Flavones Inhibit the Activity of AKR1B10, a Promising Therapeutic Target for Cancer Treatment.

Abstract

AKR1B10 is an NADPH-dependent reductase that plays an important function in several physiological reactions such as the conversion of retinal to retinol, reduction of isoprenyl aldehydes, and biotransformation of procarcinogens and drugs. A growing body of evidence points to the important role of the enzyme in the development of several types of cancer (e.g., breast, hepatocellular), in which it is highly overexpressed. AKR1B10 is regarded as a therapeutic target for the treatment of these diseases, and potent and specific inhibitors may be promising therapeutic agents. Several inhibitors of AKR1B10 have been described, but the area of natural plant products has been investigated sparingly. In the present study almost 40 diverse phenolic compounds and alkaloids were examined for their ability to inhibit the recombinant AKR1B10 enzyme. The most potent inhibitors-apigenin, luteolin, and 7-hydroxyflavone-were further characterized in terms of IC50, selectivity, and mode of action. Molecular docking studies were also conducted, which identified putative binding residues important for the interaction. In addition, cellular studies demonstrated a significant inhibition of the AKR1B10-mediated reduction of daunorubicin in intact cells by these inhibitors without a considerable cytotoxic effect. Although these compounds are moderately potent and selective inhibitors of AKR1B10, they constitute a new structural type of AKR1B10 inhibitor and may serve as a template for the development of better inhibitors.

• Authors: Lucie Zemanova, Jakub Hofman, Eva Novotna, Kamil Musilek, Tereza Lundova, Jana Havrankova, Anna Hostalkova, Jakub Chlebek, Lucie Cahlikova, Vladimír Wsol
• Journal: Journal of natural products (J Nat Prod) Vol. 78 Issue 11 Pg. 2666-74 (Nov 25 2015) ISSN: 1520-6025 [Electronic] United States
• PMID: 26529431 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)

Chemical References

• Enzyme Inhibitors
• Flavones
• Flavonoids
• Apigenin
• AKR1B10 protein, human
• Aldo-Keto Reductases
• Aldehyde Reductase
• Luteolin
• 7-hydroxyflavone
• Daunorubicin

Topics

• Aldehyde Reductase (antagonists & inhibitors, drug effects)
• Aldo-Keto Reductases
• Apigenin (pharmacology)
• Daunorubicin (pharmacology)
• Enzyme Inhibitors (chemistry)
• Flavones (chemistry, pharmacology)
• Flavonoids (pharmacology)
• HCT116 Cells
• Humans
• Luteolin (pharmacology)
• Molecular Conformation
• Molecular Structure
• Neoplasms (drug therapy)