Disulfiram

Binding assays

The chymotrypsin-like activity of purified 20S proteasome was measured. Briefly, 17.5 ng of purified 20S proteasome were incubated in 100 μL of assay buffer (50 mmol/L Tris-HCl, pH 7.5) with or without different concentrations of copper chloride, Disulfiram, or the Disulfiram-copper mixture and 10 μmol/L fluorogenic peptide substrate Suc-LLVY-AMC (for the proteasomal chymotrypsin-like activity) for 2 hrs at 37℃. After incubation, production of hydrolyzed AMC groups was measured with a Wallac Victor3 multilabel counter with an excitation filter of 365 nm and an emission filter of 460 nm.

Cell lines

MDA-MB-231 cells

Preparation method

The solubility of this compound in DMSO is >10 mM. General tips for obtaining a higher concentration: Please warm the tube at 37℃ for 10 minutes and/or shake it in the ultrasonic bath for a while. Stock solution can be stored below -20℃ for several months.

Reaction Conditions

5 ~ 20 μM; 24 hrs

Applications

The Disulfiram-copper complex potently inhibited the proteasomal activity in cultured breast cancer MDA-MB-231 cells, before induction of apoptotic cancer cell death.

Animal models

Mice bearing MDA-MB-231 tumor xenografts

Dosage form

50 mg/kg/d; p.o.; 29 days

Applications

In mice bearing MDA-MB-231 tumor xenografts, Disulfiram significantly inhibited tumor growth (by 74%), associated with in vivo proteasome inhibition and apoptosis induction.

Other notes

Please test the solubility of all compounds indoor, and the actual solubility may slightly differ with the theoretical value. This is caused by an experimental system error and it is normal.

References:

[1]. Chen D, Cui QC, Yang H, Dou QP. Disulfiram, a clinically used anti-alcoholism drug and copper-binding agent, induces apoptotic cell death in breast cancer cultures and xenografts via inhibition of the proteasome activity. Cancer Res. 2006 Nov 1;66(21):10425-33.