Discovery of the Polyamine Conjugate with Benzo[ cd]indol-2(1 H)-one as a Lysosome-Targeted Antimetastatic Agent

J Med Chem. 2018 Aug 9;61(15):6814-6829. doi: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.8b00694. Epub 2018 Jul 23.

Abstract

Polyamine derivatives have a promising prospect in dealing with disseminated tumor cells, a major obstacle in cancer therapy. To develop a bifunctional polyamine derivative that can serve as a fluorescent probe and an antimetastatic agent, three kinds of polyamine conjugates with benzo[ cd]indol-2(1 H)-one as a scaffold were designed and synthesized. Compound 5e was selected as a lead by in vitro screening. Two animal models demonstrated that 5e inhibited pulmonary metastasis and tumor growth. As a fluorescent probe, 5e might partially enter cells via a polyamine transporter and subsequently localize in the lysosome. Mechanistic investigations demonstrated the interdependence of 5e-triggered apoptosis and autophagy. Compound 5e modulated the expression of LC3-II, p62, cathepsins, and the expression of capases 3, caspase 8, Bcl-2, and p53. The SSAT-mediated Akt/β-catenin pathways were also inhibited by 5e. The dual features of 5e make it a worthwhile lead compound for further structural optimization.

MeSH terms

  • Antineoplastic Agents / chemistry*
  • Antineoplastic Agents / pharmacology*
  • Apoptosis / drug effects
  • Autophagy / drug effects
  • Cell Line, Tumor
  • Cell Proliferation / drug effects
  • Drug Design*
  • Humans
  • Indoles / chemistry*
  • Lysosomes / drug effects*
  • Lysosomes / metabolism*
  • Neoplasm Metastasis
  • Polyamines / chemistry*
  • Polyamines / pharmacology*

Substances

  • Antineoplastic Agents
  • Indoles
  • Polyamines