1
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Rajan S, Yoon HS. Covalent ligands of nuclear receptors. Eur J Med Chem 2023; 261:115869. [PMID: 37857142 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2023.115869] [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: 07/20/2023] [Revised: 10/09/2023] [Accepted: 10/09/2023] [Indexed: 10/21/2023]
Abstract
Nuclear receptors (NRs) are ligand-induced transcriptional factors implicated in several physiological pathways. Naïve ligands bind to their cognate receptors and modulate gene expression as agonists or antagonists. It has been observed that some ligands bind via covalent bonding with the NR Ligand Binding Domain (LBD) residues. While many such instances have been known since the 1980s, a consolidated account of these ligands and their interactions with NR-LBD is yet to be documented. To negate this, we have culled out the human NR-LBDs that form a covalent attachment with ligands. According to the study, 16 of the 48 human NRs have been targeted by covalent ligands. It was found that conserved cysteines prone to covalent attachment are predominantly located in NR-LBD helices 3 and 11. These conserved cysteines are also observed in many of the remaining NRs, which can be probed for their reactivity. Thus, the structural insights into NR-LBD interactions with covalent ligands presented here would aid drug discovery efforts targeting NRs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sreekanth Rajan
- School of Biological Sciences, Nanyang Technological University, 60 Nanyang Drive, 637551, Singapore
| | - Ho Sup Yoon
- School of Biological Sciences, Nanyang Technological University, 60 Nanyang Drive, 637551, Singapore; College of Pharmacy, CHA University, 120 Haeryong-ro, Pocheon-si, Gyeonggi-do, 11160, Republic of Korea; CHA Advanced Research Institute, 335 Pangyo-ro, Bundang-gu, Seongnam-si, 13488, Republic of Korea.
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2
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Lu L, Sun N, Wang Y. Development and therapeutic potential of allosteric retinoic acid receptor-related orphan receptor γt (RORγt) inverse agonists for autoimmune diseases. Eur J Med Chem 2023; 258:115574. [PMID: 37336069 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2023.115574] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/15/2023] [Revised: 06/12/2023] [Accepted: 06/14/2023] [Indexed: 06/21/2023]
Abstract
The transcription factor retinoic acid receptor-related orphan receptor γt (RORγt) is an attractive drug target for some autoimmune diseases owing to its roles in the differentiation of human T helper 17 (Th17) cells which produce pro-inflammatory cytokine interleukin (IL)-17. RORγt agonists and inverse agonists are classically targeted to the hydrophobic and highly conserved orthosteric binding pocket of RORγt ligand binding domain (LBD). Although successful, this approach also brings some challenges, including off-target effects due to lack of selectivity over other nuclear receptors (NRs). Allosteric regulation of RORγt by synthetic small molecules has recently emerged as novel research interests for its interesting modes of action (MOA), satisfying bioactivity profile and improved selectivity. In this review, we delineated the discovery and identification of the allosteric pocket of RORγt. Subsequently, we focused on examples of small molecules that allosterically inhibit RORγt, with a central attention on structural-activity-relationship (SAR) information, biological activity, pharmacokinetic (PK) property, and the ligand binding mode of these compounds. We also discussed the potential role of RORγt allosteric inverse agonists as small molecule therapeutics for autoimmune diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lixue Lu
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, School of Pharmacy, Fudan University, 826 Zhangheng Road, Shanghai, 201203, China
| | - Nannan Sun
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, School of Pharmacy, Fudan University, 826 Zhangheng Road, Shanghai, 201203, China; School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, 450001, China
| | - Yonghui Wang
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, School of Pharmacy, Fudan University, 826 Zhangheng Road, Shanghai, 201203, China.
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3
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Narjes F, Llinas A, von Berg S, Jirholt J, Lever S, Pehrson R, Collins M, Malmberg A, Svanberg P, Xue Y, Olsson RI, Malmberg J, Hughes G, Hossain N, Grindebacke H, Leffler A, Krutrök N, Bäck E, Ramnegård M, Lepistö M, Thunberg L, Aagaard A, McPheat J, Hansson EL, Chen R, Xiong Y, Hansson TG. AZD0284, a Potent, Selective, and Orally Bioavailable Inverse Agonist of Retinoic Acid Receptor-Related Orphan Receptor C2. J Med Chem 2021; 64:13807-13829. [PMID: 34464130 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.1c01197] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
Inverse agonists of the nuclear receptor RORC2 have been widely pursued as a potential treatment for a variety of autoimmune diseases. We have discovered a novel series of isoindoline-based inverse agonists of the nuclear receptor RORC2, derived from our recently disclosed RORC2 inverse agonist 2. Extensive structure-activity relationship (SAR) studies resulted in AZD0284 (20), which combined potent inhibition of IL-17A secretion from primary human TH17 cells with excellent metabolic stability and good PK in preclinical species. In two preclinical in vivo studies, compound 20 reduced thymocyte numbers in mice and showed dose-dependent reduction of IL-17A containing γδ-T cells and of IL-17A and IL-22 RNA in the imiquimod induced inflammation model. Based on these data and a favorable safety profile, 20 was progressed to phase 1 clinical studies.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Yafeng Xue
- Mechanistic & Structural Biology, Discovery Science, R&D, AstraZeneca, Gothenburg SE-431 83, Sweden
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Linda Thunberg
- Early Chemical Development, Pharmaceutical Sciences, R&D, AstraZeneca, Gothenburg SE-431 83, Sweden
| | - Anna Aagaard
- Mechanistic & Structural Biology, Discovery Science, R&D, AstraZeneca, Gothenburg SE-431 83, Sweden
| | - Jane McPheat
- Mechanistic & Structural Biology, Discovery Science, R&D, AstraZeneca, Gothenburg SE-431 83, Sweden
| | - Eva L Hansson
- Mechanistic & Structural Biology, Discovery Science, R&D, AstraZeneca, Gothenburg SE-431 83, Sweden
| | - Rongfeng Chen
- Pharmaron Beijing Co., Ltd., Taihe Road BDA, Beijing 100176, P. R. China
| | - Yao Xiong
- Pharmaron Beijing Co., Ltd., Taihe Road BDA, Beijing 100176, P. R. China
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4
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Gege C. Retinoic acid-related orphan receptor gamma t (RORγt) inverse agonists/antagonists for the treatment of inflammatory diseases - where are we presently? Expert Opin Drug Discov 2021; 16:1517-1535. [PMID: 34192992 DOI: 10.1080/17460441.2021.1948833] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Introduction: The transcription factor retinoic acid-related orphan receptor gamma t (RORγt) has been identified as the master regulator of TH17 cell differentiation and IL-17/22 production and is therefore an attractive target for the treatment of inflammatory diseases. Several orally or topically administered small molecule RORγt inverse agonists (RIAs) have progressed up to the end of clinical Phase 2.Areas covered: Based on publications and patent evaluations this review summarizes the evolution of the chemical matter for all 16 pharmaceutical companies, who develop(ed) a clinical-stage RIAs (until March 2021). Structure proposals for some clinical stage RIAs are presented and the outcome of the clinical trials is discussed.Expert opinion: So far, the clinical trials have been plagued with a high attrition rate. Main reasons were lack of efficacy (topical) or safety signals (oral) as well as, amongst other things, thymic lymphomas as seen with BMS-986251 in a preclinical study and liver enzyme elevations in humans with VTP-43742. Possibilities to mitigate these risks could be the use of RIAs with different chemical structures not interfering with thymocytes maturation and no livertox-inducing properties. With new frontrunners (e.g., ABBV-157 (cedirogant), BI 730357 or IMU-935) this is still an exciting time for this treatment approach.
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5
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Abstract
RORγt is a nuclear receptor associated with several diseases. Various synthetic ligands have been developed that target the canonical orthosteric or a second, allosteric pocket of RORγt. We show that orthosteric and allosteric ligands can simultaneously bind to RORγt and that their potency is positively influenced by the other ligand, a phenomenon called cooperative dual ligand binding. The mechanism behind cooperative binding in proteins is poorly understood, primarily due to the lack of structural data. We solved 12 crystal structures of RORγt, simultaneously bound to various orthosteric and allosteric ligands. In combination with molecular dynamics, we reveal a mechanism responsible for the cooperative binding behavior. Our comprehensive structural studies provide unique insights into how cooperative binding occurs in proteins. Cooperative ligand binding is an important phenomenon in biological systems where ligand binding influences the binding of another ligand at an alternative site of the protein via an intramolecular network of interactions. The underlying mechanisms behind cooperative binding remain poorly understood, primarily due to the lack of structural data of these ternary complexes. Using time-resolved fluorescence resonance energy transfer (TR-FRET) studies, we show that cooperative ligand binding occurs for RORγt, a nuclear receptor associated with the pathogenesis of autoimmune diseases. To provide the crucial structural insights, we solved 12 crystal structures of RORγt simultaneously bound to various orthosteric and allosteric ligands. The presence of the orthosteric ligand induces a clamping motion of the allosteric pocket via helices 4 to 5. Additional molecular dynamics simulations revealed the unusual mechanism behind this clamping motion, with Ala355 shifting between helix 4 and 5. The orthosteric RORγt agonists regulate the conformation of Ala355, thereby stabilizing the conformation of the allosteric pocket and cooperatively enhancing the affinity of the allosteric inverse agonists.
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6
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Meijer FA, Saris AOWM, Doveston RG, Oerlemans GJM, de Vries RMJM, Somsen BA, Unger A, Klebl B, Ottmann C, Cossar PJ, Brunsveld L. Structure-Activity Relationship Studies of Trisubstituted Isoxazoles as Selective Allosteric Ligands for the Retinoic-Acid-Receptor-Related Orphan Receptor γt. J Med Chem 2021; 64:9238-9258. [PMID: 34008974 PMCID: PMC8273893 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.1c00475] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
![]()
The inhibition of
the nuclear receptor retinoic-acid-receptor-related
orphan receptor γt (RORγt) is a promising strategy in
the treatment of autoimmune diseases. RORγt features an allosteric
binding site within its ligand-binding domain that provides an opportunity
to overcome drawbacks associated with orthosteric modulators. Recently,
trisubstituted isoxazoles were identified as a novel class of allosteric
RORγt inverse agonists. This chemotype offers new opportunities
for optimization into selective and efficacious allosteric drug-like
molecules. Here, we explore the structure–activity relationship
profile of the isoxazole series utilizing a combination of structure-based
design, X-ray crystallography, and biochemical assays. The initial
lead isoxazole (FM26) was optimized, resulting in compounds
with a ∼10-fold increase in potency (low nM), significant cellular
activity, promising pharmacokinetic properties, and a good selectivity
profile over the peroxisome-proliferated-activated receptor γ
and the farnesoid X receptor. We envisage that this work will serve
as a platform for the accelerated development of isoxazoles and other
novel chemotypes for the effective allosteric targeting of RORγt.
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Affiliation(s)
- Femke A Meijer
- Laboratory of Chemical Biology, Department of Biomedical Engineering and Institute for Complex Molecular Systems, Technische Universiteit Eindhoven, Den Dolech 2, 5612 AZ Eindhoven, The Netherlands
| | - Annet O W M Saris
- Laboratory of Chemical Biology, Department of Biomedical Engineering and Institute for Complex Molecular Systems, Technische Universiteit Eindhoven, Den Dolech 2, 5612 AZ Eindhoven, The Netherlands
| | - Richard G Doveston
- Laboratory of Chemical Biology, Department of Biomedical Engineering and Institute for Complex Molecular Systems, Technische Universiteit Eindhoven, Den Dolech 2, 5612 AZ Eindhoven, The Netherlands.,Leicester Institute of Structural and Chemical Biology and School of Chemistry, University of Leicester, University Road, LE1 7RH Leicester, U.K
| | - Guido J M Oerlemans
- Laboratory of Chemical Biology, Department of Biomedical Engineering and Institute for Complex Molecular Systems, Technische Universiteit Eindhoven, Den Dolech 2, 5612 AZ Eindhoven, The Netherlands
| | - Rens M J M de Vries
- Laboratory of Chemical Biology, Department of Biomedical Engineering and Institute for Complex Molecular Systems, Technische Universiteit Eindhoven, Den Dolech 2, 5612 AZ Eindhoven, The Netherlands
| | - Bente A Somsen
- Laboratory of Chemical Biology, Department of Biomedical Engineering and Institute for Complex Molecular Systems, Technische Universiteit Eindhoven, Den Dolech 2, 5612 AZ Eindhoven, The Netherlands
| | - Anke Unger
- Lead Discovery Center GmbH, 44227 Dortmund, Germany
| | - Bert Klebl
- Lead Discovery Center GmbH, 44227 Dortmund, Germany
| | - Christian Ottmann
- Laboratory of Chemical Biology, Department of Biomedical Engineering and Institute for Complex Molecular Systems, Technische Universiteit Eindhoven, Den Dolech 2, 5612 AZ Eindhoven, The Netherlands
| | - Peter J Cossar
- Laboratory of Chemical Biology, Department of Biomedical Engineering and Institute for Complex Molecular Systems, Technische Universiteit Eindhoven, Den Dolech 2, 5612 AZ Eindhoven, The Netherlands
| | - Luc Brunsveld
- Laboratory of Chemical Biology, Department of Biomedical Engineering and Institute for Complex Molecular Systems, Technische Universiteit Eindhoven, Den Dolech 2, 5612 AZ Eindhoven, The Netherlands
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7
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Meijer FA, van den Oetelaar MCM, Doveston RG, Sampers ENR, Brunsveld L. Covalent Occlusion of the RORγt Ligand Binding Pocket Allows Unambiguous Targeting of an Allosteric Site. ACS Med Chem Lett 2021; 12:631-639. [PMID: 33854703 PMCID: PMC8040040 DOI: 10.1021/acsmedchemlett.1c00029] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/17/2021] [Accepted: 03/03/2021] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
The nuclear receptor RORγt is a key positive regulator in the differentiation and proliferation of T helper 17 (Th17) cells and the production of proinflammatory cytokines like IL-17a. Dysregulation of this pathway can result in the development of various autoimmune diseases, and inhibition of RORγt with small molecules thus holds great potential as a therapeutic strategy. RORγt has a unique allosteric ligand binding site in the ligand binding domain, which is distinct from the canonical, orthosteric binding site. Allosteric modulation of RORγt shows high potential, but the targeted discovery of novel allosteric ligands is highly challenging via currently available methods. Here, we introduce covalent, orthosteric chemical probes for RORγt that occlude the binding of canonical, orthosteric ligands but still allow allosteric ligand binding. Ultimately, these probes could be used to underpin screening approaches for the unambiguous and rapid identification of novel allosteric RORγt ligands.
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Affiliation(s)
- Femke A. Meijer
- Laboratory of Chemical Biology, Department of Biomedical Engineering and Institute for Complex Molecular Systems, Technische Universiteit Eindhoven, Den Dolech 2, 5612 AZ Eindhoven, The Netherlands
| | - Maxime C. M. van den Oetelaar
- Laboratory of Chemical Biology, Department of Biomedical Engineering and Institute for Complex Molecular Systems, Technische Universiteit Eindhoven, Den Dolech 2, 5612 AZ Eindhoven, The Netherlands
| | - Richard G. Doveston
- Laboratory of Chemical Biology, Department of Biomedical Engineering and Institute for Complex Molecular Systems, Technische Universiteit Eindhoven, Den Dolech 2, 5612 AZ Eindhoven, The Netherlands
- Leicester Institute of Structural and Chemical Biology and School of Chemistry, University of Leicester, University Road, Leicester LE1 7RH, United Kingdom
| | - Ella N. R. Sampers
- Laboratory of Chemical Biology, Department of Biomedical Engineering and Institute for Complex Molecular Systems, Technische Universiteit Eindhoven, Den Dolech 2, 5612 AZ Eindhoven, The Netherlands
| | - Luc Brunsveld
- Laboratory of Chemical Biology, Department of Biomedical Engineering and Institute for Complex Molecular Systems, Technische Universiteit Eindhoven, Den Dolech 2, 5612 AZ Eindhoven, The Netherlands
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8
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Lai TT, Eken Y, Wilson AK. Binding of Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances to the Human Pregnane X Receptor. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2020; 54:15986-15995. [PMID: 33228354 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.0c04651] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/27/2023]
Abstract
Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) are a class of environmentally persistent industrial compounds that disrupt various metabolic pathways. Among the protein receptors to which PFASs bind, the human pregnane X receptor (hPXR) is found to be a host for a variety of long- and short-chain PFASs that lead to its overactivation. Overactivation of hPXR is linked to potential endocrine disruption, oxidative stress, hepatic steatosis, and adverse drug interactions. In this study, molecular dynamics (MD) is used to study the binding between hPXR and a number of PFAS compounds, including alternatives whose activity on hPXR has not been experimentally tested. This is the first-time MD is used to study the interactions between PFASs and hPXR, showing how relative binding free energies of PFASs relate to hPXR agonism. Binding free energy calculations, hydrogen bond analysis, per-residue decomposition calculations, and alanine scanning studies are done to provide further insight. Activities on hPXR for several short-chain and alternative PFAS compounds to long-chain PFASs that have yet to be reported will also be considered. These short-chain and alternative species include perfluorobutane sulfonic acid (PFBS), Gen-X (trade name for 2,3,3,3-tetrafluoro-2-heptafluoropropoxy propanoic acid), ADONA (trade name for 4,8-dioxa-3H-perfluorononanoic acid), and 6:2 fluorotelomer carboxylic acid (6:2 FTCA). The study shows key aspects of PFAS recognition on the hPXR, the link between PFAS binding to hPXR and the hPXR activity change observed upon the PFAS exposure, and the potential effects of alternative PFASs on hPXR activity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thanh T Lai
- Department of Chemistry, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan 48864, United States
| | - Yiğitcan Eken
- Department of Chemistry, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan 48864, United States
| | - Angela K Wilson
- Department of Chemistry, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan 48864, United States
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9
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Eken Y, Almeida NMS, Wang C, Wilson AK. SAMPL7: Host-guest binding prediction by molecular dynamics and quantum mechanics. J Comput Aided Mol Des 2020; 35:63-77. [PMID: 33150463 DOI: 10.1007/s10822-020-00357-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/03/2020] [Accepted: 10/28/2020] [Indexed: 01/11/2023]
Abstract
Statistical Assessment of Modeling of Proteins and Ligands (SAMPL) challenges provide routes to compare chemical quantities determined using computational chemistry approaches to experimental measurements that are shared after the competition. For this effort, several computational methods have been used to calculate the binding energies of Octa Acid (OA) and exo-Octa Acid (exoOA) host-guest systems for SAMPL7. The initial poses for molecular dynamics (MD) were generated by molecular docking. Binding free energy calculations were performed using molecular mechanics combined with Poisson-Boltzmann or generalized Born surface area solvation (MMPBSA/MMGBSA) approaches. The factors that affect the utility of the MMPBSA/MMGBSA approaches including solvation, partial charge, and solute entropy models were also analyzed. In addition to MD calculations, quantum mechanics (QM) calculations were performed using several different density functional theory (DFT) approaches. From SAMPL6 results, B3PW91-D3 was found to overestimate binding energies though it was effective for geometry optimizations, so it was considered for the DFT geometry optimizations in the current study, with single-point energy calculations carried out with B2PLYP-D3 with double-, triple-, and quadruple-ζ level basis sets. Accounting for dispersion effects, and solvation models was deemed essential for the predictions. MMGBSA and MMPBSA correlated better to experiment when used in conjunction with an empirical/linear correction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yiğitcan Eken
- Department of Chemistry, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, 48864, USA
| | - Nuno M S Almeida
- Department of Chemistry, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, 48864, USA
| | - Cong Wang
- Department of Chemistry, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, 48864, USA
| | - Angela K Wilson
- Department of Chemistry, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, 48864, USA.
- Department of Chemistry, University of North Texas, Denton, TX, 76201, USA.
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10
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Huang M, Bolin S, Miller H, Ng HL. RORγ Structural Plasticity and Druggability. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:ijms21155329. [PMID: 32727079 PMCID: PMC7432406 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21155329] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/12/2020] [Revised: 07/08/2020] [Accepted: 07/15/2020] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Retinoic acid receptor-related orphan receptor γ (RORγ) is a transcription factor regulating the expression of the pro-inflammatory cytokine IL-17 in human T helper 17 (Th17) cells. Activating RORγ can induce multiple IL-17-mediated autoimmune diseases but may also be useful for anticancer therapy. Its deep immunological functions make RORɣ an attractive drug target. Over 100 crystal structures have been published describing atomic interactions between RORɣ and agonists and inverse agonists. In this review, we focus on the role of dynamic properties and plasticity of the RORɣ orthosteric and allosteric binding sites by examining structural information from crystal structures and simulated models. We discuss the possible influences of allosteric ligands on the orthosteric binding site. We find that high structural plasticity favors the druggability of RORɣ, especially for allosteric ligands.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mian Huang
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biophysics, Kansas State University, Manhattan, KS 66506, USA; (M.H.); (H.M.)
| | - Shelby Bolin
- Division of Biology, Kansas State University, Manhattan, KS 66506, USA;
| | - Hannah Miller
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biophysics, Kansas State University, Manhattan, KS 66506, USA; (M.H.); (H.M.)
| | - Ho Leung Ng
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biophysics, Kansas State University, Manhattan, KS 66506, USA; (M.H.); (H.M.)
- Correspondence:
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11
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de Vries RMJM, Doveston RG, Meijer FA, Brunsveld L. Elucidation of an Allosteric Mode of Action for a Thienopyrazole RORγt Inverse Agonist. ChemMedChem 2020; 15:561-565. [PMID: 32053744 PMCID: PMC7187189 DOI: 10.1002/cmdc.202000044] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/23/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
The demand for allosteric targeting of nuclear receptors is high, but examples are limited, and structural information is scarce. The retinoic acid-related orphan receptor gamma t (RORγt) is an important transcriptional regulator for the differentiation of T helper 17 cells for which the first, and some of the most promising, examples of allosteric nuclear receptor modulation have been reported and structurally proven. In a 2015 patent, filed by the pharmaceutical company Glenmark, a new class of small molecules was reported that act as potent inverse agonists for RORγt. A compound library around the central thienopyrazole scaffold captured a clear structure-activity relationship, but the binding mechanism of this new class of RORγt modulators has not been elucidated. Using a combination of biochemical and X-ray crystallography studies, here the allosteric mechanism for the inverse agonism for the most potent compound, classified in the patent as "example 13", is reported, providing a strongly desired additional example of allosteric nuclear receptor targeting.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rens M. J. M. de Vries
- Department of Biomedical Engineering and Institute for Complex Molecular SystemsEindhoven University of TechnologyDen Dolech 25612 AZEindhovenThe Netherlands
| | - Richard G. Doveston
- Department of Biomedical Engineering and Institute for Complex Molecular SystemsEindhoven University of TechnologyDen Dolech 25612 AZEindhovenThe Netherlands
- Leicester Institute of Structural and Chemical Biology and Department of ChemistryUniversity of LeicesterUniversity RoadLeicesterLE1 7RHUK
| | - Femke A. Meijer
- Department of Biomedical Engineering and Institute for Complex Molecular SystemsEindhoven University of TechnologyDen Dolech 25612 AZEindhovenThe Netherlands
| | - Luc Brunsveld
- Department of Biomedical Engineering and Institute for Complex Molecular SystemsEindhoven University of TechnologyDen Dolech 25612 AZEindhovenThe Netherlands
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