5α-Epoxyalantolactone Inhibits Metastasis of Triple-Negative Breast Cancer Cells by Covalently Binding a Conserved Cysteine of Annexin A2

J Med Chem. 2021 Sep 9;64(17):12537-12547. doi: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.1c00267. Epub 2021 Aug 5.

Abstract

Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) has been considered the most aggressive and mortal breast cancer. Thus far, it remains an important challenge to develop TNBC targeted therapy. As revealed from numerous recent studies, ANXA2 may be a potential target to treat TNBC. In the present study, a natural product 5α-epoxyalantolactone (5α-EAL) was discovered as an anti-breast cancer stem cells (BCSCs) lead compound. Furthermore, 5α-EAL was found to be able to notably suppress the function of ANXA2 by covalently targeting cysteine 9 (Cys9) of ANXA2. To the best of our knowledge, 5α-EAL was recognized as the first small molecule functional inhibitor of ANXA2. It could significantly inhibit the formation of the heterotetrameric complex of ANXA2 and S100A10, which is capable of transporting E-cadherin (E-Ca) to the membrane. The above findings may be used as a possible strategy to develop novel anti-TNBC therapies targeting ANXA2.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Annexin A2 / genetics
  • Annexin A2 / metabolism*
  • Antineoplastic Agents / chemistry
  • Antineoplastic Agents / therapeutic use*
  • Cell Line, Tumor
  • Cell Proliferation
  • Female
  • Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic / drug effects*
  • Humans
  • Lactones / chemistry
  • Lactones / pharmacology*
  • Liver Neoplasms / prevention & control
  • Liver Neoplasms / secondary
  • Lung Neoplasms / prevention & control
  • Lung Neoplasms / secondary
  • Molecular Structure
  • Triple Negative Breast Neoplasms / drug therapy*
  • Triple Negative Breast Neoplasms / pathology
  • Xenograft Model Antitumor Assays

Substances

  • ANXA2 protein, human
  • Annexin A2
  • Antineoplastic Agents
  • Lactones