The inhibitory effect of vinylfurans on the glycolysis in tumor and yeast cells.

Most of the eighteen vinylfurane derivatives studied fully inhibit the glycolysis of both Ehrlich ascites carcinoma (EAC) cells and respiratory deficient yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae at concentrations lower than 0.5 mmol/l. The inhibition of glycolysis is a consequence of some thiol enzymes inactivation. This concerns namely hexokinase (EC 2.7.1.1), glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (EC 1.2.1.12) and especially 6-phosphofructokinase (EC 2.7.1.11). Interference of vinylfurans with energy metabolism resulted in the depression of biosynthetic processes followed (14C-precursors incorporation into proteins and nucleic acids) and finally in the loss of EAC cell transplantability.