Bifunctional Duocarmycin Analogues as Inhibitors of Protein Tyrosine Kinases

J Nat Prod. 2019 Jan 25;82(1):16-26. doi: 10.1021/acs.jnatprod.8b00233. Epub 2019 Jan 8.

Abstract

Bifunctional duocarmycin analogues are highly cytotoxic compounds that have been shown to be irreversible aldehyde dehydrogenase 1 inhibitors. Interestingly, cells with low aldehyde dehydrogenase 1 expression are also sensitive to bifunctional duocarmycin analogues, suggesting the existence of another target. Through in silico approaches, including principal component analysis, structure-similarity search, and docking calculations, protein tyrosine kinases, and especially the vascular endothelial growth factor receptor 2 (VEGFR-2), were predicted as targets of bifunctional duocarmycin analogues. Biochemical validation was performed in vitro, confirming the in silico results. Structural optimization was performed to mainly target VEGFR-2, but not aldehyde dehydrogenase 1. The optimized bifunctional duocarmycin analogue was synthesized. In vitro assays revealed this bifunctional duocarmycin analogue as a strong inhibitor of VEGFR-2, with low residual aldehyde dehydrogenase 1 activity. Altogether, studies revealed bifunctional duocarmycin analogues as a new class of naturally derived compounds that express a very high cytotoxicity to cancer cells overexpressing aldehyde dehydrogenase 1 as well as VEGFR-2.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Aldehyde Dehydrogenase 1 Family / antagonists & inhibitors
  • Aldehyde Dehydrogenase 1 Family / chemistry
  • Duocarmycins / pharmacology*
  • Humans
  • Protein Kinase Inhibitors / pharmacology*
  • Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Receptor-2 / antagonists & inhibitors*
  • Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Receptor-2 / chemistry

Substances

  • Duocarmycins
  • Protein Kinase Inhibitors
  • Aldehyde Dehydrogenase 1 Family
  • Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Receptor-2