ORCID Profile
0000-0002-4729-4662
Current Organisation
Griffith University - Gold Coast Campus
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Publisher: Royal Society of Chemistry (RSC)
Date: 2019
DOI: 10.1039/C9RA03359A
Abstract: A new series of phenylaminopyrimidine (PAP) derivatives was designed and synthesized to act against tyrosine kinases for the treatment of cancer.
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 07-2019
DOI: 10.1016/J.ANTIVIRAL.2019.04.001
Abstract: Human parainfluenza viruses cause acute respiratory tract infections and disease predominantly in young children and immunocompromised in iduals. Currently, there are no vaccines to prevent hPIV infections, nor licensed anti-hPIV drugs. There is therefore a need for specific antiviral therapies to decrease the morbidity and mortality associated with hPIV diseases. Haemagglutinin-neuraminidase (HN) is one of two hPIV surface proteins with critical roles in host receptor recognition, binding and cleavage it has been explored as a key drug development target for the past few decades with variable success. Recent advancements in computational modelling and the availability of the X-ray crystal structure of hPIV3 HN have improved our understanding of the structural and mechanistic features of HN. This review explores structural features of the HN protein that are being exploited for structure-guided inhibitor design. We describe past and present hPIV HN inhibition strategies based on sialic acid scaffolds, together with other novel approaches that decrease hPIV infectivity. Although many HN inhibitors have been developed and evaluated as anti-hPIV agents, currently only a host-directed therapy (DAS181) has succeeded in phase II clinical drug trials. Hence, the review concludes with future considerations for targeting the specific function(s) of hPIV HN and suggestions for antiviral drug design.
Publisher: MDPI AG
Date: 09-06-2021
DOI: 10.3390/MOLECULES26123532
Abstract: Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is a heterogeneous subtype of tumors that tests negative for estrogen receptors, progesterone receptors, and excess HER2 protein. The mainstay of treatment remains chemotherapy, but the therapeutic outcome remains inadequate. This paper investigates the potential of a duocarmycin derivative, tafuramycin A (TFA), as a new and more effective chemotherapy agent in TNBC treatment. To this extent, we optimized the chemical synthesis of TFA, and we encapsulated TFA in a micellar system to reduce side effects and increase tumor accumulation. In vitro and in vivo studies suggest that both TFA and SMA–TFA possess high anticancer effects in TNBC models. Finally, the encapsulation of TFA offered a preferential avenue to tumor accumulation by increasing its concentration at the tumor tissues by around four times in comparison with the free drug. Overall, the results provide a new potential strategy useful for TNBC treatment.
Publisher: Royal Society of Chemistry (RSC)
Date: 2017
DOI: 10.1039/C6MD00519E
Abstract: We explore the structural features at C-4 of unsaturated N -acetylneuraminic acid required to access the 216-cavity in human parainfluenza virus hemagglutinin-neuraminidase.
Publisher: American Society for Clinical Investigation
Date: 07-2013
DOI: 10.1172/JCI66634
Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Date: 20-10-2014
DOI: 10.1038/NCOMMS6268
Abstract: Human parainfluenza viruses (hPIVs) cause upper and lower respiratory tract disease in children that results in a significant number of hospitalizations and impacts health systems worldwide. To date, neither antiviral drugs nor vaccines are approved for clinical use against parainfluenza virus, which reinforces the urgent need for new therapeutic discovery strategies. Here we use a multidisciplinary approach to develop potent inhibitors that target a structural feature within the hPIV type 3 haemagglutinin-neuraminidase (hPIV-3 HN). These dual-acting designer inhibitors represent the most potent designer compounds and efficiently block both hPIV cell entry and virion progeny release. We also define the binding mode of these inhibitors in the presence of whole-inactivated hPIV and recombinantly expressed hPIV-3 HN by Saturation Transfer Difference NMR spectroscopy. Collectively, our study provides an antiviral preclinical candidate and a new direction towards the discovery of potential anti-parainfluenza drugs.
Publisher: American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS)
Date: 18-11-2020
DOI: 10.1126/SCITRANSLMED.ABB3791
Abstract: The hydroxyquinoline analog PBT2 breaks resistance to polymyxin class antibiotics in polymyxin-resistant Gram-negative bacteria.
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 10-2009
DOI: 10.1016/J.BMCL.2009.08.029
Abstract: A series of rationally designed ROS1 tyrosine kinase inhibitors was synthesized and screened. Compound 12b has showed good potency with IC50 value of 209 nM, which is comparable with that of the reference lead compound 1. Molecular modeling studies have been performed, that is, a homology model for ROS1 was built, and the screened inhibitors were docked into its major identified binding site. The docked poses along with the activity data have revealed a group of the essential features for activity. Overall, simplification of the lead compound 1 into compound 12b has maintained the activity, while facilitated the synthetic advantages. A molecular interaction model for ROS1 kinase and inhibitors has been proposed.
Publisher: Spandidos Publications
Date: 27-08-2012
Abstract: The anticancer effect of a new pyrazole derivative, KI-10F (2-(4-(2-(4-(dimethylamino) phenyl)pyridin-4-yl)-5-(3-methoxy-5-methylphenyl)-1H-pyrazol‑1-yl) acetonitrile)•3.5HCl) was evaluated in human colon cancer cells. KI-10F strongly suppressed the growth of human colon cancer cells and induced apoptosis by increasing the proportion of sub-G1 presenting apoptotic cells as well as causing cell cycle arrest at the G2/M phase. Apoptosis by KI-10F was confirmed by observation of an increase in the expression of cleaved caspase-3, caspase-8, caspase-9 and Bax, and the decrease of Bcl-2. Decreased expression of HIF-1α and VEGF, and the inhibition of HUVEC tube formation and migration showed that KI-10F effectively inhibited the angiogenesis process. Furthermore, in vivo study in a mouse xenograft model showed that KI-10F produced a stronger antitumor activity than 5-FU, a conventional anticancer drug prescribed for the treatment of colon cancer. The effects of KI-10F on tumor proliferation (PCNA), angiogenesis (CD34) and apoptosis (cleaved caspase-3) were evaluated by immunohistochemistry using isolated tumor tissue s les. Taken together, our results demonstrated that KI-10F induces apoptosis and inhibits cell growth and angiogenesis both in vitro and in vivo. We suggest that KI-10F is an effective chemotherapeutic candidate for use against colon cancer.
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 08-2009
DOI: 10.1016/J.BMCL.2009.06.066
Abstract: ROS1 protein is a receptor tyrosine kinase that has been reported mainly in meningiomas and astrocytomas, and until now, there is no selective inhibitor for this kinase. In this study, we illustrate for the synthesis of a highly potent and selective inhibitor for ROS1 kinase. The synthesized compound 1 was tested initially at a single dose concentration of 10 microM over 45 different kinases. At this concentration, a 94% inhibition of the enzymatic activity of ROS1 kinase was observed, while the inhibition in activity was below 30% in all of the other kinases. The pyrazole compound 1 was further tested in a 10-dose IC(50) mode and showed an IC(50) value of 199 nM for ROS1 kinase. The compound 1 can be used as a promising lead for the development of new selective inhibitors for ROS1 kinase, and it may open the way for new selective therapeutics for astrocytomas.
Publisher: MDPI AG
Date: 05-05-2019
DOI: 10.3390/V11050417
Abstract: Human parainfluenza virus (hPIV) infections are a major cause of respiratory tract illnesses in children, with currently no available vaccine or drug treatment. The surface glycoprotein haemagglutinin-neuraminidase (HN) of hPIV has a central role in the viral life cycle, including neuraminic acid-recognising receptor binding activity (early stage) and receptor-destroying activity (late stage), which makes it an ideal target for antiviral drug disovery. In this study, we showed that targeting the catalytic mechanism of hPIV-1 HN by a 2α,3β-difluoro derivative of the known hPIV-1 inhibitor, BCX 2798, produced more potent inhibition of the neuraminidase function which is reflected by a stronger inhibition of viral replication. The difluorosialic acid-based inhibitor efficiently blocked the neuraminidase activity of HN for a prolonged period of time relative to its unsaturated neuraminic acid (Neu2en) analogue, BCX 2798 and produced a more efficient inhibition of the HN neuraminidase activity as well as in vitro viral replication. This prolonged inhibition of the hPIV-1 HN protein suggests covalent binding of the inhibitor to a key catalytic amino acid, making this compound a new lead for a novel class of more potent hPIV-1 mechanism-based inhibitors.
Publisher: MDPI AG
Date: 09-04-2008
Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Date: 08-10-2018
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 06-2010
DOI: 10.1016/J.BMC.2010.04.037
Abstract: A new series of N-substituted-2-aminopyrimidines based on the '4-(pyridin-3-yl)pyrimidin-2-amine' scaffold of Imatinib has been designed and synthesized. A selected group from the target compounds was tested over a panel of 60 cancer cell lines at a single dose concentration of 10microM, and the two most active compounds, 25b and 30, were further tested in a five-dose testing mode to determine their IC(50) values over the 60 cell lines. Compound 30 has showed good potencies and high efficacies, and was accordingly tested at a single dose concentration of 10microM over a panel of 54 kinases. At this concentration, the compound has showed multiple inhibitions over a number of oncogenic kinases, including ABL1, AKT1, LCK, C-SRC, PIM1, FLT3, FYN, and KDR. A molecular modeling study was made by docking of the most active compound 30 and its inactive analog 29 into the kinase domain of ABL1 to investigate their possible binding interactions.
Publisher: American Society for Microbiology
Date: 21-12-2018
Abstract: The rise of bacterial antibiotic resistance coupled with a reduction in new antibiotic development has placed significant burdens on global health care. Resistant bacterial pathogens such as methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus and vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus are leading causes of community- and hospital-acquired infection and present a significant clinical challenge. These pathogens have acquired resistance to broad classes of antimicrobials. Furthermore, Streptococcus pyogenes , a significant disease agent among Indigenous Australians, has now acquired resistance to several antibiotic classes. With a rise in antibiotic resistance and reduction in new antibiotic discovery, it is imperative to investigate alternative therapeutic regimens that complement the use of current antibiotic treatment strategies. As stated by the WHO Director-General, “On current trends, common diseases may become untreatable. Doctors facing patients will have to say, Sorry, there is nothing I can do for you.”
Publisher: Wiley
Date: 04-08-2011
DOI: 10.1002/MED.20206
Abstract: ROS kinase is one of the last two remaining orphan receptor tyrosine kinases with an as yet unidentified ligand. The normal functions of human ROS kinase in different body tissues have not been fully identified so far. However, the ectopic expression, as well as the production of variable mutant forms of ROS kinase has been reported in a number of cancers, such as glioblastoma multiforme, and non-small cell lung cancer, suggesting a role for ROS kinase in deriving such tumors. It is thought also that c-ROS gene may have a role in some cardiovascular diseases, and the fact that homozygous male mice targeted against c-ROS gene are healthy but infertile, has inspired researchers to think about ROS inhibition as a method for development of new male contraceptives. The recent discovery of new selective and potent inhibitors for ROS kinase, along with the development of new specific diagnostic methods for the detection of ROS fusion proteins, raises the importance of using these selective inhibitors for targeting ROS mutations as a new method for treatment of cancers harboring such genes. This review focuses on the ectopic expression of ROS and its fusion proteins in different cancer types and highlights the importance of targeting these proteins for treatment of substantial cancers. It describes also the recent advances in the field of ROS kinase inhibition, and the potential clinical applications of ROS kinase inhibitors.
Publisher: Wiley
Date: 10-02-2015
Abstract: Human parainfluenza virus type 3 (hPIV-3) is one of the leading causes for lower respiratory tract disease in children, with neither an approved antiviral drug nor vaccine available to date. Understanding the catalytic mechanism of human parainfluenza virus haemagglutinin-neuraminidase (HN) protein is key to the design of specific inhibitors against this virus. Herein, we used (1) H NMR spectroscopy, X-ray crystallography, and virological assays to study the catalytic mechanism of the HN enzyme activity and have identified the conserved Tyr530 as a key amino acid involved in catalysis. A novel 2,3-difluorosialic acid derivative showed prolonged enzyme inhibition and was found to react and form a covalent bond with Tyr530. Furthermore, the novel derivative exhibited enhanced potency in virus blockade assays relative to its Neu2en analogue. These outcomes open the door for a new generation of potent inhibitors against hPIV-3 HN.
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 06-2010
DOI: 10.1016/J.BMC.2010.04.029
Abstract: A new series of 1H- and 2H-pyrazole derivatives (35 final compounds) has been designed and synthesized in this study. A selected group (13 compounds) was then tested over a panel of 60 cancer cell lines at a single dose concentration of 10microM. At this concentration, six compounds have showed moderate to strong mean inhibitions, and were further tested at five-dose testing mode to determine their IC(50) over the 60 cell lines. The IC(50) values of the tested compounds indicated high potency (as for compound 10f) as well as high efficacy (as for compound 11e). Accordingly, compound 10f was then tested at a single dose concentration of 10microM over a panel of 54 kinases to determine its kinase inhibitory profile. The compound has showed good selectivity towards FLT3 kinase, associated with a moderate potency, with an IC(50) value of 1.74microM.
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 11-2011
Publisher: American Chemical Society (ACS)
Date: 08-09-2014
DOI: 10.1021/JM500759V
Abstract: Human parainfluenza virus type 1 is the major cause of croup in infants and young children. There is currently neither vaccine nor clinically effective treatment for parainfluenza virus infection. Hemagglutinin-neuraminidase glycoprotein is a key protein in viral infection, and its inhibition has been a target for 2-deoxy-2,3-didehydro-d-N-acetylneuraminic acid (Neu5Ac2en)-based inhibitor development. In this study, we explore the effect of C-5 modifications on the potency of Neu5Ac2en derivatives that target the human parainfluenza type-1 hemagglutinin-neuraminidase protein. Our study demonstrates that the replacement of the Neu5Ac2en C-5 acetamido moiety with more hydrophobic alkane-based moieties improves the inhibitory potency for both hemagglutinin-neuraminidase functions. These findings shed light on the importance of C-5 substitution on Neu5Ac2en in the design of novel sialic acid-based inhibitors that target human parainfluenza type-1 hemagglutinin-neuraminidase.
Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Date: 03-07-2017
DOI: 10.1038/S41598-017-04656-Y
Abstract: Human parainfluenza viruses represent a leading cause of lower respiratory tract disease in children, with currently no available approved drug or vaccine. The viral surface glycoprotein haemagglutinin-neuraminidase (HN) represents an ideal antiviral target. Herein, we describe the first structure-based study on the rearrangement of key active site amino acid residues by an induced opening of the 216-loop, through the accommodation of appropriately functionalised neuraminic acid-based inhibitors. We discovered that the rearrangement is influenced by the degree of loop opening and is controlled by the neuraminic acid’s C-4 substituent’s size (large or small). In this study, we found that these rearrangements induce a butterfly effect of paramount importance in HN inhibitor design and define criteria for the ideal substituent size in two different categories of HN inhibitors and provide novel structural insight into the druggable viral HN protein.
Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Date: 07-04-2016
DOI: 10.1038/SREP24138
Abstract: Human parainfluenza type-3 virus (hPIV-3) is one of the principal aetiological agents of acute respiratory illness in infants worldwide and also shows high disease severity in the elderly and immunocompromised, but neither therapies nor vaccines are available to treat or prevent infection, respectively. Using a multidisciplinary approach we report herein that the approved drug suramin acts as a non-competitive in vitro inhibitor of the hPIV-3 haemagglutinin-neuraminidase (HN). Furthermore, the drug inhibits viral replication in mammalian epithelial cells with an IC 50 of 30 μM, when applied post-adsorption. Significantly, we show in cell-based drug-combination studies using virus infection blockade assays, that suramin acts synergistically with the anti-influenza virus drug zanamivir. Our data suggests that lower concentrations of both drugs can be used to yield high levels of inhibition. Finally, using NMR spectroscopy and in silico docking simulations we confirmed that suramin binds HN simultaneously with zanamivir. This binding event occurs most likely in the vicinity of the protein primary binding site, resulting in an enhancement of the inhibitory potential of the N -acetylneuraminic acid-based inhibitor. This study offers a potentially exciting avenue for the treatment of parainfluenza infection by a combinatorial repurposing approach of well-established approved drugs.
Publisher: Royal Society of Chemistry (RSC)
Date: 2014
DOI: 10.1039/C4OB00842A
Abstract: An improved and versatile synthesis of tafuramycin A, a potent anticancer and parasite-attenuating agent, is reported.
Location: Korea, Republic of
Location: Bahrain
Start Date: 2012
End Date: 2015
Funder: National Health and Medical Research Council
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