Verubulin (Azixa) Analogues with Increased Saturation: Synthesis, SAR and Encapsulation in Biocompatible Nanocontainers Based on Ca²⁺ or Mg²⁺ Cross-Linked Alginate

• Main Authors: Kseniya N. Sedenkova (Author), Denis N. Leschukov (Author), Yuri K. Grishin (Author), Nikolay A. Zefirov (Author), Yulia A. Gracheva (Author), Dmitry A. Skvortsov (Author), Yanislav S. Hrytseniuk (Author), Lilja A. Vasilyeva (Author), Elena A. Spirkova (Author), Pavel N. Shevtsov (Author), Elena F. Shevtsova (Author), Alina R. Lukmanova (Author), Vasily V. Spiridonov (Author), Alina A. Markova (Author), Minh T. Nguyen (Author), Alexander A. Shtil (Author), Olga N. Zefirova (Author), Alexander A. Yaroslavov (Author), Elena R. Milaeva (Author), Elena B. Averina (Author)
• Format: Book
• Published: MDPI AG, 2023-10-01T00:00:00Z.
• Subjects: article
• Online Access: Connect to this object online.

Summary

Tubulin-targeting agents attract undiminished attention as promising compounds for the design of anti-cancer drugs. Verubulin is a potent tubulin polymerization inhibitor, binding to colchicine-binding sites. In the present work, a series of verubulin analogues containing a cyclohexane or cycloheptane ring 1,2-annulated with pyrimidine moiety and various substituents in positions 2 and 4 of pyrimidine were obtained and their cytotoxicity towards cancer and non-cancerous cell lines was estimated. The investigated compounds revealed activity against various cancer cell lines with IC₅₀ down to 1-4 nM. According to fluorescent microscopy data, compounds that showed cytotoxicity in the MTT test disrupt the normal cytoskeleton of the cell in a pattern similar to that for combretastatin A-4. The hit compound (<i>N</i>-(4-methoxyphenyl)-<i>N</i>,2-dimethyl-5,6,7,8-tetrahydroquinazolin-4-amine) was encapsulated in biocompatible nanocontainers based on Ca²⁺ or Mg²⁺ cross-linked alginate and it was demonstrated that its cytotoxic activity was preserved after encapsulation.

Item Description

10.3390/ph16101499
1424-8247