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Chun SK, Jang J, Chung S, Yun H, Kim NJ, Jung JW, Son GH, Suh YG, Kim K. Identification and validation of cryptochrome inhibitors that modulate the molecular circadian clock. ACS Chem Biol 2014; 9:703-10. [PMID: 24387302 DOI: 10.1021/cb400752k] [Citation(s) in RCA: 48] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/13/2023]
Abstract
Circadian rhythms, biological oscillations with a period of about 24 h, are maintained by a genetically determined innate time-keeping system called the molecular circadian clockwork. Despite the physiological and clinical importance of the circadian clock, the development of small molecule modulators that directly target the core clock machinery has only been recently initiated. In the present study, we aimed to identify novel small molecule modulators influencing the molecular feedback loop of the circadian clock by applying our two-step cell-based screening strategy based on E-box-mediated transcriptional activity to test more than 1000 drug-like compounds. A derivative of 2-ethoxypropanoic acid designated as compound 15 was selected as the most promising candidate in terms of both efficacy and potency. We then performed pull-down assays with the biotinylated compound and find out that both cryptochrome (CRY)1 and 2 (CRY1/2), key negative components of the mammalian circadian clock, as molecular targets of compound 15. In accordance with the binding property, compound 15 enhanced E-box-mediated transcription in a CRY1/2-dependent manner, and more importantly, it attenuated the circadian oscillation of Per2-Luc and Bmal1-dLuc activities in cultured fibroblasts, indicating that compound 15 can functionally inhibit the effects of CRY1/2 in the molecular circadian clockwork. In conclusion, the present study describes the first novel chemical inhibitor of CRY1/2 that inhibits the repressive function of CRY1/2, thereby activating CLOCK-BMAL1-evoked E-box-mediated transcription. Further optimizations and subsequent functional studies of this compound may lead to development of efficient therapeutic strategies for a variety of physiological and metabolic disorders with circadian natures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sung Kook Chun
- Department
of Biological Sciences, Seoul National University, 1 Gwanak-ro, Gwanak-gu, Seoul 151-742, Korea
| | - Jaebong Jang
- College
of Pharmacy, Seoul National University, 1 Gwanak-ro, Gwanak-gu, Seoul 151-742, Korea
| | - Sooyoung Chung
- Department
of Biological Sciences, Seoul National University, 1 Gwanak-ro, Gwanak-gu, Seoul 151-742, Korea
| | - Hwayoung Yun
- College
of Pharmacy, Seoul National University, 1 Gwanak-ro, Gwanak-gu, Seoul 151-742, Korea
| | - Nam-Jung Kim
- Department
of Pharmacy, College of Pharmacy, Kyung Hee University, 26 Kyungheedae-ro,
Dongdaemun-gu, Seoul 130-701, Korea
| | - Jong-Wha Jung
- College
of Pharmacy, Research Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Kyungpook National University, 80 Daehak-ro, Buk-gu, Daegu 702-701, Korea
| | - Gi Hoon Son
- Department
of Legal Medicine, College of Medicine, Korea University, 73
Inchon-ro, Seongbuk-gu, Seoul 136-705, Korea
| | - Young-Ger Suh
- College
of Pharmacy, Seoul National University, 1 Gwanak-ro, Gwanak-gu, Seoul 151-742, Korea
| | - Kyungjin Kim
- Department
of Biological Sciences, Seoul National University, 1 Gwanak-ro, Gwanak-gu, Seoul 151-742, Korea
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