Browsing by Author "Akcok, Ismail"

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Determination of promising inhibitors for N-SH2 domain of SHP2 tyrosine phosphatase: an in silico study
(SPRINGER NATURE LINK, 2024) Akcok, Emel Basak Gencer; Guner, Huseyin; Akcok, Ismail; 0000-0002-6559-9144; 0000-0002-5444-3929; AGÜ, Yaşam ve Doğa Bilimleri Fakültesi, Moleküler Biyoloji ve Genetik Bölümü; Akcok, Emel Basak Gencer; Akcok, Ismail
There are many genes that produce proteins related to diseases and these proteins can be targeted with drugs as a potential therapeutic approach. Recent advancement in drug discovery techniques have created new opportunities for treating variety of diseases by targeting disease-related proteins. Structure-based drug discovery is a faster and more cost-effective approach than traditional methods. SHP2 phosphatase, encoded by the PTPN11 gene, has been the focus of much attention due to its involvement in many types of diseases. The biological function of SHP2 is enabled mostly by protein-protein interaction through its SH2 domains. In this study, we report the identification of a potential small molecule inhibitor for the N-SH2 domain of SHP2 by structure-based drug discovery approach. We utilized molecular docking studies, followed by molecular dynamics simulations and MM/PBSA calculations, to analyze compounds retrieved from the Broad's Drug Repurposing Hub and ZINC15 databases. We selected 10 hit compounds with the best docking scores from the libraries and examined their binding properties in the N-SH2 domain. We found that compound CID 60838 (Irinotecan) was the most suitable compound with a binding free energy value of - 64.45 kcal/mol and significant interactions with the target residues in the domain.
Ethacrynic acid and cinnamic acid combination exhibits selective anticancer effects on K562 chronic myeloid leukemia cells
(SPRINGER, 2022) Yenigul, Munevver; Akcok, Ismail; Gencer Akcok, Emel Basak; 0000-0002-6559-9144; 0000-0002-5444-3929; 0000-0003-0468-721X; AGÜ, Yaşam ve Doğa Bilimleri Fakültesi, Biyomühendislik Bölümü; Yenigul, Munevver; Akcok, Ismail; Gencer Akcok, Emel Basak
Background Despite the recent advances in chemotherapy, the outcomes and the success of these treatments still remain insufficient. Novel combination treatments and treatment strategies need to be developed in order to achieve more effective treatment. This study was designed to investigate the combined effect of ethacrynic acid and cinnamic acid on cancer cell lines. Methods The anti-proliferative effect of ethacrynic acid and cinnamic acid was investigated by MTT cell viability assay in three different cancer cell lines. Combination indexes were calculated using CompuSyn software. Apoptosis was assessed by flow cytometric Annexin V-FITC/PI double-staining. The effect of the inhibitors on cell cycle distribution was measured by propidium iodide staining. Results The combination treatment of ethacrynic acid and cinnamic acid decreased cell proliferation significantly, by 63%, 75% and 70% for K562, HepG2 and TFK-1 cells, respectively. A 5.5-fold increase in the apoptotic cell population was observed after combination treatment of K562 cells. The population of apoptotic cells increased by 9.3 and 0.4% in HepG2 and TFK-1 cells, respectively. Furthermore, cell cycle analysis shows significant cell cycle arrest in S and G2/M phase for K562 cells and non-significant accumulation in G0/G1 phase for TFK-1 and HepG2 cells. Conclusions Although there is a need for further investigation, our results suggest that the inhibitors used in this study cause a decrease in cellular proliferation, induce apoptosis and cause cell cycle arrest.
Rapamycin and Niacin combination induces apoptosis and cell cycle arrest through autophagy activation on acute myeloid leukemia cells
(SPRINGER NATURE LINK, 2025) Subay, Lale Beril; Akcok, Emel Basak Gencer; Akcok, Ismail; 0000-0002-5444-3929; 0000-0002-6559-9144; 0009-0003-3594-4781; AGÜ, Yaşam ve Doğa Bilimleri Fakültesi, Biyomühendislik Bölümü; Subay, Lale Beril; Akcok, Emel Basak Gencer; Akcok, Ismail
BackgroundAcute myeloid leukemia (AML) is a heterogeneous hematological malignancy caused by disorders in stem cell differentiation and excessive proliferation resulting in clonal expansion of dysfunctional cells called myeloid blasts. The combination of chemotherapeutic agents with natural product-based molecules is promising in the treatment of AML. In this study, we aim to investigate the anti-cancer effect of Rapamycin and Niacin combination on THP-1 and NB4 AML cell lines.Methods and ResultsThe anti-proliferative effects of Rapamycin and Niacin were determined by MTT cell viability assay in a dose- and time-dependent manner. The combination indexes were calculated by isobologram analysis. Furthermore, apoptosis was investigated by Annexin-V/Propidium Iodide(PI) double staining and cell cycle distribution was measured by PI staining. The expression levels of autophagy-related proteins were detected by western blotting. The combination of Rapamycin and Niacin synergistically decreased cell viability of AML cell lines. The combination treatment induced the apoptotic cell population of THP-1 and NB4 by 4.9-fold and 7.3-fold, respectively. In THP-1 cells, the cell cycle was arrested at the G2/M phase by 10% whereas the NB4 cells were accumulated at the G0/G1 phase. The combination treatment decreased Akt and p-Akt expression. Besides, the ATG7 expression was reduced by combination treatment on THP-1 cells. Similarly, the ATG5 level was downregulated in NB4 cells. The level of LC3B-II/LC3B-I, which is an indicator of autophagy flux, was upregulated in THP-1 and NB4 cells.ConclusionAlthough further studies are required, the combination of Rapamycin and Niacin combats cell proliferation by inducing cellular apoptosis, cell cycle arrest and autophagy activation.