Design and synthesis of neolamellarin a derivatives targeting heat shock protein 90

In this study, we designed and synthesized a novel family of neolamellarin A derivatives that showed high inhibitory activity toward heat shock protein 90 (Hsp90), a kinase associated with cell proliferation. The 3,4-bis(catechol)pyrrole scaffold and the benzyl group with methoxy modification at N position of pyrrole are essential to the Hsp90 inhibitory activity and cytotoxicity of these compounds. Western blot analysis demonstrated that these compounds induced dramatic depletion of the examined client proteins of Hsp90, and accelerated cancer cell apoptosis. Docking simulations suggested that the binding mode of 9p was similar to that of the VER49009, a potent inhibitor of Hsp90. Further molecular dynamics simulation indicated that the hydrophobic interactions as well as the hydrogen bonds contributed to the high affinity of 9p to Hsp90.