Combined Scaffold Evaluation and Systems-Level Transcriptome-Based Analysis for Accelerated Lead Optimization Reveals Ribosomal Targeting Spirooxindole Cyclopropanes

Abstract

With evolutionary drug resistance impacting efforts to treat disease, the need for small molecules that exhibit novel molecular mechanisms of action is paramount. In this study, we combined scaffold-directed synthesis with a hybrid experimental and transcriptome analysis to identify bis-spirooxindole cyclopropanes that inhibit cancer cell proliferation through disruption of ribosomal function. These findings demonstrate the value of an integrated, biologically inspired synthesis and assay strategy for the accelerated identification of first-in-class cancer therapeutic candidates.

Keywords: drug discovery; mechanism of action; natural products; spirooxindoles; transcriptome network.