Perturbing pro-survival proteins using quinoxaline derivatives: a structure-activity relationship study

Bioorg Med Chem. 2012 Apr 1;20(7):2227-34. doi: 10.1016/j.bmc.2012.02.022. Epub 2012 Feb 16.

Abstract

In HeLa cells the combinatorial knockdown of Bcl-xL and Mcl-1 is sufficient to induce spontaneous apoptosis. Quinoxaline derivatives were screened for the induction of Mcl-1 dependent apoptosis using a cell line without functional Bcl-xL. Quinoxaline urea analog 1 h was able to specifically induce apoptosis in an Mcl-1 dependent manner. We demonstrate that even small changes to 1h results in dramatic loss of activity. In addition, 1 h and ABT-737 synergistically inhibit cell growth and induce apoptosis. Our results also suggest that 1h could have therapeutic potential against ABT-737 refractory cancer.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Apoptosis / drug effects
  • Biphenyl Compounds / pharmacology
  • HeLa Cells
  • Humans
  • Myeloid Cell Leukemia Sequence 1 Protein
  • Nitrophenols / pharmacology
  • Piperazines / pharmacology
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2 / antagonists & inhibitors
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2 / genetics
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2 / metabolism
  • Quinoxalines / chemical synthesis
  • Quinoxalines / chemistry*
  • Quinoxalines / pharmacology
  • Structure-Activity Relationship
  • Sulfonamides / pharmacology
  • bcl-X Protein / antagonists & inhibitors
  • bcl-X Protein / genetics
  • bcl-X Protein / metabolism

Substances

  • ABT-737
  • Biphenyl Compounds
  • Myeloid Cell Leukemia Sequence 1 Protein
  • Nitrophenols
  • Piperazines
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2
  • Quinoxalines
  • Sulfonamides
  • bcl-X Protein