Thiazolyl-isatin derivatives: Synthesis, in silico studies, in vitro biological profile against breast cancer cells, mRNA expression, P-gp modulation, and interactions of Akt2 and VIM proteins

Chem Biol Interact. 2024 May 1:394:110954. doi: 10.1016/j.cbi.2024.110954. Epub 2024 Mar 20.

Abstract

The literature reports that thiazole and isatin nuclei present a range of biological activities, with an emphasis on anticancer activity. Therefore, our proposal was to make a series of compounds using the molecular hybridization strategy, which has been used by our research group, producing hybrid molecules containing the thiazole and isatin nuclei. After structural planning and synthesis, the compounds were characterized and evaluated in vitro against breast cancer cell lines (T-47D, MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231) and against normal cells (PBMC). The activity profile on membrane proteins involved in chemoresistance and tumorigenic signaling proteins was also evaluated. Among the compounds tested, the compounds 4c and 4a stood out with IC50 values of 1.23 and 1.39 μM, respectively, against the MDA-MB-231 cell line. Both compounds exhibited IC50 values of 0.45 μM for the MCF-7 cell line. Compounds 4a and 4c significantly decreased P-gp mRNA expression levels in MCF-7, 4 and 2 folds respectively. Regarding the impact on tumorigenic signaling proteins, compound 4a inhibited Akt2 in MDA-MB-231 and compound 4c inhibited the mRNA expression of VIM in MCF-7.

Keywords: Akt2 and VIM; Breast cancer; Isatin; Thiazole; Thiosemicarbazone.

MeSH terms

  • ATP Binding Cassette Transporter, Subfamily B, Member 1 / genetics
  • ATP Binding Cassette Transporter, Subfamily B, Member 1 / metabolism
  • Antineoplastic Agents* / chemical synthesis
  • Antineoplastic Agents* / chemistry
  • Antineoplastic Agents* / pharmacology
  • Breast Neoplasms* / drug therapy
  • Breast Neoplasms* / metabolism
  • Breast Neoplasms* / pathology
  • Cell Line, Tumor
  • Drug Screening Assays, Antitumor
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Isatin* / chemical synthesis
  • Isatin* / chemistry
  • Isatin* / pharmacology
  • MCF-7 Cells
  • Molecular Docking Simulation
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-akt* / metabolism
  • RNA, Messenger* / genetics
  • RNA, Messenger* / metabolism
  • Structure-Activity Relationship
  • Thiazoles* / chemistry
  • Thiazoles* / pharmacology

Substances

  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-akt
  • Isatin
  • RNA, Messenger
  • Thiazoles
  • Antineoplastic Agents
  • ATP Binding Cassette Transporter, Subfamily B, Member 1
  • AKT2 protein, human