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Currently available chemotherapeutic drugs against hematological malignancies have several adverse effects and are associated with high mortality rates. Thus, in this study we evaluated the cytotoxic effect of 26 new sulfonamide derivatives on acute leukemia and multiple myeloma cells in order to try to discover a new selective and safe compound that might be used as a prototype for new chemotherapeutic agents. The most cytotoxic compound, DFS16, reduced the cell viability of K562, Jurkat and MM.1S cells in a concentration- and time- dependent manner and it was significantly less cytotoxic to non-tumor cells. On acute leukemia cells, sulfonamide DFS16 activated intrinsic and extrinsic apoptosis with Bax/Bcl-2 inversion, increased FasR expression and ΔΨm loss. In K562, DFS16 induced apoptosis by caspase-3 activation, while in Jurkat, it induced AIF release and caspase-3 independent apoptosis. In multiple myeloma, DFS16 induced cell cycle arrest at the G2/M phase and apoptosis with ΔΨm loss. Altogether, the results suggest that the new sulfonamide derivative DFS16 induces apoptotic-like cell death in acute leukemia and multiple myeloma cells. DFS16 is a promising new molecule that could be used as a prototype for the development of chemotherapeutics against hematological malignancies.

Malignant neoplasms are one of the leading causes of death worldwide and hematologic malignancies, including acute leukemia (AL) is one of the most relevant cancer types. Current available chemotherapeutics are associated with high morbidity and mortality rates, therefore, the search for new molecules with antitumor activity, specific and selective for neoplastic cells, became a great challenge for researchers in the oncology field. As pyrazolines stand out in the literature for their great variety of biological activities, the aim of this study was to synthesize and evaluate the antileukemic activity of five new pyrazoline derivatives. All pyrazolines showed adequate physicochemical properties for a good oral bioavailability. The two unpublished and most effective pyrazoline derivatives have been selected for further experiments. These compounds are highly selective for leukemic cells when compared to non-neoplastic cells and did not cause lysis on human red blood cells. Additionally, selected pyrazolines induced cell cycle arrest at G0/G1 phase and decreased cell proliferation marker KI67. Apoptotic cell death induced by selected pyrazolines was confirmed by morphological analysis, assessment of phosphatidylserine residue exposure and DNA fragmentation. Several factors indicate that both intrinsic and extrinsic apoptosis occurred. These were: increased FasR expression; the predominance of Bax in relation to Bcl-2; the loss of mitochondrial membrane potential; AIF release; decreased expression of survivin (an antiapoptotic protein); and the activation of caspase-3. The selected pyrazolines were also found to be cytotoxic against neoplastic cells collected from the peripheral blood and bone marrow of patients with different subtypes of acute leukemia.

Identification of allosteric inhibitors of PTPs has attracted great interest as a new strategy to overcome the challenge of discover potent and selective molecules for therapeutic intervention. YopH is a virulence factor of the genus Yersinia, validated as an antimicrobial target. The finding of a second substrate binding site in YopH has revealed a putative allosteric site that could be further exploited. Novel chalcone compounds that inhibit PTPs activity were designed and synthesized. Compound 3j was the most potent inhibitor, interestingly, with different mechanisms of inhibition for the panel of enzymes evaluated. Further, our results showed that compound 3j is an irreversible non-competitive inhibitor of YopH that binds to a site different than the catalytic site, but close to the well-known second binding site of YopH.

Aim: Investigate the apoptotic mechanisms of two new aldehyde biphenyl chalcones on leukemia cells. Materials & methods: From a series of 71 new chalcones, we selected the two most cytotoxic. Results: JA3 and JA7 were cytotoxic not only against hematological malignancies but also against solid tumor and cancer stem cells, yet with no toxicity to normal cells. Moreover, they induced immunogenic apoptotic-like cell death independently of promyelocytic leukemia protein, with extensive mitochondrial damages downstream of endoplasmic reticulum stress. Preventing endoplasmic reticulum stress and the upregulation of proapoptotic machinery inhibited JA3- and JA7-induced cell death. Likewise, blocking receptor Fas protected cells from killing. They increased the antileukemic effect of cytarabine and vincristine and killed leukemic cells collected from patients with different acute leukemia subtypes. Conclusion: JA3 and JA7 represent new promising prototypes for the development of new chemotherapeutics.

Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) protein tyrosine phosphatases A and B (PtpA and PtpB) have been recognized as potential molecular targets for the development of new therapeutic strategies against tuberculosis (TB). In this context, we have recently reported that the naturally occurring Diels-Alder-type adduct Kuwanol E is an inhibitor of PtpB (Ki = 1.6 ± 0.1 μM). Here, we describe additional Diels-Alder-type adducts isolated from Morus nigra roots bark that inhibit PtpB at sub-micromolar concentrations. The two most potent compounds, namely Kuwanon G and Kuwanon H, showed Ki values of 0.39 ± 0.27 and 0.20 ± 0.01 μM, respectively, and interacted with the active site of the enzyme as suggested by kinetics and mass spectrometry studies. Molecular docking coupled with intrinsic fluorescence analysis and isothermal titration calorimetry (ITC) further characterized the interaction of these promising PtpB inhibitors. Notably, in an Mtb survival assay inside macrophages, Kuwanon G showed inhibition of Mtb growth by 61.3%. All these results point to the common Diels-Alder-type adduct scaffold, and highlight its relevance for the development of PtpB inhibitors as candidate therapeutics for TB.

Chalcones are natural compounds described in the literature by its several properties including cytotoxic activity against several tumor types. Considering that the search for new chemotherapeutic agents is still necessary, the aim of this study was to investigate the cytotoxic mechanisms involved in cell death induced by a synthetic chalcone (A23) on different tumor cells. Chalcone A23 reduced the cell viability of twelve tumor cell lines in a concentration and time dependent manner and it was more cytotoxic against acute leukemia cells. Interestingly, the compound was non cytotoxic to normal cells and non-hemolytic to normal red blood cells. Chalcone A23 decreased the expression of cell proliferation marker KI-67 and blocked the G2/M phase in both K562 and Jurkat cell lines. Cells treated with A23 showed morphological features suggestive of apoptosis, the "latter pattern" in agarose gel, the externalization of phosphatidylserine and caspase-3 and PARP cleavage. Chalcone A23 significantly reduced the mitochondrial membrane potential, decreased the expression of anti-apoptotic proteins Bcl-2 and survivin and increased the expression of pro-apoptotic protein Bax, confirming the involvement of the intrinsic pathway. The increased mitochondrial permeability resulted in the release of AIF, cytochrome c and endonuclease G from the mitochondria to the cytosol. In addition, chalcone A23 increased the expression of FasR and induced Bid cleavage, showing the involvement of the extrinsic pathway. Finally, chalcone A23 seems to have a synergic effect with the chemotherapy drugs cytarabine and vincristine. These results suggest that A23 is an interesting compound with strong and selective anti-tumor activity.

In this study, we assessed the cytotoxic effect of synthetic 2′,4′,5′-trimethoxychalcones on the human K562 acute myeloid leukemia cell and human Jurkat acute lymphoid leukemia cell. Compounds 13, 16, 19, and 26 showed low IC50 values (4.10–8.56 μM at 72 h) for both cell lines and did not have a cytotoxic effect on normal human lymphocytes. The mechanism of cell death induced by these compounds involves a decrease in the expression of cell proliferation marker Ki67, suggesting inhibition of cell proliferation. Furthermore, these chalcones reduced mitochondrial potential, decreased Bcl-2 expression, and increased Bax expression, indicating that the mechanism of apoptosis induced by them involves the intrinsic apoptosis pathway. The mechanism of action also involves increase in active caspase-3 and decrease in survivin expression. These results support the chalcones as potential antitumoral agents for further optimization.

Potent ABCG2 inhibitors were recently identified as asymmetric chromones with different types of substituents. We here synthesized symmetric bis-chalcones that were differently substituted and screened for their ability to inhibit mitoxantrone efflux from ABCG2-transfected HEK293 cells. Potent bis-chalcone inhibitors were identified, the efficiency depending on both position of the central ketone groups and the number and positions of lateral methoxy substituents. The best derivative, namely, 1p, was selective for ABCG2 over P-glycoprotein and MRP1, appeared not to be transported by ABCG2, and was at least as active on various drug-selected cancer cells overexpressing ABCG2. Compound 1p stimulated the ABCG2 basal ATPase activity by contrast to a chromone lead that inhibited it, suggesting different mechanisms of interaction. Combination of both types of inhibitors produced synergistic effects, leading to complete inhibition at very low concentrations.

New unconventional approaches to the development of antimicrobial drugs must target inhibition of infection stages leading to host colonisation or virulence itself, rather than bacterial viability. Amongst the most promising unconventional targets for the development of new antimicrobial drugs is bacterial adherence and biofilm formation as well as their control system, the quorum-sensing (QS) system, a mechanism of communication used to co-ordinate bacterial activities. Here we describe the evaluation of synthetic organic compounds as bacterial biofilm inhibitors against a panel of clinically relevant Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacterial strains. This approach has successfully allowed the identification of five compounds (GEt, GHex, GOctad, G19 and C33) active not only against bacterial biofilms but also displaying potential to be used as antagonists and/or inhibitors of bacterial QS.

Alternaria brown spot (ABS), caused by the fungus Alternaria alternata pathotype tangerine, is one of the main phytosanitary problems for mandarin growers. About 15 applications per year of harmful fungicides are required for controlling ABS disease in citrus orchards. As chalcones seem to be less toxic to humans and environment than the commercial fungicides in use, this study initially aimed at synthesizing 137 chalcones through aldolic condensations between benzaldehydes and acetophenones. The resulting chalcones were screened for activity against A. altern ata through a fungal growth assay that was carried out in 96-cell polypropylene plates, using the same concentration to all studied substances. The four active chalcones underwent conidia germination and mycelial growth, which confirmed the antifungal activity of the compounds. These chalcones were then poured onto Murcott tangor fruit that had been inoculated with conidia of the fungus. All four chalcones reduced the ABS progress to values significantly smaller (P≤0.05) than that observed for the control. Statistical calculations showed that the best results were afforded by two compounds, bearing a 2,4,5-trimethoxyphenyl group at position 3 of prop-2-enal and a 3-nitro- or 3-hydroxyphenyl group at position 1 of the aldehyde. Such compounds reduced the incidence of the disease in Murcott tangor fruit to values that did not differ statistically from those obtained with a commercial fungicide.

We have previously reported the cytotoxic effects of chalcone A1, derived from 1-naphthaldehyde, in leukemia cell lines. On the basis of these findings, the main aim of this study was to elucidate some of the molecular mechanisms involved in apoptosis induced by chalcone A1 toward K562 and Jurkat cells. In both cell lines, chalcone A1 decreased the mitochondrial membrane potential, increased the expression of Bax proapoptotic protein, and decreased the expression of Bcl-2 antiapoptotic protein (resulting in the inversion of the Bcl-2/Bax ratio), which indicates the involvement of the intrinsic pathway. In addition, chalcone A1 increased the expression of FasR in Jurkat cells, which also indicates the involvement of the extrinsic pathway in this cell line. The results also showed an increased expression of effector caspase-3 and cleaved PARP-1 and a decreased expression of IAP protein survivin, which are consistent with apoptotic cell death. The decreased expression of Ki67 suggests that the mechanism involved in cell death induced by chalcone A1 also involves a decrease in cell proliferation. In ex-vivo experiments, chalcone A1 reduced the cell viability of blast cells collected from eight patients with different types of acute leukemia, confirming the cytotoxicity results found in vitro. The results obtained so far are very promising and further studies need to be carried out so that chalcone A1 can be used as a prototype for the development of new antileukemia agents.

An altered form of the cellular prion protein, the PrPScor PrPRes, is implicated in the occurrence of the still untreatable transmissible spongiform encephalopathies. We have previously synthesized and characterized aromatic compounds that inhibit protease-resistant prion protein (PrPRes) accumulation in scrapie-infected cells. These compounds belong to different chemical classes, including acylhydrazones, chalcones and oxadiazoles. Some of the active compounds were non-toxic to neuroblastoma cells in culture and seem to possess drugable properties, since they are in agreement with the Lipinski´s rule of 5 and present desirable pharmacokinetic profiles as predicted in silico. Before the evaluation of the in vivo efficacy of the aromatic compounds in scrapie-infected mice, safety assessment in healthy mice is needed. Here we used Swiss mice to evaluate the acute toxicity profile of the six most promising anti-prionic compounds, the 2,4,5-trimethoxychalcones (J1, J8, J20 and J35) and the 1,3,4-oxadiazoles (Y13 and Y17). One single oral administration (300 mg/kg) of J1, J8, J20, J35, Y13 and Y17 or repeated intraperitoneal administration (10 mg/kg, 3 times a week, for 4 weeks) of J1, J8 and J35, did not elicit toxicity in mice. We strongly believe that the investigated trimethoxychalcones and oxadiazoles are interesting compounds to be further analyzed in vivo against prion diseases. Uma forma alterada da proteína prion celular, a PrPSc ou PrPRes, está envolvida na ocorrência das encefalopatias espongiformes transmissíveis. Nós sintetizamos e caracterizamos previamente compostos aromáticos que inibem o acúmulo da proteína prion resistente a proteases (PrPRes) em células infectadas com prion scrapie. Estes compostos pertencem a diferentes classes químicas, incluindo acilhidrazonas, chalconas e oxadiazóis. Alguns dos compostos ativos não apresentaram toxicidade para células de neuroblastoma em cultura e parecem apresentar propriedades de fármacos, uma vez que todos obedecem aos 5 quesitos da regra de Lipinski e apresentam perfil farmacocinético desejável, como predito in silico. Antes de avaliar a eficácia in vivodos compostos aromáticos em camundongos infectados com prion scrapie, é necessário estimar sua segurança em camundongos saudáveis. Neste trabalho nós utilizamos camundongos Suíços para avaliar o perfil de toxicidade aguda dos seis compostos mais promissores, as 2,4,5-trimetoxichalconas (J1, J8, J20 e J35) e os 1,3,4-oxadiazóis (Y13 e Y17). Administração oral em dose única (300 mg/kg) de J1, J8, J20, J35, Y13 e Y17 ou administração repetida via intraperitoneal (10 mg/kg, 3 vezes por semana, por 4 semanas) de J1, J8 e J35, não geraram toxicidade nos camundongos. Nós acreditamos fortemente que as trimetoxichalconas e os oxadiazóis investigados são compostos interessantes para serem futuramente avaliados in vivo contra as doenças causadas por prions.

YopH tyrosine phosphatase, a virulence factor produced by pathogenic species of Yersinia, is an attractive drug target. In this work, three oxidovanadium(IV) complexes were assayed against recombinant YopH and showed strong inhibition of the enzyme in the nanomolar range. Molecular modeling indicated that their binding is reinforced by H-bond, cation−π, and π–π interactions conferring specificity toward YopH. These complexes are thus interesting lead molecules for phosphatase inhibitor drug discovery.

Glioblastoma multiforme is the main and most frequent tumor in adults' central nervous system. With a survival average of 5% two years after diagnosis, this type of cancer is a main health problem. Substances like the chalcones have been tested in order to develop new treatments. Here, we studied the effects of three synthetic chalcones (A23, C31 and J11) on A172 and surgery obtained-glioma cells. All chalcones showed a decrease in cell viability, mainly C31. An increase in apoptosis levels with no further increase of necrosis was observed. This augmentation may be linked to the high oxidative effect found, caused by the increased presence of reactive oxygen species and nitric oxide production. Cell cycle distribution showed an arrest at G0/G1 and S phases, suggesting that C31 interferes in cell cycle control. Our results shall aid in directing future research with this substance and its antitumor effect.

Falcipain-2 (FP-2) is a key cysteine protease from the malaria parasite Plasmodium falciparum. Many previous studies have identified FP-2 inhibitors; however, none has yet met the criteria for an antimalarial drug candidate. In this work, we assayed an in-house library of non-peptidic organic compounds, including (E)-chalcones, (E)-N'-benzylidene-benzohydrazides and alkyl-esters of gallic acid, and assessed the activity toward FP-2 and their mechanisms of inhibition. The (E)-chalcones 48, 54 and 66 showed the lowest IC50 values (8.5±0.8μM, 9.5±0.2μM and 4.9±1.3μM, respectively). The best inhibitor (compound 66) demonstrated non-competitive inhibition, and using mass spectrometry and fluorescence spectroscopy assays, we suggest a potential allosteric site for the interaction of this compound, located between the catalytic site and the hemoglobin binding arm in FP-2. We combined structural biology tools and mass spectrometry to characterize the inhibition mechanisms of novel compounds targeting FP-2. Fil: Bertoldo, Jean Borges. Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina; Brasil Fil: Chiaradia Delatorre, Louise Domeneghini. Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina; Brasil Fil: Mascarello, Alessandra. Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina; Brasil Fil: Leal, Paulo César. Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina; Brasil Fil: Sechini Cordeiro, Marlon Norberto. Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina; Brasil Fil: Nunes, Ricardo José. Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina; Brasil Fil: Salas Sarduy, Emir. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentina. Universidad de La Habana; Cuba Fil: Rosenthal, Philip Jon. University of California; Estados Unidos Fil: Terenzi, Hernán. Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina; Brasil

Parasitic diseases are a major cause of mortality in many tropical countries, affecting hundreds of millions people, mostly associated with poor socioeconomic and hygienic environment. Diseases caused by species of the genera Trypanosoma (Human African Trypanosomiasis and Chagas disease), Plasmodium species (malaria), and Leishmania (various forms of leishmaniasis) are among the 17 “neglected tropical diseases” (NTDs) defined as such by the World Health Organization, due to the lack of enough financial investment into research and development of new drugs by most of the pharmaceutical industry and neglect of public awareness in high-income countries. Existing therapies suffer from various deficiencies, namely, high degree of toxicity and unwanted effects, limited availability and affordability, and/or problematic application under the life conditions of affected populations. Development of new, safe, and affordable drugs is therefore an urgent need. Many well-known drugs listed in the modern pharmacopoeia have their origins in nature, including, for example, quinine from the bark of the Cinchona tree for the treatment of malaria, which has been followed by the subsequent development of the synthetic derivatives chloroquine, amodiaquine, primaquine, and mefloquine. Similarly, the potent antimalarial activity of artemisinin from the herb Artemisia annua is currently used as an alternative to chloroquinine in China against resistant strains of Plasmodium and also investigated in the United States by the military forces, since malaria can quickly debilitate troops. Besides, artemisinin has led current research to focus on the development of a large number of synthetic and semisynthetic compounds, which are more active than artemisinin. In this regard, our research group has been working on chalcones derivatives as inhibitors of Mycobacterium tuberculosis (tuberculosis), Trypanosoma cruzi, and Leishmania spp., with some patents been issued [Brazil PI 0204079-4 (2004)] because of the positive effects found for the treatment of those NTDs. In this chapter, a comprehensive list of medicinal plants, marine organisms, and other natural products that have shown activity against the etiologic agents and vectors/hosts (mainly to dengue and shistosomiasis) of NTDs is provided. Also emphasis on recent developments in groups of medicinally important natural products, particularly with reference to the structure–activity studies, will be given.

Tubulin-interacting agents, like vinca alkaloid and taxanes, play a fundamental role in cancer chemotherapy, making cellular microtubules (MT), one of the few validated anticancer targets. Cancer resistance to classical MT inhibitors has motivated the development of novel molecules with increased efficacy and lower toxicity. Aiming at designing structurally-simple inhibitors of MT assembly, we synthesized a series of thirty-one 3,4,5-trimethoxy-hydrazones and twenty-five derivatives or analogs. Docking simulations suggested that a representative N-acylhydrazone could adopt an appropriate stereochemistry inside the colchicine-binding domain of tubulin. Several of these compounds showed anti-leukemia effects in the nanomolar concentration range. Interference with MT polymerization was validated by the compounds' ability to inhibit MT assembly at the biochemical and cellular level. Selective toxicity investigations done with the most potent compound, a 3,4,5-trimethoxy-hydrazone with a 1-naphthyl group, showed remarkably selective toxicity against leukemia cells in comparison with stimulated normal lymphocytes, and no acute toxicity in vivo. Finally, this molecule was as active as vincristine in a murine model of human acute lymphoblastic leukemia at a weekly dose of 1 mg/kg.

Several obstacles are encountered in conventional chemotherapy, such as drug toxicity and poor stability. Nanotechnology is envisioned as a strategy to overcome these effects and to improve anticancer therapy. Nanoemulsions comprise submicron emulsions composed of biocompatible lipids, and present a large surface area revealing interesting physical properties. Chalcones are flavonoid precursors, and have been studied as cytotoxic drugs for leukemia cells that induce cell death by different apoptosis pathways. In this study, we encapsulated chalcones in a nanoemulsion and compared their effect with the respective free compounds in leukemia and in non-tumoral cell lines, as well as in an in vivo model. Free and loaded-nanoemulsion chalcones induced a similar anti-leukemic effect. Free chalcones induced higher toxicity in VERO cells than chalcones-loaded nanoemulsions. Similar results were observed in vivo. Free chalcones induced a reduction in weight gain and liver injuries, evidenced by oxidative stress, as well as an inflammatory response. Considering the high toxicity and the side effects induced generally by all cancer chemotherapies, nanotechnology provides some options for improving patients’ life quality and/or increasing survival rates.

Evelyn Winter,1,2,* Gustavo Jabor Gozzi,1,3,* Louise Domeneghini Chiaradia-Delatorre,4 Nathalia Daflon-Yunes,1 Raphael Terreux,5 Charlotte Gauthier,1 Alessandra Mascarello,4 Paulo César Leal,4 Silvia M Cadena,3 Rosendo Augusto Yunes,4 Ricardo José Nunes,4 Tania Beatriz Creczynski-Pasa,2 Attilio Di Pietro1 1Equipe Labellisée Ligue 2013, Université Lyon 1, Institut de Biologie et Chimie des Protéines, Lyon, France; 2Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Federal University of Santa Catarina, Florianopolis, Brazil; 3Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Federal University of Paraná, Curitiba, Brazil; 4Department of Chemistry, Federal University of Santa Catarina, Florianopolis, Brazil; 5Bioinformatique structures et interactions, Université Lyon 1, Institut de Biologie et Chimie des Protéines, Lyon, France *These authors contributed equally to this work Abstract: A series of chalcones substituted by a quinoxaline unit at the B-ring were synthesized and tested as inhibitors of breast cancer resistance protein-mediated mitoxantrone efflux. These compounds appeared more efficient than analogs containing other B-ring substituents such as 2-naphthyl or 3,4-methylenedioxyphenyl while an intermediate inhibitory activity was obtained with a 1-naphthyl group. In all cases, two or three methoxy groups had to be present on the phenyl A-ring to produce a maximal inhibition. Molecular modeling indicated both electrostatic and steric positive contributions. A higher potency was observed when the 2-naphthyl or 3,4-methylenedioxyphenyl group was shifted to the A-ring and methoxy substituents were shifted to the phenyl B-ring, indicating preferences among polyspecificity of inhibition. Keywords: ABC transporters, breast cancer resistance protein (BCRP)/ABCG2, quinoxaline derivatives, structure–activity relationships, drug efflux

YopH plays a relevant role in three pathogenic species of Yersinia. Due to its importance in the prevention of the inflammatory response of the host, this enzyme has become a valid target for the identification and development of new inhibitors. In this work, an in-house library of 283 synthetic compounds was assayed against recombinant YopH from Yersinia enterocolitica. From these, four chalcone derivatives and one sulfonamide were identified for the first time as competitive inhibitors of YopH with binding affinity in the low micromolar range. Molecular modeling investigations indicated that the new inhibitors showed similar binding modes, establishing polar and hydrophobic contacts with key residues of the YopH binding site.

Protein tyrosine phosphatase B (PtpB) is one of the virulence factors secreted into the host cell by Mycobacterium tuberculosis. PtpB attenuates host immune defenses by interfering with signal transduction pathways in macrophages and, therefore, it is considered a promising target for the development of novel anti-tuberculosis drugs. Here we report the discovery of natural compound inhibitors of PtpB among an in house library of more than 800 natural substances by means of a multidisciplinary approach, mixing in silico screening with enzymatic and kinetics studies and MS assays. Six natural compounds proved to inhibit PtpB at low micromolar concentrations (< 30 µM) with Kuwanol E being the most potent with K i = 1.6 ± 0.1 µM. To the best of our knowledge, Kuwanol E is the most potent natural compound PtpB inhibitor reported so far, as well as it is the first non-peptidic PtpB inhibitor discovered from natural sources. Compounds herein identified may inspire the design of novel specific PtpB inhibitors.

The prion protein (PrP) is implicated in the Transmissible Spongiform Encephalopathies (TSEs), which comprise a group of fatal neurodegenerative diseases affecting humans and other mammals. Conversion of cellular PrP (PrP(C)) into the scrapie form (PrP(Sc)) is the hallmark of TSEs. Once formed, PrP(Sc) aggregates and catalyzes PrP(C) misfolding into new PrP(Sc) molecules. Although many compounds have been shown to inhibit the conversion process, so far there is no effective therapy for TSEs. Besides, most of the previously evaluated compounds failed in vivo due to poor pharmacokinetic profiles. In this work we propose a combined in vitro/in silico approach to screen for active anti-prion compounds presenting acceptable drugability and pharmacokinetic parameters. A diverse panel of aromatic compounds was screened in neuroblastoma cells persistently infected with PrP(Sc) (ScN2a) for their ability to inhibit PK-resistant PrP (PrP(Res)) accumulation. From ∼200 compounds, 47 were effective in decreasing the accumulation of PrP(Res) in ScN2a cells. Pharmacokinetic and physicochemical properties were predicted in silico, allowing us to obtain estimates of relative blood brain barrier permeation and mutagenicity. MTT reduction assays showed that most of the active compounds were non cytotoxic. Compounds that cleared PrP(Res) from ScN2a cells, were non-toxic in the MTT assay, and presented a good pharmacokinetic profile were investigated for their ability to inhibit aggregation of an amyloidogenic PrP peptide fragment (PrP(109-149)). Molecular docking results provided structural models and binding affinities for the interaction between PrP and the most promising compounds. In summary, using this combined in vitro/in silico approach we have identified new small organic anti-scrapie compounds that decrease the accumulation of PrP(Res) in ScN2a cells, inhibit the aggregation of a PrP peptide, and possess pharmacokinetic characteristics that support their drugability. These compounds are attractive candidates for prion disease therapy.

Luciana Pereira Rangel,1,2,* Evelyn Winter,1,3,* Charlotte Gauthier,1 Raphaël Terreux,4 Louise D Chiaradia-Delatorre,5 Alessandra Mascarello,5 Ricardo J Nunes,5 Rosendo A Yunes,5 Tania B Creczynski-Pasa,3 Sira Macalou,1 Doriane Lorendeau,1 Hélène Baubichon-Cortay,1 Antonio Ferreira-Pereira,2 Attilio Di Pietro11Equipe Labellisée Ligue 2013, BMSSI UMR 5086 CNRS/Université Lyon 1, Institut de Biologie et Chimie des Protéines, Lyon, France; 2Department of General Microbiology, Institute of Microbiology, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil; 3Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, PPGFAR, Federal University of Santa Catarina, Florianopolis, Santa Catarina, Brazil; 4Equipe BISI, BMSSI UMR 5086 CNRS/Université Lyon 1, Institut de Biologie et Chimie des Protéines, Lyon, France; 5Department of Chemistry, Federal University of Santa Catarina, Florianopolis, Santa Catarina, Brazil*These authors contributed equally to this workAbstract: Adenosine triphosphate-binding cassette subfamily G member 2 (ABCG2) plays a major role in cancer cell multidrug resistance, which contributes to low efficacy of chemotherapy. Chalcones were recently found to be potent and specific inhibitors, but unfortunately display a significant cytotoxicity. A cellular screening against ABCG2-mediated mitoxantrone efflux was performed here by flow cytometry on 54 chalcone derivatives from three different series with a wide panel of substituents. The identified leads, with submicromolar IC50 (half maximal inhibitory concentration) values, showed that the previously identified 2'-OH-4',6'-dimethoxyphenyl, as A-ring, could be efficiently replaced by a 2'-naphthyl group, or a 3',4'-methylenedioxyphenyl with lower affinity. Such a structural variability indicates polyspecificity of the multidrug transporter for inhibitors. At least two methoxyl groups were necessary on B-ring for optimal inhibition, but substitution at positions 3, 4, and 5 induced cytotoxicity. The presence of a large O-benzyl substituent at position 4 and a 2'-naphthyl as A-ring markedly decreased the cytotoxicity, giving a high therapeutic ratio, which constitutes a critical requirement for future in-vivo assays in animal models.Keywords: ABC transporters, BCRP/ABCG2, cancer chemotherapy, drug transport, inhibitory chalcone derivatives, multidrug resistance transporters.