Using gene expression database to uncover biology functions of 1,4-disubstituted 1,2,3-triazole analogues synthesized via a copper (I)-catalyzed reaction

Eur J Med Chem. 2017 May 26:132:90-107. doi: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2017.03.034. Epub 2017 Mar 18.

Abstract

We have synthesized bioactive 1,4-disubstituted 1,2,3-triazole analogues containing 2H-1,4-benzoxazin-3-(4H)-one derivatives via 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition in the presence of CuI. All the reactions proceeded smoothly and afforded its desired products in excellent yields. Among these analogues, 3y exhibited a better cytotoxic effect on human hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) Hep 3B cells and displayed less cytotoxicity on normal human umbilical vein endothelial cells, compared with Sorafenib, a targeted therapy for advanced HCC. 3y also induced stronger apoptosis and autophagy. Addition of curcumin enhanced 3y-induced cytotoxicity by further induction of autophagy. Using gene expression signatures of 3y to query Connectivity Map, a glycogen synthase kinase-3 inhibitor (AR-A014418) was predicted to display similar molecular action of 3y. Experiments further demonstrate that AR-A014418 acted like 3y, and vice versa. Overall, our data suggest the chemotherapeutic potential of 3y on HCC.

Keywords: 1,4-Disubstituted 1,2,3-triazole analogues; Apoptosis; Autophagy; Connectivity map; L1000 gene expression profiling; Sorafenib.

MeSH terms

  • Antineoplastic Agents / chemical synthesis*
  • Antineoplastic Agents / chemistry
  • Antineoplastic Agents / pharmacology
  • Apoptosis / drug effects
  • Autophagy / drug effects
  • Carcinoma, Hepatocellular / drug therapy
  • Carcinoma, Hepatocellular / pathology
  • Cell Line, Tumor
  • Copper / chemistry
  • Curcumin / chemistry
  • Curcumin / pharmacology
  • Databases, Genetic
  • Glycogen Synthase Kinase 3 / antagonists & inhibitors
  • Humans
  • Liver Neoplasms / drug therapy
  • Structure-Activity Relationship
  • Thiazoles
  • Triazoles / chemical synthesis*
  • Triazoles / pharmacology
  • Urea / analogs & derivatives

Substances

  • Antineoplastic Agents
  • Thiazoles
  • Triazoles
  • Copper
  • N-(4-methoxybenzyl)-N'-(5-nitro-1,3-thiazol-2-yl)urea
  • Urea
  • Glycogen Synthase Kinase 3
  • Curcumin