A novel benzimidazole analogue inhibits the hypoxia-inducible factor (HIF)-1 pathway

Biochem Biophys Res Commun. 2009 Jul 17;385(1):16-21. doi: 10.1016/j.bbrc.2009.05.022. Epub 2009 May 9.

Abstract

Hypoxia-inducible factor (HIF)-1 is a therapeutic target in solid tumors. We report the novel benzimidazole analogue AC1-004, obtained from a chemical library using an HRE-dependent cell-based assay in colorectal carcinoma HCT-116 cells. The accumulation of hypoxia-induced HIF-1alpha was inhibited by compound AC1-004 in various cancer cells, including HCT-116, MDA-MB435, SK-HEP1, and Caki-1. Further, AC1-004 down-regulated VEGF and EPO, target genes of HIF-1, and inhibited in vitro tube formation of HUVEC, suggesting its potential inhibitory activity on angiogenesis. Importantly, AC1-004 was found to regulate the stability of HIF-1alpha through the Hsp90-Akt pathway, leading to the degradation of HIF-1alpha. An in vivo antitumor study demonstrated that AC1-004 reduced tumor size significantly (i.e., by 58.6%), without severe side effects. These results suggest the benzimidazole analogue AC1-004 is a novel HIF inhibitor that targets HIF-1alpha via the Hsp90-Akt pathway, and that it can be used as a new lead in developing anticancer drugs.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adamantane / analogs & derivatives*
  • Adamantane / chemistry
  • Adamantane / pharmacology
  • Antineoplastic Agents / chemistry
  • Antineoplastic Agents / pharmacology*
  • Benzimidazoles / chemistry
  • Benzimidazoles / pharmacology*
  • Cell Line, Tumor
  • Drug Design
  • HSP90 Heat-Shock Proteins / metabolism
  • Humans
  • Hypoxia-Inducible Factor 1, alpha Subunit / antagonists & inhibitors*
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-akt / metabolism

Substances

  • AC1 004
  • Antineoplastic Agents
  • Benzimidazoles
  • HSP90 Heat-Shock Proteins
  • Hypoxia-Inducible Factor 1, alpha Subunit
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-akt
  • Adamantane