N-((1-benzyl-1H-1,2,3-triazol-4-yl)methyl)arylamide as a new scaffold that provides rapid access to antimicrotubule agents: synthesis and evaluation of antiproliferative activity against select cancer cell lines

J Med Chem. 2010 Apr 22;53(8):3389-95. doi: 10.1021/jm1000979.

Abstract

A series of N-((1-benzyl-1H-1,2,3-triazol-4-yl)methyl)arylamides was synthesized by copper-catalyzed azide-alkyne cycloaddition (CuAAC) and afforded inhibitors of cancer cell growth. For example, compound 13e had an IC(50) of 46 nM against MCF-7 human breast tumor cells. Structure-activity relationship (SAR) studies demonstrated that (i) meta-phenoxy substitution of the N-1-benzyl group is important for antiproliferative activity and (ii) a variety of heterocyclic substitutions for the aryl group of the arylamide are tolerated. In silico COMPARE analysis of antiproliferative activity against the NCI-60 human tumor cell line panel revealed a correlation to clinically useful antimicrotubule agents such as paclitaxel and vincristine. This in silico correlation was supported by (i) in vitro inhibition of tubulin polymerization, (ii) G(2)/M-phase arrest in HeLa cells as assessed by flow cytometry, and (iii) perturbation of normal microtubule activity in HeLa cells as observed by confocal microscopy. The results demonstrate that N-((1-benzyl-1H-1,2,3-triazol-4-yl)methyl)arylamide is a readily accessible small molecule scaffold for compounds that inhibit tubulin polymerization and tumor cell growth.

Publication types

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

MeSH terms

  • Acrylamides / chemical synthesis*
  • Acrylamides / chemistry
  • Acrylamides / pharmacology
  • Cell Division / drug effects
  • Cell Line, Tumor
  • Drug Screening Assays, Antitumor
  • G2 Phase / drug effects
  • Humans
  • Microtubules / drug effects
  • Microtubules / ultrastructure
  • Oxazoles / chemical synthesis*
  • Oxazoles / chemistry
  • Oxazoles / pharmacology
  • Structure-Activity Relationship
  • Triazoles / chemical synthesis*
  • Triazoles / chemistry
  • Triazoles / pharmacology
  • Tubulin / chemistry
  • Tubulin Modulators / chemical synthesis*
  • Tubulin Modulators / chemistry
  • Tubulin Modulators / pharmacology

Substances

  • 2-(4-methoxyphenyl)-N-((1-(3-phenoxybenzyl)-1H-1,2,3-triazol-4-yl)methyl)oxazole-4-carboxamide
  • Acrylamides
  • Oxazoles
  • Triazoles
  • Tubulin
  • Tubulin Modulators