Joaquín M Campos

University of Granada, Granada, Andalusia, Spain

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Publications (30)98.4 Total impact

  • Article: The selective cytotoxic activity in breast cancer cells by an anthranilic alcohol-derived acyclic 5-fluorouracil O,N-acetal is mediated by endoplasmic reticulum stress-induced apoptosis.
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    ABSTRACT: Advance in the knowledge of molecular biology has thrown light on many aspects of apoptosis regulation mechanisms. This has allowed a change in anti-cancer therapy trends, from classic cytotoxic strategies to the development of new non-harmful therapies which target the apoptosis response selectively only in tumour cells. We have selected an anthranilic alcohol-derived acyclic 5-fluorouracil O,N-acetal (5) to carry out the anti-cancer studies. This compound shows activity as a potent growth inhibitor of the tumour cell line MCF-7 at a very low concentration. Moreover, when this compound was administered to the non-neoplastic cell line, MCF-10A displayed less toxicity resulting in lower rates of apoptosis. Further studies by microarray hybridization, real-time PCR and western blot showed that when administered to human breast cancer cells, MCF-7, 5 had no activity against classic pro-apoptotic genes such as p53, and even induced the down-regulation of anti-apoptotic genes such as Bcl-2. In contrast, several pro-apoptotic genes related with the endoplasmic reticulum (ER)-stress-induced apoptosis, such as BBC3 and Noxa, appeared up-regulated. These results seem to show that the mechanism of action and selectivity of 5 was via the activation of the ER stress-induced apoptosis. The selective activity of this compound against tumour cells via the ER stress-induced apoptosis supposes a great advantage for future therapeutic use.
    European journal of medicinal chemistry 02/2012; 50:376-82. · 3.27 Impact Factor
  • Article: Two tautomeric polymorphs of 2,6-dichloropurine.
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    ABSTRACT: Two polymorphs of 2,6-dichloropurine, C(5)H(2)Cl(2)N(4), have been crystallized and identified as the 9H- and 7H-tautomers. Despite differences in the space group and number of symmetry-independent molecules, they exhibit similar hydrogen-bonding motifs. Both crystal structures are stabilized by intermolecular N-H···N interactions that link adjacent molecules into linear chains, and by some nonbonding contacts of the C-Cl···π type and by π-π stacking interactions, giving rise to a crossed two-dimensional herringbone packing motif. The main structural difference between the two polymorphs is the different role of the molecules in the π-π stacking interactions.
    Acta crystallographica. Section C, Crystal structure communications 12/2011; 67(Pt 12):o484-6. · 0.78 Impact Factor
  • Article: Synthesis and anticancer activity of the (R,S)-benzofused 1,5-oxathiepine moiety tethered to purines through alkylidenoxy linkers.
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    ABSTRACT: Herein we report the design, synthesis, and anticancer activity of a series of substituted (R,S)-9-[2- or 3-(3,4-dihydro-2H-1,5-benzoxathiepine-3-yloxy)alkyl]-9H-purines. Derivatives with propylenoxy-linked 2',6'-dichloro- and 6'-bromopurines are more active than their respective ethylenoxy-linked purine conjugates. On the other hand, the compound with a propylenoxy-linked 6'-chloropurine is nearly equipotent to the corresponding ethylenoxy-linked conjugate. Our results show that bromo- and chloropurine-conjugated benzoxathiepines containing a propylenoxy linker are able to inhibit PI3 kinase (PI3K) phosphorylation in MCF-7 breast cancer cells, indicating that the activation of eIF2α, together with inhibition of the PI3K pathway, is the mechanism of action by which these compounds effect their antitumor activity in the MCF-7 cell line; apoptosis was induced in a p53-independent manner.
    ChemMedChem 07/2011; 6(10):1854-9. · 3.15 Impact Factor
  • Article: Anticancer activity and cDNA microarray studies of a (RS)-1,2,3,5-tetrahydro-4,1-benzoxazepine-3-yl]-6-chloro-9H-purine, and an acyclic (RS)-O,N-acetalic 6-chloro-7H-purine.
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    ABSTRACT: Completing a SAR study, a series of (RS)-6-substituted-7- or 9-(1,2,3,5-tetrahydro-4,1-benzoxazepine-3-yl)-7H or 9H-purines was previously prepared. The most potent antiproliferative agent against the MCF-7 adenocarcinoma cell line that belongs to the benzoxazepine O,N-acetalic family is (RS)-9-[1-(9H-fluorenyl-9-methoxycarbonyl)-1,2,3,5-tetrahydro-4,1-benzoxazepine-3-yl]-6-chloro-9H-purine (16, IC(50) = 0.67 ± 0.18 μM), whilst (RS)-7-{2-(N-hydroxymethylphenyl)-2-nitrobenzenesulfonamido]-1-methoxyethyl}-6-chloro-7H-purine (37) shows the lowest IC(50) value between the family of acyclic O,N-acetals (IC(50) = 3.25 ± 0.23 μM). Moreover, 16 showed the better in vitro Therapeutic Index in breast cell lines (3.19), whilst 37 was found to be 3.69-fold more active against HT-29 human colon cancer cell line than versus IEC-6 normal rat intestinal epithelial cell line. The global apoptotic cells caused by 16 and 37 against MCF-7 were 80.08% and 54.85% of cell population after 48 h, respectively. cDNA microarray technology reveals potential drug targets, which are mainly centred on positive apoptosis regulatory pathway genes, and the repression of genes involved in carcinogenesis, proliferation and tumour invasion.
    European journal of medicinal chemistry 05/2011; 46(9):3802-9. · 3.27 Impact Factor
  • Article: Synthesis and anticancer activity of (RS)-9-(2,3-dihydro-1,4-benzoxaheteroin-2-ylmethyl)-9H-purines.
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    ABSTRACT: Herein are reported the synthesis and anticancer activity against the human breast cancer cell line MCF-7 of a series of substituted (RS)-9-(2,3-dihydro-1,4-benzoxathiin-2-ylmethyl)-9H-purine derivatives and (RS)-9-(2,3-dihydro-1,4-benzodioxin-2-ylmethyl)-9H-purine derivatives. When the Mitsunobu reaction was carried out between (RS)-2,3-dihydro-1,4-benzoxathiin-3-methanol and the heterocyclic bases 6-chloro-, 2,6-dichloro, and 6-bromo-purines under microwave-assisted conditions, a formal 1,4-sulfur migration takes place through two consecutive oxyranium and episulfonium rings, giving rise to the corresponding (RS)-9-(2,3-dihydro-1,4-benzodioxin-3-ylmethyl)-9H-purine derivatives, previously reported by us. The most active compound (RS)-2,6-dichloro-9-(2,3-dihydro-1,4-benzoxathiin-2-ylmethyl)-9H-purine shows an IC(50) = 2.75 ± 0.02 μM. When the cancerous cells were treated with this compound, a significant increase of apoptotic cells (70.08 ± 0.33%) was obtained in relation to the control ones. The induction of the G(2)/M cell cycle arrest and apoptosis by the three most active compounds is associated with increased phosphorylation of eIF2α in human breast cancer cells.
    European journal of medicinal chemistry 05/2011; 46(9):3795-801. · 3.27 Impact Factor
  • Article: New (RS)-benzoxazepin-purines with antitumour activity: The chiral switch from (RS)-2,6-dichloro-9-[1-(p-nitrobenzenesulfonyl)-1,2,3,5-tetrahydro-4,1-benzoxazepin-3-yl]-9H-purine.
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    ABSTRACT: Completing an SAR study, a series of (RS)-6-substituted-7- or 9-(1,2,3,5-tetrahydro-4,1-benzoxazepine-3-yl)-7H or 9H-purines has been prepared under microwave-assisted conditions. Their antiproliferative activities on MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231 cancerous cell lines are presented, being the majority of the IC(50) values below 1μM. The most active compound (RS)-2,6-dichloro-9-[1-(p-nitrobenzenesulfonyl)-1,2,3,5-tetrahydro-4,1-benzoxazepin-3-yl]-9H-purine (14) presents an IC(50) of 0.166μM against the human cancerous cell line MDA-MB-231. Compound 14 was the most selective against the human breast adenocarcinoma MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231 cancer cell lines (Therapeutic Indexes, TIs=5.1 and 11.0, respectively) in relation to the normal one MCF-10A. (RS)-14 was resolved into its enantiomers. Both enantiomers are equally potent, but more potent than the corresponding racemic mixture. (R)-14 induces apoptosis against MCF-7 up to 52.50% of cell population after 48h, being more potent than the clinical-used drug paclitaxel (43%). (RS)-14 induces no acute toxicity in mice after two weeks of treatment.
    European journal of medicinal chemistry 01/2011; 46(1):249-58. · 3.27 Impact Factor
  • Article: Homochiral drugs: a demanding tendency of the pharmaceutical industry.
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    ABSTRACT: The issue of drug chirality is now a major theme in the design and development of new drugs, underpinned by a new understanding of the role of molecular recognition in many pharmacologically relevant events. In general, three methods are utilized for the production of a chiral drug: the chiral pool, separation of racemates, and asymmetric synthesis. Although the use of chiral drugs predates modern medicine, only since the 1980's has there been a significant increase in the development of chiral pharmaceutical drugs. An important commercial reason is that as patents on racemic drugs expire, pharmaceutical companies have the opportunity to extend patent coverage through development of the chiral switch enantiomers with desired bioactivity. Stimulated by the new policy statements issued by the regulatory agencies, the pharmaceutical industry has systematically begun to develop chiral drugs in enantiometrically enriched pure forms. This new trend has caused a tremendous change in the industrial small- and large-scale production to enantiomerically pure drugs, leading to the revisiting and updating of old technologies, and to the development of new methodologies of their large-scale preparation (as the use of stereoselective syntheses and biocatalyzed reactions). The final decision whether a given chiral drug will be marketed in an enantiomerically pure form, or as a racemic mixture of both enantiomers, will be made weighing all the medical, financial and social proficiencies of one or other form. The kinetic, pharmacological and toxicological properties of individual enantiomers need to be characterized, independently of a final decision.
    Current Medicinal Chemistry 02/2009; 16(16):2064-74. · 4.86 Impact Factor
  • Article: Acyclonucleosides, modified seco-nucleosides, and salicyl- or catechol-derived acyclic 5-fluorouracil O,N-acetals: antiproliferative activities, cellular differentiation and apoptosis.
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    ABSTRACT: The goal of cancer chemotherapy with classical drugs - the destruction of the tumor cells - is often complicated by significant toxicity. As an alternative, induced differentiation modulates the cell programme by transforming malignant cells into mature cells with no proliferative potential. Our data demonstrate that (+/-)-1-{[3-(2-hydroxyethoxy)-1-isopropoxy]propyl}-5-fluorouracil inhibits proliferation, induces myogenic differentiation, increases the expression of proteins specifically present in normally differentiated skeletal muscle cells, and modifies the adhesion capacity of these cells against the rhabdomyosarcoma cell line RD. From a designing point of view, a benzene ring was fused to the side chain in order to increase the lipophilicity and anticancer activity of our molecules. Herein we report the preparation and biological activity of three compounds having the general formula (+/-)-1-[2-(5-substituted-2-hydroxybenzyloxy)-1-methoxyethyl]-5-fluorouracils. A catechol-derived compound such as (+/-)-1-[3-(2-hydroxyphenoxy)-1-methoxypropyl]-5-fluorouracil and two salicyl-derived compounds such as (+/-)-(Z)-1-[4-(2-hydroxyphenyl)-1-methoxy-but-3-enyl]-5-fluorouracil [(Z)-43] and its dihydrogenated derivative (+/-)-1-[4-(2-hydroxyphenyl)-1-methoxybutyl]-5-fluorouracil were prepared to complete the set of six O,N-acetals. The most active compound against the MCF-7 breast cancer cell line was (+/-)-(Z)-43 with an IC(50) = 9.40 +/- 0.64 microM. Differentiated breast cancer cells generate fat deposits within the cytoplasm. The MCF-7 cells trea-ed with (+/-)-(Z)-43 caused an increase in the lipid content over control cells after 3 days of treatment. Our results suggest that there may be significant potential advantages in the use of this new differentiating agent for the treatment of breast cancer.
    Current Medicinal Chemistry 02/2009; 16(9):1166-83. · 4.86 Impact Factor
  • Article: From 5-fluorouracil acyclonucleosides to benzo-fused six- and seven-membered rings linked to pyrimidine and purine bases: the shift from differentiating anticancer agents to apoptotic inducers.
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    ABSTRACT: Background: (RS)-1-{[3-(2-Hydroxyethoxy)-1-isopropoxy]propyl}-5-fluorouracil proved to be a good differentiating agent against rhabdomyosarcoma cells. Objective: As lipophilicity is known to affect the anticancer activity, the synthesis of a wide range of 5-fluorouracil derivatives linked to benzo-fused seven-membered rings was undertaken. Methods: The decision was then made to change 5-fluorouracil for uracil, with the prospect of finding an antiproliferative agent endowed with a new mechanism of action. Later on, pyrimidines were substituted for purines. Completing a structure-activity relationship study, a series of isosteric seven-membered derivatives were prepared. Results/conclusion: Finally, molecules were designed in which both structural entities (such as the benzoheterocycle and the purine) were linked through a strong C-C bond. The anticancer activity for the most active compounds was correlated with their capability to induce apoptosis.
    Expert Opinion on Drug Discovery 10/2008; 3(10):1223-1235. · 2.12 Impact Factor
  • Article: Anticancer activity of (1,2,3,5-tetrahydro-4,1-benzoxazepine-3-yl)-pyrimidines and -purines against the MCF-7 cell line: Preliminary cDNA microarray studies.
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    ABSTRACT: Completing a SAR study, a series of (RS)-1- or 3-(1,2,3,5-tetrahydro-4,1-benzoxazepine-3-yl)-pyrimidines and (RS)-6-substituted-7- or 9-(1,2,3,5-tetrahydro-4,1-benzoxazepine-3-yl)-7H- or 9H-purines have been prepared. Their antiproliferative activities on MCF-7 cells are here presented and discussed. (RS)-6-Chloro-9-[1-(9H-9-fluorenylmethoxycarbonyl)-1,2,3,5-tetrahydro-4,1-benzoxazepine-3-yl]-9H-purine (28) is the most active (IC(50)=0.67+/-0.18 microM) of the series so far described. cDNA microarray technology reveals potential drug targets, which are mainly centred on apoptosis regulatory pathway genes.
    Bioorganic & medicinal chemistry letters 03/2008; 18(4):1457-60. · 2.65 Impact Factor
  • Article: Latest advances on regiospecific microwave-assisted synthesis of novel purine derivatives as antitumor agents
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    ABSTRACT: Background: Breast cancer, a leading cause of mortality in women, warrants the development of biological evaluation of new anticancer agents. Objective: A novel series of (RS)-6-substituted-7 or 9-(2,3-dihydro-5H-1,4-benzodioxepin-3-yl)-7H- or -9H-purines and (RS) 2- and 6-substituted (RS)-9-(2,3-dihydro-1,4-benzoxathiin-3-ylmethyl)-9H-purine derivatives were synthesized and investigated in the human breast-cancer cell line MCF-7. Methods: The microwave-assisted organic synthesis has provided faster access to the target compounds with the advantage for the selective preparation of the N-7′ or N-9′ regioisomers. Results/conclusion: The anticarcinogenic potential of the target molecules is reported against the MCF-7 cancer cell line. The most active compounds were used to study the cell cycle distribution and apoptosis in the MCF-7 cell line. The results indicated that the anticancer activity for the most active compounds is correlated with their capability to induce apoptosis.
    02/2008; 18(2):211-222.
  • Article: Design, synthesis and anticancer activity against the MCF-7 cell line of benzo-fused 1,4-dihetero seven- and six-membered tethered pyrimidines and purines.
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    ABSTRACT: Having previously reported the synthesis and anticancer activities of cyclic 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) O,N-acetalic compounds, the decision was made to change 5-FU for uracil (U), with the prospect of finding an antiproliferative agent endowed with a new mechanism of action. The use of a reverse transcription-PCR-based assay decreased cyclin D1 mRNA, suggesting that this cyclic U O,N-acetalic compound exerts its regulatory action on cyclin D1 at the level of transcription. Following the ongoing Anticancer Drug Programme we planned the synthesis of compounds bearing a natural pyrimidine base and also, the oxygen atom at position 1 of the seven-membered cycle was replaced by its isosteric sulfur atom, and its oxidized states. Next, the pyrimidine base was substituted for the purine one, with the objective of increasing both the lipophilicity and the structural diversity of the target molecules. If the previously described compounds were not prodrugs, it would not be necessary to maintain the O,N-acetalic characteristic. Therefore, molecules were designed in which both structural entities (such as the benzoheterocyclic ring and the purine base) were linked by a heteroatom-C-C-N bond. A series of (RS)-9-(2,3-dihydro-1,4-benzoxathiin-3-ylmethyl)-9H-purine derivatives was obtained and the anticancer activity for the most active compounds was correlated with their capability to induce apoptosis. Finally, completing a SAR study, a series of (RS)-6-substituted-7- or 9-(1,2,3,5-tetrahydro-4,1-benzoxazepine-3-yl)-7H- or 9H-purines was prepared. The studies by microarray technology showed that the main molecular targets of some of these compounds are pro-apoptotic genes with protein kinase activity such as GP132, ERN1 or RAC1, which prevent the metastatic progression.
    Current Medicinal Chemistry 02/2008; 15(25):2614-31. · 4.86 Impact Factor
  • Article: Synthesis and anticancer activity of (R,S)-9-(2,3-dihydro-1,4-benzoxathiin-3-ylmethyl)-9H-purines.
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    ABSTRACT: A series of eleven 2- and 6-substituted (R,S)-9-(2,3-dihydro-1,4-benzoxathiin-3-ylmethyl)-9H-purine derivatives was obtained by applying a standard Mitsunobu protocol that led to a six-membered ring contraction from (R,S)-3,4-dihydro-2H-1,5-benzoxathiepin-3-ol via an episulfonium intermediate. The signal approximately delta=151 ppm, which corresponds to the C4' carbon atom, is unequivocal proof of the N9' regioisomer. The potential of the target molecules as anticancer agents is reflected in their activity against the MCF-7 cancer cell line. The most active compounds have IC(50) values of (6.18+/-1.70) and (8.97+/-0.83) microM. The results indicate that the anticancer activity for the most active compounds is correlated with their capacity to induce apoptosis.
    ChemMedChem 02/2008; 3(1):127-35. · 3.15 Impact Factor
  • Article: Bis-quinolinium cyclophanes: highly potent and selective non-peptidic blockers of the apamin-sensitive Ca2+-activated K+ channel.
    Ana Conejo-García, Joaquín M Campos
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    ABSTRACT: Small conductance Ca(2+)-activated K(+) (SK(Ca)) channels comprise an important subclass of K(+) channels. Selective blockade of SK(Ca) channels may find application in the therapy of myotonic muscular dystrophy, gastrointestinal dysmotilities, memory disorders, narcolepsy, and alcohol abuse. In the cyclophanes described herein the two 4-aminoquinolinium groups are joined at the ring N atoms (linker L) and at the exocyclic N atoms (linker A). When both the spacer A and L have only one benzene ring, the blocking potency changes dramatically with simple structural variations in the linkers. One of these smaller cyclophanes having A = benzene-1,4-diylbis(methylene) and L = benzene-1,3-diylbis(methylene) shows activity in the low nanomolar range. Furthermore, the results with the present series add significantly to the structure-activity knowledge in the field, since they incorporate the first example of molecules in which the activity depends critically on the nature of the linkers joining the two quinolinium (Q) groups. Later on, a novel series of bis-quinolinium bis-alkylene cyclophanes was described. The biological results of the present series add support to the suggestion that the linkers of the two Q groups do not form direct interactions with the channel protein but comprise a molecular support for the two Q groups. Two important structural features of the pharmacophore for SK(Ca) channel blockade have been identified. These are (1) an optimum distance of ca. 5.8 A between the centroids of the pyridinium rings of the two quinolinium groups, and (2) a preference for conformations having the Q groups in a synperiplanar orientation.
    Current Medicinal Chemistry 02/2008; 15(13):1305-15. · 4.86 Impact Factor
  • Article: Antiproliferative activity, cell-cycle dysregulation, and cellular differentiation: salicyl- and catechol-derived acyclic 5-fluorouracil O,N-acetals against breast cancer cells.
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    ABSTRACT: Herein we report the preparation and biological activity of three compounds with the general formula 1-[2-(5-substituted-2-hydroxybenzyloxy)-1-methoxyethyl]-5-fluorouracil. A catechol-derived compound such as 1-[3-(2-hydroxyphenoxy)-1-methoxypropyl]-5-fluorouracil and two salicyl-derived compounds such as (Z)-1-[4-(2-hydroxyphenyl)-1-methoxybut-3-enyl]-5-fluorouracil [(Z)-11] and its dihydrogenated derivative 1-[4-(2-hydroxyphenyl)-1-methoxybutyl]-5-fluorouracil were prepared to complete the set of six O,N-acetals. The most active compound against the MCF-7 breast cancer cell line was (Z)-11: IC(50)=9.40+/-0.64 microM. Differentiated breast cancer cells generate fat deposits in the cytoplasm. MCF-7 cells treated with (Z)-11 underwent an increase in lipid content relative to control cells after three days of treatment. Our results suggest that there may be significant potential advantages in the use of this new differentiating agent for the treatment of breast cancer.
    ChemMedChem 01/2008; 2(12):1814-21. · 3.15 Impact Factor
  • Article: A synthetic uracil derivative with antitumor activity through decreasing cyclin D1 and Cdk1, and increasing p21 and p27 in MCF-7 cells.
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    ABSTRACT: The anticarcinogenic potential of (RS)-1-(2,3-dihydro-5H-1,4-benzodioxepin-3-yl)uracil (DBDU), with the naturally occurring pyrimidine base uracil, is reported against the MCF-7 cancer cell line. The arrest in the G0/G1 and G2/M cell cycle phases was accounted for by decrease in the expression of the cyclin D1 and Cdk1 proteins, and increase in p21 and p27 proteins. Using a reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction-based assay at a dose of 5 muM of DBDU cyclin D1 mRNA was decreased, suggesting that DBDU exerts its regulatory action on cyclin D1 at the level of transcription. DNA fragmentation was performed and demonstrated that apoptosis occurred in the tumor cell line treated with DBDU. The G0/G1 arrest is an irreversible process and the cells undergo apoptosis in a p53-independent manner. DBDU administered intravenously twice a week (50 mg/kg dose each time) induced neither toxicity nor death in mice for 5 weeks.
    Breast Cancer Research and Treatment 12/2007; 105(3):237-46. · 4.43 Impact Factor
  • Article: Regiospecific microwave-assisted synthesis and cytotoxic activity against human breast cancer cells of (RS)-6-substituted-7- or 9-(2,3-dihydro-5H-1,4-benzodioxepin-3-yl)-7H- or -9H-purines.
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    ABSTRACT: Extended studies on the synthesis and pharmacological evaluation of (RS)-6-substituted-7 or 9-(2,3-dihydro-5H-1,4-benzodioxepin-3-yl)-7H- or -9H-purines are presented. The microwave-assisted organic synthesis has provided faster access to the target compounds with the advantage of selective obtaining the N-7' or N-9' regioisomers simplifying their isolation. To test the behaviour of the products (including the purine bases) on cellular systems, cytotoxic activity against the MCF-7 human breast cancer cell line was determined, and the three most active compounds were used to study the cell cycle distribution and apoptosis in the MCF-7 cell line.
    European Journal of Medicinal Chemistry 11/2007; 43(8):1742-8. · 3.35 Impact Factor
  • Article: 1H and 13C NMR studies of 2-functionalized 5-(methylsulfonyl)-1-phenyl-1H-indoles.
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    ABSTRACT: The 1H and 13C NMR resonances of thirty 2-functionalized 5-(methylsulfonyl)-1-phenyl-1H-indoles were assigned completely and unequivocally using the concerted application of one- and two-dimensional experiments (DEPT, gs-HMQC and gs-HMBC). Finally, the influence of the 2-substituent of 5-(methylsufonyl)-1-phenyl-1H-indoles on the carbon atoms of the indole moiety was estimated.
    Magnetic Resonance in Chemistry 03/2007; 45(2):185-8. · 1.44 Impact Factor
  • Article: Design, syntheses, biological evaluation, and docking studies of 2-substituted 5-methylsulfonyl-1-phenyl-1H-indoles: potent and selective in vitro cyclooxygenase-2 inhibitors.
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    ABSTRACT: Four series of 5-methylsulfonyl-1-phenyl-1H-indole-2-carboxylic acid alkyl esters (family A), -2-carbonitriles (family B), -2-carboxamides (family C), and 2-benzoyl-5-methylsulfonyl-1-phenyl-1H-indoles (family D) were prepared and evaluated for their ability to inhibit purified cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) and cyclooxygenase-1 (COX-1). Family D compounds have the best COX-1/COX-2 inhibition ratios and potencies. According to docking studies, these molecules appear to bind the COX-2 binding site differently than indomethacin, with the insertion of the substituent at the 2-position in the hydrophobic pocket of the enzyme and the 1-position phenyl ring in the trifluoromethyl zone. Among the group of compounds evaluated, 2-(4-chlorobenzoyl)-1-(4-chlorophenyl)-5-methylsulfonyl-1H-indole and 2-(4-chlorophenyl)-5-methylsulfonyl-1-(4-trifluoromethylphenyl)-1H-indole emerged as the most potent (respective IC(50) values: 46 and 43 nM), and selective (respective selectivity indexes: >2163 and >2331) COX-2 inhibitors.
    ChemMedChem 02/2007; 2(1):88-100. · 3.15 Impact Factor
  • Article: Insight into the inhibition of human choline kinase: homology modeling and molecular dynamics simulations.
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    ABSTRACT: A homology model of human choline kinase (CK-alpha) based on the X-ray crystallographic structure of C. elegans choline kinase (CKA-2) is presented. Molecular dynamics simulations performed on CK-alpha confirm the quality of the model, and also support the putative ATP and choline binding sites. A good correlation between the MD results and reported CKA-2 mutagenesis assays has been found for the main residues involved in catalytic activity. Preliminary docking studies performed on the CK-alpha model indicate that inhibitors can bind to the binding sites of both substrates (ATP and choline). A possible reason for inhibition of choline kinase by Ca(2+) ion is also proposed.
    ChemMedChem 12/2006; 1(11):1216-28. · 3.15 Impact Factor