A Small-Molecule Inhibitor of Human DNA Polymerase η Potentiates the Effects of Cisplatin in Tumor Cells

Biochemistry. 2018 Feb 20;57(7):1262-1273. doi: 10.1021/acs.biochem.7b01176. Epub 2018 Jan 30.

Abstract

Translesion DNA synthesis (TLS) performed by human DNA polymerase eta (hpol η) allows tolerance of damage from cis-diamminedichloroplatinum(II) (CDDP or cisplatin). We have developed hpol η inhibitors derived from N-aryl-substituted indole barbituric acid (IBA), indole thiobarbituric acid (ITBA), and indole quinuclidine scaffolds and identified 5-((5-chloro-1-(naphthalen-2-ylmethyl)-1H-indol-3-yl)methylene)-2-thioxodihydropyrimidine-4,6(1H,5H)-dione (PNR-7-02), an ITBA derivative that inhibited hpol η activity with an IC50 value of 8 μM and exhibited 5-10-fold specificity for hpol η over replicative pols. We conclude from kinetic analyses, chemical footprinting assays, and molecular docking that PNR-7-02 binds to a site on the little finger domain and interferes with the proper orientation of template DNA to inhibit hpol η. A synergistic increase in CDDP toxicity was observed in hpol η-proficient cells co-treated with PNR-7-02 (combination index values = 0.4-0.6). Increased γH2AX formation accompanied treatment of hpol η-proficient cells with CDDP and PNR-7-02. Importantly, PNR-7-02 did not impact the effect of CDDP on cell viability or γH2AX in hpol η-deficient cells. In summary, we observed hpol η-dependent effects on DNA damage/replication stress and sensitivity to CDDP in cells treated with PNR-7-02. The ability to employ a small-molecule inhibitor of hpol η to improve the cytotoxic effect of CDDP may aid in the development of more effective chemotherapeutic strategies.

Publication types

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

MeSH terms

  • Antineoplastic Agents / pharmacology*
  • Cell Line, Tumor
  • Cisplatin / pharmacology*
  • DNA-Directed DNA Polymerase / metabolism*
  • Enzyme Inhibitors / chemistry
  • Enzyme Inhibitors / pharmacology*
  • Humans
  • Indoles / chemistry
  • Indoles / pharmacology
  • Molecular Docking Simulation
  • Neoplasms / drug therapy
  • Neoplasms / metabolism
  • Pyrimidines / chemistry
  • Pyrimidines / pharmacology
  • Small Molecule Libraries / chemistry
  • Small Molecule Libraries / pharmacology
  • Thiobarbiturates / chemistry
  • Thiobarbiturates / pharmacology

Substances

  • Antineoplastic Agents
  • Enzyme Inhibitors
  • Indoles
  • Pyrimidines
  • Small Molecule Libraries
  • Thiobarbiturates
  • DNA-Directed DNA Polymerase
  • Rad30 protein
  • thiobarbituric acid
  • Cisplatin