C-H to N substitution dramatically alters the sequence-specific DNA alkylation, cytotoxicity, and expression of human cancer cell lines

J Am Chem Soc. 2004 Mar 24;126(11):3406-7. doi: 10.1021/ja0387103.

Abstract

We designed and synthesized sequence-specific alkylating conjugates 1 and 2, which selectively alkylate matched sequences at nanomolar concentrations. Conjugates 1 and 2 differ only in that the C-H is substituted by an N in the second ring, which precisely recognizes and effectively alkylates DNA according to the recognition rule of Py-Im polyamides. We investigated sequence-specific DNA alkylation, cytotoxicity in 39 human cancer cell lines, and the effect on expression levels in cancer cell lines by Py-Im conjugates 1 and 2. The COMPARE analysis of the mean graphs showed that conjugates 1 and 2 did not correlate well with each other (r = 0.65) despite having a common DNA alkylating mechanism (purine N3 alkylation). Array-based gene expression analysis demonstrated that there are several oppositely regulated genes. The results suggest the intriguing possibility that DNA alkylating agents recognizing longer base-pair sequences may provide a promising approach for developing new types of antigene agents.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Alkylation
  • Antineoplastic Agents, Alkylating / chemical synthesis
  • Antineoplastic Agents, Alkylating / chemistry*
  • Antineoplastic Agents, Alkylating / pharmacology*
  • Cell Line, Tumor
  • DNA, Neoplasm / drug effects*
  • DNA, Neoplasm / metabolism
  • Duocarmycins
  • Humans
  • Imidazoles / chemical synthesis
  • Imidazoles / chemistry
  • Imidazoles / pharmacology
  • Neoplasms / drug therapy*
  • Neoplasms / genetics
  • Nylons / chemical synthesis
  • Nylons / chemistry
  • Nylons / pharmacology
  • Pyrroles / chemical synthesis
  • Pyrroles / chemistry
  • Pyrroles / pharmacology
  • Pyrrolidinones / chemistry
  • Pyrrolidinones / pharmacology
  • Structure-Activity Relationship
  • Substrate Specificity

Substances

  • Antineoplastic Agents, Alkylating
  • DNA, Neoplasm
  • DU 86
  • Duocarmycins
  • Imidazoles
  • Nylons
  • Pyrroles
  • Pyrrolidinones