The synthesis and evaluation of temperature sensitive tubulin toxins

The synthesis of several potent inhibitors of tubulin polymerization that exert their activities through interaction at the colchicine binding site is described. These agents were evaluated for their abilities to inhibit the polymerization of tubulin and the growth of neoplastic cell cultures. Additionally, the inhibition of tubulin polymerization activity of these agents was assessed over a temperature range of 30–45°C to ascertain the effect of temperature on this activity. Several of the compounds possess significant inhibition of tubulin polymerization activity, and select compounds exhibit this activity in a temperature dependent manner.