Biomedical subjects

Manlio Palumbo

Publications and source records attributed to Manlio Palumbo.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed2006

Clerocidin interacts with the cleavage complex of Streptococcus pneumoniae topoisomerase IV to induce selective irreversible DNA damage.

Clerocidin (CL), a diterpenoid natural product, alkylates DNA through its epoxide moiety and exhibits both anticancer and antibacterial activities. We have examined CL action in the presence of topoisomerase IV from Streptococcus pneumoniae. CL promoted irreversible enzyme-mediated DNA cleavage leading to single- and double-stranded DNA breaks at specific sites. Reaction required the diterpenoid function: no cleavage was seen using a naphthalene-substituted analogue. Moreover, drug-induced DNA breakage was not observed using a mutant topoisomerase IV (ParC Y118F) unable to form a cleavage complex with DNA. Sequence analysis of 102 single-stranded DNA breaks and 79 double-stranded breaks revealed an overwhelming preference for G at the -1 position, i.e. immediately 5' of the enzyme DNA scission site. This specificity contrasts with that of topoisomerase IV cleavage with antibacterial quinolones. Indeed, CL stimulated DNA breakage by a quinolone-resistant topoisomerase IV (ParC S79F). Overall, the results indicate that topoisomerase IV facilitates selective irreversible CL attack at guanine and that its cleavage complex differs markedly from that of mammalian topoisomerase II which promotes both irreversible and reversible CL attack at guanine and cytosine, respectively. The unique ability to form exclusively irreversible DNA breaks suggests topoisomerase IV may be a key intracellular target of CL in bacteria.

Amino Acid Substitution↗

PubMed2005

Interactions of low-molecular-weight semi-synthetic sulfated heparins with human leukocyte elastase and human Cathepsin G.

Semi-synthetic low-molecular-weight heparin samples (LMWHs), having homogeneous degree of polymerization and saccharide backbone, but differing in the number and location of sulfate groups, were investigated in their ability to interfere with the pharmacologically relevant targets human leukocyte elastase (EL) and human Cathepsin G (CatG). Spectroscopic studies were performed for a quantitative evaluation of the enzyme-inhibitor dissociation constant, K(i), and of the IC(50) values for the inhibition of cleavage of target peptide sequences. Both proteases are inhibited by the tested polysaccharides through a mixed hyperbolic binding process. A non-linear relationship was found between degree of sulfation and binding affinity or enzyme inhibition properties, showing a composite correlation between heparin charge density and interference with EL/CatG activity.

Animals↗

PubMed2005

Antiviral 6-amino-quinolones: molecular basis for potency and selectivity.

Structural modifications introduced in 6-amino-quinolones to increase antiviral activity can strongly affect cytotoxicity to host cells. By competition to Tat-TAR complex and binding experiments to viral and cellular DNA and RNA structures, we show that the nature of the substituent at position 7 modifies drug affinity and specificity for the nucleic acid. Interestingly, the basicity of the above substituent modulates chelation of the quinolone template to magnesium ions, which, in turn, critically affects the potency and target selectivity in the antiviral quinolone family.

Aminoquinolines↗

PubMed2005

Efficient plasmid DNA cleavage by a mononuclear copper(II) complex.

The Cu(II) complex of the ligand all-cis-2,4,6-triamino-1,3,5-trihydroxycyclohexane (TACI) is a very efficient catalyst of the cleavage of plasmid DNA in the absence of any added cofactor. The maximum rate of degradation of the supercoiled plasmid DNA form, obtained at pH 8.1 and 37 degrees C, in the presence of 48 microM TACI.Cu(II), is 2.3 x 10(-3) s(-1), corresponding to a half-life time of only 5 min for the cleavage of form I (supercoiled) to form II (relaxed circular). The dependence of the rate of plasmid DNA cleavage from the TACI.Cu(II) complex concentration follows an unusual and very narrow bell-like profile, which suggests an high DNA affinity of the complexes but also a great tendency to form unreactive dimers. The reactivity of the TACI.Cu(II) complexes is not affected by the presence of several scavengers for reactive oxygen species or when measured under anaerobic conditions. Moreover, no degradation of the radical reporter Rhodamine B is observed in the presence of such complexes. These results are consistent with the operation of a prevailing hydrolytic pathway under the normal conditions used, although the failure to obtain enzymatic religation of the linearized DNA does not allow one to rule out the occurrence of a nonhydrolytic oxygen-independent cleavage. A concurrent oxidative mechanism becomes competitive upon addition of reductants or in the presence of high levels of molecular oxygen: under such conditions, in fact, a remarkable increase in the rate of DNA cleavage is observed.

Copper↗

PubMed2005

Novel symmetric and asymmetric DNA scission determinants for Streptococcus pneumoniae topoisomerase IV and gyrase are clustered at the DNA breakage site.

Topoisomerase (topo) IV and gyrase are bacterial type IIA DNA topoisomerases essential for DNA replication and chromosome segregation that act via a transient double-stranded DNA break involving a covalent enzyme-DNA "cleavage complex." Despite their mechanistic importance, the DNA breakage determinants are not understood for any bacterial type II enzyme. We investigated DNA cleavage by Streptococcus pneumoniae topo IV and gyrase stabilized by gemifloxacin and other antipneumococcal fluoroquinolones. Topo IV and gyrase induce distinct but overlapping repertoires of double-strand DNA breakage sites that were essentially identical for seven different quinolones and were augmented (in intensity) by positive or negative supercoiling. Sequence analysis of 180 topo IV and 126 gyrase sites promoted by gemifloxacin on pneumococcal DNA revealed the respective consensus sequences: G(G/c)(A/t)A*GNNCt(T/a)N(C/a) and GN4G(G/c)(A/c)G*GNNCtTN(C/a) (preferred bases are underlined; disfavored bases are in small capitals; N indicates no preference; and asterisk indicates DNA scission between -1 and +1 positions). Both enzymes show strong preferences for bases clustered symmetrically around the DNA scission site, i.e. +1G/+4C, -4G/+8C, and particularly the novel -2A/+6T, but with no preference at +2/+3 within the staggered 4-bp overhang. Asymmetric elements include -3G and several unfavored bases. These cleavage preferences, the first for Gram-positive type IIA topoisomerases, differ markedly from those reported for Escherichia coli topo IV (consensus (A/G)*T/A) and gyrase, which are based on fewer sites. However, both pneumococcal enzymes cleaved an E. coli gyrase site suggesting overlap in gyrase determinants. We propose a model for the cleavage complex of topo IV/gyrase that accommodates the unique -2A/+6T and other preferences.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

PubMed2005

Dissecting reactivity of clerocidin toward common buffer systems by means of selected drug analogues.

The model drug clerocidin (CL) can form covalent adducts with both Tris and phosphate buffers with negative effects on biological activity, even though the latter is considered a largely inert physiological buffer. With the ultimate goal of learning how to control such reactivity and reduce undesired side reactions, we have investigated the influence of the different functionalities of CL on the formation of buffer adducts. For this reason, selected drug analogues were tested for their ability to react with the two buffers and comprehensive information was gained on both thermodynamics and kinetics aspects of these reactions. Two distinctive reactivity modes were readily observed. The first proved to be under kinetic control and involved the reaction of drug carbonyls (especially the aldehyde in C15) with the Tris amino group to form a Schiff base. The second was found to proceed under thermodynamic control through the attack at the oxirane ring of CL by the buffer's nucleophilic groups (amino nitrogen in Tris and oxygen in phosphate). Important relationships between the two modes were noted, thus providing further demonstration that drug reactivity toward buffers cannot be directly predicted from the functionalities that are potentially involved in the initial reaction. On the contrary, as true for almost any structure bearing potentially reactive functionalities, any solid prediction should be based on a deeper understanding of the mutual influence of vicinal groups.

Aldehydes↗

PubMed2004

Binol quinone methides as bisalkylating and DNA cross-linking agents.

The photogeneration and detection of new binol quinone methides undergoing mono- and bisalkylation of free nucleophiles was investigated by product distribution analysis and laser flash photolysis in water solution using binol quaternary ammonium derivatives 2 and 12 as photoactivated precursors. The alkylation processes of N and S nucleophiles are strongly competitive with the hydration reaction. DNA cross-linking potency of the water-soluble binol quaternary ammonium salt 2 was investigated as a pH function and compared to that of other quaternary ammonium salts capable of benzo-QM (QM = quinone methide) photogeneration by gel electrophoresis. DFT calculations in the gas phase and in water bulk on the binol and benzo quaternary ammonium salts 2 and 4 evidence structural and electrostatic features of the binol derivative which might offer a rationalization of its promising high photo-cross-linking efficiency.

Alkylating Agents↗

PubMed2004

Structure modifications of 6-aminoquinolones with potent anti-HIV activity.

We have recently discovered that 6-aminoquinolone derivatives could be valid leads for the development of new anti-HIV agents because of their new and diversified mode of action. In fact, studies carried out on the lead WM5 showed that this derivative is able to inhibit the Tat-mediated long terminal repeat driven transcription, an essential step in the HIV-1 replication cycle. Thus, starting from lead WM5, we performed the design and synthesis of an enlarged series of 6-aminoquinolones, which permitted some very potent anti-HIV 6-amino derivatives to be obtained and the structure-activity relationship to be delineated. Some derivatives, 26c, 26e, 26i, and 26j, proved to be highly effective in inhibiting HIV replication at 50% inhibitory concentration in the range of 0.0087-0.7 microg/mL in MT-4, PBMCs and CEM cell lines coupled with positive selectivity indexes that reach values higher than 1000 on CEM cell lines for compounds 26e and 26i. Time-of-addition experiments clearly confirm that the new, potent 6-aminoquinolones interact at a postintegration step in the replication cycle of HIV.

Aminoquinolines↗

PubMed2004

Concerted bis-alkylating reactivity of clerocidin towards unpaired cytosine residues in DNA.

Clerocidin (CL) is a topoisomerase II poison, which cleaves DNA irreversibly at guanines (G) and reversibly at cytosines (C). Furthermore, the drug can induce enzyme-independent strand breaks at the G and C level. It has been previously shown that G-damage is induced by alkylation of the guanine N7, followed by spontaneous depurination and nucleic acid cleavage, whereas scission at C is obtained only after treatment with hot alkali, and no information is available to explain the nature of this damage. We present here a systematic study on the reactivity of CL towards C both in the DNA environment and in solution. Selected synthetic derivatives were employed to evaluate the role of each chemical group of the drug. The structure of CL-dC adduct was then characterized by tandem mass spectrometry and NMR: the adduct is a stable condensed ring system resulting from a concerted electrophilic attack of the adjacent carbonyl and epoxide groups of CL towards the exposed NH(2) and N3, respectively. This reaction mechanism, shown here for the first time, is characterized by faster kinetic rates than alkylation at G, due to the fact that the rate-determining step, alkylation at the epoxide, is an intramolecular process, provided a Schiff base linking CL and C can rapidly form, whereas the corresponding reaction of G N7 is intermolecular. These results provide helpful hints to explain the reversible/irreversible nature of topoisomerase II mediated DNA damage produced by CL at C/G steps.

Alkalies↗

PubMed2004

Interaction model for anthracycline activity against DNA topoisomerase II.

DNA topoisomerase II (Top2) is an essential nuclear enzyme and a target of very effective anticancer drugs including anthracycline antibiotics. Even though several aspects of drug activity against Top2 are understood, the drug receptor site is not yet known. Several Top2 mutants have altered drug sensitivity and have provided information of structural features determining drug action. Here, we have investigated the sensitivity to three closely related anthracycline derivatives of yeast Top2 bearing mutations in the CAP-like domain and integrated the findings with computer models of ternary drug-enzyme-DNA complexes. The results suggest a model for the anthracycline receptor wherein a drug molecule has specific interactions with the cleaved DNA as well as amino acid residues of the CAP-like domain of an enzyme monomer. The drug molecule is intercalated into DNA at the site of cleavage, and interestingly, drug-enzyme contacts involve one side of the four-ring chromophore and the side chain of the anthracycline molecule. The findings may explain several established structure-activity relationships of antitumor anthracyclines and may thus provide a framework for further developments of effective Top2 poisons.

Anthracyclines↗

PubMed2004

Toward efficient Zn(II)-based artificial nucleases.

A series of cis-cis-triaminocyclohexane Zn(II) complex-anthraquinone intercalator conjugates, designed in such a way to allow their easy synthesis and modification, have been investigated as hydrolytic cleaving agents for plasmid DNA. The ligand structure comprises a triaminocyclohexane platform linked by means of alkyl spacers of different length (from C(4) to C(8)) to the anthraquinone group which may intercalate the DNA. At a concentration of 5 microM, the complex of the derivative with a C(8) alkyl spacer induces the hydrolytic stand scission of supercoiled DNA with a rate of 4.6 x 10(-6) s(-1) at pH 7 and 37 degrees C. The conjugation of the metal complex with the anthraquinone group leads to a 15-fold increase of the cleavage efficiency when compared with the anthraquinone lacking Zn-triaminocyclohexane complex. The straightforward synthetic procedure employed, allowing a systematic change of the spacer length, made possible to gain more insight on the role of the intercalating group in determining the reactivity of the systems. Comparison of the reactivity of the different complexes shows a remarkable increase of the DNA cleaving efficiency with the length of the spacer. In the case of too-short spacers, the advantages due to the increased DNA affinity are canceled due to the incorrect positioning of the reactive group, thus leading to cleavage inhibition.

Anthraquinones↗

PubMed2004

Antitumor AZA-anthrapyrazoles: biophysical and biochemical studies on 8- and 9-aza regioisomers.

Aza-bioisosteres of anthrapyrazoles (Aza-APs) bearing the C-N substitution at position 9 are powerful anticancer agents now in clinical trials. In contrast, their 8-substituted regioisomers are practically devoid of chemotherapeutic effects. To understand the molecular basis for a dramatically different response by otherwise very similar compounds, we performed a detailed investigation on the physico-chemical properties of several aza-APs belonging to the two families, on their DNA-binding affinity and specificity as well as on their capacity to impair the activity of the two isoforms of human Topoisomerase II (top2alpha and top2beta). Our results indicate that molecular size and shape, electronic distribution, redox properties, lipophilicity and protonation equilibria are essentially the same when comparing 9- with 8-substituted congeners. Although no major difference could be picked up when comparing the DNA binding properties of corresponding members of the 8- and 9-aza families, interestingly the affinity and specificity for the nucleic acid is modulated by the nature of the side-arms linked to the aza-AP scaffold, suggesting structural motifs that may determine DNA sequence recognition by the studied drug. Topoisomerase II poisoning activity was much higher for 9-aza derivatives than 8-aza analogues as shown by a cleavage assay with purified recombinant top2 isoforms. The difference appears to account for the divergent anticancer potential exhibited by different aza-AP regioisomers and suggests a specific molecular recognition of the cleavage complex by the studied drugs.

Anthracyclines↗

PubMed2004

Effects of common buffer systems on drug activity: the case of clerocidin.

Two widely used biological buffers [tris(hydroxymethyl)aminomethane (TRIS) and phosphate] covalently react with the topoisomerase II inhibitor clerocidin, affecting the drug's reactivity profile. Comprehensive analytical and structural analysis obtained by LC/MS, MS/MS, NMR, and IR techniques shows that these buffers form reversible and irreversible adducts through reactions with chemical groups, such as carbonyls, aldehydes, and epoxide. Analysis of the kinetic data on adducts formation suggests two parallel mechanisms for the inhibition of drug activity. The first involves modulation of the reactivity of the epoxide group obtained by elimination of the spiro system and relief of ring strain. This effect does not abolish epoxide reactivity and is more evident for the TRIS adduct, which can count on intramolecular stabilization of the form devoid of the spiro system. The second mechanism involves the slow nucleophilic attack to the epoxide ring, which results in permanent deactivation of the functional group responsible for topoisomerase II inhibition. This effect is predominant in phosphate buffer and is more evident for longer reaction times. These results provide a compelling reminder that the activity of chemically complex drugs in biological systems can be severely altered by buffer interactions, which may not be immediately predictable from the identity of the active group(s) and may require a more detailed knowledge of the subtle effects induced by vicinal groups.

Buffers↗

PubMed2004

Inhibition of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 tat-trans-activation-responsive region interaction by an antiviral quinolone derivative.

WM5, a 6-aminoquinolone derivative, binds with high affinity to the bulge of the trans-activation-responsive region (TAR), whereas it displays low binding affinity for the loop and stem regions of TAR and for random RNA and DNA sequences. Furthermore, WM5 disrupts the natural protein-nucleic acid complex with a 50% inhibitory concentration in the low micromolar range in both in vitro and in vivo assays.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

PubMed2004

Antiviral properties of quinolone-based drugs.

Quinolones represent an important class of broad-spectrum antibacterials, the main structural features of which are a 1,4 dihydro-4-oxo-quinolinyl moiety bearing an essential carboxyl group at position 3. Quinolones inhibit prokaryotic type II topoisomerases, namely DNA gyrase and, in a few cases, topoisomerase IV, through direct binding to the bacterial chromosome. Based on the hypothesis that these drugs could also bind to the viral nucleic acids or nucleoprotein-complexes, several quinolone derivatives were tested for their antiviral activity. Indeed, antibacterial fluoroquinolones were shown to be effective against vaccinia virus and papovaviruses; these preliminary results prompted the synthesis of modified quinolones to optimize antiviral action and improve selectivity index. The introduction of an aryl group at the piperazine moiety of the fluoroquinolone shifted the activity from antibacterial to antiviral, with a specific action against HIV. The antiviral activity seemed to be related to an inhibitory effect at the transcriptional level, and further evidence suggested a mechanism of action mediated by inhibition of Tat functions. Substitution of the fluorine at position 6 with an amine group to give aryl-piperazinyl-6-amino-quinolones improved the activity and selectivity against HIV-1: the most potent compound of this series was shown to inhibit virus replication through interference with Tat-TAR interaction. A comprehensive SAR investigation was performed based on additional chemical intervention to the quinolone template moiety, such as the introduction of nucleoside derivative functions. The information gained so far will be useful for future rational drug design aimed at developing new compounds with optimized antiviral activity.

Animals↗

PubMed2004

Anticancer agents: towards the future.

A major need in cancer chemotherapy is the availability of cancer cell-specific drugs. This paper discusses recent advances and perspectives in the field of selective drug recognition considering the key targets tyrosine kinases, DNA-topoisomerases and telomerase.

Antineoplastic Agents↗

PubMed2004

Development of DNA topoisomerase-related therapeutics: a short perspective of new challenges.

Antitumor agents targeting DNA and DNA-associated processes are widely used in the treatment of human cancers and produce significant increases in the survival of patients. DNA topoisomerases remain the most significant target of these cytotoxic drugs and constitute a growing family of nuclear enzymes that regulate DNA topology during DNA replication and recombination, DNA transcription, chromosome condensation-decondensation and segregation. Major progress has been attained in recent years in the understanding of the structures of these enzymes and their main cellular functions, hopefully providing new opportunities for pharmacological interventions. New leads and derivatives of known structures have been reported recently, and here they will be discussed highlighting the challenges to find innovative and more effective drugs. Moreover, we will review novel and diverse approaches relevant to the development of new topoisomerase-related therapeutics.

Animals↗

PubMed2004

Antitumor potential of aza-bioisosterism in anthracenedione-based drugs.

Aza-bioisosteres of anthracene-9,10-diones and of anthrapyrazoles comprise an innovative class of anticancer compounds. They are formally derived by introduction of one or more nitrogens into the carbocyclic ring system of the parent drugs. Bioisosteres exhibit extensive changes in the physico-chemical properties and in the interactions with the pharmacological targets, DNA and DNA-topoisomerase II, when compared to the carbocyclic analogues. A favourable spectrum of activity, reduced side effects and a unique tropism for solid tumors make the new derivatives a very interesting family of drugs. In particular, a 2-aza-anthracene-9,10-dione and a 9-aza-anthrapyrazole derivative are presently undergoing advanced clinical trials and appear to be promising in view of their approval as anticancer drugs.

Animals↗