title: Synthesis and cytotoxic activity of various 5-[alkoxy-(4-nitro-phenyl)-methyl]-uracils in their racemic form.
abstract: The preparation of various 5-[alkoxy-(4-nitro-phenyl)-methyl]-uracils with alkyl chain lengths C(1)-C(12) is described. The synthesis is based on the preparation of 5-[chloro-(4-nitro-phenyl)-methyl]-uracil and subsequent substitution of chlorine with appropriate alcohols. The resulting ethers were tested for their cytotoxic activity in vitro against five cancer cell lines. The compounds were less active in lung resistance protein expressing cell lines, suggesting the involvement of this multidrug resistant protein in control of the biological activity. Cytotoxic substances induced rapid inhibition of DNA and modulation of RNA synthesis followed by induction of apoptosis. The data indicate that the biological activity of 5-[alkoxy-(4-nitro-phenyl)-methyl]-uracils depends on the alkyl chain length.
authors.affiliation: Department of Organic Chemistry, Faculty of Science, Palacký University, Tr. Svobody 8, 771 46 Olomouc, Czech Republic.
authors.forename: Lucie
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Spácilová
authors.forename: Petr
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Dzubák
authors.forename: Marián
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Hajdúch
authors.forename: Sona
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Krupková
authors.forename: Pavel
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Hradil
authors.forename: Jan
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Hlavác
mesh_terms: D000438:Alcohols / Q000138:chemical synthesis / Q000633:toxicity; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000138:chemical synthesis / Q000633:toxicity; D045744:Cell Line, Tumor; D003603:Cytotoxins / Q000138:chemical synthesis* / Q000633:toxicity*; D006801:Humans; D020014:K562 Cells; D013237:Stereoisomerism; D014498:Uracil / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000138:chemical synthesis* / Q000633:toxicity*
chemical_list: D000438:Alcohols; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D003603:Cytotoxins; C059688:alkoxyl radical; D014498:Uracil