1. Academic Validation
  2. Identification and characterization of a first-generation inhibitor of claudin-1 in colon cancer progression and metastasis

Identification and characterization of a first-generation inhibitor of claudin-1 in colon cancer progression and metastasis

  • Biomed Pharmacother. 2023 Mar;159:114255. doi: 10.1016/j.biopha.2023.114255.
Iram Fatima 1 Jaya Prakash Uppada 1 Yashpal S Chhonker 2 Saiprasad Gowrikumar 1 Susmita Barman 1 Sourav Roy 3 Kirsten T Tolentino 4 Nicholas Palermo 5 Amar Natarajan 6 Daniel R Beauchamp 7 Alex Vecchio 3 Daryl J Murry 8 Amar B Singh 9 Corey R Hopkins 4 Punita Dhawan 10
Affiliations

Affiliations

  • 1 Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, USA.
  • 2 Department of Pharmacy Practice and Science, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, USA.
  • 3 Department of Biochemistry, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Lincoln, NE 68588-0664, USA.
  • 4 Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, USA.
  • 5 Computational Chemistry Core, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, USA.
  • 6 Eppley Institute for Cancer Research, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, USA.
  • 7 Surgical Oncology Research Laboratories, Department of Surgery, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, USA.
  • 8 Department of Pharmacy Practice and Science, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, USA; VA Nebraska-Western Iowa Health Care System, Omaha, NE, USA.
  • 9 Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, USA; VA Nebraska-Western Iowa Health Care System, Omaha, NE, USA; Buffet Cancer Center, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, USA.
  • 10 Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, USA; VA Nebraska-Western Iowa Health Care System, Omaha, NE, USA; Buffet Cancer Center, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, USA. Electronic address: punita.dhawan@unmc.edu.
Abstract

Colorectal Cancer (CRC) is a leading cause of the cancer-related deaths worldwide. Thus, developing novel and targeted therapies for inhibiting CRC progression and metastasis is urgent. Several studies, including ours, have reported a causal role for an upregulated claudin-1 expression in promoting CRC metastasis through the activation of the Src and β-catenin-signaling. In murine models of colon tumorigenesis, claudin-1 overexpression promotes oncogenic properties such as transformation and invasiveness. Conversely, the downregulation of claudin-1 inhibits colon tumorigenesis. Despite being a desirable target for Cancer treatment, there are currently no known claudin-1 inhibitors with antitumor efficacy. Using a rigorous analytical design and implementing in- vitro and in-vivo testing and a brief medicinal chemistry campaign, we identified a claudin-1-specific inhibitor and named it I-6. Despite its high potency, I-6 was rapidly cleared in human liver microsomes. We, therefore, synthesized I-6 analogs and discovered a novel small molecule, PDS-0330. We determined that PDS0330 inhibits claudin-1-dependent CRC progression without exhibiting toxicity in in-vitro and in-vivo models of CRC and that it binds directly and specifically to claudin-1 with micromolar affinity. Further analyses revealed that PDS-0330 exhibits antitumor and chemosensitizer activities with favorable pharmacokinetic properties by inhibiting the association with metastatic oncogene Src. Overall, our data propose that PDS-0330 interferes with claudin-1/Src association to inhibit CRC progression and metastasis. Our findings are of direct clinical relevance and may open new therapeutic opportunities in colon Cancer treatment and/or management by targeting claudin-1.

Keywords

Chemoresistance; Claudin-1; Colon cancer; Src.

Figures
Products
  • Cat. No.
    Product Name
    Description
    Target
    Research Area
  • HY-153833
    99.77%, Claudin-1抑制剂