by Lau Tai Wai. / Thesis (M.Phil.)--Chinese University of Hong Kong, 2000. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 117-127). / Abstracts in English and Chinese. / Table of Content --- p.i / Abbreviations --- p.iv / Abstract --- p.v / List of Figures --- p.ix / List of Tables --- p.xii / Chapter 1. --- Chapter One: Introduction --- p.1 / Chapter 1.1 --- Background on orchids --- p.2 / Chapter 1.2 --- Background on Dendrobium --- p.7 / Chapter 1.3 --- Background and history on Herba Dendrobii --- p.9 / Chapter 1.4 --- Reasons for study of Herba Dendrobii --- p.12 / Chapter 1.4.1 --- Demand --- p.12 / Chapter 1.4.2 --- Adulteration --- p.13 / Chapter 1.4.3 --- CITES --- p.13 / Chapter 1.5 --- Scientific researches on Herba Dendrobii --- p.14 / Chapter 1.5.1 --- Morphological studies --- p.15 / Chapter 1.5.2 --- Anatomical and microscopic studies --- p.16 / Chapter 1.5.3 --- Phytochemistry --- p.20 / Chapter 1.5.3.1 --- Chemicals identified --- p.20 / Chapter 1.5.3.2 --- Chemical authentication of Herba Dendrobii --- p.23 / Chapter 1.5.3.3 --- Effect of treatment on chemical composition --- p.23 / Chapter 1.5.4 --- Phylogenetic study of Dendrobium --- p.25 / Chapter 1.5.4.1 --- Phylogenetic analysis by molecular methods --- p.25 / Chapter 1.5.4.2 --- Phylogenetic analysis by anatomical methods --- p.27 / Chapter 1.5.5 --- Pharmacological effect --- p.29 / Chapter 2. --- Chapter two: Objectives and strategies --- p.30 / Chapter 3. --- Chapter Three: Materials and Methods --- p.33 / Chapter 3.1 --- Source of samples and their treatment --- p.34 / Chapter 3.1.1 --- Fresh materials --- p.34 / Chapter 3.1.2 --- Dry materials --- p.34 / Chapter 3.1.3 --- Outgroup species --- p.35 / Chapter 3.2 --- Experimental protocol --- p.40 / Chapter 3.2.1 --- Rationale of the experiment --- p.40 / Chapter 3.2.2 --- DNA extraction --- p.41 / Chapter 3.2.2.1 --- Cetyltrimethylammonium bromide extraction method --- p.41 / Chapter 3.2.2.1a --- Reagents and buffers --- p.41 / Chapter 3.2.2.1b --- Procedures of CTAB extraction method --- p.42 / Chapter 3.2.2.2 --- Modified DNA isolation protocol for dry samples --- p.43 / Chapter 3.2.2.2a --- Reagents and buffers --- p.43 / Chapter 3.2.2.2b --- Procedures of modified DNA isolation protocol for dry plant samples --- p.44 / Chapter 3.2.3 --- Agarose gel electrophoresis of genomic DNA or PCR products --- p.45 / Chapter 3.2.3a --- Reagents and buffers --- p.45 / Chapter 3.2.3b --- Procedures of agarose gel electrophoresis of genomic DNA or PCR products --- p.45 / Chapter 3.2.4 --- Qualitative and quantitative analysis of DNA --- p.46 / Chapter 3.2.5 --- Amplification of the internal transcribed spacer 2 (ITS 2) region by Polymerase Chain Reaction --- p.47 / Chapter 3.2.5a --- Internal transcribed spacer 2 (ITS 2) region --- p.47 / Chapter 3.2.5b --- Procedures of polymerase chain reaction of ITS 2 region --- p.48 / Chapter 3.2.6 --- Purification of PCR products or cycle sequencing products --- p.48 / Chapter 3.2.6.1 --- Ethanol precipitation --- p.48 / Chapter 3.2.6.2 --- GENECLEAN® protocols --- p.49 / Chapter 3.2.6.3 --- Spin Column Purification --- p.49 / Chapter 3.2.7 --- Cycle Sequencing --- p.50 / Chapter 3.2.8 --- Sample Electrophoresis --- p.51 / Chapter 3.2.8a --- Equipment and reagents --- p.51 / Chapter 3.2.8b --- Procedures of sample electrophoresis --- p.52 / Chapter 3.2.9 --- Sequence analysis --- p.52 / Chapter 4. --- Results --- p.53 / Chapter 4.1 --- Fresh materials --- p.54 / Chapter 4.1.1 --- Genomic DNA --- p.54 / Chapter 4.1.2 --- PCR products --- p.59 / Chapter 4.1.3 --- Sequence alignment --- p.66 / Chapter 4.1.4 --- Comparison of the sequences --- p.94 / Chapter 4.1.5 --- Percentage difference among Dendrobium --- p.96 / Chapter 4.1.6 --- Intra-specific variation of orchid species --- p.96 / Chapter 4.1.7 --- Phylogenetic analysis --- p.99 / Chapter 4.2 --- Dry materials --- p.101 / Chapter 4.2.1 --- Genomic DNA --- p.101 / Chapter 4.2.2 --- PCR products --- p.101 / Chapter 4.2.3 --- Sequencing result --- p.101 / Chapter 5. --- Discussion and Conclusion --- p.107 / Chapter 5.1 --- Reasons for authentication of Herba Dendrobii --- p.108 / Chapter 5.2 --- Fresh materials of Herba Dendrobii --- p.109 / Chapter 5.2.1 --- Authentication --- p.109 / Chapter 5.2.2 --- Phylogenetic analysis --- p.111 / Chapter 5.3 --- Dry materials of Herba Dendrobii --- p.114 / Chapter 5.4 --- Evaluation of the experimental method --- p.115 / Chapter 5.5 --- Conclusion --- p.116 / Chapter 6. --- Reference --- p.117 / Chapter 7. --- Appendix / Appendix 1: Number of species in each medicinal orchid geneus --- p.128 / Appendix 2: Photographs showing 15 of the 17 species of orchids used in this research project --- p.131

En vue de contourner les phénomènes de chimiorésistance et l’apparition d’effets secondaires sévères engendrés par les traitements à base de platine, nous avons développé des agents thérapeutiques à base d’autre métaux.Mon premier projet repose sur l’élaboration de complexes d’or(I) traçables possédant des propriétés anticancéreuses et anti-inflammatoires. Afin d’apporter des informations préliminaires sur leur mécanisme d’action, deux sondes imageantes ont été introduites : soit une coumarine, soit un BODIPY. Ainsi, deux séries de complexes d’or(I) ont été synthétisées. Trois d’entre eux présentent cette double activité thérapeutique dont deux pouvant être traçables in vitro.Mon deuxième projet est axé sur le développement de complexes de titane stables et solubles en milieu auqueux. Afin d’améliorer la cytotoxicité de ces titanocènes, notre stratégie a consisté à introduire un second métal thérapeutique au sein de ces structures. Cette étude a mené à deux nouveaux titanocènes possédant une activité anti-proliférative submicromolaire sur différentes lignées de cellules cancéreuses ainsi qu’une activité antitumorale in vivo, sans induire de signe de toxicité chez la souris saine. Afin d’étudier leur mécanisme d’action, l’introduction de deux modalités d’imageries a été envisagée sur ces complexes : l’imagerie optique ou l’imagerie TEP. Un complexe présentant une sonde fluorescente a été synthétisé et une voie de radiomarquage a été développée. / We have developed non-platinum therapeutic agents in order to avoid chemoresistance phenomena and severe side effects caused by treatments based on this metal.My first project relies on the development of trackable gold(I)-complexes displaying both anticancer and anti-inflammatory properties. An imaging probe was introduced on these complexes – either a coumarin or a BODIPY – in order to give preliminary information on their mechanism of action. Thus, two series of gold(I) complexes were synthesized. Three of these compounds presents this double therapeutic activity, two of them can be trackable in vitro.My second project is focused on the development of stable and soluble titanium complexes in water. We decided to introduce a second therapeutic metal into these structures in order to improve the cytotoxicity of these titanocenes. This study led to two new titanocenes displaying submicromolar anti-proliferative activity on different cancer cell lines along with an antitumoral activity in vivo, without inducing any sign of toxicity on healthy mice. We decided to introduce two imaging modalities – optical or PET imaging – into these complexes for investigating their mechanism of action. A complex bearing a fluorescent probe was synthesized and a radiolabeling method was developed.

O Projeto Genoma Humano do Câncer (PGHC), financiado pela FAPESP e pelo Instituto Ludwig de Pesquisa sobre o câncer, buscou identificar os genes expressos nos tipos mais comuns de câncer no Brasil. Tal projeto conseguiu identificar aproximadamente um milhão de sequências de genes de tumores frequentes no Brasil. A contribuição brasileira foi maior para tumores de cabeça e pescoço, mama e cólon. Uma das iniciativas mais recentes e estimuladas pelo PGHC é o projeto Genoma Clínico, o qual visa desenvolver novas formas de diagnóstico e tratamento do câncer através do estudo de genes expressos. A partir da análise molecular de tecidos saudáveis e neoplásicos em diferentes estágios, é possível identificar marcadores de prognóstico, permitindo escolhas de terapias mais adequadas e eficientes. A proteína MARK3 foi identificada como um desses marcadores, em neoplasias de tecidos de cabeça e pescoço, sendo o objetivo deste estudo a aplicação de técnicas de bioinformática e modelagem molecular no planejamento baseado em estrutura de candidatos a fármacos antineoplásicos que bloqueiem a atividade da proteína MARK3. Após screening virtual em bases de dados de compostos (1.000.000 aproximadamente) com propriedades drug-like, 20 compostos com potencial de inibidor da MARK3 foram selecionados. Os modos de ligação para cada um dos mesmos no sítio ligante da proteína MARK3 foram sugeridos por simulações de docking e apresentaram um bom encaixe espacial com os sítios receptores virtuais calculados pelos campos de interação molecular (MIF). Simulações de dinâmica molecular foram realizadas com o intuito de avaliar a estabilidade dos compostos selecionados, que também foram avaliados quanto à presença de grupamentos toxicofóricos em sua estrutura. / The Brazilian Project Genoma Câncer (PGHC) supported by FAPESP and the Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research, intended to identify the genes involved in the most common cases of cancer in Brazil. In this project about a million of gene sequences were identified. The major contribution was made in breast, colorectal and head and neck cancers. The results obtained stimulated the creation of another project, called Genoma Clínico, which intend to develop new trends in treatments and diagnosis of cancer based on the study of expressed genes. Analyzing healthy and neoplasic tissues in different stages, it is possible to identify molecular markers related to the prognosis of cancer, allowing the use of more efficient therapies. The MARK3 protein was identified as a molecular marker in head and neck cancer, where the objective of this work lies in the application of bioinformatics and molecular modeling strategies by structure-based drug design to identify potential antineoplasic drug candicates that could act against MARK3 protein. After the virtual screening simulations performed with drug-like compound databases, containing approximately 1.000.000 compounds, 20 were selected as potential ligands of MARK3 protein. The binding modes suggested for these compounds, by docking simulations, presented a good spatial fit when compared with the virtual receptor sites calculated by molecular interaction fields (MIF). Molecular dynamics simulations were performed in order to evaluate de stability of the binding modes suggested. The potential ligands were also evaluated to identify toxicophoric features in its chemical structures.

Les aurones, qui constituent une sous-classe des flavonoïdes, présentent un profil pharmacologique et un spectre d'activités biologiques prometteurs. Au cours de ce travail, nous avons mis à profit ce potentiel pour la modulation de deux cibles thérapeutiques majeures. En premier lieu, depuis la mise sur le marché d'inhibiteurs de la protéase NS3/4A, l'inhibition de la polymérase NS5B du virus de l'hépatite C représente un enjeu primordial dans la lutte contre cette maladie. L'utilisation des aurones contre cette polymérase trouve ici ses premiers développements. L'évaluation de quatre générations de composés a mené à l'identification de plusieurs dérivés actifs, dont certains produits naturels, présentant un IC50 inférieur à 5 μM. L'étude des interactions ligand – récepteur a en outre permis de déterminer que les aurones se fixent probablement sur le site « Thumb I ». En second lieu, si la modulation de la tyrosinase dans un cadre thérapeutique reste actuellement hypothétique, de nombreuses études voient en cette enzyme une cible pour le traitement futur de pathologies difficilement curables, comme le cancer ou la maladie de Parkinson. Les aurones ont fait preuve lors de ce travail d'une grande versatilité face à la tyrosinase, adoptant au gré des substitutions des comportements très différents de substrat alternatif, d'activateur hyperbolique ou d'inhibiteur mixte. Un modèle cohérent a cependant été proposé, qui regroupe et explique ces comportements. Au cours de ce travail, de nombreux dérivés d'aurone diversement substitués ou modifiés ont été préparés, par le biais de méthodes de synthèse adaptées à la structure de chaque produit formé. / Aurones, a subclass of flavonoids, present a favorable pharmacological profile and a wide, promising spectrum of biological activites. During this work, we used this potential for the modulation of two major therapeutic targets. Firstly, since several hepatitis C virus protease NS3/4A inhibitors were recently marketed, the inhibition of the polymerase NS5B is now the focus of research efforts in the fight against HCV. The use of aurones against the HCV polymerase is here reported for the first time. Four generations of compounds were synthesized and evaluated, and several bioactive derivatives were found, including some natural products, with an IC50 below 5 μM. Furthermore, additional investigations regarding inhibitor – receptor interactions allowed to identify the aurones binding site, which is Thumb Site I. Secondly, although the modulation of tyrosinase in a therapeutic aim remains a matter of discussion, a number of studies considers this enzyme as a potential target for future treatments against some hardly curable diseases, such as cancer or Parkinson's disease. During this work, aurones showed a great versatility toward tyrosinase. According to their substitution pattern, the compounds embraced very different behaviours, i.e. alternative substrate, hyperbolic activator or mixed inhibitor behaviour. However a consistent model was proposed, which gathers and explains all of these behaviours. During this study, a large number of widely substituted or modified aurone derivatives were prepared, according to structure-dependant adaptative synthetic methods.

Chemokines are chemotactic cytokines which play an important role in the migration of immune cells to distant tissues or compartments within tissues. These proteins have also been demonstrated to play a major role in cancer metastasis. The C-C chemokine receptor type 7 (CCR7) is a member of the chemokine receptor family. CCR7 along with its ligands CCL19 and CCL21 plays an important role in innate immune response by trafficking of lymphocytes. In cancer, tumour cells expressing CCR7 migrate to lymphoid organs and thus disseminate to other organs. Neutralizing the interactions between CCL21/CCR7 would therefore be expected to inhibit the progression and metastasis of many different types of cancer to regional lymph nodes or distant organs. Our objective was to identify a potent small molecule antagonist of CCR7 as a prelude to the investigation of the role of this axis in cancer metastasis. In this study, we provided a brief description of chemokines and their role in health and disease with an emphasis on the CCR7/CCL19/CCL21 axis, as well as identification of a CCR7 antagonist “hit”. The potency of the CCR7 antagonist “hit” was optimised by synthesizing different CCR7 antagonist analogues. The “hit” optimization process has led to discover the most active compound amongst a series of different analogues which have the ability to bind and block CCR7 receptor. The efficacy of the most active compound and other analogues were evaluated in vitro using a calcium flux assay which is based on detecting fluorescent light emitted upon release of calcium ions. To identify a suitable cell line, which expresses CCR7 and capably respond to it, amongst a panel of cell lines for in vitro assessment of potency of synthesised compounds, we used Western blot assay and later by flow cytometry assay. The activity and selectivity of the most effective compound against CCR7 receptor was evaluated in vitro by other functional assays such as “configured agarose spot assay” and scratch assay. We first configured the existing under agarose assay to fulfil our requirements and then used it to assess activity and selectivity of compounds. The configured agarose spot assay also describes the application of the agarose spot for evaluation of cells chemotactic response to multiple chemokines under identical experiment conditions.

Les analogues synthétiques des nucléosides naturels constituant des acides nucléiques occupent une place importante dans le domaine du médicament comme principes actifs antiviraux ou anticancéreux. Ces nucléosides agissent comme « prodrogues » en perturbant la biosynthèse des acides nucléiques viraux ou des cellules cancéreuses après phosphorylation. Dans la recherche de nouveaux médicaments antiviraux, nous avons cherché à synthétiser de nouveaux analogues des nucléosides naturels, les 2-désoxy-adénosine et -guanosine, et de l’aciclovir et de ses dérivés (vanciclovir, ganciclovir…) qui sont très utilisés dans le traitement de l’Herpès. Des premiers travaux en série adénine et guanine, n’ont pas permis d’obtenir les dérivés cycliques recherchés dans lesquels la base et la chaîne latérale introduite en position 9 de la base sont liés par un atome d’oxygène se trouvant en position 8 pour former un nouveau cycle. Quatre analogues cycliques en série guanine ont été synthétisés dans lesquels la base et la chaîne latérale en position 8 sont liés soit par un hétéroatome (préparés par réaction de substitution nucléophile), soit par une liaison carbone-carbone (préparés par réaction radicalaire) et sont en cours d’évaluation antivirale. / The synthetic analogues of the natural 2’-deoxyribonucleosides, linked by phosphodiester groups in nucleic acids, constitute major classes of antiviral and anticancer drugs. Such nucleosides act as “prodrugs” disturbing the biosynthesis of nucleic acids after phosphorylation. Searching for new antiviral drugs, the aim of this work was the synthesis of new modified nucleosides analogues of 2’-deoxyadenosine and -guanosine also analogues of aciclovir and its derivatives (vanciclovir, ganciclovir…) widely used for Herpes treatment. In the first works in adenine and guanine series, the cyclic analogues in which the base and a side chain introduced at position 9 of the base are linked at position 8 by an oxygen atom could not be obtained. Four cyclic analogues in the guanine series were prepared in which the base and the 9-side chain are linked at position 8 are either linked by a heteroatom (synthesized by nucleophilic substitution) or by a carbon-carbon bond (synthesized by free radical reaction). The evaluation of the antiviral activity of these compounds is underway.

A doença de Chagas é endemia que afeta grande parte da América Latina. Estima-se que de 18 a 20 milhões de pessoas estejam infectadas pelo parasita causador da doença e que ocorram, aproximadamente, 50.000 mortes relacionadas à doença de Chagas por ano, nos 21 países da área endêmica. O arsenal terapêutico atualmente usado contra a parasitose, constituído por apenas dois fármacos, é insuficiente, considerando-se, também, que ambos não apresentam ação adequada na fase crônica da doença. Em razão de se tratar de parasitose que acomete apenas países em desenvolvimento, o interesse na pesquisa de novos antichagásicos é consideravelmente baixo por parte dos países que se destacam na introdução de novos fármacos na terapêutica. Resta aos países envolvidos a procura por novas alternativas quimioterápicas. Face ao exposto e ante à alta atividade, em testes in vitro contra o Trypanosoma cruzi, do derivado hidroximetilado do nitrofural, intermediário de síntese de bases de Mannich, obtido em trabalhos anteriores, o objetivo do presente projeto foi sintetizar bases de Mannich desse derivado com aminoácidos lisina e arginina e o dipeptídio lisina-arginina resultante. Os compostos foram sintetizados utilizando-se métodos clássicos e alternativos e grupos protetores, normalmente utilizados na síntese de peptídios e outros, tentativamente empregados, como os grupos metílico e etílico. Em adição, experimentos foram efetuados com o objetivo de otimizar a síntese do hidroximetilnitrofural. Os derivados sintetizados foram analisados por IV, RMN 1H e 13C, e alguns deles, também, por espectrometria de massas. Eles serão submetidos a testes in vitro em cultura de células infectadas com T. cruzi tão logo os grupos protetores sejam removidos. Além disso, serão efetuados testes de liberação para estudo da respectiva estabilidade. Dessa forma, esperam-se obter subsídios importantes para estudos mais aprofundados do seu mecanismo de ação e da possível mutagenicidade envolvida. / Chaga\'s disease is an endemic disease that aftects most part of Latin Arnerica. About 18 to 20 million people are infected by the parasite and around 50 thousand deaths are related to Chagas\' disease each year, in the 21 countries of endemic areas. The therapeutic armamentarium available against the disease is constituted by only two drugs and is insufficient, considering, also, that the drugs are not efficient in the chronic phase of the disease. As a parasitosis that only occurs in developing countries, the interest in the research for new antichagasic agents is considerably low in countries that are responsible for the introduction of new drugs in the therapeutics. So, the search for new chemotherapeutic alternatives is a task for the involved countries. In view of the situation and taking into account the high activity in in vitro tests against Trypanosoma cruzi showed by nitrofurazone hydroxymethyl derivative, an intermediary of Mannich bases reaction previously synthesized, the objective of this work was to synthesize its Mannich bases. The carriers used were aminoacids lysine and arginine and its dipeptide, lysinearginine. The compounds were synthesized using classic and alternative methods and protecting groups, currently used in peptide synthesis and others temptatively employed, as methyl and ethyl groups. Also, many experiments were performed in order to achieve the optimization of hydroxymethylnitrofurazone synthesis. The derivatives synthesized were analyzed by IR, 1H and 13C NMR, and some also by mass spectrometry. They will be submitted to in vitro tests with cell infected with T. cruzi as soon as the protecting groups are removed. Besides, tests of drug release will be performed to study their stability. We expect to obtain important information toward better comprehension of their mechanism of action and possible mutagenicity involved.

Os processos farmacocinéticos de absorção, distribuição, metabolismo e excreção (ADME), têm sido identificados como as principais causas do insucesso de candidatos a fármacos em estágios avançados de desenvolvimento clínico. As metodologias modernas de modelagem in silico de propriedades farmacocinéticas estão integradas ao processo de planejamento de fármacos, sendo de extremo valor na identificação e seleção de novas entidades químicas candidatas a fármacos. Esta área emergente está atraindo grande atenção da indústria farmacêutica mundial, que tem integrado a otimização de múltiplas propriedades farmacodinâmicas e farmacocinéticas em todos os estágios de projetos de pesquisa e desenvolvimento (P&D). As propriedades farmacocinéticas podem ser estudadas através do uso de métodos in silico como o estudo das relações quantitativas entre a estrutura e atividade (QSAR), ou estrutura e propriedade (QSPR), entre outros. O trabalho desenvolvido nesta tese de doutorado teve como importante objetivo estudar as relações quantitativas entre a estrutura química e propriedades farmacocinéticas como absorção intestinal, metabolismo de primeira passagem mediado pelo CYP, permeabilidade da barreira hematoencefálica, bem como eventos de extremo interesse que as influenciem como a inibição da glicoproteína-P e solubilidade aquosa. Para a realização deste trabalho, conjuntos padrões de dados foram organizados para as propriedades farmacocinéticas contendo a informação qualificada sobre a estrutura química e a propriedade alvo correspondente. Os conjuntos de dados criados formaram as bases científicas para o desenvolvimento dos modelos preditivos empregando o método holograma QSAR (HQSAR). Os modelos finais de HQSAR gerados neste trabalho possuem elevada consistência interna e externa, apresentando bom poder de correlação e predição das propriedades alvo. Os modelos desenvolvidos, assim como os dados farmacocinéticos coletados, foram disponibilizados para acesso livre através da internet na base de dados PK/DB (www.pkdb.ifsc.usp.br). Devido à simplicidade, robustez e consistência, estes modelos são guias úteis em Química Medicinal nos estágios iniciais do processo de descoberta e desenvolvimento de fármacos. / The pharmacokinetic (PK) processes of absorption, distribution, metabolism and excretion (ADME), have been identified as one of the major causes of new chemical entities (NCEs) failure in early clinical trials. In silico models are receiving increased attention in recent years from the pharmaceutical industry, which is integrating a paradigm of multiple pharmacodynamic and pharmacokinetic properties optimization for the development of NCEs. ADME properties can be studied by in silico methods, such as quantitative structure-activity relationships (QSAR) or structure-property (QSPR), among other methodologies. The main goal of this PhD thesis was to study the quantitative relationships between chemical structure and pharmacokinetic properties, such as intestinal absorption, CYP mediated first pass metabolism, blood brain barrier permeability, as well as other important events that have influence on these PK properties, such as P-glycoprotein inhibition and water solubility. In the present work, standard data sets were organized encompassing the structural information and corresponding pharmacokinetic data. The standard data sets established the scientific basis for the development of predictive models using the hologram QSAR (HQSAR) method. The final HQSAR models possess high internal and external consistency with good correlative and predictive power for endpoint PK properties. All in silico models generated and standard data sets are freely available on the internet through the Database for Pharmacokinetic Properties (PK/DB - www.pkdb.ifsc.usp.br). Due to the simplicity, robustness and effectiveness, these models are useful guides in Medicinal Chemistry in the early stages of the drug discovery and development process.

Câncer é a proliferação descontrolada de células anormais do organismo. As células cancerosas podem se transferir para outras partes do corpo onde passam a crescer e substituir o tecido sadio, num processo conhecido como metástase. De um total de 58 milhões de mortes ocorridas no mundo em 2007, o câncer foi responsável por 7,6 milhões. O câncer de mama é o segundo tipo de câncer mais freqüente no mundo, sendo o mais comum entre as mulheres. A cada ano, cerca de 20% dos novos casos de câncer em mulheres são de mama. No que diz respeito a valores absolutos, o câncer de próstata é o sexto tipo de câncer mais comum no mundo e o mais prevalente em homens, representando cerca de 10% do total. As principais formas de tratamento são a cirurgia, quimioterapia, radioterapia, hormonioterapia, imunoterapia e as terapias-alvo. Os tratamentos quimioterápicos e radioterápicos, principalmente, possuem baixa seletividade em sua ação frente a células malignas e benignas. O presente trabalho de dissertação tem como objetivo o desenvolvimento de testes in vitro, como o wound healing e o de migração, empregando células de adenocarcinoma mamário humano (MDA-MB-231) e de câncer de próstata humano (DU-145), além da triagem biológica de compostos químicos visando à identificação de novos candidatos a inibidores do processo de migração celular (metástase). Os protocolos experimentais foram estabelecidos e padronizados com sucesso, fornecendo resultados reprodutíveis, confiáveis e validados. Após extensivas triagens biológicas, duas classes de candidatos a inibidores foram identificadas. / Cancer is an abnormal proliferation of cells from an organ or tissue. The cancer cells may spread from one organ or part to another non-adjacent organ or part in a process called metastasis. In 2007, cancer was responsible for 7.6 million out of the 58 million deaths occurred in the World. Breast Cancer is the second leading cause of cancer death in the World, and the most frequent in women. Each year, over 20% of the new cases of cancer in women are breast cancer. In absolute values, prostate cancer is the sixth type of cancer more common in the World and the most prevalent in the men, representing about 10% of the total. There are a number of different methods used to treat cancer, including surgery, radiation and chemotherapy. Chemotherapy and radiotherapy treatments show low effectiveness and selectivity towards malignant and benign cells. The objective of the present dissertation work is to develop in vitro assays, such as wound healing and cell migration employing MDA-MD-231 breast cancer cells and DU-145 prostate cancer cells, as well as perform biological screening of chemical compounds in order to identify selective inhibitors of tumor metastasis as novel lead candidates for further development. The experimental protocols have been successfully implemented providing reproducible and reliable results. After extensive biological investigations, two inhibitor candidate classes have been identified.

Câncer é a denominação de um conjunto de mais de cem doenças causadas pelo crescimento e multiplicação desordenados de células anormais capazes de invadir e se disseminar por diversos tecidos e órgãos. É considerado um problema de saúde mundial, sendo uma das maiores causas de morte. Dados da Organização Mundial da Saúde (OMS) indicam que 15% das mortes no mundo serão causadas por câncer em 2015. No Brasil, o Instituto Nacional do Câncer (INCA) estima 580 mil novos casos da doença para 2014. Apesar da vasta quimioterapia disponível, os tratamentos possuem alta toxicidade e estão sujeitos à resistência. Nesse contexto, a presente dissertação de mestrado tem como foco principal a identificação e caracterização de novos compostos com propriedades anticâncer. Os estudos foram realizados com base em dois alvos principais. O primeiro foi a proteína tubulina, um alvo anticâncer validado que é modulado por moléculas importantes como o taxol, a vimblastina e a colchicina. O segundo alvo foi a migração celular, característica relacionada ao processo de metástase, que é responsável por 90% das mortes por câncer. Uma série de acridinonas sintéticas foi avaliada in silico frente à proteína tubulina empregando métodos de modelagem molecular. Para tanto, fez-se uso de estruturas cristalográficas da proteína disponíveis no PDB (Protein Data Bank). Os resultados das análises de docagem molecular indicaram que as moléculas poderiam interagir com o sítio da colchicina e, dessa forma, atuariam como inibidoras da polimerização dos microtúbulos. Ensaios wound healing e em câmara de Boyden permitiram a identificação de quatro compostos com potente efeito de inibição da migração celular (valores de IC50 variando entre 0,294 e 1,7 μM) em uma linhagem metastática (MDA-MB-231). Estes compostos foram submetidos a ensaios de citotoxicidade frente à mesma linhagem tumoral e também apresentaram boa potência, com valores de IC50 variando entre 0,110 e 3 μM. Além disso, ensaios de citotoxicidade em células saudáveis mostraram que estes compostos inviabilizaram seletivamente células tumorais. Para a validação dos estudos in silico, ensaios de polimerização da tubulina foram conduzidos. Os resultados mostraram que as quatro moléculas ativas nos ensaios celulares atuam como inibidores de polimerização dos microtúbulos, com valores de IC50 variando entre 0,9 e 13 μM. Estudos das relações entre a estrutura e atividade (SAR) revelaram alguns aspectos interessantes nesta série de acridinonas, como, por exemplo, a perda de atividade, que se deu tanto nos ensaios celulares quanto nos ensaios bioquímicos, causada pela substituição de um grupo nitro da posição meta- por para- em duas moléculas da série. A progressão do ciclo celular foi analisada por citometria de fluxo e os resultados mostraram que os compostos estudados são capazes de interromper o ciclo celular entre as fases G2 e M. A citometria fluxo também permitiu verificar a indução da apoptose celular devida à ação das moléculas. Em resumo, este trabalho possibilitou a identificação e caracterização de quatro compostos com propriedades antitumorais promissoras que serão utilizados como compostos líderes para posterior desenvolvimento como agentes anticâncer. / Cancer is a set of diseases with high diversity and aggressiveness. It is one of the major causes of death according to the World Health Organization (WHO), being responsible for 15% of worldwide deaths in 2015. In Brazil, the National Institute of Cancer (INCA) estimates 580,000 new cases of cancer for the year of 2014. Despite the vast availability of cancer chemotherapy, the treatments cause high toxic effects and are liable to resistance. In this context, the main goal of the present master\'s dissertation is the identification and the characterization of new compounds having anticancer properties. These studies were conducted based on two main targets. The first one was the protein tubulin, a validated anticancer target that is modulated by important molecules such as taxol, vinblastine and colchicine. The second target was the cellular migration, a feature related to the metastasis process, which causes 90% of the cancer deaths. A series of synthetic acridinones was studied in silico employing molecular modeling methods. For this, crystallographic structures of tubulin were collected from PDB (Protein Data Bank). The docking results indicated that the molecules could interact with the colchicine site and, thereby, could act as tubulin polymerization inhibitors. The series was assessed by the wound healing and Boyden chamber\'s assays using the metastatic cell line MDA-MB-231. In these assays, four compounds were identified as good inhibitors of cellular migration (IC50 values varying between 0.294 and 1.7 μM). These compounds were evaluated in cytotoxicity assays using the same cell line and presented good potency, with IC50 values varying between 0.110 and 3 μM. Furthermore, cytotoxicity assays using a healthy cell line showed that these compounds act selectively in tumor cells. For the validation of the in silico studies, tubulin polymerization assays were conducted. The results showed that the four active molecules in the cellular assays act as tubulin polymerization inhibitors, with IC50 values varying between 0.9 and 13 μM. Structure-activity relationship (SAR) studies revealed interesting structural aspects in this series of acridinones, for instance, the exchange of the nitro group substituent from the meta- to the para- position in two molecules of the series led to a lack of activity in both cellular and biochemical assays. The cell cycle progression was evaluated by flow cytometry, and the results showed that the four compounds are capable of arrest cells in the G2/M phase. Moreover, the apoptosis induction was verified using flow cytometry. In summary, this work provided the identification and characterization of four new compounds with promising antitumor properties. These molecules will be used as lead compounds for further development as anticancer agents.