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A new class of antimitotic agents, derivatives of 2-styrylquinazolin-4(3H)-one (SQZ), was recently described [J. Med. Chem. 33:1721-1728 (1990)]. Because they appeared to interact at a new ligand binding site on tubulin, we attempted to determine their mechanism of action as inhibitors of tubulin polymerization. Although in initial studies inhibition of colchicine binding was negligible, substantial and competitive inhibition of this reaction could be demonstrated with very short incubation times (less than 5 min), provided that a relatively low colchicine to tubulin ratio was used. The initial apparent failure to inhibit colchicine binding resulted from extremely rapid binding to tubulin and dissociation from tubulin by the SQZ derivatives, in comparison with the slow, temperature-dependent, poorly reversible binding of colchicine. The most inhibitory of the SQZ derivatives in the colchicine binding assay was 6-methyl-2-styrylquinazolin-4(3H)-one (NSC 379310), and its interaction with tubulin, particularly as an inhibitor of colchicine binding, was compared with that of 2-methoxy-5-(2',3',4'-trimethoxyphenyl)tropone (MTPT), because the binding parameters of MTPT with tubulin have been well described. The data indicate that NSC 379310 binds to tubulin and dissociates from the protein about 3 times as rapidly as MTPT. The other SQZ derivatives with equal or greater potency as inhibitors of tubulin polymerization but apparently less potency as inhibitors of colchicine binding presumably bind to and/or dissociate from tubulin even more rapidly than does NSC 379310.

Derivatives of 6-benzyl-1,3-benzodioxole are known to bind to tubulin and inhibit tubulin polymerization. For a better understanding of the mechanism of action of the 6-benzyl-1,3-benzodioxole derivatives, we have examined their effect on the alkylation of tubulin sulfhydryls by iodo[14C]acetamide and N,N'-ethylene(bis)iodoacetamide. We have found that the 6-benzyl-1,3-benzodioxole derivatives with an intact dioxole ring affect alkylation to an extent proportional to their ability to inhibit tubulin polymerization. Those derivatives with the strongest resemblance to podophyllotoxin have the weakest effects. However, derivatives with a disrupted dioxole ring show little or no ability to inhibit polymerization, but their effect on alkylation is directly related to the degree of resemblance they bear to the trimethoxy ring of podophyllotoxin. It thus appears that the relatively simple approach of using alkylating agents can generate a significant amount of information on the mechanism by which various drugs interact with tubulin.