Inga Cikotiene

Antiproliferative activity of novel benzo[b][1,6]naphthyridines in human solid tumor cell lines.

A series of 2-substituted 1,2-dihydro-3-phenyl-1-(trichloromethyl)benzo[b][1,6]naphthyridines were synthesized and their in vitro antiproliferative activities were examined against human solid tumor cell lines and relevant strains of bacteria and Candida. The compounds induced considerably growth inhibition in all cancer cell lines, whilst showed inactive against microbial strains. Furthermore, we found analog 2-ethoxy-1H-pyrano[4,3-b]quinoline as selective inhibitor of microbial strains.

5-Aryl-4-(5-substituted-2,4-dihydroxyphenyl)-1,2,3-thiadiazoles as inhibitors of Hsp90 chaperone

A series of 5-aryl-4-(5-substituted-2,4-dihydroxyphenyl)-1,2,3-thiadiazoles were synthesized and their binding to several constructs of human Hsp90 chaperone measured by isothermal titration calorimetry (ITC). The most potent compound bound Hsp90 with the dissociation constant of about 5 nM.

Synthesis and antiproliferative activity of 2,4-disubstituted 6-aryl-7H-pyrrolo[3,2-d]pyrimidin-7-one 5-oxides.

A series of 2,4-disubstituted 6-aryl-7H-pyrrolo[3,2-d]pyrimidin-7-one 5-oxides were synthesized and in vitro antiproliferative activities were examined in the human solid tumor cell lines A2780, HBL-100, HeLa, SW1573, T-47D, and WiDr. The most potent analog induced considerably growth inhibition in the range 0.35-2.0microM. Cell cycle studies in the breast and lung cancer cells revealed arrest in the G(2)/M compartment. The results showed that the title compounds bearing alkylamino or dialkylamino moieties in position 2 of the pyrimidine ring are more active than those bearing hydrogen or methylthio groups.

A unique cascade reaction between 3-arylprop-2-inylcarboxylates and benzaldehydes leading to the formation of Morita-Baylis-Hillman adducts.

During an alkyne-carbonyl metathesis reaction between electron-rich 3-arylprop-2-inylcarboxylates and electron-poor benzaldehydes, a smooth migration of carboxylate groups takes place. This unique cascade reaction allows the formation of Morita-Baylis-Hillman (MBH) adducts unavailable via a traditional MBH reaction.

Synthesis and antiproliferative activity of α-branched α,β-unsaturated ketones.

A series of α-branched α,β-unsaturated ketones were prepared in a straightforward manner by the acid catalyzed coupling between arylalkynes and carbaldehydes. The method also allows producing as side product chalcone analogs bearing an additional α,β-unsaturated arylketone in the molecular scaffold. The evaluation of the antiproliferative activity in the human solid tumor cell lines HBL-100 (breast), HeLa (cervix), SW1573 (non-small cell lung), T-47D (breast) and WiDr (colon) provided a structure-activity relationship. Overall, the compounds presented active against the resistant cancer cells T-47D. The resulting lead, displaying an unprecedented chalcone scaffold, showed GI50 values in the range 0.32-0.53 μM against all cell lines tested. The methoxy group present in the lead might play an important role in the activity.

The first example of the Fischer–Hepp type rearrangement in pyrimidines

Summary A N-nitroso moiety can be used for the activation of chloropyrimidines toward a nucleophilic substitution reaction with amines. The subsequent treatment of the obtained products with aq H2SO4 can lead to either N-denitrosation to obtain 4,6-pyrimidinediamines or to a Fischer–Hepp type rearrangement to obtain 5-nitroso-4,6-pyrimidinediamines. It was found that the outcome of the reaction strongly depends on the structure of the pyrimidines. Activation of the pyrimidine ring by three groups with a positive mesomeric effect is crucial for the intramolecular nitroso group migration.

A modular approach to trim cellular targets in anticancer drug discovery

A Phenotypic Drug Discovery strategy was applied to study a set of pyrimidine analogs prepared by means of intramolecular oxidation-reduction reactions of N-substituted-N-(2,6-disubstituted-5-nitro-4-pyrimidinyl)aminoacetic acid methyl esters in basic media. The combined and rational use of specific assays allowed in short time reducing from all possible cellular targets to those involved in metaphase to anaphase transition.

Synthesis of 1-substituted 4-(4-(1 H-indol-3-yl)butyl)piperazines

A convenient synthetic route for preparation of various 4-[4-(1 H-indol-3-yl)butyl]piperazines bearing heterocyclic and aliphatic substituents in position 1 has been developed. During this work some synthetic possibilities of common precursor, 4-[4-(1 H-indol-3-yl)butyl]piperazine, were studied and evaluated.