Glycosidated phospholipids: uncoupling of signalling pathways at the plasma membrane.

Abstract

Cell expansion and metastasis are considered hallmarks of tumour progression. Therefore, efforts have been made to develop novel anti-cancer drugs that inhibit both the proliferation and the motility of tumour cells. Synthetic alkylphospholipids, compounds with aliphatic side chains that are ether linked to a glycerol backbone, are structurally derived from platelet-activating factor and represent a new class of drugs with anti-proliferative properties in tumour cells. These compounds do not interfere with the DNA or mitotic spindle apparatus of the cell. Instead, they are incorporated into cell membranes, where they accumulate and interfere with lipid metabolism and lipid-dependent signalling pathways. Recently, it has been shown that the most commonly studied alkylphospholipids inhibit proliferation by inducing apoptosis in malignant cells while leaving normal cells unaffected. This review focuses on a novel group of synthetic alkylphospholipids, the glycosidated phospholipids, which contain carbohydrates or carbohydrate-related molecules at the sn-2 position of the glycerol backbone. Members of this subfamily also exhibit anti-proliferative capacity and modulate the cell adhesion, differentiation, and migration of tumour cells. Among this group, Ino-C2-PAF shows the highest efficacy and low cytotoxicity. Apart from its anti-proliferative effect, Ino-C2-PAF strongly reduces cell motility via its inhibitory effect on the phosphorylation of the cytosolic tyrosine kinases FAK and Src. Signalling pathways under the control of the FAK/Src complex are normally required for both migration and proliferation and play a prominent role in tumour progression. We intend to highlight the potential of glycosidated phospholipids, especially Ino-C2-PAF, as a promising new group of drugs for the treatment of hyperproliferative and migration-based skin diseases.

• Authors: Kerstin Danker, Werner Reutter, Geo Semini
• Journal: British journal of pharmacology (Br J Pharmacol) Vol. 160 Issue 1 Pg. 36-47 (May 2010) ISSN: 1476-5381 [Electronic] England
• PMID: 20331609 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't, Review)

Chemical References

• Antineoplastic Agents
• Glycosides
• Phospholipids
• Platelet Activating Factor
• Inositol

Topics

• Animals
• Antineoplastic Agents (adverse effects, pharmacology)
• Cell Membrane (metabolism)
• Cell Movement (drug effects)
• Cell Proliferation (drug effects)
• Glycosides (adverse effects, pharmacology)
• Humans
• Inositol (adverse effects, analogs & derivatives, pharmacology)
• Molecular Structure
• Neoplasm Metastasis
• Neoplasms (drug therapy, pathology)
• Phospholipids (adverse effects, pharmacology)
• Platelet Activating Factor (adverse effects, analogs & derivatives, pharmacology)
• Signal Transduction