Cette thèse a pour objectif l’identification de nouveaux inhibiteurs de kinase et plus particulièrement de kinases dépendantes de cyclines (CDKs). Des inhibiteurs de CDKs sont en essais cliniques depuis une dizaine d’année. Un faisceau d’informations récentes montre que cette nouvelle classe pharmacologique pourrait prochainement occuper une place prépondérante dans la thérapie antitumorale. L’introduction de cette thèse décrit les principaux inhibiteurs de CDKs en se focalisant sur ceux dont le développement clinique est en cours et sur les structures les plus récemment divulguées (2009 à 2013). Trois molécules avancées en études cliniques s’avèrent intéressantes et s’approchent de la mise sur le marché : la Roscovitine (phase clinique IIb), le Dinaciclib (phase clinique III) et le Palbociclib (phase clinique III). D’un point de vue expérimental, cette thèse se décompose en deux parties principales. La première modulation a consisté à rechercher des nouveaux groupements qui pourraient sur des squelettes déjà connus comme les purines apporter un avantage en ce qui concerne l’activité des produits. Les structures cristallines des complexes inhibiteur-enzymes et notamment celles de Roscovitine-CDK2 et CR8-CDK2 ont guidé la conception des nouvelles molécules. C’est ainsi que sur les structures biaryliques déjà connues, un groupement phénol a été greffé sur l’un des cycles conduisant ainsi à de nouveaux inhibiteurs de kinases. Ces molécules sont plus puissantes que les produits non hydroxylés. L’augmentation de l’activité est particulièrement sensible au niveau de la kinase CDK2 qui est impliquée notamment dans régulation du cycle cellulaire. La seconde partie du travail porte sur la recherche de structures isostères des purines. Ainsi, le squelette thieno[3,2-d]pyrimidines a été développé de novo. Deux types d’intermédiaires produits ont été préparés afin de permettre la diversification des structures. En premier temps la voie de synthèse via l’intermédiaire thiométhyle a été conduite, néanmois cette voie présente certaines limites. Le deuxième intermédiaire trihalogéné a permi d’optimiser la préparation des molécules thieno[3,2-d]pyrimidines. Les évaluations des produits préparés ne sont pas totalement terminées. Ces molécules sont moins puissantes que les purines sur les CDKs mais agissent au niveau d’autres kinases. / In the introduction, the main functions of cyclin dependent kinases are detailed. Whenever it was possible the link with pathologies where these kinases are overexpressed is presented. This is followed by the description of the inhibitors which are actually undergoing clinical testing. Most of these clinical studies are targeting cancer and leukemia. Impressive clinical results have been disclosed for Dinaciclib, Palbociclib and Roscovitine. The synthesis of two series of compounds is then envisioned. The first series of products are purine derivatives bearing a hydroxybiarylmethyl group on the 6 position of the purine scaffold.  Two approaches were compared in the synthesis of the hydroxylbiarylmethylamino group. In both approaches the key step was the orthoformylation of phenols using magnesium chloride as catalyst. The prepared compounds were evaluated against kinases and a tumor cell line. They were found more potent than homologous products without hydroxyls. The second families of products are thieno[3,2-d]pyrimidines. A new general route to these products based on the preparation of 7-bromo-2,4-dichloro-thieno[3,2-d]pyrimidine which can allow the synthesis of a large diversity of trisubstituted derivatives.

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published_or_final_version / abstract / Obstetrics and Gynaecology / Master / Master of Philosophy

Dilantin (diphenylhydantoin or DPH) has been given to epileptic mothers to control seizures during pregnancy. Previous research has demonstrated that exposure of human embryos to Dilantin in vivo results in an increased probability of abnormal development and early fetal loss. Preliminary results with cultured 1-cell and 2-cell mouse embryos demonstrated that Dilantin causes mouse embryonic cleavage events to slow during preimplantation development (Chatot et al., unpublished). Dilantin may be responsible for this by inhibiting the rate of DNA synthesis during cleavage or by affecting the expression of proteins that control cell cycle progression. The standard expression pattern of these cell cycle regulatory proteins (cyclins) has not previously been determined in the mouse preimplantation embryo model. In this study, immunolabellingtechniques have been used to determine the expression pattern of cyclins D, A, and B 1 in the first three cell cycles of preimplantation mouse embryo development.This study reveals a unique expression pattern of cyclins D, A, and B1 in the first three cell cycles of preimplantation embryo development. Examination of the beginning of the first cell cycle, or G1, indicated a moderate expression of cyclin B1 and A but no cyclin D expression. During DNA synthesis (S-phase) all cyclin expression was virtually nonexistent. Toward the end of the cell cycle at G2/M, cyclin D expression appeared to be at moderate levels while cyclins A and B 1 exhibited minimal degrees of expression.In G 1 of the second cell cycle, cyclins D and A were minimally to moderately expressed and cyclin B 1 expression was minimal. At S-phase, cyclin D expression dropped to minimal levels whereas cyclins A and B 1 were at minimal to moderate levels of expression. At G2/M of the second cell cycle, cyclin B1 was expressed at minimal to moderate levels and cyclins A and D were both expressed at minimal levels.The third cell cycle began at G 1 with cyclin B 1 being expressed at moderate levels followed by minimal to moderate levels of cyclin D expression and minimal expression for cyclin A. Cyclin D expression increased to moderate levels at S-phase and cyclin A exhibited minimal to moderate levels of expression. Cyclin B 1 was observed at moderate levels of expression at S-phase of the third cell cycle. G2 of the third cell cycle included a drop to minimal levels of expression of cyclin D, while cyclin A expression remained at minimal to moderate levels and cyclin B remained at moderate levels of expression.The cyclin expression pattern for the first three cell cycles in preimplantation mouse embryos is unique compared to known cyclin expression patterns in other species. Cyclin D is expressed in G1 and is known to be necessary for advancement to S-phase in human glioblastoma cell lines (Xiong et al., 1991). Cyclin A is active at S-phase through Win human fibroblasts and xenopus oocytes (Giordino et al., 1991; Minshul et al., 1990). Cyclin B is present at G2 through mitosis in human fibroblasts and xenopus oocytes (Pines and Hunter, 1990; Minshul et al, 1990). / Department of Biology

Ganoderma lucidum is a popular herbal medicine used in China to promote health. Modern studies have disclosed that the active ingredients of Ganoderma can exhibit several effects, including antitumor effects and immunomodulation. The present study evaluated the antitumor effects of self-prepared Ganoderma extracts and spores oil, and investigated the possible underlying mechanisms by observing the effects of the extracts and oil on topoisomerases and the cell cycle. The results showed that Ganoderma extracts and spores oil presented dose-dependent inhibitory effects on tumor cells. The half maximal inhibitory concentration (IC50) values of Ganoderma extracts on HL60, K562 and SGC-7901 cells for 24 h were 0.44, 0.39 and 0.90 mg/ml, respectively; for Ganoderma spores oil, the IC50 values were 1.13, 2.27 and 6.29 mg/ml, respectively. In the in vivo study, the inhibitory rates of Ganoderma extracts (4 g/kg/d, intragastrically) on S180 and H22 cells were 39.1 and 44.6%, respectively, and for Ganoderma spores oil (1.2 g/kg/d, intragastrically) the inhibitory rates were 30.9 and 44.9%, respectively. Ganoderma extracts and spores oil inhibited the activities of topoisomerase I and II. Ganoderma spores oil was shown block the cell cycle at the transition between the G1 and S phases and induce a marked decrease in cyclin D1 levels in K562 cells, with no significant change in cyclin E level. These results suggest that the Ganoderma extracts and spores oil possessed antitumor effects in the in vitro and in vivo studies. The antitumor mechanisms of the extracts and spores oil were associated with inhibitory effects on topoisomerase I and II activities, and for Ganoderma spores oil, the antitumor effects may also be associated with decreased cyclin D1 levels, thus inducing G1 arrest in the cell cycle.

Le cycle cellulaire est finement régulé dans le temps et l'espace. Nous avons abordé les aspects dynamiques des interactions que la cycline A2 entretient avec ses partenaires Cdk1, Cdk2 et l'ubiquitine au cours du cycle cellulaire, dans des lignées cellulaires humaines. A cette fin, nous avons eu recours aux approches de FRET (Förster/fluorescence resonance energy transfer) et de FLIM (fluorescence lifetime imaging microscopy). Ceci nous a permis de montrer que les formes ubiquitinylées de la cycline A2 apparaissent principalement sous forme de foyers en prométaphase et se propagent ensuite à l'ensemble de la cellule. En outre, nous avons découvert que l'autophagie participe à la dégradation de cette cycline en mitose. Nous discutons les implications de ces observations quant à un rôle éventuel de la cycline A2 au moment de la formation de l'anneau de constriction, ainsi que de la participation de l'autophagie via cette cycline, dans la réponse aux dommages à l'ADN en mitose. / The cell cycle is finely regulated in time and space. We have studied the dynamical aspect of the interactions between cyclin A2 and its partners Cdk1, Cdk2 and ubiquitin during the cell cycle, in human cell lines. To this aim, we have used FRET (Förster/fluorescence resonance energy transfer) and FLIM (fluorescence lifetime imaging microscopy) techniques. We have thus shown that ubiquitylated forms of cyclin A2 are detected predominantly in foci in prometaphase, before spreading throughout the cell. Moreover, we have shown that autophagy contributes to cyclin A2 degradation in mitosis. We discuss the implications of these observations regarding a possible role of cyclin A2 when the cleavage furrow forms, and the participation of autophagy in DNA damage response in mitosis.

L'objectif de cette thèse est de mieux comprendre la régulation de la phase M du cycle cellulaire. Nos expériences ont été effectuées dans des extraits acellulaires d’embryons de Xenopus laevis. Tout d'abord, nous montrons que le moment de l'entrée en phase M est précisément déterminé par un équilibre entre l'activité de la protéine kinase CDK1 et l’activité d’une protéine phosphatase sensible à l'acide okadaïque, PP2A. Nous montrons également le rôle de la protéine CDC6 dans la régulation de l'entrée dans la première phase M embryonnaire. En effet, CDC6 inhibe CDK1 et à travers cette action régule la dynamique de cette kinase lors de l'entrée et de la progression en phase M. Ces résultats mettent en évidence un nouveau contrôle qui précise le moment du clivage embryonnaire. Ce contrôle joue un rôle clé dans la coordination entre les mécanismes de régulation du cycle cellulaire et le programme de développement de l'embryon. / The aim of this thesis is to understand better the regulation of the M-phase of the cell cycle. Experiments were done in cell-free extracts of Xenopus laevis one-cell embryos. Firstly, we show that the timing of the M-phase entry is precisely determined by a balance between the activity of CDK1 kinase and okadaic acid sensitive phosphatase, mainly PP2A. Secondly, we show the role of CDC6 protein in regulation of the entry into the first embryonic M-phase. CDC6 inhibits CDK1 and through this action regulates the dynamic of this kinase upon M-phase entry and during M-phase progression. This mechanism discovered during my PhD allows controlling precisely the timing of embryonic cleavage. This control plays a key role in coordinating the cell cycle regulating machinery and the development program of the embryo.

Les cellules souches embryonnaires (cellules ES) sont capables de se multiplier de façon autonome en l’absence de facteurs de croissance et de cytokines, un état appelé “état fondamental de pluripotence”. Le cycle cellulaire des cellules ES se caractérise : (i) par une expression élevée et uniforme de la cycline E et des complexes Cycline E-CDK2 au cours de la progression dans le cycle cellulaire et (ii) par une phase G1 très courte (1 heure) dont la traversée ne dépend ni des MAPK ni des points de contrôles régulés par la protéine du rétinoblastome (RB) et p53. Ces observations soulèvent la question de l’existence d’un lien de cause à effet entre ce phénomène de réplication autonome et la pluripotence. Mon projet de thèse se construit autour de trois axes qui montrent que : 1/ la phase G1 des cellules ES de souris est une phase de sensibilité accrue aux inducteurs de différenciation. 2/ la balance entre autorenouvellement et différenciation est perturbée, (i) quand l’expression de la cycline E est altérée, ou (ii) quand l’association de la cycline E avec la kinase CDK2 et le centrosome est bloquée. 3/ La signalisation par le LIF contrôle la formation et l’activation des complexes Cycline E/CDK2. Dans les cellules ES naïves Rex1+, l’allongement de la durée de la phase G1 induit par la privation de LIF précède, ou est concomitante, à la diminution de l’expression de marqueurs de pluripotence et à l’activation des marqueurs les plus précoces de la différenciation. Finalement, nous proposons un modèle dans lequel la signalisation par le LIF régule la transition G1/S et permet le maintien de l’autorenouvellement des cellules ES murines / Pluripotency can be captured and propagated in vitro from the epiblast of the pre-implantation blastocysts in the form of embryonic stem cells (ESCs). ESCs are capable of unlimited proliferation in an undifferentiated state while maintain the potential to differentiate into cells of all three germ layers in the embryo, including the germline. Two key features the ES cell mitotic cycle are (i) a vastly elevated and uniform expression of Cyclin E and Cyclin E/CDK2 complexes throughout the cell cycle and (ii) a short G1 phase characterized by the lack of RB- and p53-dependent checkpoints, and reduced dependency on MAPK signalling. During my PhD project, we explored whether and how the regulation of the cell cycle actively sustains self-renewal of mouse ESCs (mESCs). We demonstrated that: 1/ the G1 phase of mESCs is a phase of increased susceptibility to differentiation inducers. Thus shortening of G1 might shield undifferentiated cells from differentiation inducers and help ESCs to self-renew in the pluripotent state. 2/ Cyclin E opposes differentiation and supports self-renewal of mESCs by two independent mechanisms, one of which being independent of CDK2 activation. 3/ LIF signalling regulates Cyclin E/CDK2 kinase activity therefore accelerating the G1 to S phase transition. Finally, we propose a model in which LIF signalling stimulates the G1 to S phase transition to shield mESCs from undesired differentiation signals and help them to self-renew in the pluripotent state

Medulloblastomas are the most frequent malignant childhood brain tumors, arising in the posterior fossa of children. The overall 5-year survival is 70%, although children often suffer severe long-term side effects from standard medical care. To improve progression-free survival and quality of life for these children, finding new therapeutic targets in medulloblastoma is imperative. Medulloblastoma is divided in to four molecular subgroups (WNT, SHH, Group 3 and Group 4) based on key developmental pathways essential for the initiation and maintenance of tumor development. The MYC family of proto-oncogenes regulates cell proliferation and differentiation in normal brain. Aberrant expression of MYC proteins occurs commonly in medulloblastoma. Our studies on Group 3 medulloblastoma identify the transcription factor SOX9 as a novel target for the E3 ubiquitin ligase FBW7, and show that increased stability of SOX9 confers an increased metastatic potential in medulloblastoma. Moreover, SOX9-positive cells drive distant recurrences in medulloblastoma when combining two regulatable TetON/OFF systems. MYCN depletion leads to increased SOX9 expression in Group 3 medulloblastoma cells, and the recurring tumor cells are more migratory in vitro and in vivo. Segueing to treatment of medulloblastoma, we show that BET bromodomain inhibition specifically targets MYC-amplified medulloblastoma cells by downregulating MYC and MYC-transcriptional targets, and that combining BET bromodomain- and cyclin-dependent kinase- inhibition improves survival in mice compared to single therapy. Combination treatment results in decreased MYC levels and increased apoptosis, and RNA-seq confirms upregulation of apoptotic markers along with downregulated MYC target genes in medulloblastoma cells. This thesis addresses novel findings in transcription factor biology, recurrence and treatment in Group 3 medulloblastoma, the most malignant subgroup of the disease.