12 Arylstibonic acids that inhibit the DNA binding of five B-ZIP dimers

Previously, we identified an arylstibonic acid, NSC13778 that specifically binds to the basic region of the C/EBPα B-ZIP domain and disrupts DNA binding. We now examine a panel of 14 additional arylstibonic acid derivatives of NSC13778 for their ability to inhibit the DNA binding of five B-ZIP dimers (c-Fos|JunD, VBP, C/EBPα, C/EBPβ, and CREB). They show various specificities at inhibiting the DNA binding of five B-ZIP domains. NSC13746 inhibits the DNA binding of C/EBPβ and CREB at 100 nM and promiscuously inhibiting the DNA binding of all five proteins in the 1 μM range. Dialysis experiments indicate that NSC 13746 binding to the B-ZIP domain is reversible. Thermal denaturation studies indicate that NSC13746 binds the B-ZIP domain. Some compounds specifically inhibit DNA binding, with VBP and c-Fos|JunD being most easily disrupted. These compounds inhibit, with similar specificities to the pure B-ZIP domains, the DNA binding of nuclear extract to the AP1 DNA sequence but no inhibition is observed to SP1 containing oligonucleotide. Transient transfection assays indicate that NSC13746 can inhibit the TPA induced activation of two B-ZIP dependent reporters. These experiments suggest that arylstibonic acids are promising leads for inhibiting the DNA binding of a group of B-ZIP proteins in cells.