Design, synthesis and bioevaluation of 2,7-diaryl-pyrazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidines as tubulin polymerization inhibitors

Bioorg Chem. 2021 Oct:115:105220. doi: 10.1016/j.bioorg.2021.105220. Epub 2021 Jul 29.

Abstract

Two series of 2,7-diaryl-pyrazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidines as tubulin polymerization inhibitors were designed to restrict bioactive configuration of (E,Z)-vinylogous CA-4. All of the target compounds were synthesized and then evaluated for their in vitro antiproliferative activities against three cancer cell lines (MCF-7, SGC-7901 and A549). Among them, 6d exhibited the most potent antiproliferative activity against the MCF-7 with IC50 value of 0.047 μM. Moreover, 6d significantly inhibited tubulin polymerization, disrupted microtubule networks, arrested cell cycle at G2/M phase, induced apoptosis and hindered cancer cell migration. Colchicine competition assay and molecular docking studies suggested that 6d could interact with tubulin by binding to the colchicine site.

Keywords: Colchicine-binding site; Pyrazolo[1, 5-a]pyrimidine; Restriction configuration; Tubulin.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Antineoplastic Agents / chemical synthesis
  • Antineoplastic Agents / chemistry
  • Antineoplastic Agents / pharmacology*
  • Apoptosis / drug effects
  • Cell Cycle Checkpoints / drug effects
  • Cell Line, Tumor
  • Cell Movement / drug effects
  • Cell Proliferation / drug effects
  • Dose-Response Relationship, Drug
  • Drug Design*
  • Drug Screening Assays, Antitumor
  • Humans
  • Molecular Structure
  • Polymerization / drug effects
  • Pyrroles / chemistry
  • Pyrroles / metabolism
  • Pyrroles / pharmacology*
  • Structure-Activity Relationship
  • Tubulin / metabolism*
  • Tubulin Modulators / chemical synthesis
  • Tubulin Modulators / chemistry
  • Tubulin Modulators / pharmacology*

Substances

  • Antineoplastic Agents
  • Pyrroles
  • Tubulin
  • Tubulin Modulators