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Devi B, Jangid K, Kumar N, Kumar V, Kumar V. Identification of potential JNK3 inhibitors through virtual screening, molecular docking and molecular dynamics simulation as therapeutics for Alzheimer's disease. Mol Divers 2024:10.1007/s11030-024-10820-0. [PMID: 38573427 DOI: 10.1007/s11030-024-10820-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/13/2023] [Accepted: 01/30/2024] [Indexed: 04/05/2024]
Abstract
Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a complex neurological disorder and no effective drug is available for its treatment. Numerous pathological conditions are believed to be responsible for the initiation and development of AD including c-Jun N-terminal kinases (JNKs). The JNKs are one of the enzymes from the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) family that controls the phosphorylation of various transcription factors on serine and threonine residues, and hold significant responsibilities in tasks like gene expression, cell proliferation, differentiation, and apoptosis. Since, JNK3 is primarily expressed in the brain hence its increased levels in the brain are associated with the AD pathology promoting neurofibrillary tangles, senile plaques, neuroinflammation, and nerve cell apoptosis. The current research work is focused on the development of novel JNK inhibitors as therapeutics for AD employing a structure-based virtual screening (SBVS) approach. The ZINC database (14634052 compounds) was investigated after employing pan assay interference (PAINs), drug-likeness, and diversity picking filter to distinguish molecules interacting with JNK3 by following three docking precision criteria: High Throughput Virtual Screening (HTVS), Standard Precision (SP), and Extra Precision (XP) & MMGBSA. Five lead molecules showed a better docking score in the range of -13.091 to -14.051 kcal/mol better than the reference compound (- 11.828 kcal/mol). The lead compounds displayed acceptable pharmacokinetic properties and were subjected to molecular dynamic simulations of 100 ns and binding free energy calculations. All the lead molecules showed stable RMSD and hydrogen bond interactions throughout the trajectory. The ∆GMM/PBSA_total score for the lead compounds ZINC220382956, ZINC147071339, ZINC207081127, ZINC205151456, ZINC1228819126, and CC-930 was calculated and found to be - 31.39, - 42.8, - 37.04, - 39.01, - 36.5, - 34.16 kcal/mol, respectively. Thus, it was concluded that the lead molecules identified in these studies have the potential to be explored as potent JNK3 inhibitors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bharti Devi
- Laboratory of Organic and Medicinal Chemistry, Department of Chemistry, School of Basic Sciences, Central University of Punjab, Bathinda, Ghudda, 151401, India
| | - Kailash Jangid
- Laboratory of Organic and Medicinal Chemistry, Department of Chemistry and Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences and Natural Products, Central University of Punjab, Bathinda, Ghudda, 151401, India
| | - Naveen Kumar
- Laboratory of Organic and Medicinal Chemistry, Department of Chemistry, School of Basic Sciences, Central University of Punjab, Bathinda, Ghudda, 151401, India
| | - Vinay Kumar
- Laboratory of Organic and Medicinal Chemistry, Department of Chemistry, School of Basic Sciences, Central University of Punjab, Bathinda, Ghudda, 151401, India
| | - Vinod Kumar
- Laboratory of Organic and Medicinal Chemistry, Department of Chemistry, School of Basic Sciences, Central University of Punjab, Bathinda, Ghudda, 151401, India.
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Rajan RK, Kumar RP, Ramanathan M. Piceatannol improved cerebral blood flow and attenuated JNK3 and mitochondrial apoptotic pathway in a global ischemic model to produce neuroprotection. NAUNYN-SCHMIEDEBERG'S ARCHIVES OF PHARMACOLOGY 2024; 397:479-496. [PMID: 37470802 DOI: 10.1007/s00210-023-02616-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/26/2022] [Accepted: 07/07/2023] [Indexed: 07/21/2023]
Abstract
Cerebral ischemia is one of the leading causes of death and disability worldwide. The only FDA-approved treatment is recanalization with systemic tissue plasminogen activators like alteplase, although reperfusion caused by recanalization can result in neuroinflammation, which can cause brain cell apoptosis. Therefore, after an ischemic/reperfusion injury, interventions are needed to minimize the neuroinflammatory cascade. In the present study, piceatannol (PCT) was studied for its neuroprotective efficacy in a rat model of global ischemic injury by attenuating c-Jun N-terminal kinase 3 (JNK3) downstream signaling. PCT is a resveratrol analog and a polyphenolic stilbenoid naturally occurring in passion fruit and grapes. The neuroprotective efficacy of PCT (1, 5, 10 mg/kg) in ischemic conditions was assessed through pre- and post-treatment. Cerebral blood flow (CBF) and tests for functional recovery were assessed. Protein and gene expression were done for JNK3 and other inflammatory markers. A docking study was performed to identify the amino acid interaction. The results showed that PCT improved motor and memory function as measured by a functional recovery test believed to be due to an increase in cerebral blood flow. Also, the caspase signaling which promotes apoptosis was found to be down-regulated; however, nitric oxide synthase expression was up-regulated, which could explain the enhanced cerebral blood flow (CBF). According to our findings, PCT impeded c-Jun N-terminal kinase 3 (JNK3) signaling by suppressing phosphorylation and disrupting the mitochondrial apoptotic pathway, which resulted in the neuroprotective effect. Molecular docking analysis was performed to investigate the atomic-level interaction of JNK3 and PCT, which reveals that Met149, Leu206, and Lys93 amino acid residues are critical for the interaction of PCT and JNK3. According to our current research, JNK3 downstream signaling and the mitochondrial apoptosis pathway are both inhibited by PCT, which results in neuroprotection under conditions of global brain ischemia. Piceatannol attenuated JNK3 phosphorylation during the ischemic condition and prevented neuronal apoptosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ravi Kumar Rajan
- Department of Pharmacology, PSG College of Pharmacy, Coimbatore, 641004, Tamilnadu, India.
- Department of Pharmacology, Girijananda Chowdhury Institute of Pharmaceutical Science, Girijananda Chowdhury University, Dekargaon, Tezpur, 784501, Assam, India.
| | - Ram Pravin Kumar
- Department of Pharmacology, PSG College of Pharmacy, Coimbatore, 641004, Tamilnadu, India
| | - M Ramanathan
- Department of Pharmacology, PSG College of Pharmacy, Coimbatore, 641004, Tamilnadu, India
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Pk N, Rajan RK, Nanchappan V, Karuppaiah A, Chandrasekaran J, Jayaraman S, Gunasekaran V. C-Glucosyl Xanthone derivative Mangiferin downregulates the JNK3 mediated caspase activation in Almal induced neurotoxicity in differentiated SHSY-5Y neuroblastoma cells. Toxicol Mech Methods 2023; 33:707-718. [PMID: 37455591 DOI: 10.1080/15376516.2023.2237106] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/22/2023] [Accepted: 07/11/2023] [Indexed: 07/18/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION C-Glucosyl Xanthone derivatives were assessed to inhibit the JNK3 mediated Caspase pathway in Almal (Aluminum Maltolate) induced neurotoxicity in SHSY-5Y cells. METHODS Mangiferin was selected among 200 C-Glucosyl Xanthones based on molecular interaction, docking score (-10.22 kcal/mol), binding free energy (-71.12 kcal/mol), ADME/tox properties and by molecular dynamic studies. Further, it was noticed that glycone moiety of Mangiferin forms H-bond with ASN 194, SER 193, GLY 76, and OH group in the first position of the aglycone moiety shows interaction at Met 149 which is exceptionally crucial for JNK3 inhibitory activity. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION Mangiferin (0.5, 1, 10, 20 and 30 µM) and standard SP600125 (20 µM) treatment increased the cell survival rate against Almal 200 µM, with EC50 of Mangiferin (8 µM) and standard SP600125 (4.9 µM) respectively. Mangiferin significantly impedes kinase activation, indicating suppression of JNK3 signaling with IC50 (98.26 nM). Mangiferin (10 and 15 µM) dose-dependently inhibits the caspase 3, 8, and 9 enzyme activation in comparison to Almal group. CONCLUSION Mangiferin demonstrated neuroprotection in SHSY-5Y cells against apoptosis induced by Almal by adapting the architecture of the neurons and increasing their density. Among all Xanthone derivatives, Mangiferin could improve neuronal toxicity by inhibiting JNK3 and down-regulating the Caspase activation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nafila Pk
- Department of Pharmacology, PSG College of Pharmacy, Coimbatore, India
| | - Ravi Kumar Rajan
- Department of Pharmacology, Girijananda Chowdhury Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Tezpur, India
| | | | - Arjunan Karuppaiah
- Department of Pharmaceutics, Karpagam College of Pharmacy, Coimbatore, India
| | - Jaikanth Chandrasekaran
- Sri Ramachandra Faculty of Pharmacy, Sri Ramachandra Institute of Higher education and Research (Deemed to be University) Porur, Chennai, India
| | - Saravanan Jayaraman
- JSS College of Pharmacy, JSS Academy of Higher Education and Research, Ooty, India
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Jun J, Yang S, Lee J, Moon H, Kim J, Jung H, Im D, Oh Y, Jang M, Cho H, Baek J, Kim H, Kang D, Bae H, Tak C, Hwang K, Kwon H, Kim H, Hah JM. Discovery of novel imidazole chemotypes as isoform-selective JNK3 inhibitors for the treatment of Alzheimer's disease. Eur J Med Chem 2023; 245:114894. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2022.114894] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2022] [Revised: 10/26/2022] [Accepted: 10/27/2022] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
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Nguyen NM, Duong MTH, Nguyen PL, Bui BP, Ahn HC, Cho J. Efonidipine Inhibits JNK and NF-κB Pathway to Attenuate Inflammation and Cell Migration Induced by Lipopolysaccharide in Microglial Cells. Biomol Ther (Seoul) 2022; 30:455-464. [PMID: 35993250 PMCID: PMC9424335 DOI: 10.4062/biomolther.2022.076] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/02/2022] [Revised: 06/15/2022] [Accepted: 06/20/2022] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Efonidipine, a calcium channel blocker, is widely used for the treatment of hypertension and cardiovascular diseases. In our preliminary study using structure-based virtual screening, efonidipine was identified as a potential inhibitor of c-Jun N-terminal kinase 3 (JNK3). Although its antihypertensive effect is widely known, the role of efonidipine in the central nervous system has remained elusive. The present study investigated the effects of efonidipine on the inflammation and cell migration induced by lipopolysaccharide (LPS) using murine BV2 and human HMC3 microglial cell lines and elucidated signaling molecules mediating its effects. We found that the phosphorylations of JNK and its downstream molecule c-Jun in LPS-treated BV2 cells were declined by efonidipine, confirming the finding from virtual screening. In addition, efonidipine inhibited the LPS-induced production of pro-inflammatory factors, including interleukin-1β (IL-1β) and nitric oxide. Similarly, the IL-1β production in LPS-treated HMC3 cells was also inhibited by efonidipine. Efonidipine markedly impeded cell migration stimulated by LPS in both cells. Furthermore, it inhibited the phosphorylation of inhibitor kappa B, thereby suppressing nuclear translocation of nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) in LPS-treated BV2 cells. Taken together, efonidipine exerts anti-inflammatory and anti-migratory effects in LPS-treated microglial cells through inhibition of the JNK/NF-κB pathway. These findings imply that efonidipine may be a potential candidate for drug repositioning, with beneficial impacts on brain disorders associated with neuroinflammation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ngoc Minh Nguyen
- College of Pharmacy and Integrated Research Institute for Drug Development, Dongguk University-Seoul, Goyang 10326, Republic of Korea
| | - Men Thi Hoai Duong
- College of Pharmacy and Integrated Research Institute for Drug Development, Dongguk University-Seoul, Goyang 10326, Republic of Korea
| | - Phuong Linh Nguyen
- College of Pharmacy and Integrated Research Institute for Drug Development, Dongguk University-Seoul, Goyang 10326, Republic of Korea
| | - Bich Phuong Bui
- College of Pharmacy and Integrated Research Institute for Drug Development, Dongguk University-Seoul, Goyang 10326, Republic of Korea
| | - Hee-Chul Ahn
- College of Pharmacy and Integrated Research Institute for Drug Development, Dongguk University-Seoul, Goyang 10326, Republic of Korea
| | - Jungsook Cho
- College of Pharmacy and Integrated Research Institute for Drug Development, Dongguk University-Seoul, Goyang 10326, Republic of Korea
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Zhu Y, Shuai W, Zhao M, Pan X, Pei J, Wu Y, Bu F, Wang A, Ouyang L, Wang G. Unraveling the Design and Discovery of c-Jun N-Terminal Kinase Inhibitors and Their Therapeutic Potential in Human Diseases. J Med Chem 2022; 65:3758-3775. [PMID: 35200035 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.1c01947] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
c-Jun N-terminal kinases (JNKs), members of the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) family, are encoded by three genes: jnk1, jnk2, and jnk3. JNKs are involved in the pathogenesis and development of many diseases, such as neurodegenerative diseases, inflammation, and cancers. Therefore, JNKs have become important therapeutic targets. Many JNK inhibitors have been discovered, and some have been introduced into clinical trials. However, the study of isoform-selective JNK inhibitors is still a challenging task. To further develop novel JNK inhibitors with clinical value, a comprehensive understanding of JNKs and their corresponding inhibitors is required. In this Perspective, we introduced the JNK signaling pathways and reviewed different chemical types of JNK inhibitors, focusing on their structure-activity relationships and biological activities. The challenges and strategies for the development of JNK inhibitors are also discussed. It is hoped that this Perspective will provide valuable references for the development of novel selective JNK inhibitors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yumeng Zhu
- Innovation Center of Nursing Research, Nursing Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, National Clinical Research Center for Geriatrics, West China Hospital, and Collaborative Innovation Center of Biotherapy, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China
| | - Wen Shuai
- Innovation Center of Nursing Research, Nursing Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, National Clinical Research Center for Geriatrics, West China Hospital, and Collaborative Innovation Center of Biotherapy, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China
| | - Min Zhao
- Innovation Center of Nursing Research, Nursing Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, National Clinical Research Center for Geriatrics, West China Hospital, and Collaborative Innovation Center of Biotherapy, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China
| | - Xiaoli Pan
- Innovation Center of Nursing Research, Nursing Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, National Clinical Research Center for Geriatrics, West China Hospital, and Collaborative Innovation Center of Biotherapy, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China
| | - Junping Pei
- Innovation Center of Nursing Research, Nursing Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, National Clinical Research Center for Geriatrics, West China Hospital, and Collaborative Innovation Center of Biotherapy, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China
| | - Yongya Wu
- Innovation Center of Nursing Research, Nursing Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, National Clinical Research Center for Geriatrics, West China Hospital, and Collaborative Innovation Center of Biotherapy, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China
| | - Faqian Bu
- Innovation Center of Nursing Research, Nursing Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, National Clinical Research Center for Geriatrics, West China Hospital, and Collaborative Innovation Center of Biotherapy, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China
| | - Aoxue Wang
- Innovation Center of Nursing Research, Nursing Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, National Clinical Research Center for Geriatrics, West China Hospital, and Collaborative Innovation Center of Biotherapy, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China
| | - Liang Ouyang
- Innovation Center of Nursing Research, Nursing Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, National Clinical Research Center for Geriatrics, West China Hospital, and Collaborative Innovation Center of Biotherapy, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China
| | - Guan Wang
- Innovation Center of Nursing Research, Nursing Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, National Clinical Research Center for Geriatrics, West China Hospital, and Collaborative Innovation Center of Biotherapy, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China
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Musi CA, Agrò G, Santarella F, Iervasi E, Borsello T. JNK3 as Therapeutic Target and Biomarker in Neurodegenerative and Neurodevelopmental Brain Diseases. Cells 2020; 9:cells9102190. [PMID: 32998477 PMCID: PMC7600688 DOI: 10.3390/cells9102190] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/12/2020] [Revised: 09/21/2020] [Accepted: 09/24/2020] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
The c-Jun N-terminal kinase 3 (JNK3) is the JNK isoform mainly expressed in the brain. It is the most responsive to many stress stimuli in the central nervous system from ischemia to Aβ oligomers toxicity. JNK3 activity is spatial and temporal organized by its scaffold protein, in particular JIP-1 and β-arrestin-2, which play a crucial role in regulating different cellular functions in different cellular districts. Extensive evidence has highlighted the possibility of exploiting these adaptors to interfere with JNK3 signaling in order to block its action. JNK plays a key role in the first neurodegenerative event, the perturbation of physiological synapse structure and function, known as synaptic dysfunction. Importantly, this is a common mechanism in many different brain pathologies. Synaptic dysfunction and spine loss have been reported to be pharmacologically reversible, opening new therapeutic directions in brain diseases. Being JNK3-detectable at the peripheral level, it could be used as a disease biomarker with the ultimate aim of allowing an early diagnosis of neurodegenerative and neurodevelopment diseases in a still prodromal phase.
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Affiliation(s)
- Clara Alice Musi
- Department of Pharmacological and Biomolecular Sciences, Milan University, 20133 Milan, Italy;
- Department of Neuroscience, Istituto di Ricerche Farmacologiche Mario Negri-IRCCS, 20156 Milan, Italy; (G.A.); (F.S.); (E.I.)
| | - Graziella Agrò
- Department of Neuroscience, Istituto di Ricerche Farmacologiche Mario Negri-IRCCS, 20156 Milan, Italy; (G.A.); (F.S.); (E.I.)
| | - Francesco Santarella
- Department of Neuroscience, Istituto di Ricerche Farmacologiche Mario Negri-IRCCS, 20156 Milan, Italy; (G.A.); (F.S.); (E.I.)
| | - Erika Iervasi
- Department of Neuroscience, Istituto di Ricerche Farmacologiche Mario Negri-IRCCS, 20156 Milan, Italy; (G.A.); (F.S.); (E.I.)
- Department of Experimental Medicine, University of Genoa, Via De Toni 14, 16132 Genoa, Italy
| | - Tiziana Borsello
- Department of Pharmacological and Biomolecular Sciences, Milan University, 20133 Milan, Italy;
- Department of Neuroscience, Istituto di Ricerche Farmacologiche Mario Negri-IRCCS, 20156 Milan, Italy; (G.A.); (F.S.); (E.I.)
- Correspondence: or ; Tel.: +39-023-901-4469; Fax: +39-023-900-1916
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