Physical Sciences and Mathematics Commons^™

Synthesis Of A Novel Ras Farnesyl Protein Transferase Inhibitor, Mark F. Mechelke, Anna Mikolchak

Chemistry Faculty Publications

Mutant RAS proteins are associated with 30% of all human cancers. Unregulated cell growth caused by mutant RAS proteins can be prevented by RAS farnesyl protein transferase (FPTase) inhibitors. A novel FPTase inhibitor has been synthesized incorporating a modified farnesyl “tail” and a customized diphosphate “head”. It is anticipated that the modified “tail”, incorporating a phenyl substituent, will bind more tightly to FPTase due to nonbonding interactions between the aromatic ring and ten aromatic amino acid residues that line the enzyme active site. The altered polar “head”, designed from L-aspartic acid, has already been shown to mimic the natural substrate’s …

Synthesis Of Vorinostat And Cholesterol Conjugate To Enhance The Cancer Cell Uptake Selectivity, Nethrie D. Idippily, Chunfang Gan, Paul Orefice, Jane Peterson, Bin Su Ph.D.

Chemistry Faculty Publications

Histone deacetylase (HDAC) inhibitors modulate various cellular functions including proliferation, differentiation, and apoptosis. Vorinostat (SuberAniloHydroxamic Acid, SAHA) is the first HDAC inhibitor approved by FDA for cancer treatment. However, SAHA distributes in cancer tissue and normal tissue in similar levels. It will be ideal to selectively deliver SAHA into cancer cells. Rapidly growing cancer cells have a great need of cholesterol. Low-density lipoprotein (LDL) is the major cholesterol carrier in plasma and its uptake is mediated by LDL-receptor (LDL-R), a glycoprotein overexpressed on the surface of cancer cells. Herein, we designed and synthesized a SAHA cholesterol conjugate, and further formed …

Chemotherapeutic Drug Design: An Efficient Synthesis Of 4-Substituted Alpha-Methylene-Gamma-Lactones, Mark F. Mechelke, Katy Platt, Connor Pribula

Chemistry Faculty Publications

Sesquiterpene lactones are plant-derived compounds that have been shown to possess significant activity against inflammation and cancer. Comparative studies of sesquiterpene lactone structure and tumor cytotoxicity indicate that the presence of an α-methylene-γ-lactone moiety is necessary for bioactivity. This observation has led to the hypothesis that simple compounds containing this pharmacophore may also exhibit similar anti-cancer properties. To test this theory, an efficient synthesis of 4-substituted α-methylene-γ-lactone has been developed. The model compound in this study, α-methylene-γ-dodecalactone, has been prepared from commercially available 1-decene in six steps. The synthesis features a nucleophilic epoxide ring-opening reaction followed by an intramolecular cyclization …

Potential Antineoplastic Structural Variations Of Uracil Mustard (Uramustine) Retaining Cytotoxic Activity And Drug-Likeness Suitable For Oral Administration, Ronald Bartzatt

Chemistry Faculty Publications

Aims: To present 12 new variants of uracil mustard having drug-like properties and cytotoxic functional group, by utilizing uracil mustard (uramustine) as a lead compound. Utilize rigorous substructure and similarity of a molecular scaffold to determine drug like variants. Physicochemical properties determined indicate the variants have favorable drug-likeness.

Study Design: Conduct molecular database search utilizing features of substructure and similarity based upon uracil mustard. Place and Duration of Study: Department of Chemistry, Medicinal Chemistry Study Section, University of Nebraska at Omaha, Omaha Nebraska between January 2015 to March 2015.

Methodology: Uracil mustard consists of the pyrimidine derivative uracil, …

Measuring The Alkylation Kinetics And Drug Likeness Of Four Candidate Antineoplastic Compounds, Ronald Bartzatt

Chemistry Faculty Publications

Aims: To synthesize small molecule alkylating compounds and analyze the kinetics of the alkylation in aqueous solution. Determine molecular properties and the drug likeness of these four compounds as potential antineoplastic agents and apply statistical analysis to identify interrelationships of properties.

Study Design: Four compounds were synthesized, characterized, and studied for alkylation capability. The alkylation kinetics were elucidated, as well as drug likeness properties. The interrelationships of properties were examined by statistical methodology.

Place and Duration of Study: Department of Chemistry, Durham Science Center, University of Nebraska at Omaha, Omaha NE, from May 2015 to June 2015.

Methodology: Four compounds …

Lead Optimization Of Dual Tubulin And Hsp27 Inhibitors, Bo Zhong, Rati Lama, Daniel G. Kulman, Bibo Li Ph.D., Bin Su Ph.D.

Chemistry Faculty Publications

Tubulin and heat shock protein 27 (Hsp27) are well-characterized molecular targets for anti-cancer drug development. We previously identified lead compounds that inhibited both Hsp27 and tubulin. These compounds exhibited extensive anti-cancer activities against the proliferation of various human cancer cell lines. In the current study, a systematic ligand based structural optimization led to new analogs that significantly inhibited the growth of a panel of breast cancer cell lines. Furthermore, the most potent compounds were examined with tubulin polymerization assay and Hsp27 chaperone activity assay. The compounds showed potent tubulin polymerization inhibition but no Hsp27 inhibitory effect. The structural optimization dissected …