title: Structure-activity relationships among monoterpene inhibitors of protein isoprenylation and cell proliferation.
abstract: The monoterpene d-limonene inhibits the post-translational isoprenylation of p21ras and other small G proteins, a mechanism that may contribute to its efficacy in the chemoprevention and therapy of chemically induced rodent cancers. In the present study, the relative abilities of 26 limonene-like monoterpenes to inhibit protein isoprenylation and cell proliferation were determined. Many monoterpenes were found to be more potent than limonene as inhibitors of small G protein isoprenylation and cell proliferation. The relative potency of limonene-derived monoterpenes was found to be: monohydroxyl = ester = aldehyde > thiol > acid = diol = epoxide > triol = unsubstituted. All monoterpenes that inhibited protein isoprenylation did so in a selective manner, such that 21-26 kDa proteins were preferentially affected. Perillyl alcohol, one of the most potent terpenes, reduced 21-26 kDa protein isoprenylation to 50% of the control level at a concentration of 1 mM, but had no effect on the isoprenylation of 67, 47 or 17 kDa proteins. In particular, p21ras farnesylation was inhibited 40% by 1 mM perillyl alcohol. At the same concentration, perillyl alcohol completely inhibited the proliferation of human HT-29 colon carcinoma cells. The structure-activity relationships observed among the monoterpene isoprenylation inhibitors support a role for small G proteins in cell proliferation, and suggest that many limonene-derived monoterpenes warrant further investigation as antitumor agents.
authors.affiliation: Department of Human Oncology, University of Wisconsin-Madison 53792.
authors.forename: P L
authors.initials: PL
authors.lastname: Crowell
authors.forename: Z
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Ren
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Lin
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Vedejs
authors.forename: M N
authors.initials: MN
authors.lastname: Gould
mesh_terms: D016475:3T3 Cells; D000818:Animals; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D002455:Cell Division / Q000187:drug effects; D002461:Cell Line, Transformed; D053138:Cyclohexenes; D006801:Humans; D000077222:Limonene; D051379:Mice; D017368:Protein Prenylation / Q000187:drug effects*; D013329:Structure-Activity Relationship; D013729:Terpenes / Q000494:pharmacology*
chemical_list: D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D053138:Cyclohexenes; D013729:Terpenes; D000077222:Limonene