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Microtubule-stabilizing properties of the avocado-derived toxins (+)-(R)-persin and (+)-(R)-tetrahydropersin in cancer cells and activity of related synthetic analogs

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Summary

The avocado toxin (+)-R-persin (persin) is active at low micromolar concentrations against breast cancer cells and synergizes with the estrogen receptor modulator 4-hydroxytamoxifen. Previous studies in the estrogen receptor-positive breast cancer cell line MCF-7 indicate that persin acts as a microtubule-stabilizing agent. In the present study, we further characterize the properties of persin and several new synthetic analogues in human ovarian cancer cells. Persin and tetrahydropersin cause G2M cell cycle arrest and increase intracellular microtubule polymerization. One analog (4-nitrophenyl)-deshydroxypersin prevents cell proliferation and blocks cells in G1 of the cell cycle rather than G2M, suggesting an additional mode of action of these compounds independent of microtubules. Persin can synergize with other microtubule-stabilizing agents, and is active against cancer cells that overexpress the P-glycoprotein drug efflux pump. Evidence from Flutax-1 competition experiments suggests that while the persin binding site on β-tubulin overlaps the classical taxoid site where paclitaxel and epothilone bind, persin retains activity in cell lines with single amino acid mutations that affect these other taxoid site ligands. This implies the existence of a unique binding location for persin at the taxoid site.

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Abbreviations

CI:

Combination index

MDR:

Multidrug resistance

MSA:

Microtubule-stabilizing agent

P-gp:

P-glycoprotein

T-persin:

Tetrahydropersin

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Acknowledgments

This work was supported by grants from the Cancer Society of New Zealand, Wellington Medical Research Foundation (JJF, AK, JHM), the Joy McNicoll Postgraduate Research Award in Biomedical Science (JJF), and Victoria University of Wellington (JJF, AK, JHM). We thank Dr Paraskevi Giannakkakou for the 1A9 β-tubulin mutant cell lines, and Dr Peter Northcote and Dr Jonathan Singh for the supply of the natural product peloruside A.

Author information

Author notes

  1. Jessica J. Field

    Present address: Seattle Genetics, Bothell, WA, 98021, USA

  2. Arun Kanakkanthara

    Present address: Department of Pediatric and Adolescent Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, 55905, USA

  3. Darby G. Brooke

    Present address: Cawthron Institute, Private Bag 2, Nelson, New Zealand

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Centre for Biodiscovery, School of Biological Sciences, Victoria University of Wellington, PO Box 600, Wellington, 6140, New Zealand

    Jessica J. Field, Arun Kanakkanthara, Saptarshi Sinha, Sushila D. Pillai & John H. Miller

  2. Auckland Cancer Society Research Centre, The University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand

    Darby G. Brooke & William A. Denny

  3. Maurice Wilkins Centre, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand

    William A. Denny

  4. Cancer Research Program, Garvan Institute of Medical Research, St. Vincent’s Hospital, Darlinghurst, New South Wales, Australia

    Alison J. Butt

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  1. Jessica J. Field
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Correspondence to John H. Miller.

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Jessica Field and Arun Kanakkanthara contributed equally to the paper.

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Field, J.J., Kanakkanthara, A., Brooke, D.G. et al. Microtubule-stabilizing properties of the avocado-derived toxins (+)-(R)-persin and (+)-(R)-tetrahydropersin in cancer cells and activity of related synthetic analogs. Invest New Drugs 34, 277–289 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10637-016-0341-z

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