Computer-Aided Discovery of EGFR G-Quadruplex Targeting Phenanthroimidazole Derivatives Inducing Concurrent Multi-Organelle Damage in Glioblastoma

Abstract

The urgent need for novel glioblastoma (GBM) therapies has motivated the exploration of EGFR G-quadruplex (G4) targeting, which suppresses oncogene transcription independently of kinase activity. However, existing EGFR G4 ligands lack subtype selectivity. Through computer-aided design and systematic bioisosteric modifications of the 1H-imidazo[4,5-f][1,10]phenanthroline scaffold, we synthesized a series of derivatives. We evaluated their G4 interactions by molecular docking, UV-Vis, FRET, ITC, and CD. Compound 3, bearing a 6-bromopiperonyl group, exhibited nanomolar affinity for EGFR G4 (Kd = 102 nM) with ~146-fold selectivity over K-Ras G4, stabilizing it via end-stacking. It potently inhibited U87-MG glioblastoma cell proliferation (IC50 = 0.49 μM), with a wide safety margin relative to normal HMC3 microglia (safety index = 14.18). Mechanistically, compound 3 triggered DNA damage, mitochondrial oxidative stress, and sequential multi-organelle damage to mitochondria, lysosomes, and the endoplasmic reticulum, while impairing cell migration and invasion. These findings establish compound 3 as a uniquely selective EGFR G4 stabilizer, offering a promising multi-organelle-damage strategy for glioblastoma therapy.