DOI
https://doi.org/10.25772/9EME-4559
Defense Date
2012
Document Type
Thesis
Degree Name
Master of Science
Department
Pharmaceutical Sciences
First Advisor
Keith Ellis
Abstract
Pyranonaphthoquinone lactones have been recently found to be selective inhibitors of the serine-threonine kinase AKT/PKB. AKT/PKB plays a major role in tumorigenesis, hence these compounds have a great potential to act as anti-cancer agents. They act by a novel bioreductive alkylation mechanism of inhibition of AKT/PKB. In this work, 7-deoxykalafungin, a pyranonaphthoquinone lactone and its deconstruction analogs were synthesized. The structural features of the compounds necessary to inhibit AKT1 potently and selectively were determined. It was observed that compounds with a pyran ring were more potent in inhibiting AKT1. Conversely, flexible compounds were found to be weak inhibitors of AKT1. Also, presence of a lactone ring was found to be favorable in inhibiting AKT1. Of the compounds tested, 7-deoxykalafungin was the most potent inhibitor of AKT1 (IC50 = 0.28 µM against AKT1) and compound 4-61 was the most potent inhibitor of PKA (IC50 = 0.43 µM against PKA).
Rights
© The Author
Is Part Of
VCU University Archives
Is Part Of
VCU Theses and Dissertations
Date of Submission
August 2012