1. Academic Validation
  2. Discovery, in vivo activity, and mechanism of action of a small-molecule p53 activator

Discovery, in vivo activity, and mechanism of action of a small-molecule p53 activator

  • Cancer Cell. 2008 May;13(5):454-63. doi: 10.1016/j.ccr.2008.03.004.
Sonia Lain 1 Jonathan J Hollick Johanna Campbell Oliver D Staples Maureen Higgins Mustapha Aoubala Anna McCarthy Virginia Appleyard Karen E Murray Lee Baker Alastair Thompson Joanne Mathers Stephen J Holland Michael J R Stark Georgia Pass Julie Woods David P Lane Nicholas J Westwood
Affiliations

Affiliation

  • 1 Department of Surgery and Molecular Oncology, Ninewells Hospital and Medical School, University of Dundee, Dundee, DD1 9SY Scotland, UK. [email protected]
Abstract

We have carried out a cell-based screen aimed at discovering small molecules that activate p53 and have the potential to decrease tumor growth. Here, we describe one of our hit compounds, tenovin-1, along with a more water-soluble analog, tenovin-6. Via a yeast genetic screen, biochemical assays, and target validation studies in mammalian cells, we show that tenovins act through inhibition of the protein-deacetylating activities of SIRT1 and SIRT2, two important members of the Sirtuin family. Tenovins are active on mammalian cells at one-digit micromolar concentrations and decrease tumor growth in vivo as single agents. This underscores the utility of these compounds as biological tools for the study of Sirtuin function as well as their potential therapeutic interest.

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