Indenoisoquinoline Topoisomerase Inhibitors Strongly Bind and Stabilize the MYC Promoter G-Quadruplex and Downregulate MYC

J Am Chem Soc. 2019 Jul 17;141(28):11059-11070. doi: 10.1021/jacs.9b02679. Epub 2019 Jul 8.

Abstract

MYC is one of the most important oncogenes and is overexpressed in the majority of cancers. G-Quadruplexes are noncanonical four-stranded DNA secondary structures that have emerged as attractive cancer-specific molecular targets for drug development. The G-quadruplex formed in the proximal promoter region of the MYC oncogene (MycG4) has been shown to be a transcriptional silencer that is amenable to small-molecule targeting for MYC suppression. Indenoisoquinolines are human topoisomerase I inhibitors in clinical testing with improved physicochemical and biological properties as compared to the clinically used camptothecin anticancer drugs topotecan and irinotecan. However, some indenoisoquinolines with potent anticancer activity do not exhibit strong topoisomerase I inhibition, suggesting a separate mechanism of action. Here, we report that anticancer indenoisoquinolines strongly bind and stabilize MycG4 and lower MYC expression levels in cancer cells, using various biochemical, biophysical, computer modeling, and cell-based methods. Significantly, a large number of active indenoisoquinolines cause strong MYC downregulation in cancer cells. Structure-activity relationships of MycG4 recognition by indenoisoquinolines are investigated. In addition, the analysis of indenoisoquinoline analogues for their MYC-inhibitory activity, topoisomerase I-inhibitory activity, and anticancer activity reveals a synergistic effect of MYC inhibition and topoisomerase I inhibition on anticancer activity. Therefore, this study uncovers a novel mechanism of action of indenoisoquinolines as a new family of drugs targeting the MYC promoter G-quadruplex for MYC suppression. Furthermore, the study suggests that dual targeting of MYC and topoisomerase I may serve as a novel strategy for anticancer drug development.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural

MeSH terms

  • Binding Sites / drug effects
  • DNA Topoisomerases, Type I / metabolism*
  • Down-Regulation / drug effects*
  • G-Quadruplexes / drug effects
  • Humans
  • Indenes / chemistry
  • Indenes / pharmacology*
  • Isoquinolines / chemistry
  • Isoquinolines / pharmacology*
  • Molecular Structure
  • Promoter Regions, Genetic / drug effects
  • Promoter Regions, Genetic / genetics
  • Protein Stability / drug effects
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-myc / antagonists & inhibitors*
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-myc / genetics
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-myc / metabolism
  • Structure-Activity Relationship
  • Topoisomerase I Inhibitors / chemistry
  • Topoisomerase I Inhibitors / pharmacology*

Substances

  • Indenes
  • Isoquinolines
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-myc
  • Topoisomerase I Inhibitors
  • DNA Topoisomerases, Type I