A enzima uridina fosforilase 1 humana : alvo molecular para o desenvolvimento de novos inibidores para a quimioterapia do câncer

Abstract

The world impact of cancer is increasing through the years and only a few decades ago it was classified as a worldwide public health problem. Cancer cells display many biochemical and biological peculiarities and the research for new drugs to treat or improve the quality of patient life justify the design of compounds with defined molecular targets to affect biochemical pathways of the tumor. The pyrimidine salvage pathway is one of the cellular pathways that have interesting molecular targets for drug design. The human uridine phosphorylase 1 (hUP1) is a key enzyme of pyrimidine salvage and is responsible for the reversible phosphorolysis of uridine to uracil and ribose-1-phosphate in presence of inorganic phosphate. Uridine is proposed to be a biochemical modulator to counteract the host toxicity caused by chemotherapy with 5-fluorouracil (5-FU). Kinetic characterization data were the starting point for hUP1 inhibitors planning. This work describes synthesis, kinetic and thermodynamic characterization of new compounds; also, results from eukaryotic cell cultured analysis and animal models supported the selection of the most promising compound. From the lead molecule, presenting inhibition values in nanomolar range, chemical replacement experiments were performed in specific spots of the molecule, leading to derived compounds with improved affinity profile. By kinetic characterization and thermodynamic discrimination profile the most potent inhibitors were characterized as competitive and uncompetitve inhibitors towards hUP1 natural substrates uridine and inorganic phosphate, respectively, showing its abilities to form a noncatalytic ternary complex. The cell cultured assessment with our lead compound showed the improved capacity of the compound to boost the sensibility of tumor cells to 5-FU treatment, with no significant influence on normal cells. Likewise, in murine model of mucositis, our data suggest that the lead compound maybe efficient to intestinal mucosa protection and to inhibit the hUP1 enzyme-mediated increase in the uridine plasma levels. Thus, the results presented here strengthen the interest for hUP1 inhibitors and for the uridine use as a biochemical modulator of side effects observed during fluoropyrimidines chemotherapy.