The combination of experimental (inhibition of colchicine binding) and computational (COMPARE, docking studies) data unequivocally identified diaryl 5-amino-1,2,4-oxadiazoles as potent tubulin inhibitors. Good correlation was observed between tubulin binding and cytostatic properties for all tested compounds with the notable exception of the lead candidate, 3-(3-methoxyphenyl)- 5-(4-methoxyphenyl)amino-1,2,4-oxadiazole (DCP 10500078). This compound was found to be substantially more active in our in vitro experiments than the monofluorinated title compound, 3-(2-fluorophenyl)-5-(4-methoxyphenyl)amino-1,2, 4-oxadiazole (DCP 10500067/NSC 757486), which in turn demonstrated slightly better tubulin binding activity. Comparative SAR analysis of 25 diaryl 5-amino-1,2,4-oxadiazoles with other known tubulin inhibitors, such as combretastatin A-4 (CA-4) and colchicine, provides further insight into the specifics of their binding as well as a plausible mechanism of action.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)1262-1268
Number of pages7
JournalBioorganic and Medicinal Chemistry Letters
Volume23
Issue number5
DOIs
StatePublished - 1 Mar 2013
Externally publishedYes

    Scopus subject areas

  • Biochemistry
  • Molecular Medicine
  • Molecular Biology
  • Pharmaceutical Science
  • Drug Discovery
  • Clinical Biochemistry
  • Organic Chemistry

ID: 5708350