title: Synthesis, anticancer activity, and inhibition of tubulin polymerization by conformationally restricted analogues of lavendustin A.
abstract: Compounds in the lavendustin A series have been shown to inhibit both protein-tyrosine kinases (PTKs) and tubulin polymerization. Since certain lavendustin A derivatives can exist in conformations that resemble both the trans-stilbene structure of the PTK inhibitor piceatannol and the cis-stilbene structure of the tubulin polymerization inhibitor combretastatin A-4, the possibility exists that the ratio of the two types of activities of the lavendustins could be influenced through the synthesis of conformationally restricted analogues. Accordingly, the benzylaniline structure of a series of pharmacologically active lavendustin A fragments was replaced by either their cis- or their trans-stilbene relatives, and effects on both inhibition of tubulin polymerization and cytotoxicity in cancer cell cultures were monitored. Both dihydrostilbene and 1,2-diphenylalkyne congeners were also prepared and evaluated biologically. Surprisingly, conformational restriction of the bridge between the two aromatic rings of the lavendustins had no significant effect on biological activity. On the other hand, conversion of the three phenolic hydroxyl groups of the lavendustin A derivatives to their corresponding methyl ethers consistently abolished their ability to inhibit tubulin polymerization and usually decreased cytotoxicity in cancer cell cultures as well, indicating the importance of at least one of the phenolic hydroxyl groups. Further investigation suggested that the phenolic hydroxyl group in the salicylamide ring was required for activity, while the two phenol moieties in the hydroquinone ring could be methylated with retention of activity. Two of the lavendustin A derivatives displayed IC(50) values of 1.4 microM for inhibition of tubulin polymerization, which ranks them among the most potent of the known tubulin polymerization inhibitors.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicinal Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy and Pharmacal Sciences, Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana 47907, USA.
authors.forename: Fanrong
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Mu
authors.forename: Ernest
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Hamel
authors.forename: Debbie J
authors.initials: DJ
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: Donald E
authors.initials: DE
authors.lastname: Pryor
authors.forename: Mark
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Cushman
mesh_terms: D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000138:chemical synthesis* / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology; D001704:Biopolymers; D018360:Crystallography, X-Ray; D004354:Drug Screening Assays, Antitumor; D006801:Humans; D008968:Molecular Conformation; D010636:Phenols / Q000737:chemistry*; D012457:Salicylamides / Q000138:chemical synthesis* / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology; D013267:Stilbenes / Q000138:chemical synthesis* / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology; D013329:Structure-Activity Relationship; D014404:Tubulin / Q000737:chemistry*; D014407:Tumor Cells, Cultured
chemical_list: C474147:5-(2-(2,5-dimethoxyphenyl)acetyl)-N-((4-fluorophenyl)ethyl)salicylamide; C474148:5-(2-(2,5-dimethoxyphenyl)ethyl)-N-((4-fluorophenyl)ethyl)salicylamide; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D001704:Biopolymers; D010636:Phenols; D012457:Salicylamides; D013267:Stilbenes; D014404:Tubulin; C062898:lavendustin A