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Updated: Aug 30, 2026

Optimizing Tubulin Yield from Porcine Brain Tissue
Published on: October 11, 2024
Structural requirements for the interaction of combretastatins with tubulin: how important is the trimethoxy unit?
Keira Gaukroger1, John A Hadfield, Nicholas J Lawrence
1Drug Development Section, Paterson Institute for Cancer Research, Christie Hospital NHS Trust, Wilmslow Road, Manchester, M20 4BX.
Abstract:
A series of combretastatins possessing both a trimethoxy unit and other substituents on ring A has been synthesised and tested for cytotoxicity and their ability to interact with the protein tubulin. All previous studies have indicated that the trimethoxy unit is essential for interaction with tubulin. The studies herein show that molecules possessing functionalities other than trimethoxy can also interact with tubulin. Importantly a trimethyl substituted agent 52a has shown reduced cytotoxicity, but increased potency in its ability to inhibit the assembly of tubulin.
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