1
|
Wu R, Song Y, Wu S, Chen Y. Promising therapeutic approaches of utrophin replacing dystrophin in the treatment of Duchenne muscular dystrophy. FUNDAMENTAL RESEARCH 2022; 2:885-893. [PMID: 38933385 PMCID: PMC11197810 DOI: 10.1016/j.fmre.2022.07.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2022] [Revised: 07/01/2022] [Accepted: 07/11/2022] [Indexed: 10/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) is a serious genetic neuromuscular rare disease that is prevalent and caused by the mutation/deletion of the X-linked DMD gene that encodes dystrophin. Utrophin is a dystrophin homologous protein on human chromosome 6. Dystrophin and utrophin are highly homologous. They can recruit many dystrophin-glycoprotein complex (DGC)-related proteins and co-localize at the sarcolemma in the early stage of human embryonic development. Moreover, utrophin is overexpressed naturally at the mature myofiber sarcolemma in DMD patients. Therefore, utrophin is considered the most promising homologous protein to replace dystrophin. This review summarizes various modulating drugs and gene therapy approaches for utrophin replacement. As a universal method to treat DMD disease, utrophin has a promising therapeutic prospect and deserves further investigation.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ruo Wu
- State Key Laboratory of Primate Biomedical Research & Institute of Primate Translational Medicine, Kunming University of Science and Technology, Kunming 650500, China
- Yunnan Key Laboratory of Primate Biomedical Research, Kunming 650500, China
| | - Yafeng Song
- Institute of Sport and Health Science, Beijing Sport University, No.48 Xinxi Road, Haidian District, Beijing 100084, China
| | - Shiwen Wu
- Department of Neurology, Chinese PLA General Hospital, 28 Fuxing Road, Haidian District, Beijing 100853, China
| | - Yongchang Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Primate Biomedical Research & Institute of Primate Translational Medicine, Kunming University of Science and Technology, Kunming 650500, China
- Yunnan Key Laboratory of Primate Biomedical Research, Kunming 650500, China
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Hopkins MD, Ozmer GL, Witt RC, Brandeburg ZC, Rogers DA, Keating CE, Petcoff PL, Sheaff RJ, Lamar AA. PhI(OAc) 2 and iodine-mediated synthesis of N-alkyl sulfonamides derived from polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon scaffolds and determination of their antibacterial and cytotoxic activities. Org Biomol Chem 2021; 19:1133-1144. [PMID: 33443507 DOI: 10.1039/d0ob02429e] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
The development of new approaches toward chemo- and regioselective functionalization of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) scaffolds will provide opportunities for the synthesis of novel biologically active small molecules that exploit the high degree of lipophilicity imparted by the PAH unit. Herein, we report a new synthetic method for C-X bond substitution that is speculated to operate via a N-centered radical (NCR) mechanism according to experimental observations. A series of PAH sulfonamides have been synthesized and their biological activity has been evaluated against Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacterial strains (using a BacTiter-Glo assay) along with a series of mammalian cell lines (using CellTiter-Blue and CellTiter-Glo assays). The viability assays have resulted in the discovery of a number of bactericidal compounds that exhibit potency similar to other well-known antibacterials such as kanamycin and tetracycline, along with the discovery of a luciferase inhibitor. Additionally, the physicochemical and drug-likeness properties of the compounds were determined experimentally and using in silico approaches and the results are presented and discussed within.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Megan D Hopkins
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, The University of Tulsa, 800 South Tucker Drive, Tulsa, Oklahoma 74104, USA.
| | - Garett L Ozmer
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, The University of Tulsa, 800 South Tucker Drive, Tulsa, Oklahoma 74104, USA.
| | - Ryan C Witt
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, The University of Tulsa, 800 South Tucker Drive, Tulsa, Oklahoma 74104, USA.
| | - Zachary C Brandeburg
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, The University of Tulsa, 800 South Tucker Drive, Tulsa, Oklahoma 74104, USA.
| | - David A Rogers
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, The University of Tulsa, 800 South Tucker Drive, Tulsa, Oklahoma 74104, USA.
| | - Claire E Keating
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, The University of Tulsa, 800 South Tucker Drive, Tulsa, Oklahoma 74104, USA.
| | - Presley L Petcoff
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, The University of Tulsa, 800 South Tucker Drive, Tulsa, Oklahoma 74104, USA.
| | - Robert J Sheaff
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, The University of Tulsa, 800 South Tucker Drive, Tulsa, Oklahoma 74104, USA.
| | - Angus A Lamar
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, The University of Tulsa, 800 South Tucker Drive, Tulsa, Oklahoma 74104, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Vuorinen A, Wilkinson IVL, Chatzopoulou M, Edwards B, Squire SE, Fairclough RJ, Bazan NA, Milner JA, Conole D, Donald JR, Shah N, Willis NJ, Martínez RF, Wilson FX, Wynne GM, Davies SG, Davies KE, Russell AJ. Discovery and mechanism of action studies of 4,6-diphenylpyrimidine-2-carbohydrazides as utrophin modulators for the treatment of Duchenne muscular dystrophy. Eur J Med Chem 2021; 220:113431. [PMID: 33915371 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2021.113431] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2020] [Revised: 03/25/2021] [Accepted: 03/27/2021] [Indexed: 01/22/2023]
Abstract
Duchenne muscular dystrophy is a fatal disease with no cure, caused by lack of the cytoskeletal protein dystrophin. Upregulation of utrophin, a dystrophin paralogue, offers a potential therapy independent of mutation type. The failure of first-in-class utrophin modulator ezutromid/SMT C1100 in Phase II clinical trials necessitates development of compounds with better efficacy, physicochemical and ADME properties and/or complementary mechanisms. We have discovered and performed a preliminary optimisation of a novel class of utrophin modulators using an improved phenotypic screen, where reporter expression is derived from the full genomic context of the utrophin promoter. We further demonstrate through target deconvolution studies, including expression analysis and chemical proteomics, that this compound series operates via a novel mechanism of action, distinct from that of ezutromid.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Aini Vuorinen
- Department of Chemistry, University of Oxford, Chemistry Research Laboratory, Mansfield Road, Oxford, OX1 3TA, UK
| | - Isabel V L Wilkinson
- Department of Chemistry, University of Oxford, Chemistry Research Laboratory, Mansfield Road, Oxford, OX1 3TA, UK
| | - Maria Chatzopoulou
- Department of Chemistry, University of Oxford, Chemistry Research Laboratory, Mansfield Road, Oxford, OX1 3TA, UK
| | - Ben Edwards
- Department of Physiology, Anatomy and Genetics, University of Oxford, Sir Henry Wellcome Building of Gene Function, South Parks Road, Oxford, OX1 3PT, UK
| | - Sarah E Squire
- Department of Physiology, Anatomy and Genetics, University of Oxford, Sir Henry Wellcome Building of Gene Function, South Parks Road, Oxford, OX1 3PT, UK
| | - Rebecca J Fairclough
- Department of Physiology, Anatomy and Genetics, University of Oxford, Sir Henry Wellcome Building of Gene Function, South Parks Road, Oxford, OX1 3PT, UK
| | - Noelia Araujo Bazan
- Department of Chemistry, University of Oxford, Chemistry Research Laboratory, Mansfield Road, Oxford, OX1 3TA, UK
| | - Josh A Milner
- Department of Chemistry, University of Oxford, Chemistry Research Laboratory, Mansfield Road, Oxford, OX1 3TA, UK
| | - Daniel Conole
- Department of Chemistry, University of Oxford, Chemistry Research Laboratory, Mansfield Road, Oxford, OX1 3TA, UK
| | - James R Donald
- Department of Chemistry, University of Oxford, Chemistry Research Laboratory, Mansfield Road, Oxford, OX1 3TA, UK
| | - Nandini Shah
- Department of Physiology, Anatomy and Genetics, University of Oxford, Sir Henry Wellcome Building of Gene Function, South Parks Road, Oxford, OX1 3PT, UK
| | - Nicky J Willis
- Department of Chemistry, University of Oxford, Chemistry Research Laboratory, Mansfield Road, Oxford, OX1 3TA, UK
| | - R Fernando Martínez
- Department of Chemistry, University of Oxford, Chemistry Research Laboratory, Mansfield Road, Oxford, OX1 3TA, UK
| | - Francis X Wilson
- Summit Therapeutics Plc, 136a Eastern Avenue, Milton Park, Abingdon, Oxfordshire, OX14 4SB, UK
| | - Graham M Wynne
- Department of Chemistry, University of Oxford, Chemistry Research Laboratory, Mansfield Road, Oxford, OX1 3TA, UK
| | - Stephen G Davies
- Department of Chemistry, University of Oxford, Chemistry Research Laboratory, Mansfield Road, Oxford, OX1 3TA, UK
| | - Kay E Davies
- Department of Physiology, Anatomy and Genetics, University of Oxford, Sir Henry Wellcome Building of Gene Function, South Parks Road, Oxford, OX1 3PT, UK.
| | - Angela J Russell
- Department of Chemistry, University of Oxford, Chemistry Research Laboratory, Mansfield Road, Oxford, OX1 3TA, UK; Department of Pharmacology, University of Oxford, Mansfield Road, Oxford, OX1 3PQ, UK.
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Jörg M, Madden KS. The right tools for the job: the central role for next generation chemical probes and chemistry-based target deconvolution methods in phenotypic drug discovery. RSC Med Chem 2021; 12:646-665. [PMID: 34124668 PMCID: PMC8152813 DOI: 10.1039/d1md00022e] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/24/2021] [Accepted: 03/15/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
The reconnection of the scientific community with phenotypic drug discovery has created exciting new possibilities to develop therapies for diseases with highly complex biology. It promises to revolutionise fields such as neurodegenerative disease and regenerative medicine, where the development of new drugs has consistently proved elusive. Arguably, the greatest challenge in readopting the phenotypic drug discovery approach exists in establishing a crucial chain of translatability between phenotype and benefit to patients in the clinic. This remains a key stumbling block for the field which needs to be overcome in order to fully realise the potential of phenotypic drug discovery. Excellent quality chemical probes and chemistry-based target deconvolution techniques will be a crucial part of this process. In this review, we discuss the current capabilities of chemical probes and chemistry-based target deconvolution methods and evaluate the next advances necessary in order to fully support phenotypic screening approaches in drug discovery.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Manuela Jörg
- School of Natural and Environmental Sciences, Newcastle University Bedson Building Newcastle upon Tyne NE1 7RU UK
- Medicinal Chemistry, Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Monash University Parkville Victoria 3052 Australia
| | - Katrina S Madden
- School of Natural and Environmental Sciences, Newcastle University Bedson Building Newcastle upon Tyne NE1 7RU UK
- Medicinal Chemistry, Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Monash University Parkville Victoria 3052 Australia
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Chatzopoulou M, Emer E, Lecci C, Rowley JA, Casagrande AS, Moir L, Squire SE, Davies SG, Harriman S, Wynne GM, Wilson FX, Davies KE, Russell AJ. Decreasing HepG2 Cytotoxicity by Lowering the Lipophilicity of Benzo[d]oxazolephosphinate Ester Utrophin Modulators. ACS Med Chem Lett 2020; 11:2421-2427. [PMID: 33335663 DOI: 10.1021/acsmedchemlett.0c00405] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/20/2020] [Accepted: 10/26/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Utrophin modulation is a disease-modifying therapeutic strategy for Duchenne muscular dystrophy that would be applicable to all patient populations. To improve the suboptimal profile of ezutromid, the first-in-class clinical candidate, a second generation of utrophin modulators bearing a phosphinate ester moiety was developed. This modification significantly improved the physicochemical and ADME properties, but one of the main lead molecules was found to have dose-limiting hepatotoxicity. In this work we describe how less lipophilic analogues retained utrophin modulatory activity in a reporter gene assay, upregulated utrophin protein in dystrophic mouse muscle cells, but also had improved physicochemical and ADME properties. Notably, ClogP was found to directly correlate with pIC50 in HepG2 cells, hence leading to a potentially safer toxicological profiles in this series. Compound 21 showed a balanced profile (H2K EC50: 4.17 μM, solubility: 477 μM, mouse hepatocyte T 1/2 > 240 min) and increased utrophin protein 1.6-fold in a Western blot assay.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Maria Chatzopoulou
- Department of Chemistry, University of Oxford, Chemistry Research Laboratory, Mansfield Road, Oxford OX1 3TA, U.K
| | - Enrico Emer
- Department of Chemistry, University of Oxford, Chemistry Research Laboratory, Mansfield Road, Oxford OX1 3TA, U.K
| | - Cristina Lecci
- Evoetec (U.K.) Ltd, 114 Innovation Drive, Milton Park, Milton, Abingdon OX14 4RZ, U.K
| | - Jessica A. Rowley
- Department of Chemistry, University of Oxford, Chemistry Research Laboratory, Mansfield Road, Oxford OX1 3TA, U.K
| | | | - Lee Moir
- MDUK Oxford Neuromuscular Centre, Department of Physiology, Anatomy and Genetics, University of Oxford, Oxford OX1 3PT, U.K
| | - Sarah E. Squire
- MDUK Oxford Neuromuscular Centre, Department of Physiology, Anatomy and Genetics, University of Oxford, Oxford OX1 3PT, U.K
| | - Stephen G. Davies
- Department of Chemistry, University of Oxford, Chemistry Research Laboratory, Mansfield Road, Oxford OX1 3TA, U.K
| | - Shawn Harriman
- Summit Therapeutics plc, 136a Eastern Avenue, Milton Park, Abingdon, Oxfordshire OX14 4SB, U.K
| | - Graham M. Wynne
- Department of Chemistry, University of Oxford, Chemistry Research Laboratory, Mansfield Road, Oxford OX1 3TA, U.K
| | - Francis X. Wilson
- Summit Therapeutics plc, 136a Eastern Avenue, Milton Park, Abingdon, Oxfordshire OX14 4SB, U.K
| | - Kay E. Davies
- MDUK Oxford Neuromuscular Centre, Department of Physiology, Anatomy and Genetics, University of Oxford, Oxford OX1 3PT, U.K
| | - Angela J. Russell
- Department of Chemistry, University of Oxford, Chemistry Research Laboratory, Mansfield Road, Oxford OX1 3TA, U.K
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Oxford, Mansfield Road, Oxford OX1 3PQ, U.K
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Babbs A, Berg A, Chatzopoulou M, Davies KE, Davies SG, Edwards B, Elsey DJ, Emer E, Guiraud S, Harriman S, Lecci C, Moir L, Peters D, Robinson N, Rowley JA, Russell AJ, Squire SE, Tinsley JM, Wilson FX, Wynne GM. 2-Arylbenzo[ d]oxazole Phosphinate Esters as Second-Generation Modulators of Utrophin for the Treatment of Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy. J Med Chem 2020; 63:7880-7891. [PMID: 32551645 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.0c00807] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Utrophin modulation is a promising therapeutic strategy for Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD), which should be applicable to all patient populations. Following on from ezutromid, the first-generation utrophin modulator, we describe the development of a second generation of utrophin modulators, based on the bioisosteric replacement of the sulfone group with a phosphinate ester and substitution of the metabolically labile naphthalene with a haloaryl substituent. The improved physicochemical and absorption, distribution, metabolism, and excretion (ADME) properties, further reflected in the enhanced pharmacokinetic profile of the most advanced compounds, 30 and 27, led to significantly better in vivo exposure compared to ezutromid and alleviation of the dystrophic phenotype in mdx mice. While 30 was found to have dose-limiting hepatotoxicity, 27 and its enantiomers exhibited limited off-target effects, resulting in a safe profile and highlighting their potential utility as next-generation utrophin modulators suitable for progression toward a future DMD therapy.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Arran Babbs
- MDUK Oxford Neuromuscular Centre, Department of Physiology, Anatomy and Genetics, University of Oxford, Oxford OX1 3PT, U.K
| | - Adam Berg
- MDUK Oxford Neuromuscular Centre, Department of Physiology, Anatomy and Genetics, University of Oxford, Oxford OX1 3PT, U.K
| | - Maria Chatzopoulou
- Department of Chemistry, Chemistry Research Laboratory, University of Oxford, Mansfield Road, Oxford OX1 3TA, U.K
| | - Kay E Davies
- MDUK Oxford Neuromuscular Centre, Department of Physiology, Anatomy and Genetics, University of Oxford, Oxford OX1 3PT, U.K
| | - Stephen G Davies
- Department of Chemistry, Chemistry Research Laboratory, University of Oxford, Mansfield Road, Oxford OX1 3TA, U.K
| | - Benjamin Edwards
- MDUK Oxford Neuromuscular Centre, Department of Physiology, Anatomy and Genetics, University of Oxford, Oxford OX1 3PT, U.K
| | - David J Elsey
- Summit Therapeutics plc, 136a Eastern Avenue, Milton Park, Abingdon, Oxfordshire OX14 4SB, U.K
| | - Enrico Emer
- Department of Chemistry, Chemistry Research Laboratory, University of Oxford, Mansfield Road, Oxford OX1 3TA, U.K
| | - Simon Guiraud
- MDUK Oxford Neuromuscular Centre, Department of Physiology, Anatomy and Genetics, University of Oxford, Oxford OX1 3PT, U.K
| | - Shawn Harriman
- Summit Therapeutics plc, 136a Eastern Avenue, Milton Park, Abingdon, Oxfordshire OX14 4SB, U.K
| | - Cristina Lecci
- Evotec (UK) Ltd, 114 Innovation Dr, Milton Park, Milton, Abingdon OX14 4RZ, U.K
| | - Lee Moir
- MDUK Oxford Neuromuscular Centre, Department of Physiology, Anatomy and Genetics, University of Oxford, Oxford OX1 3PT, U.K
| | - David Peters
- Summit Therapeutics plc, 136a Eastern Avenue, Milton Park, Abingdon, Oxfordshire OX14 4SB, U.K
| | - Neil Robinson
- S.H.B. Enterprises Ltd, 55 Station Road, Beaconsfield HP19 1QL, U.K
| | - Jessica A Rowley
- Department of Chemistry, Chemistry Research Laboratory, University of Oxford, Mansfield Road, Oxford OX1 3TA, U.K
| | - Angela J Russell
- Department of Chemistry, Chemistry Research Laboratory, University of Oxford, Mansfield Road, Oxford OX1 3TA, U.K.,Department of Pharmacology, University of Oxford, Mansfield Road, Oxford OX1 3PQ, U.K
| | - Sarah E Squire
- MDUK Oxford Neuromuscular Centre, Department of Physiology, Anatomy and Genetics, University of Oxford, Oxford OX1 3PT, U.K
| | - Jonathon M Tinsley
- Summit Therapeutics plc, 136a Eastern Avenue, Milton Park, Abingdon, Oxfordshire OX14 4SB, U.K
| | - Francis X Wilson
- Summit Therapeutics plc, 136a Eastern Avenue, Milton Park, Abingdon, Oxfordshire OX14 4SB, U.K
| | - Graham M Wynne
- Department of Chemistry, Chemistry Research Laboratory, University of Oxford, Mansfield Road, Oxford OX1 3TA, U.K
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Wilkinson IVL, Perkins KJ, Dugdale H, Moir L, Vuorinen A, Chatzopoulou M, Squire SE, Monecke S, Lomow A, Geese M, Charles PD, Burch P, Tinsley JM, Wynne GM, Davies SG, Wilson FX, Rastinejad F, Mohammed S, Davies KE, Russell AJ. Chemical Proteomics and Phenotypic Profiling Identifies the Aryl Hydrocarbon Receptor as a Molecular Target of the Utrophin Modulator Ezutromid. Angew Chem Int Ed Engl 2020. [DOI: 10.1002/ange.201912392] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Isabel V. L. Wilkinson
- Department of ChemistryUniversity of OxfordChemistry Research Laboratory Mansfield Road Oxford OX1 3TA UK
| | - Kelly J. Perkins
- Department of Physiology, Anatomy and GeneticsUniversity of OxfordSir Henry Wellcome Building of Gene Function South Parks Road Oxford OX1 3PT UK
| | - Hannah Dugdale
- Department of Physiology, Anatomy and GeneticsUniversity of OxfordSir Henry Wellcome Building of Gene Function South Parks Road Oxford OX1 3PT UK
| | - Lee Moir
- Department of Physiology, Anatomy and GeneticsUniversity of OxfordSir Henry Wellcome Building of Gene Function South Parks Road Oxford OX1 3PT UK
| | - Aini Vuorinen
- Department of ChemistryUniversity of OxfordChemistry Research Laboratory Mansfield Road Oxford OX1 3TA UK
| | - Maria Chatzopoulou
- Department of ChemistryUniversity of OxfordChemistry Research Laboratory Mansfield Road Oxford OX1 3TA UK
| | - Sarah E. Squire
- Department of Physiology, Anatomy and GeneticsUniversity of OxfordSir Henry Wellcome Building of Gene Function South Parks Road Oxford OX1 3PT UK
| | - Sebastian Monecke
- Evotec International GmbHManfred Eigen Campus Essener Bogen 7 22419 Hamburg Germany
| | - Alexander Lomow
- Evotec International GmbHManfred Eigen Campus Essener Bogen 7 22419 Hamburg Germany
| | - Marcus Geese
- Evotec International GmbHManfred Eigen Campus Essener Bogen 7 22419 Hamburg Germany
| | - Philip D. Charles
- Department of BiochemistryUniversity of Oxford South Parks Rd Oxford OX1 3QU UK
- Target Discovery InstituteUniversity of OxfordOld Road Campus Roosevelt Drive Oxford OX3 7FZ UK
| | - Peter Burch
- Summit Therapeutics plc. 136a Eastern Avenue, Milton Park Abingdon Oxfordshire OX14 4SB UK
| | - Jonathan M. Tinsley
- Summit Therapeutics plc. 136a Eastern Avenue, Milton Park Abingdon Oxfordshire OX14 4SB UK
| | - Graham M. Wynne
- Department of ChemistryUniversity of OxfordChemistry Research Laboratory Mansfield Road Oxford OX1 3TA UK
| | - Stephen G. Davies
- Department of ChemistryUniversity of OxfordChemistry Research Laboratory Mansfield Road Oxford OX1 3TA UK
| | - Francis X. Wilson
- Summit Therapeutics plc. 136a Eastern Avenue, Milton Park Abingdon Oxfordshire OX14 4SB UK
| | - Fraydoon Rastinejad
- Target Discovery InstituteUniversity of OxfordOld Road Campus Roosevelt Drive Oxford OX3 7FZ UK
| | - Shabaz Mohammed
- Department of ChemistryUniversity of OxfordChemistry Research Laboratory Mansfield Road Oxford OX1 3TA UK
- Department of BiochemistryUniversity of Oxford South Parks Rd Oxford OX1 3QU UK
| | - Kay E. Davies
- Department of Physiology, Anatomy and GeneticsUniversity of OxfordSir Henry Wellcome Building of Gene Function South Parks Road Oxford OX1 3PT UK
| | - Angela J. Russell
- Department of ChemistryUniversity of OxfordChemistry Research Laboratory Mansfield Road Oxford OX1 3TA UK
- Department of PharmacologyUniversity of Oxford Mansfield Road Oxford OX1 3PQ UK
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Wilkinson IVL, Perkins KJ, Dugdale H, Moir L, Vuorinen A, Chatzopoulou M, Squire SE, Monecke S, Lomow A, Geese M, Charles PD, Burch P, Tinsley JM, Wynne GM, Davies SG, Wilson FX, Rastinejad F, Mohammed S, Davies KE, Russell AJ. Chemical Proteomics and Phenotypic Profiling Identifies the Aryl Hydrocarbon Receptor as a Molecular Target of the Utrophin Modulator Ezutromid. Angew Chem Int Ed Engl 2020; 59:2420-2428. [PMID: 31755636 PMCID: PMC7003794 DOI: 10.1002/anie.201912392] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/27/2019] [Revised: 11/13/2019] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) is a fatal muscle-wasting disease arising from mutations in the dystrophin gene. Upregulation of utrophin to compensate for the missing dystrophin offers a potential therapy independent of patient genotype. The first-in-class utrophin modulator ezutromid/SMT C1100 was developed from a phenotypic screen through to a Phase 2 clinical trial. Promising efficacy and evidence of target engagement was observed in DMD patients after 24 weeks of treatment, however trial endpoints were not met after 48 weeks. The objective of this study was to understand the mechanism of action of ezutromid which could explain the lack of sustained efficacy and help development of new generations of utrophin modulators. Using chemical proteomics and phenotypic profiling we show that the aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) is a target of ezutromid. Several lines of evidence demonstrate that ezutromid binds AhR with an apparent KD of 50 nm and behaves as an AhR antagonist. Furthermore, other reported AhR antagonists also upregulate utrophin, showing that this pathway, which is currently being explored in other clinical applications including oncology and rheumatoid arthritis, could also be exploited in future DMD therapies.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Isabel V. L. Wilkinson
- Department of ChemistryUniversity of OxfordChemistry Research LaboratoryMansfield RoadOxfordOX1 3TAUK
| | - Kelly J. Perkins
- Department of Physiology, Anatomy and GeneticsUniversity of OxfordSir Henry Wellcome Building of Gene FunctionSouth Parks RoadOxfordOX1 3PTUK
| | - Hannah Dugdale
- Department of Physiology, Anatomy and GeneticsUniversity of OxfordSir Henry Wellcome Building of Gene FunctionSouth Parks RoadOxfordOX1 3PTUK
| | - Lee Moir
- Department of Physiology, Anatomy and GeneticsUniversity of OxfordSir Henry Wellcome Building of Gene FunctionSouth Parks RoadOxfordOX1 3PTUK
| | - Aini Vuorinen
- Department of ChemistryUniversity of OxfordChemistry Research LaboratoryMansfield RoadOxfordOX1 3TAUK
| | - Maria Chatzopoulou
- Department of ChemistryUniversity of OxfordChemistry Research LaboratoryMansfield RoadOxfordOX1 3TAUK
| | - Sarah E. Squire
- Department of Physiology, Anatomy and GeneticsUniversity of OxfordSir Henry Wellcome Building of Gene FunctionSouth Parks RoadOxfordOX1 3PTUK
| | - Sebastian Monecke
- Evotec International GmbHManfred Eigen CampusEssener Bogen 722419HamburgGermany
| | - Alexander Lomow
- Evotec International GmbHManfred Eigen CampusEssener Bogen 722419HamburgGermany
| | - Marcus Geese
- Evotec International GmbHManfred Eigen CampusEssener Bogen 722419HamburgGermany
| | - Philip D. Charles
- Department of BiochemistryUniversity of OxfordSouth Parks RdOxfordOX1 3QUUK
- Target Discovery InstituteUniversity of OxfordOld Road CampusRoosevelt DriveOxfordOX3 7FZUK
| | - Peter Burch
- Summit Therapeutics plc.136a Eastern Avenue, Milton ParkAbingdonOxfordshireOX14 4SBUK
| | - Jonathan M. Tinsley
- Summit Therapeutics plc.136a Eastern Avenue, Milton ParkAbingdonOxfordshireOX14 4SBUK
| | - Graham M. Wynne
- Department of ChemistryUniversity of OxfordChemistry Research LaboratoryMansfield RoadOxfordOX1 3TAUK
| | - Stephen G. Davies
- Department of ChemistryUniversity of OxfordChemistry Research LaboratoryMansfield RoadOxfordOX1 3TAUK
| | - Francis X. Wilson
- Summit Therapeutics plc.136a Eastern Avenue, Milton ParkAbingdonOxfordshireOX14 4SBUK
| | - Fraydoon Rastinejad
- Target Discovery InstituteUniversity of OxfordOld Road CampusRoosevelt DriveOxfordOX3 7FZUK
| | - Shabaz Mohammed
- Department of ChemistryUniversity of OxfordChemistry Research LaboratoryMansfield RoadOxfordOX1 3TAUK
- Department of BiochemistryUniversity of OxfordSouth Parks RdOxfordOX1 3QUUK
| | - Kay E. Davies
- Department of Physiology, Anatomy and GeneticsUniversity of OxfordSir Henry Wellcome Building of Gene FunctionSouth Parks RoadOxfordOX1 3PTUK
| | - Angela J. Russell
- Department of ChemistryUniversity of OxfordChemistry Research LaboratoryMansfield RoadOxfordOX1 3TAUK
- Department of PharmacologyUniversity of OxfordMansfield RoadOxfordOX1 3PQUK
| |
Collapse
|