Pyrrolo and pyrrolopyrimidine sulfonamides act as cytotoxic agents in hypoxia via inhibition of transmembrane carbonic anhydrases

Eur J Med Chem. 2020 Feb 15:188:112021. doi: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2019.112021. Epub 2019 Dec 30.

Abstract

A series of novel sulfonamide derivatives bearing pyrrole and pyrrolopyrimidine scaffolds were synthesized and screened as carbonic anhydrase inhibitors. The inhibition activity of the synthesized compounds was evaluated against the cytosolic human carbonic anhydrase isoforms I and II and the transmembranal isoforms IX and XII. Several candidates showed potent inhibitory activity against IX and XII isoforms. Furthermore, ex vivo screening of cytotoxic selectivity and activity of the most potent derivatives were carried out against normal cells (WI38) and cervical cancer cell line (HeLa) under normal and hypoxic conditions using acetazolamide as reference drug. Compound 11b potency was nearly three folds higher in hypoxic than normoxic condition whereas that of compound 11f was nearly four folds higher in hypoxic vs. normoxic HeLa cells. All the screened derivatives exhibited less potency on normal cells (WI38). Molecular docking was carried out to discover the possible binding mode of compounds within the active site of isoform CA IX.

Keywords: Carbonic anhydrase inhibitor; Cytotoxic; Pyrrolopyrimidine; Sulfonamide.

MeSH terms

  • Antigens, Neoplasm / chemistry
  • Antigens, Neoplasm / metabolism
  • Antineoplastic Agents / chemical synthesis
  • Antineoplastic Agents / pharmacology*
  • Antineoplastic Agents / toxicity
  • Carbonic Anhydrase IX / chemistry
  • Carbonic Anhydrase IX / metabolism
  • Carbonic Anhydrase Inhibitors / chemical synthesis
  • Carbonic Anhydrase Inhibitors / pharmacology*
  • Carbonic Anhydrase Inhibitors / toxicity
  • Catalytic Domain
  • Drug Screening Assays, Antitumor
  • HeLa Cells
  • Humans
  • Molecular Docking Simulation
  • Pyrimidines / chemical synthesis
  • Pyrimidines / pharmacology*
  • Pyrimidines / toxicity
  • Pyrroles / chemical synthesis
  • Pyrroles / pharmacology*
  • Pyrroles / toxicity
  • Sulfonamides / chemical synthesis
  • Sulfonamides / pharmacology*
  • Sulfonamides / toxicity

Substances

  • Antigens, Neoplasm
  • Antineoplastic Agents
  • Carbonic Anhydrase Inhibitors
  • Pyrimidines
  • Pyrroles
  • Sulfonamides
  • CA9 protein, human
  • Carbonic Anhydrase IX