Cell protein cross-linking by erbstatin and related compounds

The protein-tyrosine kinase inhibitor and stable erbstatin analogue methyl 2,5-dihydroxycinnamate (4) cross-links cell proteins by a non-physiological chemical mechanism (Stanwell et al., Cancer Res 55: 4950-4956, 1995). To determine the structural requirements for this effect, erbstatin (1) and fifteen related compounds, including caffeic acid phenylethyl ester (9) were synthesized and examined for their ability to induce cross-linking of cellular protein at concentrations ranging from low micromolar up to 1000 microM. Tests were conducted in NIH3T3 fibroblasts as well as mouse keratinocytes. Potent cross-linking of cellular protein was observed for a number of analogues, including erbstatin, at concentrations as low as 10-50 microM. The inactivity of methoxy and fluoro as compared with their corresponding dihydroxylated counterparts indicated that free aromatic hydroxyls were essential for cross-linking. Additionally, compounds containing phenyl rings with 1,4-dihydroxy substituents were more potent than those having 1,2-dihydroxylated patterns. As with the prototype compound 4, cross-linking was induced at both 37 degrees and 4 degrees, suggesting a chemical rather than physiological mechanism. Consistent with the data, a mechanism of action is proposed which involves initial oxidation to reactive quinone intermediates that subsequently cross-link protein nucleophiles via multiple 1,4-Michael-type additions. Similar alkylation of protein by protein-tyrosine kinase inhibitors, such as herbimycin A, has been invoked. While the latter benzoquinoid ansamycin antibiotics contain performed quinone moieties, results of the present study suggest that other hydroxylated kinase inhibitors can potentially participate in similar phenomena. A large number of potential therapeutics, including HIV integrase inhibitors, possess polyhydroxylated nuclei. The non-specific nature of the protein cross-linking reaction demonstrated for these erbstatin analogues, and the fact that cross-linking can occur at micromolar concentrations, may limit the therapeutic usefulness of such compounds to specific applications.