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bioRxiv · 10.64898/2026.06.10.731397

Inhibition of NSD1 by 5-O-Sulfamoyl Adenosine improved 5-FU sensitivity by suppressing cancer cell proliferation and xenograft tumor growth

RAFIQ, Z.·Tikoo, K.
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Abstract

Epigenetics regulate cell-cycle kinetics, differentiation, apoptosis, and migration. Nuclear receptor-binding SET Domain (NSD) histone methyltransferases represent a family of oncoproteins with aberrant expression in cancer. Emerging reports suggest that NSD1 could be an attractive target as its expression is correlated with poor prognosis and tumorigenesis. Previously, we reported the target validation and structure-based virtual screening against NSD1, leading to the selection of several hit molecules with relatively high docking and MMGBSA delta G Bind scores. One of the best-fit molecules identified was 5-O-sulfamoyl adenosine (5-SA) and was compared with the S-Adenosyl-l-Cysteine (SAC), a structural analog of S-Adenosyl-l-Methionine (SAM) for its inhibitory activity against NSD1. IC50 values for 5-SA and SAC against NSD1 were 53.819 {micro}M and 115.003 {micro}M respectively. 5-SA significantly reduced the viability of DU145 and HepG2 cells with IC50 values calculated as 198{micro}M and 168.3 {micro}M respectively. It also reduced the RNA and protein expression levels of NSD1 and subsequently prevented dimethylation of lysine 36 on histone H3 (H3K36me2). Furthermore, 5-SA impeded proliferation, and migration, altered the cell cycle phase, and induced cell apoptosis. Interestingly, 5-SA potentiated the anticancer activity of 5-Fluorouracil (5-FU) against cancer cells. The xenograft model of prostate cancer also showed that 5-SA significantly reduced the tumor growth kinetics. However, the combination of 5-SA and 5-FU synergistically reduced tumor growth and improved survival of animals. To the best of our knowledge, we report for the first time that 5-SA mediated inhibition of NSD1 enhanced the tumor sensitivity to 5-FU and thereby, improved the tumor growth and progression. Graphical Abstract O_FIG O_LINKSMALLFIG WIDTH=200 HEIGHT=160 SRC="FIGDIR/small/731397v1_ufig1.gif" ALT="Figure 1"> View larger version (50K): org.highwire.dtl.DTLVardef@902952org.highwire.dtl.DTLVardef@88efd0org.highwire.dtl.DTLVardef@38557aorg.highwire.dtl.DTLVardef@73d865_HPS_FORMAT_FIGEXP M_FIG C_FIG

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RAFIQ, Z., Tikoo, K.. 2026-06-12. Inhibition of NSD1 by 5-O-Sulfamoyl Adenosine improved 5-FU sensitivity by suppressing cancer cell proliferation and xenograft tumor growth. https://doi.org/10.64898/2026.06.10.731397

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