beta-rubromycin and gamma-rubromycin

We found that a group of rubromycins and their analogues, a class of quinone antibiotics that possesses benzofuran and benzodipyran rings to form a spiroketal system, strongly inhibited human telomerase as assessed with a modified telomeric repeat amplification protocol. beta- and gamma-Rubromycins and purpuromycin appeared to be the most potent telomerase inhibitors, with 50% inhibitory concentrations (IC(50)) of about 3 microM, and griseorhodins A and C also showed comparable potencies for the inhibition (IC(50) = 6-12 microM). In contrast, opening of the spiroketal system of beta-rubromycin, giving rise to alpha-rubromycin, substantially decreased its inhibitory potency toward telomerase (IC(50) > 200 microM), indicating the essential role of the spiroketal system in telomerase inhibition. A kinetic study of the inhibition by beta-rubromycin revealed a competitive interaction with respect to the telomerase substrate primer, with a K(i) of 0.74 microM, whereas a mixed type inhibition was observed with respect to the nucleotide substrate. beta-Rubromycin was also potent in inhibiting retroviral reverse transcriptases but had virtually no effect on other DNA/RNA-modifying enzymes including DNA and RNA polymerases, deoxyribonuclease, and topoisomerase. Although beta-rubromycin showed nonspecific cytotoxicities, reducing proliferation of cancer cells (IC(50) approximately 20 microM), we conclude that beta-rubromycin appears to be a lead structure for the development of more potent and selective inhibitors of human telomerase.

Topics: Anti-Bacterial Agents; Antineoplastic Agents; Enzyme Activation; Growth Inhibitors; HeLa Cells; Humans; K562 Cells; Naphthoquinones; Polymerase Chain Reaction; Quinones; Reverse Transcriptase Inhibitors; Spiro Compounds; Structure-Activity Relationship; Substrate Specificity; Telomerase

Rubromycins, a class of quinone antibacterials, were discovered to selectively inhibit human immunodeficiency virus-1 (HIV-1) RNA-directed DNA polymerase (reverse transcriptase) (RT) activity more potently than cellular DNA polymerase alpha. beta- and gamma-rubromycin each inhibited equipotently HIV-1 RT and avian myeloblastosis virus RT, in a concentration-dependent manner, and were significantly weaker as inhibitors of calf thymus DNA polymerase alpha. These agents inhibited HIV-1 RT reversibly, were competitive with respect to template.primer, and were noncompetitive with respect to TTP. Dixon analyses yielded HIV RT Ki values of 0.27 +/- 0.014 and 0.13 +/- 0.012 microM for beta- and gamma-rubromycin, respectively. Similarly, using DNA polymerase alpha, the Ki values were 25.1 +/- 4.3 and 3.9 +/- 0.6 microM for beta- and gamma-rubromycin, respectively. Because these agents were toxic to noninfected human T lymphoid cells using concentrations at or above 6 microM, HIV-1 infectivity studies were carried out at 0.8-6 microM. At these concentrations, which are below the range expected to provide protection, no significant antiviral activity was observed. Although beta- and gamma-rubromycins did not possess sufficient HIV RT inhibitory potency or selectivity versus mammalian DNA polymerase to demonstrate antiviral activities, these studies support the hypothesis that specific molecules containing quinone functional groups can selectively inhibit viral polymerase activities over cellular polymerase activities. In addition, these studies suggest that rubromycins may be lead structures for the development of more potent and selective agents.

Topics: Anti-Bacterial Agents; Binding, Competitive; Cell Survival; HIV-1; Humans; Nucleic Acid Synthesis Inhibitors; Quinones; Reverse Transcriptase Inhibitors; Templates, Genetic