Biological evaluation of novel 6,9-disubstituted purine analogues in high-grade serous ovarian cancer cell lines


Altiparmak D., Demirel Yavuz D., KUL KARADENİZLİ P., Durmaz Şahin İ., TUNÇBİLEK M.

Turkish Journal of Biology, vol.50, no.1, pp.29-36, 2026 (SCI-Expanded, Scopus, TRDizin) identifier identifier identifier

  • Publication Type: Article / Article
  • Volume: 50 Issue: 1
  • Publication Date: 2026
  • Doi Number: 10.55730/1300-0152.2788
  • Journal Name: Turkish Journal of Biology
  • Journal Indexes: Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-EXPANDED), Scopus, BIOSIS, TR DİZİN (ULAKBİM)
  • Page Numbers: pp.29-36
  • Keywords: apoptosis, cell-cycle arrest, Cytotoxicity, high-grade serous ovarian cancer, purine analogues, synthesis
  • Ankara University Affiliated: Yes

Abstract

Background/aim: High-grade serous ovarian cancer (HGSOC) remains one of the most aggressive forms of ovarian malignancy and frequently shows resistance to conventional therapies. This study aimed to synthesize a novel series of purine analogues, 6-[(4-substituted benzyl amine)/(4-substituted aniline)]-9-cyclopentyl purines, and evaluate their anticancer efficacy against HGSOC cell lines. Materials and methods: We assessed the biological effects of the synthesized purine analogues on the OVCAR3, OVSAHO, and KURAMOCHI HGSOC cell lines using the sulforhodamine B assay. To investigate the mechanism of action, we conducted flow cytometry and western blot analyses, focusing on DNA replication and apoptosis. Results: Among the tested compounds, compound 8 showed significant cytotoxic activity with IC50 values in the low micromolar range. Preliminary data from flow cytometry and western blot analyses indicated that compound 8 may inhibit DNA replication and induce apoptosis, as reflected by changes in cell viability and cell-cycle progression. Conclusion: Compound 8 may disrupt key proliferative mechanisms in cancer cells by interfering with DNA synthesis and activating programmed cell death pathways. These findings suggest that compound 8 is a promising lead candidate for further development in ovarian cancer therapeutics.