Through the screening of
DNA topoisomerase I (Top I) inhibitors, a new
cytotoxic agent,
BPR0Y007 [2,5-bis(4-hydroxy-3-methoxybenzylidene)
cyclopentanone], was identified.
BPR0Y007 was less potent than
camptothecin (
CPT) in the inhibition of Top I in vitro. Also, in vitro data showed that
BPR0Y007 induces DNA cleavage in the presence of Top I at micromolar concentrations, with a cleavage specificity similar to that of
CPT. High concentrations of
BPR0Y007 did not produce detectable
DNA unwinding, suggesting that
BPR0Y007 is not
a DNA intercalator. However,
BPR0Y007 displaced
Hoechst 33342 dye, suggesting that
BPR0Y007 binds to
DNA at the
Hoechst 33342 binding site. Furthermore,
BPR0Y007 generated
protein-linked DNA breaks in a cell-based study. Cell cycle analysis demonstrated that the cell cycle effect of
BPR0Y007 differs from that of
CPT. Cells accumulated in the S-phase when treated with high concentrations of
CPT, whereas cells accumulated gradually in the G(2)/M phase when treated with increasing concentrations of
BPR0Y007. Further studies showed that
BPR0Y007 inhibits
tubulin polymerization in vivo and in vitro, and induces apoptosis in a concentration-dependent manner. No cross-resistance with
BPR0Y007 was observed in
CPT-, VP-16-, or
vincristine-resistant cell lines. The IC(50) of
BPR0Y007 for various human
cancer cell lines ranged from 1 to 8 microM. Taken together, these results suggest that
BPR0Y007 acts on both Top I and
tubulin. Given its unique biochemical mechanisms of action,
BPR0Y007 warrants exploration as an antitumor compound.