Impact of the ferrocenyl group on cytotoxicity and KSP inhibitory activity of ferrocenyl monastrol conjugates

Dalton Trans. 2022 Jan 4;51(2):491-508. doi: 10.1039/d1dt03553c.

Abstract

The incorporation of the ferrocenyl moiety into a bioactive molecule may significantly alter the activity of the resulting conjugate. By applying this strategy, we designed ferrocenyl analogs of monastrol - the first low molecular weight kinesin spindle protein (KSP) inhibitor. The obtained compounds showed low micromolar antiproliferative activity towards a panel of sensitive and ABC-overexpressing cancer cells. Most cytotoxic compounds exhibited also higher KSP modulatory activity and ability for ROS generation compared to monastrol. The increased bioactivity of the studied compounds can be attributed to the presence of the ferrocenyl group.

MeSH terms

  • Adenosine Triphosphatases / metabolism
  • Antineoplastic Agents / pharmacology*
  • Cell Cycle / drug effects
  • Cell Line, Tumor
  • Cell Proliferation / drug effects
  • Ferrous Compounds / pharmacology*
  • Humans
  • Kinesins / antagonists & inhibitors*
  • Pyrimidines / pharmacology*
  • Reactive Oxygen Species / metabolism
  • Thiones / pharmacology*

Substances

  • Antineoplastic Agents
  • Ferrous Compounds
  • Pyrimidines
  • Reactive Oxygen Species
  • Thiones
  • monastrol
  • Adenosine Triphosphatases
  • Kinesins