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Wei Y, Zhong S, Yang H, Wang X, Lv B, Bian Y, Pei Y, Xu C, Zhao Q, Wu Y, Luo D, Wang F, Sun H, Chen Y. Current therapy in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS): A review on past and future therapeutic strategies. Eur J Med Chem 2024; 272:116496. [PMID: 38759454 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2024.116496] [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: 01/11/2024] [Revised: 05/11/2024] [Accepted: 05/11/2024] [Indexed: 05/19/2024]
Abstract
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a fatal neurodegenerative disease that affects the first and second motoneurons (MNs), associated with muscle weakness, paralysis and finally death. The exact etiology of the disease still remains unclear. Currently, efforts to develop novel ALS treatments which target specific pathomechanisms are being studied. The mechanisms of ALS pathogenesis involve multiple factors, such as protein aggregation, glutamate excitotoxicity, oxidative stress, mitochondrial dysfunction, apoptosis, inflammation etc. Unfortunately, to date, there are only two FDA-approved drugs for ALS, riluzole and edavarone, without curative treatment for ALS. Herein, we give an overview of the many pathways and review the recent discovery and preclinical characterization of neuroprotective compounds. Meanwhile, drug combination and other therapeutic approaches are also reviewed. In the last part, we analyze the reasons of clinical failure and propose perspective on the treatment of ALS in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuqing Wei
- School of Pharmacy, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, 210023, China
| | - Sheng Zhong
- School of Pharmacy, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, 210023, China
| | - Huajing Yang
- School of Pharmacy, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, 210023, China
| | - Xueqing Wang
- School of Pharmacy, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, 210023, China
| | - Bingbing Lv
- School of Pharmacy, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, 210023, China
| | - Yaoyao Bian
- Jiangsu Provincial Engineering Center of TCM External Medication Researching and Industrializing, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, 210023, China
| | - Yuqiong Pei
- School of Pharmacy, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, 210023, China
| | - Chunlei Xu
- School of Pharmacy, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, 210023, China
| | - Qun Zhao
- School of Pharmacy, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, 210023, China
| | - Yulan Wu
- School of Pharmacy, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, 210023, China
| | - Daying Luo
- School of Pharmacy, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, 210023, China
| | - Fan Wang
- School of Pharmacy, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, 210023, China
| | - Haopeng Sun
- School of Pharmacy, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, 211198, China.
| | - Yao Chen
- School of Pharmacy, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, 210023, China.
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Jhan CR, Satange R, Wang SC, Zeng JY, Horng YC, Jin P, Neidle S, Hou MH. Targeting the ALS/FTD-associated A-DNA kink with anthracene-based metal complex causes DNA backbone straightening and groove contraction. Nucleic Acids Res 2021; 49:9526-9538. [PMID: 33836081 PMCID: PMC8450080 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkab227] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/22/2021] [Revised: 03/16/2021] [Accepted: 03/26/2021] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
The use of a small molecule compound to reduce toxic repeat RNA transcripts or their translated aberrant proteins to target repeat-expanded RNA/DNA with a G4C2 motif is a promising strategy to treat C9orf72-linked disorders. In this study, the crystal structures of DNA and RNA–DNA hybrid duplexes with the -GGGCCG- region as a G4C2 repeat motif were solved. Unusual groove widening and sharper bending of the G4C2 DNA duplex A-DNA conformation with B-form characteristics inside was observed. The G4C2 RNA–DNA hybrid duplex adopts a more typical rigid A form structure. Detailed structural analysis revealed that the G4C2 repeat motif of the DNA duplex exhibits a hydration shell and greater flexibility and serves as a ‘hot-spot’ for binding of the anthracene-based nickel complex, NiII(Chro)2 (Chro = Chromomycin A3). In addition to the original GGCC recognition site, NiII(Chro)2 has extended specificity and binds the flanked G:C base pairs of the GGCC core, resulting in minor groove contraction and straightening of the DNA backbone. We have also shown that Chro-metal complexes inhibit neuronal toxicity and suppresses locomotor deficits in a Drosophila model of C9orf72-associated ALS. The approach represents a new direction for drug discovery against ALS and FTD diseases by targeting G4C2 repeat motif DNA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cyong-Ru Jhan
- Department of Life Sciences, National Chung-Hsing University, Taichung 402, Taiwan
| | - Roshan Satange
- Ph.D. Program in Medical Biotechnology, National Chung Hsing University, Taichung 402, Taiwan.,Institute of Genomics and Bioinformatics; National Chung Hsing University, Taichung 402, Taiwan
| | - Shun-Ching Wang
- Institute of Genomics and Bioinformatics; National Chung Hsing University, Taichung 402, Taiwan
| | - Jing-Yi Zeng
- Institute of Genomics and Bioinformatics; National Chung Hsing University, Taichung 402, Taiwan
| | - Yih-Chern Horng
- Department of Chemistry, National Changhua University of Education, Changhua 50058, Taiwan
| | - Peng Jin
- Department of Human Genetics, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA
| | - Stephen Neidle
- The School of Pharmacy, University College London, London, WC1N 1AX, United Kingdom
| | - Ming-Hon Hou
- Department of Life Sciences, National Chung-Hsing University, Taichung 402, Taiwan.,Ph.D. Program in Medical Biotechnology, National Chung Hsing University, Taichung 402, Taiwan.,Institute of Genomics and Bioinformatics; National Chung Hsing University, Taichung 402, Taiwan
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Berlinck RGS, Bernardi DI, Fill T, Fernandes AAG, Jurberg ID. The chemistry and biology of guanidine secondary metabolites. Nat Prod Rep 2020; 38:586-667. [PMID: 33021301 DOI: 10.1039/d0np00051e] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Covering: 2017-2019Guanidine natural products isolated from microorganisms, marine invertebrates and terrestrial plants, amphibians and spiders, represented by non-ribosomal peptides, guanidine-bearing polyketides, alkaloids, terpenoids and shikimic acid derived, are the subject of this review. The topics include the discovery of new metabolites, total synthesis of natural guanidine compounds, biological activity and mechanism-of-action, biosynthesis and ecological functions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Roberto G S Berlinck
- Instituto de Química de São Carlos, Universidade de São Paulo, CP 780, CEP 13560-970, São Carlos, SP, Brazil.
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