The molecular pharmacology of symplostatin 1: A new antimitotic dolastatin 10 analog

Symplostatin 1, an analog of dolastatin 10, was recently isolated from cyanobacteria of the genus Symploca . Symplostatin 1 is a potent inhibitor of cell proliferation with IC 50 values in the low nanomolar range and it exhibits efficacy against a variety of cancer cell types. Symplostatin 1 caused the formation of abnormal mitotic spindles and accumulation of cells in metaphase at concentrations that had only minor effects on interphase microtubules. At higher concentrations, symplostatin 1 caused the loss of interphase microtubules. Cell cycle analysis revealed that symplostatin 1 caused G 2 /M arrest, consistent with its effects on mitotic spindles. Symplostatin 1 initiated the phosphorylation of Bcl‐2, formation of micronuclei and activation of caspase 3, indicating induction of apoptosis. The cellular effects of symplostatin 1 are consistent with other antimitotic tubulin‐targeting drugs. Tubulin polymerization experiments indicated that symplostatin 1 potently inhibits the assembly of purified tubulin, suggesting that tubulin may be its intracellular target. Some microtubule‐targeting agents are reported to have antiangiogenic activity and therefore the effects of symplostatin 1 on endothelial cell proliferation and invasion were evaluated. Symplostatin 1 was found to be a potent inhibitor of both endothelial cell proliferation and invasion. Because of its potent and broad activity in vitro , symplostatin 1 was evaluated in vivo . Symplostatin 1 was active against murine colon 38 and murine mammary 16/C; however, it was poorly tolerated and the mice were slow to recover from the toxicity. The data indicate that symplostatin 1 has a mechanism of action similar to dolastatin 10. © 2003 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.