Glaziovianin A prevents endosome maturation via inhibiting microtubule dynamics

Glaziovianin A, an isoflavone isolated from the leaves of Ateleia glazioviana, inhibits the cell cycle progression in M-phase with an abnormal spindle structure, but its inhibitory mechanism has not been revealed. Here, we report that glaziovianin A and its derivatives are microtubule dynamics inhibitors. Glaziovianin A extended the time lag of tubulin polymerization without changing the net amount of polymerized tubulin in vitro and suppressed microtubule dynamics in cells. Furthermore, glaziovianin A inhibited the transport of endosomes containing EGF-stimulated EGFR and prolonged the EGFR activation. Consistent with the prolonged activation of EGFR, glaziovianin A enhanced the EGF-dependent apoptosis in A431 cells. These results strongly suggested that microtubule dynamics is important for endosome transport and maturation, and that glaziovianin A shows cytotoxicity by two pathways, the mitotic arrest and inadequate activation of receptor kinases via the inhibition of endosome maturation.