Synthesis and biological properties of Quilamines II, new iron chelators with antiproliferative activities

Bioconjug Chem. 2014 Feb 19;25(2):320-34. doi: 10.1021/bc4004734. Epub 2014 Jan 23.

Abstract

To selectively target tumor cells expressing an overactive Polyamine Transport System (PTS), we designed, synthesized, and evaluated the biological activity of a new generation of iron chelators, derived from the lead compound HQ1-44, which we named Quilamines II. The structures of four new antiproliferative agents were developed. They differ in the size of the linker (HQ0-44 and HQ2-44) or in the nature of the linker (HQCO-44 and HQCS-44) between a hydroxyquinoline moiety (HQ) and a homospermidine (44) chain, the best polyamine vector. The Quilamines II were obtained after 6 to 9 steps by Michael addition, peptide linkage, and reductive amination or by using the Willgerodt-Kindler reaction. The biological evaluation of these second-generation Quilamines showed that modifying the size of the linker increased the selectivity of these compounds for the PTS. In addition, measurement of the toxicity of Quilamines HQ0-44 and HQ2-44 highlighted their marked antiproliferative nature on several cancerous cell lines as well as a differential activity on nontransformed cells (fibroblasts). In contrast, Quilamines HQCO-44 and HQCS-44 presented low selectivity for the PTS, probably due to a loss of electrostatic interaction. We also demonstrated that the HCT116 cell line, originating from a human colon adenocarcinoma, was the most responsive to the various Quilamines. As deduced from the calcein and HVA assays, the higher iron chelating capacity of HQ1-44 could explain its higher antiproliferative efficiency.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Amines / chemical synthesis*
  • Amines / pharmacology*
  • Animals
  • CHO Cells
  • Cell Proliferation / drug effects*
  • Cricetinae
  • Cricetulus
  • Iron Chelating Agents / chemical synthesis*
  • Iron Chelating Agents / pharmacology*
  • Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy
  • Spectrometry, Mass, Electrospray Ionization

Substances

  • Amines
  • Iron Chelating Agents