Divergent synthesis and identification of the cellular targets of deoxyelephantopins.

ABSTRACT: Herbal extracts containing sesquiterpene lactones have been extensively used in traditional medicine and are known to be rich in α,β-unsaturated functionalities that can covalently engage target proteins. Here we report synthetic methodologies to access analogues of deoxyelephantopin, a sesquiterpene lactone with anticancer properties. Using alkyne-tagged cellular probes and quantitative proteomics analysis, we identified several cellular targets of deoxyelephantopin. We further demonstrate that deoxyelephantopin antagonizes PPARγ activity in situ via covalent engagement of a cysteine residue in the zinc-finger motif of this nuclear receptor.

SUBMITTER: Lagoutte R 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4992173 | biostudies-literature | 2016 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature