Novel dual-action prodrug triggers apoptosis in glioblastoma cells by releasing a glutathione quencher and lysine-specific histone demethylase 1A inhibitor

Martin Engel, Yi Sing Gee, Dale Cross, Alan Maccarone, Benjamin Heng, Amy Hulme, Grady Smith, Gilles J. Guillemin, Brett W. Stringer, Christopher J.T. Hyland, Lezanne Ooi

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

8 Citations (Scopus)
1 Downloads (Pure)

Abstract

Targeting epigenetic mechanisms has shown promise against several cancers but has so far been unsuccessful against glioblastoma (GBM). Altered histone 3 lysine 4 methylation and increased lysine-specific histone demethylase 1A (LSD1) expression in GBM tumours nonetheless suggest that epigenetic mechanisms are involved in GBM. We engineered a dual-action prodrug, which is activated by the high hydrogen peroxide levels associated with GBM cells. This quinone methide phenylaminecyclopropane prodrug releases the LSD1 inhibitor 2-phenylcyclopropylamine with the glutathione scavenger para-quinone methide to trigger apoptosis in GBM cells. Quinone methide phenylaminocyclopropane impaired GBM cell behaviours in two-dimensional and three-dimensional assays, and triggered cell apoptosis in several primary and immortal GBM cell cultures. These results support our double-hit hypothesis of potentially targeting LSD1 and quenching glutathione, in order to impair and kill GBM cells but not healthy astrocytes. Our data suggest this strategy is effective at selectively targeting GBM and potentially other types of cancers. 

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)535-550
Number of pages16
JournalJournal of Neurochemistry
Volume149
Issue number4
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 22 May 2019
Externally publishedYes

Bibliographical note

This is an open access article under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits use, distribution and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.

Keywords

  • apoptosis
  • glioblastoma
  • LSD1
  • methylation
  • oxidative stress

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Novel dual-action prodrug triggers apoptosis in glioblastoma cells by releasing a glutathione quencher and lysine-specific histone demethylase 1A inhibitor'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this