Structure-activity relationships on phenylalanine-containing inhibitors of histone deacetylase: in vitro enzyme inhibition, induction of differentiation, and inhibition of proliferation in Friend leukemic cells.
Inhibitors of histone deacetylases (HDACs) are a new class of anticancer agents that affect gene regulation. We had previously reported the first simple synthetic HDAC inhibitors with in vitro activity at submicromolar concentrations. Here, we present structure-activity data on modifications of a phenylalanine-containing lead compound including amino acid amides as well as variations of the amino acid part. The compounds were tested for inhibition of maize HD-2, rat liver HDAC, and for the induction of terminal cell differentiation and inhibition of proliferation in Friend leukemic cells. In the amide series, in vitro inhibition was potentiated up to 15-fold, but the potential to induce cell differentiation decreased. Interestingly, an HDAC class selectivity was indicated among some of these amides. In the amino acid methyl ester series, a biphenylalanine derivative was identified as a good enzyme inhibitor, which blocks proliferation in the submicromolar range and is also a potent inducer of terminal cell differentiation.
Wittich
Sybille
S
Department of Pharmaceutical and Medicinal Chemistry, Westfälische Wilhelms-Universität Münster, Hittorfstrasse 58-62, 48149 Münster, Germany.
Scherf
Hans
H
Xie
Changping
C
Brosch
Gerald
G
Loidl
Peter
P
Gerhäuser
Clarissa
C
Jung
Manfred
M
D000107:Acetylation; D000818:Animals; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000138:chemical synthesis* / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology; D002454:Cell Differentiation / Q000187:drug effects; D002455:Cell Division / Q000187:drug effects; D004791:Enzyme Inhibitors / Q000138:chemical synthesis* / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology; D005622:Friend murine leukemia virus; D056572:Histone Deacetylase Inhibitors; D006657:Histones / Q000378:metabolism; D007942:Leukemia, Experimental; D008099:Liver / Q000201:enzymology; D051379:Mice; D010649:Phenylalanine / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000138:chemical synthesis* / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology; D051381:Rats; D013329:Structure-Activity Relationship; D014407:Tumor Cells, Cultured; D003313:Zea mays / Q000201:enzymology
D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D004791:Enzyme Inhibitors; D056572:Histone Deacetylase Inhibitors; D006657:Histones; D010649:Phenylalanine