Peptide-bond modified glutathione conjugate analogs modulate GSTpi function in GSH-conjugation, drug sensitivity and JNK signaling

Biochem Pharmacol. 2006 Jan 12;71(3):268-77. doi: 10.1016/j.bcp.2005.11.003. Epub 2005 Dec 7.

Abstract

Glutathione S-transferase pi (GST, E.C.2.5.1.18) overexpression contributes to resistance of cancer cells towards cytostatic drugs. Furthermore, GSTpi is involved in the cellular stress response through inhibition of Jun N-terminal-kinase (JNK), a process that can be modulated by GST inhibitors. GSH conjugates are potent GST inhibitors, but are sensitive towards gamma-glutamyltranspeptidase (gammaGT)-mediated breakdown. In search for new peptidase stable GST inhibitors we employed the following strategy: (1) selection of a suitable (GST inhibiting) peptide-bond isostere from a series of previously synthesized gammaGT stabilized GSH-analogs. (2) The use of this peptidomimetic strategy to prepare a GSTpi selective inhibitor. Two gammaGT stable GSH conjugate analogs inhibited human GSTs, although non-selectively. One of these, a urethane-type peptide-bond is well accepted by GSTs and we selected this modification for the development of a gammaGT stable, GSTpi selective inhibitor, UrPhg-Et(2). This compound displayed selectivity for GSTpi compared to alpha and mu class enzymes. Furthermore, the inhibitor reversed GSTpi-mediated drug resistance (MDR) in breast tumor cells. In addition, short-term exposure of cells to UrPhg-Et(2) led to GSTpi oligomerization and JNK activation, suggesting that it activates the JNK-cJun signaling module through GSTpi dissociation. Altogether, we show the successful use of peptidomimetic glutathione conjugate analogs as GST inhibitors and MDR-modifiers. As many MDR related enzymes, such as MRP1, glyoxalase 1 and DNA-pk are also inhibited by GSH conjugates, these peptidomimetic compounds can be used as scaffolds for the development of multi-target MDR drugs.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Antineoplastic Agents / pharmacology*
  • Cell Line, Tumor
  • Cell Proliferation / drug effects
  • Dose-Response Relationship, Drug
  • Drug Resistance, Neoplasm
  • Enzyme Inhibitors / pharmacology*
  • Ethacrynic Acid / pharmacology
  • Glutathione / analogs & derivatives*
  • Glutathione / pharmacology*
  • Glutathione S-Transferase pi / antagonists & inhibitors*
  • Humans
  • Inhibitory Concentration 50
  • Isoenzymes
  • MAP Kinase Kinase 4 / metabolism*
  • Peptides / chemistry
  • Peptides / pharmacology*
  • Rats
  • Recombinant Proteins / antagonists & inhibitors
  • Signal Transduction / drug effects

Substances

  • Antineoplastic Agents
  • Enzyme Inhibitors
  • Isoenzymes
  • Peptides
  • Recombinant Proteins
  • Glutathione S-Transferase pi
  • MAP Kinase Kinase 4
  • Glutathione
  • Ethacrynic Acid