Hongchan An

Design, Synthesis, and Biological Evaluation of Novel Deguelin-Based Heat Shock Protein 90 (HSP90) Inhibitors Targeting Proliferation and Angiogenesis

Deguelin exhibits potent apoptotic and antiangiogenic activities in a variety of transformed cells and cancer cells. Deguelin also exhibits potent tumor suppressive effects in xenograft tumor models for many human cancers. Our initial studies confirmed that deguelin disrupts ATP binding to HSP90 and consequently induces destabilization of its client proteins such as HIF-1α. Interestingly, a fluorescence probe assay revealed that deguelin and its analogues do not compete with ATP binding to the N-terminus of HSP90, unlike most HSP90 inhibitors. To determine the key parts of deguelin that contribute to its potent HSP90 inhibition, as well as its antiproliferative and antiangiogenic activities, we have established a structure-activity relationship (SAR) of deguelin. In the course of these studies, we identified a series of novel and potent HSP90 inhibitors. In particular, analogues 54 and 69, the B- and C-ring-truncated compounds, exhibited excellent antiproliferative activities with IC(50) of 140 and 490 nM in the H1299 cell line, respectively, and antiangiogenic activities in zebrafish embryos in a dose dependent manner (0.25-1.25 μM).

Hypoxia-mediated retinal neovascularization and vascular leakage in diabetic retina is suppressed by HIF-1α destabilization by SH-1242 and SH-1280, novel hsp90 inhibitors

In diabetic retinopathy (DR), visual deterioration is related with retinal neovascularization and vascular hyperpermeability. Anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) agents are currently utilized to suppress retinal neovascularization and macular edema (ME); however, there are still concerns on the widespread use of them because VEGF is a trophic factor for neuronal and endothelial cells in the retina. As an alternative treatment strategy for DR, it is logical to address hypoxia-related molecules to treat DR because the retina is in relative hypoxia as DR progresses. In this study, we demonstrate that destabilization of hypoxia-inducible factor-1α (HIF-1α) by SH-1242 and SH-1280, novel heat shock protein 90 (hsp90) inhibitors, leads to suppression of hypoxia-mediated retinal neovascularization and vascular leakage in diabetic retina. In vitro experiments showed that these inhibitors inhibited hypoxia-induced upregulation of target genes of HIF-1α and further secretion of VEGF. Furthermore, these inhibitors effectively suppressed expression of target genes of HIF-1α including vegfa in the retina of oxygen-induced retinopathy (OIR) mice. Interestingly, despite hsp90 inhibition, these inhibitors do not induce definite toxicity at the level of gene expression, cellular viability, and histologic integrity. We suggest that SH-1242 and SH-1280 can be utilized in the treatment of DR, as an alternative treatment of direct VEGF inhibition.Key messageSH-1242 and SH-1280 are novel hsp90 inhibitors similar to deguelin.HIF-1α destabilization by hsp90 inhibition leads to anti-angiogenic effects.Despite hsp90 inhibition, both inhibitors do not induce definite toxicity.HIF-1α modulation can be a safer therapeutic option than direct VEGF inhibition.

Deguelin Analogue SH-1242 Inhibits Hsp90 Activity and Exerts Potent Anticancer Efficacy with Limited Neurotoxicity

The Hsp90 facilitates proper folding of signaling proteins associated with cancer progression, gaining attention as a target for therapeutic intervention. The natural rotenoid deguelin was identified as an Hsp90 inhibitor, but concerns about neurotoxicity have limited prospects for clinical development. In this study, we report progress on deguelin analogues that address this limitation, focusing on the novel analogue SH-1242 as a candidate to broadly target human lung cancer cells, including those that are chemoresistant or harboring KRAS mutations. In a KRAS-driven mouse model of lung cancer, SH-1242 administration reduced tumor multiplicity, volume, and load. Similarly, in human cell line-based or patient-derived tumor xenograft models, SH-1242 induced apoptosis and reduced tumor vasculature in the absence of detectable toxicity. In contrast to deguelin, SH-1242 toxicity was greatly reduced in normal cells and when administered to rats did not produce obvious histopathologic features in the brain. Mechanistic studies revealed that SH-1242 bound to the C-terminal ATP-binding pocket of Hsp90, disrupting the ability to interact with its co-chaperones and clients and triggering a degradation of client proteins without affecting Hsp70 expression. Taken together, our findings illustrate the superior properties of SH-1242 as an Hsp90 inhibitor and as an effective antitumor and minimally toxic agent, providing a foundation for advancing further preclinical and clinical studies.

Design, synthesis and insight into the structure-activity relationship of 1,3-disubstituted indazoles as novel HIF-1 inhibitors.

Design, synthesis and insight into the structure-activity relationship (SAR) of 1,3-disubstituted indazoles as novel HIF-1 inhibitors are described. In particular, the substituted furan moiety on indazole skeleton as well as its substitution pattern turns out crucial for the high HIF-1 inhibition.

Design, synthesis and identification of novel colchicine-derived immunosuppressant

Synthesis and biological evaluation of various colchicine analogues through the mixed-lymphocyte reaction (MLR), lymphoproliferation, and inhibitory effects on the inflammatory genes are described. In addition, a new series of immunosuppressive agents developed on the structural basis of colchicine, as well as their structure-activity relationships is reported. The most potent analogue 20a exhibited an excellent immunosuppressive activity on in vivo skin-allograft model, which is comparable to that of cyclosporin A.

Diastereoselective Total Synthesis of (−)-Galiellalactone

An enantioselective total synthesis of (-)-galiellalactone has been accomplished. The key features of the synthesis involve the highly stereoselective construction of the cis-trisubstituted cyclopentane intermediate by a Pd(0)-catalyzed cyclization, the stereospecific introduction of an angular hydroxyl group by Riley oxidation, and the efficient construction of the tricyclic system of (-)-galiellalactone via a combination of diastereoselective Hosomi-Sakurai crotylation and ring-closing metathesis (RCM).

Fine tuning of 4,6-bisphenyl-2-(3-alkoxyanilino)pyrimidine focusing on the activity-sensitive aminoalkoxy moiety for a therapeutically useful inhibitor of receptor for advanced glycation end products (RAGE)

Through the fine tuning of the activity-sensitive aminoalkoxy moiety of 4,6-bisphenyl-2-(3-alkoxyanilino)pyrimidine as a novel inhibitor of the receptor for advanced glycation end products (RAGE), the tertiary amine was elucidated as an essential part associated with RAGE inhibition. On the basis of this finding, a 3-(N,N-dimethylamino)pyrrolidine analog 12o was identified as a therapeutically useful RAGE inhibitor with improved activity and solubility. Molecular modeling studies predicted that the improved inhibitory activity is induced by additional hydrogen bonds between the nitrogen atom of the pyrrolidine ring and Arg48 and by an interaction between the dimethylamino-substituent of the pyrrolidine moiety and a relatively hydrophobic groove in the RAGE binding site.

Glucal-conjugated sterols as novel vascular leakage blocker: Structure–activity relationship focusing on the C17-side chain

A series of glucal-conjugated sterols as novel vascular leakage blocker were identified through design, synthesis and biologically evaluation. In addition, the structure-activity relationship (SAR) of the glucal-conjugated sterols focusing on the C17-side chain was also established. The sterol analogs linked with the rigid C17-side chain side chains exhibited potent cell survival activities. In particular, analog 21l, which possesses a cyclopentyl oxime moiety, was shown to have excellent pharmacological effects on retinal vascular leakage in a diabetic mouse model.

SYNTHESIS AND SYNTHESIS-BASED STRUCTURAL ELUCIDATION OF (-)-MACROSPHELIDES J AND K

Hongchan An, Seung-Hee Kim, Heegyu Kim, Kyeojin Kim, Jaehoon Sim, Jaebong Jang, Seung-Mann Paek, Young-Ger Suh, and Hwayoung Yun* a College of Pharmacy, Seoul National University, 1 Gwanak-ro, Gwanak-gu, Seoul 151742, Korea b College of Pharmacy, Pusan National University, Geumjeong-gu, Busan 609-735, Korea c College of Pharmacy, Research Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Gyeongsang National University, Jinju daero, Jinju, Gyeongnam 660-751, Korea

Identification of small molecule inhibitors of the STAT3 signaling pathway: Insights into their structural features and mode of action.

A series of novel STAT3 inhibitors consisting of Michael acceptor has been identified through assays of the focused in-house library. In addition, their mode of action and structural feature responsible for the STAT3 inhibition were investigated. In particular, analog 6 revealed promising STAT3 inhibitory activity in HeLa cell lines. The analog also exhibited selective inhibition of STAT3 phosphorylation without affecting STAT1 phosphorylation and cytostatic effect in human breast epithelial cells (MCF10A-ras), which supports cancer cell-specific inhibitory properties.