In terms of the protein kinase inhibition unit (PKIU), defined as the amount in the standard protein kinase assays causing 50% inhibition of protein kinase activity, these inhibitor levels ranged from the non-detectable to 179,000 PKIU (gram fresh weight) (-1) [(g FW) (-1)] and there was no consistent pattern of inhibitor distribution. A variety of other plants tested had low or non-detectable levels of CDPK and MLCK inhibitors. Plants of the EUCALYPTUS, MELALEUCA, ANGOPHORA, and GREVILLEA genera contained inhibitors of the catalytic subunit of the cyclic AMP-dependent protein kinase (cAK), inhibitor levels ranging from 20,000 to 9,600,000 PKIU (g FW) (-1). In general, cAK inhibitor levels found in the Myrtaceae were mostly much higher than levels of CDPK and MLCK inhibitors and reversed phase HPLC of such plant extracts revealed a multiplicity of components associated with cAK inhibitory activity. These IN VITRO screening procedures enable rapid detection and quantitation of levels of bioactive plant defence compounds with medicinal potential.

Inhibition of wheat embryo calcium-dependent protein kinase and other kinases by mangostin and gamma-mangostin.

The hull of the fruit of the mangosteen tree (Garcinia mangostana) contains four inhibitors of plant Ca(2+)-dependent protein kinase. Two of these inhibitors have been purified and identified as the xanthones 1,3,6-trihydroxy-7-methoxy-2,8-bis(3-methyl-2-butenyl)-9H- xanthen-9-one (mangostin) and 1,3,6,7-tetrahydroxy-2,8-bis(3-methyl-2-butenyl)- 9H-xanthen-9-one (gamma-mangostin). Both xanthones also inhibit avian myosin light chain kinase and rat liver cyclic AMP-dependent protein kinase. This is the first report of inhibition of plant and animal second messenger-regulated protein kinases by plant-derived xanthones.

Inhibition of myosin light chain kinase, cAMP-dependent protein kinase, protein kinase C and of plant Ca(2+)-dependent protein kinase by anthraquinones.

A variety of anthraquinone (anthracene-9,10-dione) derivatives inhibits rat brain Ca(2+)- and phospholipid-activated protein kinase C (PKC) of which the most potent inhibitors are mitoxantrone (1,4-dihydroxy-5,8-bis[2-(hydroxyethylamino)-ethylamino]-9,10- anthracenedione) (IC50 4 microM) and quinalizarin (1,2,5,8-tetrahydroxy-anthraquinone (IC50 4 microM). Anthraquinone derivatives with less polar substitution in positions 1 to 4 and 5 to 8 are less effective as inhibitors of PKC. Wheat germ Ca(2+)-dependent protein kinase (CDPK) assayed with a myosin light chain-based peptide substrate is much less sensitive to inhibition by anthraquinones, the most effective anthraquinone inhibitors being the 1,2,4-trihydroxy (IC50 14 microM), 1,8-dihydroxy-3-methyl (IC50 56 microM) and 1,2,5,8-tetrahydroxy (IC50 65 microM) derivatives. Ca(2+)-calmodulin-dependent myosin light chain kinase (MLCK) is inhibited by a range of di-, tri- and tetrahydroxylated anthraquinones (IC50 values 2 to 53 microM), the most potent inhibitors being the more polar compounds, namely mitoxantrone (IC50 2 microM) and emodin (1,3,8-trihydroxy-6-methylanthraquinone) (IC50 8 microM). Mitoxantrone interacts with calmodulin as determined from abolition of Ca(2+)-dependent fluorescence enhancement of dansyl-calmodulin (IC50 4 microM). A range of anthraquinone derivatives inhibits the catalytic subunit of cAMP-dependent protein kinase (cAK). In a number of cases compounds acting as potent inhibitors of MLCK (such as mitoxantrone and emodin) are very poor inhibitors of cAK and vice versa.

Inhibition of rat liver cyclic AMP-dependent protein kinase by flavonoids.

Rat liver cyclic AMP-dependent protein kinase catalytic subunit (cAK), assayed using the synthetic peptide substrate, LRRASLG, is inhibited by a range of plant-derived flavonoids. In general, maximal inhibitory effectiveness (IC50 values 1 to 2 microM) requires 2,3-unsaturation and polyhydroxylation involving at least two of the three flavonoid rings. 3-Hydroxyflavone (IC50 value 4 microM), 3,5,7,2',4'-pentahydroxyflavone (IC50 = 10 microM) and 5,7,4'-trihydroxyflavone (IC50 = 7 microM) represent somewhat less active variations from this pattern. Flavonoid O-methylation or O-glycosylation greatly decreases inhibitory effectiveness, as does 2,3-saturation. Various flavonoid-related compounds, notably gossypol (IC50 = 10 microM), also inhibit cAK. Flavonoids and related compounds are in general much better inhibitors of cAK than of avian Ca(2+)-calmodulin-dependent myosin light chain kinase or of plant Ca(2+)-dependent protein kinase. Tricetin (IC50 = 1 microM) inhibits cAK in a fashion that is non-competitive with respect to both peptide substrate and ATP (Ki value 0.7 microM). When histone III-S is used as a substrate, inhibition of cAK requires much higher flavonoid concentrations.

Inhibition of wheat embryo calcium-dependent protein kinase and avian myosin light chain kinase by flavonoids and related compounds.

Avian myosin light chain kinase (MLCK) is inhibited by a range of plant-derived flavonoids. Maximal inhibition requires 2,3-unsaturation and polyhydroxylation of two of the three flavonoid rings. Phosphorylation of a synthetic myosin light chain-related peptide by wheat embryo Ca(2+)-dependent protein kinase (CDPK) is also inhibited by a range of flavonoids but phosphorylation of histone preparation III-S by wheat CDPK is not inhibited by flavonoids. The structural requirements for inhibition of wheat CDPK by flavonoids are more stringent than for inhibition of avian MLCK. Potent flavonoid inhibitors of wheat CDPK are unsaturated in 2,3 position, have hydroxyl groups in positions 3' and 4' and an additional hydroxyl in the chromone ring. Flavonoid glycosylation or methylation can abolish inhibition. A number of other naturally occurring plant phenolics including chalcones and gossypol also inhibit avian MLCK and wheat CDPK. Gossypol binds to calmodulin, abolishing Ca(2+)-dependent enhancement of dansyl-calmodulin fluorescence.

Effect of Cu2+ and Zn2+ on the inhibition of human leucocyte elastase by 6-alkyl-3-(omega-carboxyalkyl)-2-pyrone, oleic acid and sulindac sulfide.

Inhibition of human leucocyte elastase by oleic acid and the structurally related 3-(1'-oxo-7'-carboxyheptyl)-4-hydroxy-6-octyl-2-pyrone is considerably enhanced by the addition of Cu2+, Zn2+ and, to a lesser extent, Co2+ and Ca2+. Sulindac sulfide and diflunisal also respond to changes in copper concentration, while Boc-Ala-Pro-Val-NH[CH2]10CO2H does not. Binding of the -CO2H group in the vicinity of the S5 subsite is proposed for all but the last compound to account for this effect. Incubation experiments indicate that Cu2+ binds more rapidly to the enzyme than does the inhibitor. Local changes in conformation result in improved binding of the inhibitor, but do not affect the substrate (Km unchanged). Chelation by EDTA is time-dependent, indicating that the Cu2+ is shielded by the inhibitor. The results may partially explain the well-known anti-arthritic and anti-inflammatory properties of copper and zinc and their organic salts.

Deleterious effect of Brij 35 on alkyl 2-pyrones and other hydrophobic inhibitors of human sputum and leucocyte elastase.

Brij 35 significantly reduced the inhibitory activity of hydrophobic alkyl 2-pyrones, oleic acid and alkyl peptides towards human sputum and leucocyte elastase, whereas 4-methoxy-6-(2'-hydroxy-2'-(carbobutyloxy)-vinyl)-2-pyrone, alpha-1-proteinase inhibitor and a sulfated chitosan were unaffected. The effect of Brij 35 on elastase appeared to be irreversible, since dialysis against Brij-free buffer was not accompanied by a return to inhibitory activity by the first group of inhibitors. However, passage through an ionic-exchange column was effective in removing the detergent from the enzyme. Brij 35 is also an activator of the elastases: kcat for Boc-Ala-4-nitrophenyl ester and methylsuccinyl-Ala-Ala-Pro-Val-4-nitroanilide increased by 20% and 40%, respectively in the presence of 0.015% Brij 35. Binding of the substrates to the enzyme is unaffected, since Km is unchanged.

Similar binding sites for unsaturated fatty acids and alkyl 2-pyrone inhibitors of human sputum elastase.

Evidence is presented to support the hypothesis that oleic acid and 3-(1'-oxo-7'-carboxyheptyl)-4-hydroxy-6-octyl-2-pyrone (and other 3,6-dialkyl-2-pyrones) occupy the same binding region on human sputum elastase. The mechanism of inhibition is strongly dependent on the substitution pattern of the 2-pyrone, and these mechanisms correlate with those of oleic acid and 11-undecenoic acid ("half oleic acid"). Based on the assumption that the 2-pyrone moiety and the double bond of the fatty acids bind to the same region of elastase (subsite S3), we believe that the alkyl chain points towards the S1 subsite, with the carboxylate anion fragment pointing away and probably associated with positively charged Arg217. (subsite S4 or S5).

Synthetic inhibitors of human granulocyte elastase, Part 4. Inhibition of human granulocyte elastase and cathepsin G by non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAID)s.

A series of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and some of their metabolites were evaluated for their ability to inhibit the proteolytic activity of human granulocyte elastase (HGE) and cathepsin G (HGC-G). The enzyme activity was monitored using specific synthetic chromogenic substrates. The results obtained indicated that phenylbutazone, sulindac, piroxicam and gold sodium thiomalate significantly inhibited HGE (Ki less than 0.5 mM), while only sulindac, diflunisal and gold sodium thiomalate were effective inhibitors of HGC-G (Ki less than 0.4 mM). Studies on metabolites of some of the NSAID tested were found to be superior inhibitors of both HGE and HGC-G than the parent molecules. Moreover, of the 18 compounds examined, the major metabolite of sulindac, sulindac sulphide was the most potent inhibitor of HGE (Ki = 0.01 mM) and HGC-G (Ki = 0.15 mM).

Inhibition of human sputum elastase by substituted 2-pyrones.

Nineteen 4-hydroxy- and 4-methoxy-2-pyrones related to elasnin (I) have been assayed for in vitro inhibition of human sputum elastase (HSE), porcine pancreatic elastase, alpha-chymotrypsin, and trypsin. Inhibition is reported as Ki and Ki'; percentage inhibition was dependent on [S] in a number of cases, making it unsuitable as a measure of relative inhibition. The 3-(1-oxoalkyl)-4-hydroxy-6-alkyl-2-pyrones were found to be most effective, the octyl homologue 11 being the most potent inhibitor (Ki = 4.6 microM, 30 times better than the lead compound). A further reduction in inhibition was observed when the hitherto hydrophobic 6-substituent was substituted by a branched functionality of hydrophilic nature. Conversely, methylation of the 4-hydroxy group of the 6-alkyl-2-pyrones increased inhibitory activity. The mechanism of inhibition varied from pure noncompetitive to mixed type to uncompetitive and was found to be dependent on the pattern of substitution. We believe that the 4-hydroxy-2-pyrone binds to the S4 subsite, with the 6-substituent extending across the S4-S1 subsites and the 3-substituent occupying the S5 subsite. The length of the inhibitor binding region was calculated to be approximately 24 A. None of the hydrophobic compounds were found to have any appreciable inhibition (less than 10%) with porcine pancreatic elastase, bovine alpha-chymotrypsin, and bovine trypsin when tested at the limit of their solubility. The hydrophilic compounds were nonspecific, inhibiting all four enzymes. Dialysis was used to show that the interaction is fully reversible.

Synthetic inhibitors of human leukocyte elastase, Part 3. Peptides with alkyl groups at the N- or C-terminus. Non-toxic competitive inhibitors of human leukocyte elastase.

A series of carboxy-alkylamidated and N-acetylated amino acids and peptides were synthesized and examined for their ability to inhibit human leukocyte elastase. The Boc-amino acid alkylamides were found to be potent specific and competitive inhibitors of this enzyme. They were found not to or only poorly inhibit several other serine proteinases such as bovine trypsin, alpha-chymotrypsin, porcine pancreatic elastase and human leukocyte cathepsin G at concentrations less than 10(-4) M. Specificity and maximum inhibition of human leukocyte elastase were achieved when the N-terminus of the amino acid was protected by a t-butyloxy-carbonyl (Boc) group, the oligopeptide fragment consisted of valine residues and when the alkyl chain was between 10 and 12 carbon atoms in length and attached to the C-terminus of the peptide fragment. Highest inhibition was obtained with the compound Boc-[Val]3-NH[CH2]11--CH3 (Ki = 0.21 microM). These specific inhibitors were also found to be non-toxic after oral administration to mice and rats (LD50 greater than 3.0 g/kg body weight).

Synthetic inhibitors of human leukocyte elastase Part 1--Sulphated polysaccharides.

Ten dextran sulphates and six chitosan sulphates of variable Mr and extent of sulphate substitution have been examined for their ability to inhibit human leukocyte elastase (HLE). All were potent partial non-competitive inhibitors of this enzyme, highest activity being obtained with compounds of large molecular weight and maximum sulphate incorporation (Ki = 5.0 X 10(-10)M]. In all cases, the dextran sulphates were more effective inhibitors than chitosan sulphates of similar size and charge, but both classes were inactive against bovine trypsin, chymotrypsin and porcine pancreatic elastase at concentrations less than 10(-4)M. The data suggest that drug binding to HLE occurs by stereospecific electrostatic interactions at site(s) removed from the catalytic reaction centre.

The interaction of pentosan polysulphate (SP54) with human neutrophil elastase and connective tissue matrix components.

The binding of pentosan polysulphate (SP54) to human polymorphonuclear leucocyte elastase (PMNE) and some of its natural and synthetic substrates has been investigated. Using an ion exchange (DE52) assay system the binding of SP54 to PMNE was found to be 100 times stronger than to collagen or proteoglycan (PG). While the order for in vitro binding of the drug to purified substrates was found to be PG greater than gelatin greater than type I collagen, in vivo experiments indicated that SP54 was localized in tissues rich in collagen. Using gel-exclusion chromatography it was shown that these tissues also contained proteinaceous components other than PG and collagen which interacted with SP54. These results indicate that the potent inhibitor activity of SP54 against PMNE (50% inhibition at 1.7 X 10(-7)M) probably occurs by a specific interaction with the enzyme rather than by substrate binding inhibition, although the latter interaction may be important for localising the drug in these tissues.

Effects of 4-nitro- and 4-sulpho-7-substituted benzofurazans on nucleic acid and protein synthesis of a malignant fibrosarcoma cell line in combination with mild hyperthermia.

The inhibitory effects of substituted nitro- and sulphobenzofurazans on DNA, RNA and protein synthesis were compared in a new malignant fibrosarcoma cell line at 37 degrees C and 41 degrees C. The effects of these drugs with and without mild hyperthermia were evaluated by determining the % inhibition of incorporation of 3H-precursors into DNA, RNA and protein. None of the sulphobenzofurazan derivatives (Sbf) were effective inhibitors of nucleic acid and protein synthesis at 37 degrees C nor did they enhance the inhibitory effect of hyperthermia alone. The nitrobenzofurazan derivatives (Nbf) at concentrations 10% that used for the Sbf derivatives strongly inhibited biopolymer synthesis in a dose related manner; 4-chloro-7-nitrobenzofurazan (Nbf-Cl) being the most potent inhibitor. Hyperthermia amplified the effect of all the Nbf compounds tested on RNA and protein synthesis but did not further affect DNA synthesis. This selective synergistic effect was most pronounced when the lowest concentrations of Nbf compounds were studied. The synergism however, did not follow a uniform pattern. 6-Mercaptopurine and 6-(1-methyl-4-nitro-5-imidazoyl)thiopurine (Azathioprine) (100 microM) had marginal effects on nucleic acid and protein synthesis when the cells were exposed to these two thiopurines for 1 h at both 37 degrees C and 41 degrees C and they had only a moderate inhibitory effect after exposure for 15 h.