Biology subjects

Jorda, R.

Publications and source records attributed to Jorda, R..

5 recordsLinked to original sources

bioRxiv2023

Characterization of new highly selective pyrazolopyrimidine inhibitor of CDK7

Targeting cyclin-dependent kinase 7 (CDK7) provides an interesting therapeutic option in cancer therapy because this kinase participates in regulating the cell cycle and transcription. Here, we describe a new trisubstituted pyrazolo[4,3-d]pyrimidine derivative, LGR6768, that inhibits CDK7 in the nanomolar range and displays favourable selectivity across the CDK family. We determined the structure of fully active CDK2/cyclin A2 in complex with LGR6768 at 2.6 [A] resolution using X-ray crystallography, revealing conserved interactions within the active site. Structural analysis and comparison with LGR6768 docked to CDK7 provides an explanation of the observed biochemical selectivity, which is linked to a conformational difference in the biphenyl moiety. In cellular experiments, LGR6768 affected regulation of the cell cycle and transcription by inhibiting the phosphorylation of cell cycle CDKs and the carboxy-terminal domain of RNA polymerase II, respectively. LGR6768 limited the proliferation of several leukaemia cell lines, triggered significant changes in protein and mRNA levels related to CDK7 inhibition and induced apoptosis in dose- and time-dependent experiments. Our work supports previous findings and provides further information for the development of selective CDK7 inhibitors. Graphical abstract O_FIG O_LINKSMALLFIG WIDTH=200 HEIGHT=58 SRC="FIGDIR/small/529844v1_ufig1.gif" ALT="Figure 1"> View larger version (25K): org.highwire.dtl.DTLVardef@1d13e99org.highwire.dtl.DTLVardef@64ea36org.highwire.dtl.DTLVardef@14c9705org.highwire.dtl.DTLVardef@14efc31_HPS_FORMAT_FIGEXP M_FIG C_FIG

cancer biology↗

bioRxiv2023

Anticancer effect of zanubrutinib in HER2-positive breast cancer cell lines

Small molecule Brutons tyrosine kinase (BTK) inhibitors have been developed for the treatment of various haemato-oncological diseases, and ibrutinib was approved as the first BTK inhibitors for anticancer therapy in 2013. Previous reports proved the receptor kinase human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) to be a valid off-target kinase of ibrutinib and potentially other irreversible BTK inhibitors, as it possesses a druggable cysteine residue in the active site of the enzyme. These findings suggest ibrutinib as a candidate drug for repositioning in HER2-positive breast cancer (BCa). This subtype of breast cancer belongs to one of the most common classes of breast tumours, and its prognosis is characterized by a high rate of recurrence and tumour invasiveness. Based on their similar kinase selectivity profiles, we investigated the anticancer effect of zanubrutinib, evobrutinib, tirabrutinib and acalabrutinib in different BCa cell lines and sought to determine whether it is linked with targeting the epidermal growth factor receptor family (ERBB) pathway. We found that zanubrutinib is a potential inhibitor of the HER2 signalling pathway, displaying an antiproliferative effect in HER2-positive BCa cell lines. Zanubrutinib effectively inhibits the phosphorylation of proteins in the ERBB signalling cascade, including the downstream kinases Akt and ERK, which mediate key signals ensuring the survival and proliferation of cancer cells. We thus propose zanubrutinib as another suitable candidate for repurposing in HER2-amplified solid tumours.

cancer biology↗

bioRxiv2022

A-ring-fused pyrazoles of dihydrotestosterone targeting prostate cancer cells via the downregulation of the androgen receptor

High expression of the androgen receptor (AR) and the disruption of its regulation are strongly responsible for the development of prostate cancer (PCa). Therapeutically relevant non-steroidal or steroidal antiandrogens are able to block the AR effect by eliminating AR-mediated signalling. Herein we report the synthesis of novel steroidal pyrazoles derived from the natural sex hormone 5-dihydrotestosterone (DHT). 2-Ethylidene or 2-(hetero)arylidene derivatives of DHT obtained by regioselective Claisen-Schmidt condensation with acetaldehyde or (hetero)aromatic aldehydes in alkaline ethanol were reacted with monosubstituted hydrazines to give A-ring-fused 1,5-disubstituted pyrazoles as main or exclusive products, depending on the reaction conditions applied. Spontaneous or 2,3-dichloro-5,6-dicyanobenzoquinone (DDQ)-induced oxidation of the primarily formed pyrazolines resulted in the desired products in moderate to good yields, while 17-oxidation also occurred by using the Jones reagent as a strong oxidant. Transcriptional activity of the AR in a reporter cell line was examined for all novel compounds, and several previously synthesized similar DHT-based pyrazoles with differently substituted heteroring were also included to obtain information about the structure-activity relationship. Two specific regioisomeric groups of derivatives significantly diminished the transcriptional activity of AR in reporter cell line in 10 M concentration, and displayed reasonable antiproliferative activity in AR-positive PCa cell lines. Lead compound (3d) was found to be a potent AR antagonist (IC50 = 1.18 M), generally suppressed AR signalling in time and dose dependent manner, moreover, it also led to a sharp decrease in wt-AR protein level probably caused by proteasomal degradation. We confirmed the antiproliferative activity selective for AR-positive PCa cell lines (with GI50 in low micromolar ranges), cellular, biochemical and in silico binding of 3d in AR ligand-binding domain. Moreover, compound 3d was shown to be potent even ex vivo in patient-derived tissues, which highlights the therapeutic potential of A-ring-fused pyrazoles. Table of content graphic O_FIG_DISPLAY_L [Figure 1] M_FIG_DISPLAY C_FIG_DISPLAY HighlightsO_LIA-ring-fused pyrazoles of 5-dihydrotestosterone were introduced as AR modulators C_LIO_LISAR study of 55 differently substituted derivatives was discussed C_LIO_LICompound 3d suppressed the expression of AR targets in prostate cell lines C_LIO_LICompound 3d caused AR degradation in time-dependent manner C_LIO_LIEx vivo activity of 3d was demonstrated in patient-derived explants C_LI

pharmacology and toxicology↗

bioRxiv2022

Synthesis and structural optimization of 2,7,9-trisubstituted purin-8-ones as FLT3-ITD inhibitors

Therapy of FLT3-positive acute myeloid leukemia still remains complicated, despite the availability of newly approved kinase inhibitors. Various strategies to avoid reduced efficacy of therapy are explored including the development of dual targeting compounds, which inhibit FLT3 and another kinase necessary for survival and proliferation of AML cells. We have designed new 2,7,9-trisubstituted 8-oxopurines as FLT3 inhibitors and report here structure-activity relationship studies. We demonstrated that substituents at positions 7 and 9 modulate activity between CDK4 and FLT3 kinase and the isopropyl group at position 7 increased substantially the selectivity toward FLT3 kinase, which led to the discovery of compound 15a (9-cyclopentyl-7-isopropyl-2-((4-(piper-azin-1-yl)phenyl)amino)-7,9-dihydro-8H-purin-8-one). Cellular analyses in MV4-11 cells revealed inhibition of autophosphorylation of FLT3 kinase in nanomolar doses including suppression of downstream STAT5 and ERK1/2 phosphorylation. We also describe mechanistic studies in cell lines and activity in a mouse xenograft model in vivo.

pharmacology and toxicology↗

bioRxiv2022

Synthesis and Biological Evaluation of New Isoxazolyl Steroids as Anti-Prostate Cancer Agents

Steroids with a nitrogen-containing heterocycle in the side chain are known as effective inhibitors of androgen signaling and/or testosterone biosynthesis, thus showing beneficial effects for the treatment of prostate cancer. In this work, a series of 3{beta}-hydroxy-5-ene steroids containing an isoxazole fragment in the side chain was synthesized. The key steps included the preparation of Weinreb amide, its conversion to acetylenic ketones, and the 1,2- or 1,4-addition of hydroxylamine, depending on the solvent used. The biological activity of the obtained compounds was studied in a number of tests, including their effects on 17-hydroxylase and 17,20-lyase activity of human CYP17A1 and the ability of selected compounds to affect the downstream androgen receptor signaling. Three derivatives diminished the transcriptional activity of androgen receptor and displayed reasonable antiproliferative activity. The candidate compound 24j, (17R)-17-((3-(2-hydroxy-propan-2-yl)isoxazol-5-yl)methyl)-androst-5-en-3{beta}-ol, suppressed the androgen receptor signaling and decreased its protein level in two prostate cancer cell lines, LNCaP and LAPC-4. Interaction of compounds with CYP17A1 and androgen receptor was confirmed and described by molecular docking.

pharmacology and toxicology↗