Year: 2011
Type: dissertation
Abstract: Half of cancers retain wild type p53 but have alterations in the pathways involved in p53 regulation. Murine double minute 2 (Mdm2) regulates p53 by acting as an E3 ubiquitin ligase, which tags p53 for degradation through the proteasome. A small molecule inhibitor, a 5-deazaflavin analogue, has previously been identified by high throughput screening to inhibit Mdm2 E3 ubiquitin ligase activity, thereby reactivating apoptotic function of p53 selectively in cancer cells. \n\nNinety 5-deazaflavin analogues have been synthesised by an optimized existing method and a novel method of synthesis, using the required 6-anilinouracil and 2-p-toluenesulfonyloxybenzaldehyde.The biological ability of the 5-deazaflavin analogues to act as inhibitors of Mdm2 E3 ubiquitin ligase activity to reactivate p53 has been ascertained. A new quantitative biological assay was developed, by scientists based at the Beatson Institute, for 5-deazaflavin compounds, showing excellent inhibition of Mdm2 E3 ubiquitin ligase activity on the previous qualitative biological assay, to yield IC50 data.\n\nThe biological results have established a clear and logical structure-activity relationship comprising of an electron-withdrawing hydrophobic substituent at the nine position and the N10 phenyl being a prerequisite for activity as a Mdm2 inhibitor. Also meta substitution of the N10 phenyl improves activity against Mdm2 E3 ubiquitin ligase activity. Hit optimization has occurred with 10-(3-chlorophenyl)-9-trifluoromethyl-5-deazaflavin being thirty times more active than the previous identified hit compound, 10-(4-chlorophenyl)-7-nitro-5-deazaflavin. \n\nUsing the X-ray crystal structure of the Mdm2/MdmX heterodimer, an improved understanding of how Mdm2 acts as an E3 ubiquitin ligase is described and used to form a hypothesis of how 5-deazaflavin analogues function as inhibitors of Mdm2.\n\nThe work suggests the principle that small molecular weight compounds can inhibit E3 ubiquitin ligases as a possible anti-cancer therapy, and provide the foundation and framework for additional studies and investigation in a new and developing field of medicinal chemistry.
Author: Michael P. Dickens
Institution: University of Nottingham
Language: English
Subfield: Oncology
Field: Medicine
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: green
Funder: Cancer Research UK
OpenAlex ID: W2154449988