Interaction of norsecurinine-type monomeric and dimeric alkaloids with α-tubulin: a molecular docking study

Aim: New microtubule-targeting agents are needed to improve cancer treatment. The recent characterization of the anticancer alkaloid securinine as a tubulin-binding agent prompted us to explore the interaction of related monomeric and dimeric analogues with tubulin. The interaction between the α/β-t...

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Main Authors: Gérard Vergoten, Christian Bailly
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Open Exploration 2024-05-01
Series:Exploration of Drug Science
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Online Access:https://www.explorationpub.com/uploads/Article/A100847/100847.pdf
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author Gérard Vergoten
Christian Bailly
author_facet Gérard Vergoten
Christian Bailly
author_sort Gérard Vergoten
collection DOAJ
description Aim: New microtubule-targeting agents are needed to improve cancer treatment. The recent characterization of the anticancer alkaloid securinine as a tubulin-binding agent prompted us to explore the interaction of related monomeric and dimeric analogues with tubulin. The interaction between the α/β-tubulin dimer and alkaloids fluevirines A–F and flueggenines A–I, isolated from the bush Flueggea virosa (Roxb. ex Willd.) Royle, was investigated using molecular docking. Methods: Two molecular models were initially compared for the binding of securinine to α/β-tubulin. The pironetin-binding site model (5FNV) was selected for the subsequent docking analysis with all compounds. Empirical energies of interaction (ΔE) were measured and compared. Results: Fluevirine A has been identified as a potent tubulin binder. This dimeric alkaloid formed more stable complexes with tubulin than the monomeric counterparts, such as fluevirines B–D. The bis-indole derivative fluevirine E also provided more stable complexes than (nor)securinine. The study was extended to the dimeric alkaloids flueggenines A–I and three compounds were identified as potential tubulin binders: the polycyclic product flueggenine B, the norsecurinine-indole hybrid flueggenine E, and the norsecurinine dimer flueggenine I. This later compound proved to be well adapted to fit into the pironetin site of tubulin, extending its two norsecurinine units between the colchicine-binding area and the pironetin site, in close proximity to the pironetin-reactive cysteine-316 residue. Structure-binding relationships were delineated. Conclusions: The study identifies the dimeric alkaloids fluevirine A and flueggenine I as potential α-tubulin binding agents. For the first time, dimeric alkaloids including two C-C connected norsecurinine units are characterized as tubulin ligands. The study contributes to a better understanding of the mechanism of action of Flueggea alkaloids and should help the design of anticancer analogues targeting the pironetin site of α-tubulin.
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spelling doaj-art-f030525258a34768a852f76670690efc2025-02-08T03:41:44ZengOpen ExplorationExploration of Drug Science2836-76772024-05-012327729110.37349/eds.2024.00047Interaction of norsecurinine-type monomeric and dimeric alkaloids with α-tubulin: a molecular docking studyGérard Vergoten0https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6336-3923Christian Bailly1https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2973-9357University of Lille, Inserm, U1286 – INFINITE – Lille Inflammation Research International Center, ICPAL, 59000 Lille, FranceUniversity of Lille, CHU Lille, CNRS, Inserm, UMR9020 – UMR1277 – CANTHER – Cancer Heterogeneity, Plasticity and Resistance to Therapies, 59000 Lille, France; Oncowitan, Scientific Consulting Office, 59290 Lille, FranceAim: New microtubule-targeting agents are needed to improve cancer treatment. The recent characterization of the anticancer alkaloid securinine as a tubulin-binding agent prompted us to explore the interaction of related monomeric and dimeric analogues with tubulin. The interaction between the α/β-tubulin dimer and alkaloids fluevirines A–F and flueggenines A–I, isolated from the bush Flueggea virosa (Roxb. ex Willd.) Royle, was investigated using molecular docking. Methods: Two molecular models were initially compared for the binding of securinine to α/β-tubulin. The pironetin-binding site model (5FNV) was selected for the subsequent docking analysis with all compounds. Empirical energies of interaction (ΔE) were measured and compared. Results: Fluevirine A has been identified as a potent tubulin binder. This dimeric alkaloid formed more stable complexes with tubulin than the monomeric counterparts, such as fluevirines B–D. The bis-indole derivative fluevirine E also provided more stable complexes than (nor)securinine. The study was extended to the dimeric alkaloids flueggenines A–I and three compounds were identified as potential tubulin binders: the polycyclic product flueggenine B, the norsecurinine-indole hybrid flueggenine E, and the norsecurinine dimer flueggenine I. This later compound proved to be well adapted to fit into the pironetin site of tubulin, extending its two norsecurinine units between the colchicine-binding area and the pironetin site, in close proximity to the pironetin-reactive cysteine-316 residue. Structure-binding relationships were delineated. Conclusions: The study identifies the dimeric alkaloids fluevirine A and flueggenine I as potential α-tubulin binding agents. For the first time, dimeric alkaloids including two C-C connected norsecurinine units are characterized as tubulin ligands. The study contributes to a better understanding of the mechanism of action of Flueggea alkaloids and should help the design of anticancer analogues targeting the pironetin site of α-tubulin.https://www.explorationpub.com/uploads/Article/A100847/100847.pdfanticancer agentsdimeric alkaloidsflueggea virosanorsecurininepironetin sitetubulin binding
spellingShingle Gérard Vergoten
Christian Bailly
Interaction of norsecurinine-type monomeric and dimeric alkaloids with α-tubulin: a molecular docking study
Exploration of Drug Science
anticancer agents
dimeric alkaloids
flueggea virosa
norsecurinine
pironetin site
tubulin binding
title Interaction of norsecurinine-type monomeric and dimeric alkaloids with α-tubulin: a molecular docking study
title_full Interaction of norsecurinine-type monomeric and dimeric alkaloids with α-tubulin: a molecular docking study
title_fullStr Interaction of norsecurinine-type monomeric and dimeric alkaloids with α-tubulin: a molecular docking study
title_full_unstemmed Interaction of norsecurinine-type monomeric and dimeric alkaloids with α-tubulin: a molecular docking study
title_short Interaction of norsecurinine-type monomeric and dimeric alkaloids with α-tubulin: a molecular docking study
title_sort interaction of norsecurinine type monomeric and dimeric alkaloids with α tubulin a molecular docking study
topic anticancer agents
dimeric alkaloids
flueggea virosa
norsecurinine
pironetin site
tubulin binding
url https://www.explorationpub.com/uploads/Article/A100847/100847.pdf
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