Effects of ferrocenyl 4-(Imino)-1,4-dihydroquinolines on xenopus laevis prophase i-arrested oocytes: Survival and hormonal-induced m-phase entry

Article abstract of DOI:10.3390/ijms21093049

Xenopus oocytes were used as cellular and molecular sentinels to assess the effects of a new class of organometallic compounds called ferrocenyl dihydroquinolines that have been developed as potential anti-cancer agents. One ferrocenyl dihydroquinoline co

Full text of DOI:10.3390/ijms21093049

International Journal of
Molecular Sciences
Article
Effects of Ferrocenyl 4-(Imino)-1,4-Dihydro-quinolines
on Xenopus laevis Prophase I - Arrested Oocytes:
Survival and Hormonal-Induced M-Phase Entry
1
2
2
1
Guillaume Marchand , Nathalie Wambang , Sylvain Pellegrini , Caroline Molinaro ,
1
2
1
1
Alain Martoriati
, Till Bousquet , Angel Markey , Arlette Lescuyer-Rousseau ,
Jean-François Bodart , Katia Cailliau 1 , Lydie Pelinski * and Matthieu Marin *
1
2,
1,
1
CNRS, UMR 8576-UGSF-Unité de Glycobiologie Structurale et Fonctionnelle, Univ. Lille, F-59000 Lille,
France; guillaume.marchand@univ-lille.fr (G.M.); caroline.molinaro@univ-lille.fr (C.M.);
alain.martoriati@univ-lille.fr (A.M.); angelmarkey@gmail.com (A.M.); arlette.lescuyer@univ-lille.fr (A.L.-R.);
jean-francois.bodart@univ-lille.fr (J.-F.B.); katia.maggio@univ-lille.fr (K.C.)
2
CNRS, Centrale Lille, Univ. Artois, UMR 8181-UCCS-Unité de Catalyse et Chimie du Solide, Univ. Lille,
F-59000 Lille, France; wnath18@yahoo.fr (N.W.); sylvain.pellegrini@univ-lille.fr (S.P.);
till.bousquet@univ-lille.fr (T.B.)
*
Correspondence: lydie.pelinski@univ-lille.fr (L.P.); matthieu.marin@univ-lille.fr (M.M.)
ꢀ
ꢁꢂꢀꢃꢄꢅꢆꢇ
ꢀ
ꢁꢂꢃꢄꢅꢆ
Received: 26 March 2020; Accepted: 23 April 2020; Published: 26 April 2020
Abstract: Xenopus oocytes were used as cellular and molecular sentinels to assess the effects of a new
class of organometallic compounds called ferrocenyl dihydroquinolines that have been developed
as potential anti-cancer agents. One ferrocenyl dihydroquinoline compound exerted deleterious
effects on oocyte survival after 48 h of incubation at 100 µM. Two ferrocenyl dihydroquinoline
compounds had an inhibitory effect on the resumption of progesterone induced oocyte meiosis,
compared to controls without ferrocenyl groups. In these inhibited oocytes, no MPF (Cdk1/cyclin B)
activity was detected by western blot analysis as shown by the lack of phosphorylation of histone H3.
The dephosphorylation of the inhibitory Y15 residue of Cdk1 occurred but cyclin B was degraded.
Moreover, two apoptotic death markers, the active caspase 3 and the phosphorylated histone H2,
were detected. Only 7-chloro-1-ferrocenylmethyl-4-(phenylylimino)-1,4-dihydroquinoline (
show any toxicity and allowed the assembly of a histologically normal metaphase II meiotic spindle
while inhibiting the proliferation of cancer cell lines with a low IC , suggesting that this compound
8) did not
50
appears suitable as an antimitotic agent.
Keywords: ferrocenyldihydroquinoline; Xenopus laevis; oocyte; metaphase II spindle; cell death
1
. Introduction
Among ecosystems, the aquatic compartment is particularly impacted by contaminants as it
constitutes the final receptacle of dispersion, runoff, and spills. For decades, amphibians have been
regarded as key species for gathering new knowledge and discovering original concepts, which
have then been extended to other animal models. Their well-known physiology, development and
reproduction can be easily exploited in aquatic ecotoxicology and their highly-conserved molecular
mechanisms compared to humans represent an important advantage [
clawed frog (Xenopus laevis) is one of the most valuable sentinel species for accessing environmental
health effects [ ] caused by any direct exposure to environmental micropollutants in the aquatic
compartment on which they depend [ ]. If the effects of micropollutants have often been tested on
early developmental stages (Frog Embryo Teratogenesis Assay - Xenopus, FETAX) [ ], only few studies
have determined their impacts on reproduction, oogenesis and meiosis completion.
1–3]. The South African
4
5
6
Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2020, 21, 3049; doi:10.3390/ijms21093049
www.mdpi.com/journal/ijms

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In anticipation of zygote formation, and the restoration of diploidy, Xenopus ovaries produce
oocytes arrested in prophase I in a state analogous to the G2-phase of the cell cycle. Xenopus oocytes
can therefore be used to study cell cycle signaling [7–9] at the single cell level [10,11] and to carry
out toxicity analyzes [3,12,13]. Immature oocytes that are blocked in prophase I resume their meiosis
upon hormonal stimulation, mimicking the steroid stimulation provided by the in vivo follicular
cells. Meiotic resumption, considered as an M-phase entry, is characterized, at the morphological
level, by the occurrence of a white spot at the oocyte animal pole. This white spot is a hallmark for
oocyte progression from meiosis I to metaphase II, and attests the migration and the dissolution of the
germinal vesicle (also called germinal vesicle breakdown, GVBD). The migration of the nuclear material
towards the animal pole is followed by chromosome condensation, the formation of a meiotic spindle
anchored to the plasma membrane and a polar body extrusion. Metaphase II oocytes are blocked
in anticipation of fertilization [14]. At the molecular level, meiotic resumption is triggered by the
activation of the universal heterocomplex Cdk1/cyclin B, also called MPF (M-Phase Promoting Factor),
and by Cdc25 [14]. In parallel to MPF, MAPK/Erk activation [15] is required for proper maturation
including meiotic spindle formation [16,17] and the absence of DNA synthesis between the two meiotic
divisions [18].
The design and the synthesis of new efficient molecular agents against cell cycle deregulation
is a major objective of current biology today due to the perpetual adaptation and resistance of
cellular processes. Organometallic compounds have become a relevant strategy of research in the
field of chemical biology. A particularly interesting core, (imino)-1,4-dihydroquinoline, appears
increasingly in compounds of therapeutic importance such as hypotensive agents [19] or inhibitors of
ion channels [20]. In addition, quinoline-4(1H)-imines is a potent antiplasmodial targeting the liver
stage of malaria [21]. Their physicochemical and electrochemical properties offer new possibilities
in therapeutic applications [22]. In particular, a number of metal base drugs display interesting
activities as anticancer, antimicrobial and antimalarial agents [23–25]. Among them, ferrocifen (TcTAM)
and hydroxyferrocifen (FcOHTAM) constitute the first iron-based organometallic derivatives that
demonstrate a high in vitro antiproliferative activity on both hormono-dependent (MCF-7) and
hormono-independent (MDA-MB-231) breast cancer cell lines [26
for ferroquine (FQ, SSR 97193), a ferrocenyl analogue of the antimalarial chloroquine that also shows
anticancer activity is in clinical phase 2 trials [29 30] (Figure 1A). While certain mechanisms of
action and targets have been described, including DNA breaks and enzymes involved in cell cycle
regulation [23 24 29], they are still under investigation. As part of an ongoing effort to develop new
organometallic drugs, [31 33] we have previously reported an easy and rapid method for synthesis of
–28]. This strategy was also used
,
,
,
–
ferrocenyl(imino)-1,4-dihydroquinolines through a novel multicomponent reaction [34].
Pharmaceuticals can enter the aquatic environment by excretion of treated patients, through
hospital wastewater and pharmaceutical industries. Concentrations of pharmaceuticals detected in
water are in the range from ng/L to
µg/L. Their frequent use produces a continuous supply in the
environment, accumulations in living organisms and serious impacts [35,36]. As a consequence, the
toxicity and the possible contribution of new drugs to an environmental contamination need to be
tested. In the present study, we used Xenopus laevis oocytes to evaluate the effect of dihydroquinolines
on cell survival and meiosis progression in metaphase II. Prophase I arrested oocytes and metaphase
II entry were evaluated using a phenotypic approach and western blot analysis of cell cycle and cell
death markers and the metaphase II meiotic spindle was visualized on histological sections.

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Figure 1. Structure and synthesis of 4-(imino)-1,4-dihydroquinoline derivatives.
A. Structures of
ferrocifen, hydroxyferrocifen and ferroquine;
. Synthesis of benzyl 4-(imino)-1,4-dihydroquinolines
reflux, 12 h; (b) RNH , EtOH, relux, 1 h. Synthesis of benzyl 4-(imino)-1,4-dihydroquinolines 11: (c)
B
. Synthesis of ferrocenyl 4-(imino)-1,4-dihydroquinolines
6-8
.
C
9
and 10: (a) benzyl chloride, NaI, acetone,
2
◦
◦
aniline, microwaves, 100 C, 10 min; (d) benzyl chloride, microwaves, 80 C, 40 min.
2
. Results
2
.1. Synthesis of (imino)-1,4-Dihydroquinoline Derivatives
The ferrocenyl imino-1,4-dihydroquinolines were synthesized through a multicomponent
reaction according to Figure 1B. Condensation of 4,7-dichoroquinoline ( ), ferrocenyl alcohol
and amines in presence of p-toluenesulfonic acid (PTSA) provided the ferrocenyl
6-8
1
2
3-5
imino-1,4-dihydroquinolines
imino-1,4-dihydroquinolines
condensation of benzyl chloride on 4,7-dichloroquinoline (1) and treatment with amines
(
6
9
-
8
in 67–82% yields.
and 10 were obtained in 20% and 27% global yields in two steps:
and
Figure 1C). Imino-1,4-dihydroquinoline 11 was synthesized using a microwave procedure whereby a
Following a described procedure [37],
3
5
nucleophilic substitution of chloride by aniline was followed by the action of benzyl chloride to afford
compound 11 in 28% global yield (Figure 1C).
2
.2. Effect of Ferrocenyl 4-(imino)-1,4-Dihydroquinolines on Oocyte Survival
The effects of 1,4-dihydroquinoline derivatives were first assayed on Xenopus oocytes arrested
in prophase I after 24 and 48 h of exposure to the ferrocenyl 4-(imino)-1,4-dihydroquinolines 6-8 and
their respective benzyl 4-(imino)-1,4-dihydroquinolines control structures 9-11 at concentrations of 1,
1
0, 50 and 100
phenotypical modification was observed in prophase I oocytes as demonstrated by the sample treated
with the concentration of 100 M (Figure 2). Healthy oocyte phenotypes are characterized by the
µM. After 24 h of incubation with all the (imino)-1,4-dihydroquinolines, no significant
µ
presence of two hemispheres, a homogenous dark-brown pigmented animal hemisphere and a clearer
vegetative hemisphere (Figure 2). Healthy oocytes were also controlled by recording the resting
potential of treated and non-treated cells. Only compound
7 produced a depolarization of the

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membrane potential in 100
in apoptotic cells.
µM-treated oocytes (Supplementary Figure S1), near the potential measured
Figure 2. Effect of ferrocenyl 4-(amino)-1,4-dihydroquinolines exposures on oocytes survival. Oocytes
were exposed up to 48 h to 100 M of each compound ( in dark blue, in light blue, 10 in red, in
pink, 11 in dark green and in light green). After 24 h and 48 h of exposure, oocytes survival was
µ
9
6
7
8
assessed by phenotypical approach. As depicted, healthy oocytes (named as prophase I) presented
a brown homogenous pigmentation compared to unhealthy one. All the results were compiled and
compared to control (ND96, in grey) conditions. Statistical significance was assessed by a two-way
ANOVA followed by Dunnett’s test, *** P < 0.001. N refers to the number of females and n to the
number of oocytes (N = 3 and n = 60).
Oocyte hemi-sections were made to ascertain the presence of an asymmetrically positioned
germinal vesicle in the animal hemisphere. When a longer exposure period of 48 h was used with
1
,4-dihydroquinolines at the concentration of 100 µM, only compound 7 provoked a significant altered
pigmentation in the oocyte animal pole and induced oocyte death with a bleaching phenotype. No
modifications of oocyte integrity were observed for the other 1,4-dihydroquinolines as compared to
the untreated control (Figure 2).
This effect was further confirmed by western blot analysis of samples 24 h after incubation with
1,4-dihydroquinolines (100 µM). In prophase I arrested oocytes, Erk2 and Rsk were unphosphorylated
in all treated conditions as for the untreated control (Figure 3). Mos was not present and Histone H3
was not phosphorylated as expected. The inactive Y 15 phosphorylated form of Cdk1 and cyclin B
were present, as seen in untreated control, except for the oocytes treated by compound 7. Two death
markers for apoptosis, the cleaved caspase 3 and the phosphorylated histone H2, were detected only
in oocytes exposed to compound 7.

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Figure 3. Western blot analysis of oocytes treated by 4-(imino)-1,4-dihydroquinolines. Oocytes
untreated (C) or treated with progesterone (PG) were submitted to 4-(imino)-1,4-dihydroquinolines 6,
7
, 8, 9, 10, 11 for 24 h. After electrophoresis, antibodies were used to reveal total and phosphorylated
forms of Erk2 and P-Erk2 on Y202/Y204, Rsk and P-Rsk on S380, Cdk1 and P-Cdk1 on Y15, and
phosphorylated form of P-H3 on S10, P-H2B on S14, or cleaved caspase 3, cyclin B2, Mos and actin.
The membranes were revealed using an Advanced ECL chemiluminescence technology. Staurosporine
2
0 mM was used as apoptosis control. Erk2, Rsk, Cdk1 and actin serve as internal loading controls.
2
.3. Effects of 1,4-Dihydroquinolines on Mitotic Cell Division
Two cancer cell lines, the MDA-MB-231 triple negative breast cancer cell line and the
uterine Hela cells, were used to establish the toxicity of each 1,4-dihydroquinoline. The IC50
values necessary to induce somatic cell death ranged between 3.39 and 42.09 M. The ferrocenyl
had a lower IC50 compared to their respective benzyl
-(imino)-1,4-dihydroquinolines 9, 10 and 11 devoid of ferrocene. Respectively, for the MDA-MB-231
µ
4
4
-(imino)-1,4-dihydroquinolines 6, 7 and 8
and for the Hela cells, the fold decrease in the IC50 produced by the addition of a ferrocene group
was 3.22 and 2.72 for compound , 3.25 and 2.90 for compound , and 1.88 and 6.77 for compound
Table 1).
6
7
8
(
Table 1. Determination of IC50 values on two cancer cell lines. Cancer cells (HeLa & MDA-MB 231)
were exposed to 4-(imino)-1,4-dihydroquinoline derivatives and cell viability was determined after 72 h
using Cell Proliferation Assay (MTS). IC50 values were determined on three independent experiments.
Compounds
IC50 Hela (µM)
18.28 ± 7.95
6.70 ± 1.11
14.25 ± 7.28
4.91 ± 0.04
42.09 ± 2.87
6.21 ± 1.73
IC50 MDA-MB-231 (Mm)
26.03 ± 2.94
9
6
8.06 ± 1.00
1
0
11.04 ± 0.29
7
3.39 ± 1.52
1
1
13.61 ± 0.47
8
7.39 ± 0.19

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2
.4. Effects of 1,4-Dihydroquinolines on Meiosis Resumption
Meiotic resumption in Xenopus oocytes was monitored by the appearance of a white spot
corresponding to GVBD at the animal-pigmented apex and resulting from the migration of the germinal
vesicle to the plasma membrane pushing aside the pigments. Dihydroquinoline derivatives 8, 9 and 10
appeared to exert no effect on GVBD in comparison to the solely progesterone treated control (Figure 3).
In contrast, dihydroquinolines
dose-dependent manner. Compound
GVBD to 68%, 48%, 18%, 2% and 66.6%, respectively and 66.6%, 53.3%, 13.3% for the concentrations of
, 10, 50 and 100 M. To further confirm this effect, western blots were performed on samples after 24 h
of incubation with the various compounds at the concentration of 100 M, in presence of progesterone.
6
and
7
significantly inhibited the occurrence of the white spot in a
7
was more efficient than compound (Figure 4) decreasing
6
1
µ
µ
In metaphase II arrested oocytes, Erk2 and Rsk were phosphorylated and Mos was synthetized to high
levels in all treated conditions compared to the progesterone treated oocytes (Figure 3). In oocytes
submitted to a treatment with 1,4-dihydroquinolines, Cdk1 was dephosphorylated and cyclin B was
present except for the oocytes treated with compounds
Histone H3—a target of the Cdk1/cyclin B active complex— was phosphorylated under the treatment
conditions with compounds 8, 9, 10 and 11 but not by compounds and . Two apoptosis markers,
6 and 7 were cyclin B was absent. Consequently,
6
7
the cleaved caspase 3 and the phosphorylated histone H2, were detected in oocytes incubated with
compounds 6 and 7.
Figure 4. Effect of ferrocenyl 4-(alkylamino)-1,4-dihydroquinolines exposures on oocytes maturation.
Oocytes were exposed overnight to increasing concentrations (1, 10, 50 & 100
µM) of each compound (9
in dark blue, in light blue, 10 in red, in pink, 11 in dark green and in light green), in the presence
6
7
8
of progesterone. Maturation accomplishment was assessed by the appearance of a white spot at the
oocyte animal pole (metaphase II picture) and each mature oocyte was cut (hemi-sections pictures) to
confirm the GVBD occurrence. Significance was assessed by ANOVA followed by a Dunnett’s test (***:
p < 0,001; **: p < 0,01; * p < 0,05). N refers to the number of females and n to the number of oocytes (N
=
3 and n = 60).
2
.5. Effects of 1,4-Dihydroquinolines on the Meiosis Spindle
Untreated metaphase II-arrested oocytes are characterized by a metaphase spindle anchored
to the plasma membrane (Figure 5). In oocytes treated with organometallic compound
8 or with
control compound 11 the percentages of normal spindles are respectively 81% and 62.5% and are not
significantly different compared to the untreated control 68.4%. Ectopic spindles that are not attached
to the plasma membrane are present with a low percentage in oocytes treated with compound
8 or
with compound 11 (4.8% and 6.3%, respectively) compared to untreated oocytes (8.3%).

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Figure 5.
Observed abnormalities in white spot oocytes after ferrocenyl 4-(alkyl-amino)-
and 11 (100 M) during meiosis
1
,4-dihydroquinolines exposures. Oocytes were exposed to compound
8
µ
resumption. Typical pictures of the observed structures are shown (black arrows) and summarized in
the table. N refers to the number of females and n to the number of oocytes.
The percentage of disorganized or absent spindles in oocytes treated with compound
8 was lower
(
4.8%) compared to compound 11 and untreated controls (23.3% and 21.1%, respectively). Asters are
present in treated oocytes with a very low percentage close to 1%. Oocytes displaying a germinal
vesicle are only seen under compound 11 treatment (4.8%).
2
.6. Maturation Success in 1,4-Dihydroquinolines Pre-Treated Oocytes
As depicted in Figure 6, progesterone-induced metaphasis II entry was not modified significantly
by 24 h pre-treatments with 1,4-dihydroquinolines (Figure 6) after oocytes were rinsed for 2 h.
Figure 6.
Determination of metaphase II entry in oocytes pre-exposed to ferrocenyl
4-(alkylamino)-1,4-dihydroquinolines. After incubation or not with compounds 9, 6, 10, 7, 11, 8
for 24 h, oocytes were rinsed four times in ND96 for 30 min, before progesterone stimulation. White
spot appearance was scored after 15 h. N refers to the number of females and n to the number of
oocytes (N = 2 and n = 60).

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2
.7. Effects of 1,4-Dihydroquinolines on Oocyte Parthenogenetic Activation
In a last set of experiments, we assessed the capability of the treated oocyte to undergo fertilization.
Metaphase II exit can be mimicked by the external addition of A23187 calcium ionophore. As depicted
in Figure 7, treatments with progesterone and 1,4-dihydroquinolines or 11 followed by a stimulation
with A23187 (50 M for 30 min) gave rise to a cortical retraction percentage close to that of the
progesterone control (Figure 7).
8
µ
Figure 7.
-(alkylamino)-1,4-dihydroquinolines. Oocytes were incubated or not with compounds
before they were transfered to a 5 -diluted ND96 solution added with A23187 calcium ionophore
50 M). The numbers of cortical retraction were scored. N refers to the number of females and n to the
number of oocytes (N = 2 and n = 40).
Partenogennetic activation of metaphase II oocytes treated by ferrocenyl
4
8
or 11
×
(
µ
3
. Discussion
Metal-based strategies are developed to be more effective, less toxic and to overcome intrinsic or
acquired resistances. Quinoline has a heterocyclic structure and displays a broad range of biological
activities including antimicrobial and antitumor effects. Results presented in this paper show that
the presence of a ferrocenyl moiety on dihydroquinolines lowers the IC50 to 1.88 and 6.77 µM, in two
cancer cell lines. This data suggests a 20-fold increase in effectiveness compared to values previously
reported for ferrocene complexes and is comparable to the range of active concentrations of other
anticancer agents on cell lines (nM to
and structural characteristics and ferrocene derivatives exhibit enhanced biological properties [23
The antiproliferative effects of ferrocenyl are associated with redox properties and ROS (reactive
oxygen species) production [23 24]. Ferrocenyl complexes react with hydrogen peroxide and generate
µ
M) [23
,
28
,38]. The ferrocene group possesses unique electronic
,24].
,
hydroxyl radicals, toxic forms of ROS, capable of damaging DNA and other cellular constituents.
The increasing use of pharmaceuticals results in increased discharges and aquatic
contamination [35], for example in Brazil doses up to 123.5 µg/L were measured [39], but higher
concentrations all over the world were also reported (see [40] for a review). Xenopus oocytes (M-Phase
entry and meiotic maturation from prophase I to metaphase II) offer a unique physiological aquatic
model to assess the effects of novel synthesized products on cell cycle. In our experiments, no effects
were observed on prophase I oocytes treated with 1,4-dihydroquinolines
their metaphase II entry could be triggered by progesterone. On the contrary, compound
dramatically impair oocyte survival. No cell volume modification was observed in accordance with the
fact that Xenopus oocyte apoptosis is not associated with cell shrinkage [41 43]. In addition, compounds
and affect the resumption of oocyte meiosis triggered by progesterone. It was previously reported
6,
8,
9
,
10 and 11. Furthermore,
7
appeared to
–
6
7

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that apoptosis occurred in progesterone-treated oocyte 48 h after the completion of maturation [39
Two apoptosis markers, the cleaved caspase 3 [44 45] and the Ser14 phosphorylated histone H2B [44
were detected in prophase I oocytes exposed to compound and in oocytes treated by progesterone
and compounds or showing an apoptosis death. Cleaved caspase 3 is an early apoptotic marker, but
,
40].
,
–47
]
7
6
7
given that the overall duration of apoptosis is 48 h, no altered phenotypes were observed in oocytes
after 24 h of treatment.
To get insight into the effect induced by compounds 6 and 7, we further investigated the main
molecular effectors involved in oocytes meiosis. In prophase I and metaphase II oocytes treated by
the organometallic compounds, the Mos/MAPK/Rsk cascade was not altered. Erk2 and Rsk were
phosphorylated and Mos was synthesized. Only compound
Cdk1 and the total degradation of cyclin B in prophase I oocytes. The same effect was observed in
progesterone treated oocytes with compounds and . Meiosis progression requires two waves of
7 triggered the dephosphorylation of
6
7
MPF activity at meiosis I and II. Cdk1 dephosphorylation, Cdc25 activation, Myt1, and a MAPK
auto-amplification loop are also involved in oocyte maturation (see Figure 8). In fully-grown stage VI
oocytes, a pool of inactive preformed MPF is present [48]. Under progesterone activation, the pre-MPF
activation requires new protein synthesis. Compounds
6 and 7 allowed some protein synthesis as Mos
was synthesized. The preformed MPF stock is degraded after meiosis I and consequently requires
new cyclin B synthesis to reach meiosis II [48]. However, when cyclin B synthesis is experimentally
suppressed, oocytes degenerate [48] as observed for oocytes treated with compounds
degradation and MPF inactivation were reported to be separate events and a non-proteolytic activity of
the proteasome protects Cdk1 (complexed to cyclin B) from degradation [49 50]. In oocytes undergoing
apoptosis, it was demonstrated that Cdk1 dephosphorylation and the total cyclin B degradation are
associated with active caspase 3 formation and H2B phosphorylation [44 47]. The same effects were
observed in oocytes treated with progesterone and compounds or . These compounds nevertheless
act at different levels in the oogenesis process. Compound is associated with Cdk1 dephosphorylation
6 and 7. Cyclin B
,
–
6
7
6
and cyclin B degradation only when meiosis resumption is triggered whereas compound
prophase I-arrested oocytes (see Figure 8).
7 also acts in
Only compound
8 displays no significant effect on oocyte survival and maturation nor did it
impact oocytes membrane potential and calcium-induced currents (Supplementary Figures S1 and S2).
As quinolines have been reported to affect spindle structure [51] and quinazolinones to be selective
inhibitors of the kinesin spindle protein [52], we therefore investigated the effect of compound
the metaphase II spindle. After the first polar body has formed, the second meiotic spindle is placed
underneath the oocyte surface and rotates into its final axial position [53]. Compound did not alter
8 on
8
the spindle organization and normal spindles were detected correctly anchored to the membrane. The
percentage of abnormal spindles observed in controls is not surprising and is comparable to previous
reports [13]. Moreover, parthenogenetic activation enabled a typical cortical retraction indicating
that calcium activation mimics the fertilization event in compound 8-treated oocytes. Experiments
performed on early development showed compound 8 could not alter the embryo early cleavage and
gastrulation (Supplementary Figure S3).
Finally, ferrocenyl compound
8 appears as a good antiproliferative drug with no impact on
amphibian oogenesis. However further works certainly needs to be undertaken on early embryological
stages to ascertain its apparent harmless effect.

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Figure 8. Effect of ferrocenyl 4-(imino)-1,4-dihydroquinolines on oocytes arrested in prophase I (PI) and
oocytes induced to progress in metaphase II (MII). Progesterone activates PKA, Mos synthesis and the
MAPKK/MAPK/Rsk cascade. The two pathways further activate phosphatase Cdc25, inhibit kinase Myt1
and converge to activate the Cdk1/cyclin B complex. Rsk, Mos and the activated Cdk1/cyclin B complex
inhibit Myt1. The activated Cdk1/cyclin B complex also activates Cdc25 and phosphorylates histone
H3. The germinal vesicle (GV) of prophase I oocytes is disrupted (GVBD) upon progesterone addition
and the oocytes progress into metaphase I and metaphase II. The nuclear spindle (microtubules-green
and chromosomes-red) is formed in metaphase I, is attached to the plasma membrane in metaphase II
and accompanied by the emission of a polar body. Ferrocenyl 4-(imino)-1,4-dihydroquinolines 6, 7 (in
yellow/orange) induce Cdk1 dephosphorylation, cyclin B degradation, caspase 3 cleavage and histone
H2B phosphorylation leading to oocytes apoptosis after meiosis resumption has been triggered by
progesterone addition (grey rectangle). Compound
7 produces the same effect on prophase I arrested
oocytes. Compound 8 (in yellow/orange) did not affect oocyte progression into metaphase II.
4
. Materials and Methods
4
.1. General Information
All commercial reagents and solvents were used without further purification. Melting points
were determined with an Electrothermal (BI 9300) capillary melting point apparatus (Thermo Fisher
1
13
Scientific, Waltham, MA) and are uncorrected. The H- and C-NMR spectra were recorded on an
AC300 spectrometer (Bruker, Billerica, MA) at 300 and 75.5 MHz respectively using tetramethylsilane
(
TMS) as internal standard and CDCl as solvent. Mass spectra were recorded with a LCMS-MS
3
triple-quadrupole system (1200ws, Varian, Palo Alto, CA). Thin layer chromatography (TLC) was carried
out on aluminium-baked silica gel 60 (Macherey-Nagel, Hoerdt, France). Column chromatography
was performed on silica gel (230–400 mesh). Elemental analyses were performed with a vario MICRO
analyser (Elementar, Lyon, France).

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4
.2. Synthesis of 7-Chloro-1-Ferrocenylmethyl-4-(Benzylimino)-1,4-Dihydroquinoline (6)
To a solution of 4,7-dichloroquinoline ( , 116 mg, 0.585 mmol) and PTSA (117 mg, 0.615 mmol)
in CH CN (5 mL), ferrocenylmethanol (2, 100 mg, 0.463 mmol) was added and stirred for 40 min at
1
3
rt, then benzylamine (3, 150 µL, 1.37 mmol) was added to the reaction mixture. After stirring for 40
min at rt, the mixture was hydrolyzed with KOH aqueous solution (5 mL) and extracted with CH Cl
2
2
(
3
×
20 mL). The organic layer was washed with water, dried over anhydrous sodium sulfate and
evaporated under reduced pressure. The crude product was purified on a silica gel column using
EtOAc/NEt : 90/10 as eluent to afford
1
6
as yellow powder (0.164 mg, 76%). H-NMR (CDCl , 300 MHz):
3
3
δ
8.57 (d, J = 8.7 Hz, 1H), 7.3 (m, 7H), 6.98 (d, J = 8.1 Hz, 1H), 6.00 (d, J = 8.1 Hz, 1H), 4.76 (s, 2H), 4.59
(
s, 2H), 4.23 (m, 9H). 13C-NMR (CDCl , 75 MHz): δ 154.8, 141.8, 139.5, 137.9, 136.1, 128.2, 127.6, 127.4,
3
+
1
26.2, 124.1, 123.4, 114.3, 99.4, 81.7, 68.9, 68.8, 68.8, 53.4, 51.1. LC/MS: MH = 466.89.
4
.3. Synthesis of 7-Chloro-1-Ferrocenylmethyl-4-(Pentylimino)-1,4-Dihydroquinoline (7)
To a solution of 4,7-dichloroquinoline ( , 116 mg, 0.585 mmol) and PTSA (117 mg, 0.615 mmol) in
CH CN (5 mL), ferrocenylmethanol ( , 100 mg, 0.463 mmol) was added and stirred for 40 min at rt,
L, 1.39 mmol) was added to the reaction mixture. After stirring for 40 min
at rt, the mixture was hydrolyzed with KOH aqueous solution (5 mL) and extracted with CH Cl
1
2
3
then amyl amine (4, 162 µ
2
2
(
3
×
20 mL). The organic layer was washed with water, dried over anhydrous sodium sulfate and
evaporated under reduced pressure. The crude product was purified on a silica gel column using
EtOAc/NEt : 90/10 as eluent to afford
1
7
as yellow powder (163 mg, 79%). H-NMR (CDCl , 300 MHz):
3
3
δ
8.47 (d, J = 8.6 Hz, 1H), 7.27 (d, J = 1.7 Hz, 1H), 7.17 (dd, J = 8.6 and 1.7 Hz), 7.02 (d, J = 8.0 Hz, 1H),
.97 (d, J = 8.1 Hz, 1H), 4.77 (s, 2H), 4.22, 4.23 (m, 9H), 3.30 (t, J = 7.3 Hz, 2H), 1.72 (q, J = 7.1 Hz, 2H),
153.8, 139.5, 137.9, 136.2, 127.2,
5
1
1
.43 (m, 4H), 0.93 (t, J = 7.1 Hz, 3H). 13C-NMR (CDCl , 75 MHz):
δ
3
23.5, 114.3, 99.1, 81.7, 68.9, 68.8, 68.7, 51.2, 49.6, 30.6, 30.0, 22.7, 14.2.
4
.4. Synthesis of 7-Chloro-1-Ferrocenylmethyl-4-(Phenylylimino)-1,4-Dihydroquinoline (8)
To a solution of 4,7-dichloroquinoline ( , 116 mg, 0.585 mmol) and PTSA (117 mg, 0.615 mmol) in
CH CN (5 mL), ferrocenylmethanol ( , 100 mg, 0.463 mmol) was added and stirred for 40 min at rt,
L, 1.37 mmol) was added to the reaction mixture. After stirring for 40 min at rt, the
mixture was hydrolyzed with KOH aqueous solution (5 mL) and extracted with CH Cl (3 20 mL).
The organic layer was washed with water, dried over anhydrous sodium sulfate and evaporated under
1
2
3
then aniline (3, 125 µ
×
2
2
reduced pressure. The crude product was purified on a silica gel column using EtOAc/NEt : 90/10 as
3
1
eluent to afford 8 as yellow powder (172 mg, 82%). H-NMR (CDCl , 300 MHz): δ 8.56 (d, J = 8.7 Hz,
3
1
H), 7.38 – 7.32 (m, 3H), 7.25 (dd, J = 8.7, 1.8 Hz, 1 H), 7.05 (t, J = 7.4 Hz, 1H), 6.96-6.92 (m, 3H), 5.93 (d,
J = 8.1 Hz, 1H), 4.79 (s, 2H), 4.24 (sb, 9H). 13C-NMR (CDCl , 75 MHz):
154.1, 152.7, 140.1, 138.3, 136.8,
29.2, 127.9, 123.8, 123.7, 122.2, 121.3, 114.4, 101.2, 81.6, 68.9, 68.8, 68.7, 51.3.
δ
3
1
4
.5. Synthesis of 1-Benzyl-7-Chloro-4(Benzylimino)-1,4-Dihydroquinoline (9)
Compound was synthesized according to the method of Surrey. A mixture of 4,7-dichloroquinoline
9
(1, 198 mg, 1 mmol), benzyl chloride (253 mg, 2 mmol) and sodium iodide (900 mg, 6 mmol) in acetone
(5 mL) was refluxed for 12 h with stirring. The reaction mixture was allowed to cool and the resulting
precipitate was collected and washed with water and acetone. The resulting solid was added to a
solution of benzylamine (321 mg, 3 mmol) in ethanol (5 mL). After stirring under reflux for 1 h, the
mixture was hydrolysed with KOH aqueous solution (5 mL) and extracted with CH Cl (3
×
20 mL).
2
2
The organic layer was washed with water, dried over anhydrous sodium sulfate and evaporated under
reduced pressure. The product was obtained as a green powder (70 mg, 20 % for the two steps). M.p.
◦
1
2
12 C. H-NMR (CDCl , 300 MHz)
δ
8.50 (d, J = 8.7 Hz, 1H), 7.40 (d, J = 7.5 Hz, 1H), 7.28-7.05 (m, 9H),
3
6.94 (d, J = 3.9 Hz, 1H), 6.01 (d, J = 8.0 Hz, 1H), 4.96 (s, 2H), 4.54 (s, 2H).

Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2020, 21, 3049
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4
.6. Synthesis of 1-Benzyl-7-Chloro-4(Pentylimino)-1,4-Dihydroquinoline (10)
Compound10wassynthesizedaccordingtothemethodofSurrey. Amixtureof4,7-dichloroquinoline
, 100 mg, 0.5 mmol), benzyl chloride (115 M, 1.0 mmol) and sodium iodide (450 mg, 3.0 mmol) in
(1
µ
acetone (5 mL) was refluxed for 12 h with stirring. The reaction mixture was allowed to cool and the
resulting precipitate was collected and washed with water and acetone. The resulting solid was added
to a solution of pentylamine (50
µL, 0.431 mmol) in ethanol (5 mL). After stirring under reflux for 1
h, the mixture was hydrolyzed with KOH aqueous solution (5 mL) and extracted with CH Cl (3
×
2
2
20 mL). The organic layer was washed with water, dried over anhydrous sodium sulfate and evaporated
under reduced pressure. The product was obtained as a green powder (47 mg, 27 % for the two steps).
1
H-NMR (CDCl , 300 MHz):
δ
9.18 (d, J = 9.0 Hz, 1H), 8.51 (d, J = 7.5 Hz, 1H) 7.57 (s,1H), 7.39 (d, J =
.3 Hz, 1H), 7.29 (m, 3H), 7.13 (m, 2H), 6.56 (d, J = 7.5 Hz, 1H), 5.66 (s, 2H), 3.53 (q, J = 7.2 Hz, 2H), 1.74
m, 2H), 1.30 (m, 4H), 0.81 (t, J = 7.05 Hz, 3H).
3
9
(
4
.7. Synthesis of 1-Benzyl-7-Chloro-4(Phenylimino)-1,4-Dihydroquinoline (11)
A solution of 4,7-dichloroquinoline ( , 396 mg, 2 mmol) and aniline (218 mg, 2.34 mmol) was
1
placed in an oven-dried test tube equipped with a magnetic stir bar and a Teflon screw-cap without
◦
solvent. The reaction mixture was then irradiated in a closed vessel monomode microwave at 100 C
for 10 min. After cooling to ambient temperature, an aqueous solution NaOH 1 M was added and
the reaction mixture was extracted with ethyl acetate (2 times). The combined organic layers were
washed with water then dried over MgSO and evaporated under reduced pressure. 360 mg of white
4
powder were obtained and this compound was used without any further purification. To the resulting
solid benzyl chloride (180 mg, 1.42 mmol) was added in an oven-dried test tube equipped with a
magnetic stir bar and a Teflon screw-cap using acetonitrile (1 mL) as solvent. The reaction mixture was
◦
then irradiated in a closed vessel monomode microwave at 80 C for 40 min. After cooling to ambient
temperature, an aqueous solution NaOH 1M was added and the reaction mixture was extracted with
ethyl acetate (2 times). The combined organic layers were washed with water then dried over MgSO4
and evaporated under reduced pressure to furnish 250 mg of yellow powder. The purification by
chromatography over silica gel (ethyl acetate) afforded pure compound 11 as yellow powder (122 mg,
1
2
(
8%). H-NMR (CDCl , 300 MHz):
δ
8.53 (d, J = 9.0 Hz, 1H), 7.36 (m, 5H); 7.19 (m, 3H); 7 (m,5H); 5.98
3
13
d, J = 9.0 Hz, 1H); 5.05 (s, 2H). C-NMR (CDCl , 75 MHz): 154.1, 152.6, 140.2, 139.8, 137, 135.3, 129.3,
3
1
29.2, 128.2, 127.8, 126.1, 123.9, 122.3, 121.3, 114.9, 101.5, 55.6.
4
.8. Reagents and Substances for Biological Assays
The purity of compounds was of molecular biology grade. They were purchased from
Sigma-Aldrich Chimie (Saint-Quentin Fallavier, France) unless otherwise specified. Solutions were
prepared daily by appropriate dilutions in ND96 medium (in mM: NaCl 96, KCl , MgCl 1, CaCl 1.8,
2
2
2
HEPES 5, adjusted to pH 7.5 with NaOH).
4
.9. Frog and Oocyte Handling
Xenopus laevis females were obtained from the CRB-University of Rennes I, France, and housed
at the University of Lille-PHExMAR. Females were anesthetized by an immersion in a solution of
−1
tricaine methane sulfonate (MS222, Sandoz, Holzkirchen, Germany) at 1 g
were surgically removed and placed in ND96 medium. Stage VI oocytes were harvested by using a
h collagenase A treatment (1 mg/mL, Boehringer Mannheim, Grenoble, France) for 45 min and was
·
L
for 45 min and ovaries
1
achieved by a manual dissociation under a binocular microscope. The oocytes were kept in ND96
◦
medium at 19 C. Laboratory animal experimentations were performed according to the European
Community Council guidelines (86/609/EEC). The protocols were approved by the institutional local
“
Comité d’Ethique et d’Expérimentation Animale, Région Haut de France, F59-00913”.

Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2020, 21, 3049
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4.10. 1,4-Dihydroquinoline Exposure, Oocyte Death, GVBD Detection and Oocyte Parthenogenetic Activation
For oocyte survival and meiosis resumption experiments, oocytes were exposed for 24 or
◦
4
8 h at 19 C to 1,4-dihydroquinoline solutions (compounds
6
-
11) at concentrations of 1
M. Phenotypically, the unhealthy and dying oocytes were detected by an
unorganized rearrangement of the homogenous animal pigmentation and a general bleaching. Meiotic
µM,
10 µM, 50 µM or 100 µ
−
1
resumption was triggered by the addition of progesterone (4
,4-dihydroquinolines. The appearance of a white spot at the apex of the pigmented hemisphere of the
µg mL ) alone or concomitantly or after
·
1
oocyte indicated the ongoing meiosis process including migration and dissolution of the germinal
vesicle (germinal vesicle breakdown, GVBD) and followed by the formation and the attachment of the
meiotic spindle to the plasma membrane, characteristic of metaphase II arrested oocyte. In some cases,
◦
oocytes were heat fixed at 100 C for 5 min and hemi-sections along the animal to the vegetative pole
were performed to ascertain the presence of the germinal vesicle. As control, staurosporine (20 mM)
was used to induce prophase I oocytes apoptosis [46]. For parthenogenetic activation, in vitro-matured
−
1
oocytes previously treated by progesterone (4
µg
·
mL ), with or without compounds
8 or 11, for
2
4 h, were transferred to a solution of five times water diluted ND96 containing 50
calcium ionophore (Calbiochem , Millipore Corporation, Burlington, MA). The typical cortical reaction
visualized by a pigment retraction towards the animal region was monitored after 20 to 30 min.
µM of A23187
®
4
.11. Electrophoresis and Western Blot Analysis
◦
Oocytes were lysed at 4 C in the following homogenization buffer (10
µL/oocyte): 500 mM NaCl,
0
.05% SDS, 0.5% Triton X100, 5 mM MgCl , 1 mg/mL bovine serum albumin, 10
µg/mL leupeptin, 10
2
µ
g/mL aprotinin, 10
µ
g/mL soybean trypsin inhibitor, 10
µ
g/mL benzamidine, 1 mM PMSF, 1 mM
◦
sodium vanadate, 50 mM HEPES at pH 7.4. After a centrifugation for 15 min at 10,000
eliminate the yolk and the membranous pellet, the supernatant fraction was mixed with Laëmmli
sample buffer containing 4%
×
g (4 C), to
◦
β-mercaptoethanol (BioRad, Hercules, CA) and heated at 100 C for 3 min.
Proteins were electrophoresed on SDS–PAGE gels (BioRad gradient from 4 to 20%) and transferred to a
Hybond ECL membrane (Amersham Life Sciences, Little Chalfont, UK) in Tris/NaCl/Tween/BSA pH8
(
15mM Tris HCl, 150 mM NaCl, 0.1% tween, 10% bovine serum albumin, Sigma-Aldrich, Saint-Louis,
MO). The transfer efficiency was checked using a Ponceau red reversible coloration (0.2% in 3%
trichloracetic acid, Sigma). For western blotting, the membranes were cut according to the molecular
weight of the protein to be detected. Membranes were immunoblotted and when necessary stripped
with a ready to use stripping buffer (Clinisciences, Nanterre, France). Membranes were saturated
with a solution of TBS-Tween (50 mM Tris, 150 mM NaCl, 0.1% (v/v) Tween20, pH7.4) added with
◦
5
% (w/v) non-fat milk for 45 min before they were incubated at 4 C overnight with rabbit polyclonal
antibodies against cleaved caspase 3 (Cell Signaling Technology, Danvers, MA, 1/1000), Cdk1 (17, Santa
Cruz Biotechnology, Dallas, TX, 1/1500), anti-phosphorylated histone H2B (Upstate Biotechnology Inc.,
Boston, MA, 1/1000), phosphorylated histone H3 (S10, Cell Signaling, 1/1500), Rsk1 (sc231, Santa Cruz
Biotechnology Inc.,1/1000), phosphorylated Rsk (S380, Santa Cruz Biotechnology, 1/1000), or mouse
monoclonal antibodies against Tyr15 phosphorylated Cdk1 (Y15, Cell Signaling, Danvers, MA, 1/1500),
Cyclin B2 (sc53239, Santa Cruz Biotechnology, 1/1500), Erk2 (D-2 sc1647, Santa Cruz Biotechnology,
1
/1500), Tyr 202/204 phosphorylated Erk2 (Y202:Y204, Santa Cruz Biotechnology, 1/1000), Mos (c237,
Santa Cruz Biotechnology, 1/500) or goat polyclonal antibody against actin (Santa Cruz Biotechnology,
/1500). Primary antibodies were washed three times 10 min in TBS-Tween and incubated 1 h with
1
either an anti-rabbit or an anti-mouse horseradish peroxidase-labeled secondary antibody (Invitrogen,
Frederick, MD, USA, 1:30,000). The detection was performed with an enhanced chemiluminescence
system (Advanced ECL Detection system, Amersham) on hyperfilms (Amersham).

Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2020, 21, 3049
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4
.12. Histological Detection of Metaphase II Spindle
Oocytes exhibiting a white spot were collected after an overnight exposure or not at 19 C, fixed
overnight in the dark at room temperature with Smith reagent composed by potassium bichromate
7 mM added with formol and acetic acid 80/20%. Oocytes were ethanol dried, paraffin-embedded,
and sliced with a microtome (7 m). Colorations with nuclear red (0.1 g of nuclear red QSP in 100 mL of
◦
1
µ
aluminium sulphate 5%) was conducted to reveal the chromosomes, and picro-indigo-carmine (0.25 g
of picro-indigo-carmine QSP in 100 mL of saturated picric acid) to detect the cytoplasmic structures [54].
®
Slices were mounted with Entellan mounting medium (Merck Millipore, Fontenay sous Bois, France)
before they were analysed under light microscope (×400, ICC50, Leica, Wetzlar, Germany).
4
.13. Cell Culture and Antiproliferative Activity Analysis
Cell lines MDA-MB-231 from triple-negative breast cancer and HeLa from cervical cancer were
obtained from the American Type Culture Collection (ATCC; Rockville, MD, USA). They were cultured
◦
at 37 C with 5% CO in DMEM middle (Lonza, Basel, Switzerland), supplemented with 10% fetal bovine
2
serum (Dutscher, Brumath, France), 1% Zell Shield (Dutscher) and 1% non-essentials amino-acids
3
◦
(
Lonza). Cancer cells were plated in 96-well plates (2
×
10 cells/wells) in triplicate, incubated at 37 C
with 5% CO for 24 h, and treated with 1,4-Dihydroquinolines for 72 h at different concentrations. Cell
viability was determined using CellTiter 96 AQueous One Solution Cell Proliferation Assay (MTS,
2
®
Promega, Madison, WI, USA). 20
µ
L reagent was added in each well and cells were incubated for
◦
2
h at 37 C/5% CO . Absorbance was measured at 490 nm (SPECTROstar Nano, BMG LABTECH,
2
Ortenberg, Germany). Calculations of IC50 were performed using GraphPad Prism V7.0 software
GraphPad Software, La Jolla, CA, USA).
(
4
.14. Statistical Analysis
Experiments were performed on 3 different females in triplicate and on 10 to 20 oocytes per
female. The results are shown as mean +/ standard error of the mean (SEM). For statistical analysis, a
−
two-way ANOVA followed by Dunnett’s test was performed. Statistical significance was accepted for *
p < 0.05, ** p < 0.01 and *** p < 0.001.
5
. Conclusions
The use of Xenopus oocytes enables the molecular action of pharmacological compounds to be
deciphered and allow scientists to address the complex relationships between human health and
environmental factors. Ferrocene compound shows an antiproliferative effect at low doses on human
8
cancer cells, with no effect on xenopus survival and meiotic maturation.
Supplementary Materials: Supplementary materials can be found at http://www.mdpi.com/1422-0067/21/9/3049/
s1.
Author Contributions: Conceptualization: L.P., G.M., J.F.B., K.C., A.M. (Alain Martoriati), and M.M.; performing
experiments: G.M., S.P., T.B., N.W., K.C., and C.M.; methodology: L.P., S.P., T.B., G.M., J.F.B., K.C., A.M. (Angel
Markey) and M.M.; software and analysis: G.M. C.M.; writing-original draft preparation: M.M., G.M., and L.P.;
writing-review and editing, L.P., M.M., K.C., J.-F.B., A.M. (Alain Martoriati) supervision: M.M. and L.P. All authors
have read and agreed to the published version of the manuscript.
Funding: C.M. is a recipient from a doctoral fellowship from the French ministry. The scientific supports for this
research was provided by the Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, Université de Lille1, the “Conseil
Régional Nord-Pas de Calais”, the program PRIM and the “Ligue Contre le Cancer”.
Acknowledgments: The authors are thankful to the Research Federation FRABio (Univ. Lille, CNRS, FR 3688,
FRABio, Biochimie Structurale et Fonctionnelle des Assemblages Biomol
Hawkins for his kind help in checking the English.
éculaires). They also want to thank Simon
Conflicts of Interest: The authors declare no conflict of interest.

Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2020, 21, 3049
15 of 17
Abbreviations
FETAX
GVBD
IC50
Frog Embryo Teratogenesis Assay Xenopus
Germinal Vesicle BreakDown
half maximal inhibitory concentration
M-phase Promoting Factor
MPF
MS222
MTT
Tricaïne Methane Sulfonate
3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide
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