Aminoacyl-anthraquinone conjugates as telomerase inhibitors: synthesis, biophysical and biological evaluation.
The telomerase-telomere complex is a prospective anticancer target. To inhibit enzyme activity by induction of G-quadruplex in human telomeres, we have synthesized a small library of 2,6- and 2,7-amino-acyl/ peptidyl anthraquinones with diverse connecting linkers, charge, lipophilicity and bulk. The test compounds modulated G-quadruplex stability to different extents and showed clear preference for quadruplex over duplex DNA. Telomerase inhibition correlated with G-quadruplex stabilization. A SAR analysis showed that type of linkage between the linker and the anthraquinone, together with the position of the side chains and the nature of the amino acid components play a major role both in stabilizing G-quadruplex and producing telomerase inhibition. Short-term cytotoxic activity was poor. However, after prolonged exposure to effective G-quadruplex binders, cells became senescent. These results are of help in the rational design of more efficient G-quadruplex stabilizers, possibly endowed with cancer cell-selective antiproliferative effects.
Zagotto
Giuseppe
G
Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Padova, Via Marzolo 5, 35131 Padova, Italy.
Sissi
Claudia
C
Lucatello
Lorena
L
Pivetta
Claudia
C
Cadamuro
Sergio A
SA
Fox
Keith R
KR
Neidle
Stephen
S
Palumbo
Manlio
M