1. Academic Validation
  2. DHQZ-17, a potent inhibitor of the transcription factor HNF4A, suppresses tumorigenicity of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma in vivo

DHQZ-17, a potent inhibitor of the transcription factor HNF4A, suppresses tumorigenicity of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma in vivo

  • J Cell Physiol. 2018 Mar;233(3):2613-2628. doi: 10.1002/jcp.26139.
Shilpa Tentu 1 Kumarswamyreddy Nandarapu 1 Prakash Muthuraj 1 Kesavan Venkitasamy 1 Ganesh Venkatraman 2 Suresh K Rayala 1
Affiliations

Affiliations

  • 1 Department of Biotechnology, Bhupat and Jyoti Mehta School of Biosciences, Indian Institute of Technology Madras (IITM), Chennai, India.
  • 2 Department of Human Genetics, College of Biomedical Sciences, Technology and Research, Sri Ramachandra University, Porur, Chennai, India.
Abstract

A series of 2, 3-dihydroquinazolinone derivatives were synthesized, characterized and their Anticancer activity was determined. Among the compounds synthesized and screened, one compound (17) showed potent Anticancer activity against human head and neck squamous cell carcinoma cell line, SCC131 and was non-toxic to normal cells. The compound inhibited the growth of SCC131 cells, with an IC50 of 1.75 μM, triggered apoptotic mode of cell death and caused tumor regression of SCC131 tumor xenografts in athymic mice. To decipher the target for the lead compound, a high throughput qPCR array was performed. Results showed that the compound 17, inhibited the expression of a vital transcription factor HNF4A, involved in regulation of metabolic pathways. Thus, the present work has identified a lead compound 17, with potent Anticancer activity, minimal normal cell toxicity and a plausible target and hence definitely holds future prospects as an Anticancer agent.

Keywords

HNF4A; caner; chemotherapy; cytotoxicity; small molecule; structure activity relationship.

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