Amino Acid/Spermine Conjugates: Polyamine Amides as Potent Spermidine Uptake Inhibitors
作者:Mark R. Burns、C. Lance Carlson、Scott M. Vanderwerf、Josh R. Ziemer、Reitha S. Weeks、Feng Cai、Heather K. Webb、Gerard F. Graminski
DOI:10.1021/jm0101040
日期:2001.10.1
In this paper we describe the synthesis and characterization of a series of simple spermine/amino acid conjugates, some of which potently inhibit the uptake of spermidine into MDAMB-231 breast cancer cells. The presence of an amide in the functionalized polyamine appeared to add to the affinity for the polyamine transporter. The extensive biological characterization of an especially potent analogue from this series, the Lys-Spm conjugate (31), showed this molecule will be an extremely useful tool for use in polyamine research. It was shown that the use of 31 in combination with DFMO led to a cytostatic growth inhibition of a variety of cancer cells, even when used in the presence of an extracellular source of transportable spermidine. It was furthermore shown that this combination effectively reduced the cellular levels of putrescine and spermidine while not affecting the levels of spermine. These facts together with the nontoxic nature of 31 make it a novel lead for further anticancer development.
Enzymatic coupling of α,α-dialkyl amino acids using inverse substrates as acyl donors
Two series of inverse substrates, N-alpha-Boc-alpha,alpha-dialkyl amino acid p-guanidino- and p-(guanidinomethyl)phenyl esters, were prepared as acyl donor components for enzymatic peptide synthesis. They were found to be readily coupled with amino acid p-nitroanilide to produce peptide. Streptomyces griseus trypsin was a more efficient catalyst than bovine trypsin. (C) 1997 Elsevier Science Ltd.