Discovery of potent indenoisoquinoline topoisomerase I poisons lacking the 3-nitro toxicophore

J Med Chem. 2015 May 14;58(9):3997-4015. doi: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.5b00303. Epub 2015 Apr 24.

Abstract

3-Nitroindenoisoquinoline human topoisomerase IB (Top1) poisons have potent antiproliferative effects on cancer cells. The undesirable nitro toxicophore could hypothetically be replaced by other functional groups that would retain the desired biological activities and minimize potential safety risks. Eleven series of indenoisoquinolines bearing 3-nitro bioisosteres were synthesized. The molecules were evaluated in the Top1-mediated DNA cleavage assay and in the National Cancer Institute's 60 cell line cytotoxicity assay. The data reveal that fluorine and chlorine may substitute for the 3-nitro group with minimal loss of Top1 poisoning activity. The new information gained from these efforts can be used to design novel indenoisoquinolines with improved safety.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, N.I.H., Intramural

MeSH terms

  • Antineoplastic Agents / chemical synthesis
  • Antineoplastic Agents / chemistry*
  • Antineoplastic Agents / pharmacology
  • Cell Line, Tumor
  • Crystallography, X-Ray
  • DNA / metabolism
  • Drug Screening Assays, Antitumor
  • Humans
  • Hydrogen Bonding
  • Indenes / chemical synthesis
  • Indenes / chemistry*
  • Indenes / pharmacology
  • Isoquinolines / chemical synthesis
  • Isoquinolines / chemistry*
  • Isoquinolines / pharmacology
  • Molecular Conformation
  • Protein Binding
  • Quantum Theory
  • Stereoisomerism
  • Structure-Activity Relationship
  • Thermodynamics
  • Topoisomerase I Inhibitors / chemical synthesis
  • Topoisomerase I Inhibitors / chemistry*
  • Topoisomerase I Inhibitors / pharmacology

Substances

  • Antineoplastic Agents
  • Indenes
  • Isoquinolines
  • Topoisomerase I Inhibitors
  • DNA