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Gallego RA, Edwards MP, Montgomery TP. An update on lipophilic efficiency as an important metric in drug design. Expert Opin Drug Discov 2024; 19:917-931. [PMID: 38919130 DOI: 10.1080/17460441.2024.2368744] [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: 05/10/2024] [Accepted: 06/12/2024] [Indexed: 06/27/2024]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Lipophilic efficiency (LipE) and lipophilic metabolic efficiency (LipMetE) are valuable tools that can be utilized as part of a multiparameter optimization process to advance a hit to a clinical quality compound. AREAS COVERED This review covers recent, effective use cases of LipE and LipMetE that have been published in the literature over the past 5 years. These use cases resulted in the delivery of high-quality molecules that were brought forward to in vivo work and/or to clinical studies. The authors discuss best-practices for using LipE and LipMetE analysis, combined with lipophilicity-focused compound design strategies, to increase the speed and effectiveness of the hit to clinical quality compound optimization process. EXPERT OPINION It has become well established that increasing LipE and LipMetE within a series of analogs facilitates the improvement of broad selectivity, clearance, solubility, and permeability and, through this optimization, also facilitates the achievement of desired pharmacokinetic properties, efficacy, and tolerability. Within this article, we discuss lipophilic efficiency-focused optimization as a tool to yield high-quality potential clinical candidates. It is suggested that LipE/LipMetE-focused optimization can facilitate and accelerate the drug-discovery process.
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2
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Chan BWGL, Lynch NB, Tran W, Joyce JM, Savage GP, Meutermans W, Montgomery AP, Kassiou M. Fragment-based drug discovery for disorders of the central nervous system: designing better drugs piece by piece. Front Chem 2024; 12:1379518. [PMID: 38698940 PMCID: PMC11063241 DOI: 10.3389/fchem.2024.1379518] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2024] [Accepted: 03/12/2024] [Indexed: 05/05/2024] Open
Abstract
Fragment-based drug discovery (FBDD) has emerged as a powerful strategy to confront the challenges faced by conventional drug development approaches, particularly in the context of central nervous system (CNS) disorders. FBDD involves the screening of libraries that comprise thousands of small molecular fragments, each no greater than 300 Da in size. Unlike the generally larger molecules from high-throughput screening that limit customisation, fragments offer a more strategic starting point. These fragments are inherently compact, providing a strong foundation with good binding affinity for the development of drug candidates. The minimal elaboration required to transition the hit into a drug-like molecule is not only accelerated, but also it allows for precise modifications to enhance both their activity and pharmacokinetic properties. This shift towards a fragment-centric approach has seen commercial success and holds considerable promise in the continued streamlining of the drug discovery and development process. In this review, we highlight how FBDD can be integrated into the CNS drug discovery process to enhance the exploration of a target. Furthermore, we provide recent examples where FBDD has been an integral component in CNS drug discovery programs, enabling the improvement of pharmacokinetic properties that have previously proven challenging. The FBDD optimisation process provides a systematic approach to explore this vast chemical space, facilitating the discovery and design of compounds piece by piece that are capable of modulating crucial CNS targets.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Nicholas B. Lynch
- School of Chemistry, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Wendy Tran
- School of Chemistry, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Jack M. Joyce
- School of Chemistry, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | | | | | | | - Michael Kassiou
- School of Chemistry, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
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3
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Shi JH, Zhao B, Song LL, Song YQ, Sun MR, Tian T, Chen HY, Song YQ, Sun JM, Ge GB. Chalcone derivatives as novel, potent and selective inhibitors against human Notum: Structure–activity relationships and biological evaluations. CHINESE CHEM LETT 2023. [DOI: 10.1016/j.cclet.2023.108405] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/03/2023]
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4
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Willis N, Mahy W, Sipthorp J, Zhao Y, Woodward HL, Atkinson BN, Bayle ED, Svensson F, Frew S, Jeganathan F, Monaghan A, Benvegnù S, Jolly S, Vecchia L, Ruza RR, Kjær S, Howell S, Snijders AP, Bictash M, Salinas PC, Vincent JP, Jones EY, Whiting P, Fish PV. Design of a Potent, Selective, and Brain-Penetrant Inhibitor of Wnt-Deactivating Enzyme Notum by Optimization of a Crystallographic Fragment Hit. J Med Chem 2022; 65:7212-7230. [PMID: 35536179 PMCID: PMC9150124 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.2c00162] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/28/2022] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
Notum is a carboxylesterase that suppresses Wnt signaling through deacylation of an essential palmitoleate group on Wnt proteins. There is a growing understanding of the role Notum plays in human diseases such as colorectal cancer and Alzheimer's disease, supporting the need to discover improved inhibitors, especially for use in models of neurodegeneration. Here, we have described the discovery and profile of 8l (ARUK3001185) as a potent, selective, and brain-penetrant inhibitor of Notum activity suitable for oral dosing in rodent models of disease. Crystallographic fragment screening of the Diamond-SGC Poised Library for binding to Notum, supported by a biochemical enzyme assay to rank inhibition activity, identified 6a and 6b as a pair of outstanding hits. Fragment development of 6 delivered 8l that restored Wnt signaling in the presence of Notum in a cell-based reporter assay. Assessment in pharmacology screens showed 8l to be selective against serine hydrolases, kinases, and drug targets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicky
J. Willis
- Alzheimer’s
Research UK UCL Drug Discovery Institute, University College London, Cruciform Building, Gower Street, London WC1E 6BT, U.K.
| | - William Mahy
- Alzheimer’s
Research UK UCL Drug Discovery Institute, University College London, Cruciform Building, Gower Street, London WC1E 6BT, U.K.
| | - James Sipthorp
- Alzheimer’s
Research UK UCL Drug Discovery Institute, University College London, Cruciform Building, Gower Street, London WC1E 6BT, U.K.
- The
Francis Crick Institute, 1 Midland Road, Kings Cross, London NW1 1AT, U.K.
| | - Yuguang Zhao
- Division
of Structural Biology, Wellcome Centre for Human Genetics, University of Oxford, The Henry Wellcome Building for Genomic Medicine,
Roosevelt Drive, Oxford OX3 7BN, U.K.
| | - Hannah L. Woodward
- Alzheimer’s
Research UK UCL Drug Discovery Institute, University College London, Cruciform Building, Gower Street, London WC1E 6BT, U.K.
| | - Benjamin N. Atkinson
- Alzheimer’s
Research UK UCL Drug Discovery Institute, University College London, Cruciform Building, Gower Street, London WC1E 6BT, U.K.
| | - Elliott D. Bayle
- Alzheimer’s
Research UK UCL Drug Discovery Institute, University College London, Cruciform Building, Gower Street, London WC1E 6BT, U.K.
- The
Francis Crick Institute, 1 Midland Road, Kings Cross, London NW1 1AT, U.K.
| | - Fredrik Svensson
- Alzheimer’s
Research UK UCL Drug Discovery Institute, University College London, Cruciform Building, Gower Street, London WC1E 6BT, U.K.
- The
Francis Crick Institute, 1 Midland Road, Kings Cross, London NW1 1AT, U.K.
| | - Sarah Frew
- Alzheimer’s
Research UK UCL Drug Discovery Institute, University College London, Cruciform Building, Gower Street, London WC1E 6BT, U.K.
| | - Fiona Jeganathan
- Alzheimer’s
Research UK UCL Drug Discovery Institute, University College London, Cruciform Building, Gower Street, London WC1E 6BT, U.K.
| | - Amy Monaghan
- Alzheimer’s
Research UK UCL Drug Discovery Institute, University College London, Cruciform Building, Gower Street, London WC1E 6BT, U.K.
| | - Stefano Benvegnù
- Alzheimer’s
Research UK UCL Drug Discovery Institute, University College London, Cruciform Building, Gower Street, London WC1E 6BT, U.K.
| | - Sarah Jolly
- Alzheimer’s
Research UK UCL Drug Discovery Institute, University College London, Cruciform Building, Gower Street, London WC1E 6BT, U.K.
| | - Luca Vecchia
- Division
of Structural Biology, Wellcome Centre for Human Genetics, University of Oxford, The Henry Wellcome Building for Genomic Medicine,
Roosevelt Drive, Oxford OX3 7BN, U.K.
| | - Reinis R. Ruza
- Division
of Structural Biology, Wellcome Centre for Human Genetics, University of Oxford, The Henry Wellcome Building for Genomic Medicine,
Roosevelt Drive, Oxford OX3 7BN, U.K.
| | - Svend Kjær
- The
Francis Crick Institute, 1 Midland Road, Kings Cross, London NW1 1AT, U.K.
| | - Steven Howell
- The
Francis Crick Institute, 1 Midland Road, Kings Cross, London NW1 1AT, U.K.
| | | | - Magda Bictash
- Alzheimer’s
Research UK UCL Drug Discovery Institute, University College London, Cruciform Building, Gower Street, London WC1E 6BT, U.K.
| | - Patricia C. Salinas
- Department
of Cell and Developmental Biology, Laboratory for Molecular and Cellular
Biology, University College London, London WC1E 6BT, U.K.
| | - Jean-Paul Vincent
- The
Francis Crick Institute, 1 Midland Road, Kings Cross, London NW1 1AT, U.K.
| | - E. Yvonne Jones
- Division
of Structural Biology, Wellcome Centre for Human Genetics, University of Oxford, The Henry Wellcome Building for Genomic Medicine,
Roosevelt Drive, Oxford OX3 7BN, U.K.
| | - Paul Whiting
- Alzheimer’s
Research UK UCL Drug Discovery Institute, University College London, Cruciform Building, Gower Street, London WC1E 6BT, U.K.
| | - Paul V. Fish
- Alzheimer’s
Research UK UCL Drug Discovery Institute, University College London, Cruciform Building, Gower Street, London WC1E 6BT, U.K.
- The
Francis Crick Institute, 1 Midland Road, Kings Cross, London NW1 1AT, U.K.
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5
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Acebrón-García-de-Eulate M, Mayol-Llinàs J, Holland MTO, Kim SY, Brown KP, Marchetti C, Hess J, Di Pietro O, Mendes V, Abell C, Floto RA, Coyne AG, Blundell TL. Discovery of Novel Inhibitors of Uridine Diphosphate- N-Acetylenolpyruvylglucosamine Reductase (MurB) from Pseudomonas aeruginosa, an Opportunistic Infectious Agent Causing Death in Cystic Fibrosis Patients. J Med Chem 2022; 65:2149-2173. [PMID: 35080396 PMCID: PMC7614804 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.1c01684] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Pseudomonas aeruginosa is of major concern for cystic fibrosis patients where this infection can be fatal. With the emergence of drug-resistant strains, there is an urgent need to develop novel antibiotics against P. aeruginosa. MurB is a promising target for novel antibiotic development as it is involved in the cell wall biosynthesis. MurB has been shown to be essential in P. aeruginosa, and importantly, no MurB homologue exists in eukaryotic cells. A fragment-based drug discovery approach was used to target Pa MurB. This led to the identification of a number of fragments, which were shown to bind to MurB. One fragment, a phenylpyrazole scaffold, was shown by ITC to bind with an affinity of Kd = 2.88 mM (LE 0.23). Using a structure guided approach, different substitutions were synthesized and the initial fragment was optimized to obtain a small molecule with Kd = 3.57 μM (LE 0.35).
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Joan Mayol-Llinàs
- Yusuf Hamied Department of Chemistry, University of Cambridge, Lensfield Road, Cambridge CB2 1EW, U.K
| | - Matthew T O Holland
- Yusuf Hamied Department of Chemistry, University of Cambridge, Lensfield Road, Cambridge CB2 1EW, U.K
| | - So Yeon Kim
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Cambridge, Tennis Court Road, Cambridge CB2 1GA, U.K
| | - Karen P Brown
- Molecular Immunity Unit, Department of Medicine, MRC Laboratory of Molecular Biology, University of Cambridge, Francis Crick Avenue, Cambridge Biomedical Campus, Cambridge CB2 0QH, U.K.,Cambridge Centre for Lung Infection, Royal Papworth Hospital, Cambridge, CB23 3RE, UK
| | - Chiara Marchetti
- Yusuf Hamied Department of Chemistry, University of Cambridge, Lensfield Road, Cambridge CB2 1EW, U.K
| | - Jeannine Hess
- Yusuf Hamied Department of Chemistry, University of Cambridge, Lensfield Road, Cambridge CB2 1EW, U.K
| | - Ornella Di Pietro
- Yusuf Hamied Department of Chemistry, University of Cambridge, Lensfield Road, Cambridge CB2 1EW, U.K
| | - Vitor Mendes
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Cambridge, Tennis Court Road, Cambridge CB2 1GA, U.K
| | - Chris Abell
- Yusuf Hamied Department of Chemistry, University of Cambridge, Lensfield Road, Cambridge CB2 1EW, U.K
| | - R Andres Floto
- Molecular Immunity Unit, Department of Medicine, MRC Laboratory of Molecular Biology, University of Cambridge, Francis Crick Avenue, Cambridge Biomedical Campus, Cambridge CB2 0QH, U.K.,Cambridge Centre for Lung Infection, Royal Papworth Hospital, Cambridge, CB23 3RE, UK
| | - Anthony G Coyne
- Yusuf Hamied Department of Chemistry, University of Cambridge, Lensfield Road, Cambridge CB2 1EW, U.K
| | - Tom L Blundell
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Cambridge, Tennis Court Road, Cambridge CB2 1GA, U.K
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6
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de Esch IJP, Erlanson DA, Jahnke W, Johnson CN, Walsh L. Fragment-to-Lead Medicinal Chemistry Publications in 2020. J Med Chem 2022; 65:84-99. [PMID: 34928151 PMCID: PMC8762670 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.1c01803] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 23.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/20/2021] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
Fragment-based drug discovery (FBDD) continues to evolve and make an impact in the pharmaceutical sciences. We summarize successful fragment-to-lead studies that were published in 2020. Having systematically analyzed annual scientific outputs since 2015, we discuss trends and best practices in terms of fragment libraries, target proteins, screening technologies, hit-optimization strategies, and the properties of hit fragments and the leads resulting from them. As well as the tabulated Fragment-to-Lead (F2L) programs, our 2020 literature review identifies several trends and innovations that promise to further increase the success of FBDD. These include developing structurally novel screening fragments, improving fragment-screening technologies, using new computer-aided design and virtual screening approaches, and combining FBDD with other innovative drug-discovery technologies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Iwan J. P. de Esch
- Division
of Medicinal Chemistry, Amsterdam Institute of Molecular and Life
Sciences (AIMMS), Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, De Boelelaan 1108, 1081 HZ Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Daniel A. Erlanson
- Frontier
Medicines, 151 Oyster
Point Blvd., South San Francisco, California 94080, United States
| | - Wolfgang Jahnke
- Novartis
Institutes for Biomedical Research, Chemical
Biology and Therapeutics, 4002 Basel, Switzerland
| | - Christopher N. Johnson
- Astex
Pharmaceuticals, 436 Cambridge Science Park, Milton Road, Cambridge CB4 0QA, United Kingdom
| | - Louise Walsh
- Astex
Pharmaceuticals, 436 Cambridge Science Park, Milton Road, Cambridge CB4 0QA, United Kingdom
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7
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Steadman D, Atkinson BN, Zhao Y, Willis NJ, Frew S, Monaghan A, Patel C, Armstrong E, Costelloe K, Magno L, Bictash M, Jones EY, Fish PV, Svensson F. Virtual Screening Directly Identifies New Fragment-Sized Inhibitors of Carboxylesterase Notum with Nanomolar Activity. J Med Chem 2022; 65:562-578. [PMID: 34939789 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.1c01735] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
Abstract
Notum is a negative regulator of Wnt signaling acting through the hydrolysis of a palmitoleoylate ester, which is required for Wnt activity. Inhibitors of Notum could be of use in diseases where dysfunctional Notum activity is an underlying cause. A docking-based virtual screen (VS) of a large commercial library was used to shortlist 952 compounds for experimental validation as inhibitors of Notum. The VS was successful with 31 compounds having an IC50 < 500 nM. A critical selection process was then applied with two clusters and two singletons (1-4d) selected for hit validation. Optimization of 4d guided by structural biology identified potent inhibitors of Notum activity that restored Wnt/β-catenin signaling in cell-based models. The [1,2,4]triazolo[4,3-b]pyradizin-3(2H)-one series 4 represent a new chemical class of Notum inhibitors and the first to be discovered by a VS campaign. These results demonstrate the value of VS with well-designed docking models based on X-ray structures.
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Affiliation(s)
- David Steadman
- Alzheimer's Research UK UCL Drug Discovery Institute, University College London, The Cruciform Building, Gower Street, LondonWC1E 6BT, U.K
| | - Benjamin N Atkinson
- Alzheimer's Research UK UCL Drug Discovery Institute, University College London, The Cruciform Building, Gower Street, LondonWC1E 6BT, U.K
| | - Yuguang Zhao
- Division of Structural Biology, Wellcome Centre for Human Genetics, University of Oxford, The Henry Wellcome Building for Genomic Medicine, Roosevelt Drive, OxfordOX3 7BN, U.K
| | - Nicky J Willis
- Alzheimer's Research UK UCL Drug Discovery Institute, University College London, The Cruciform Building, Gower Street, LondonWC1E 6BT, U.K
| | - Sarah Frew
- Alzheimer's Research UK UCL Drug Discovery Institute, University College London, The Cruciform Building, Gower Street, LondonWC1E 6BT, U.K
| | - Amy Monaghan
- Alzheimer's Research UK UCL Drug Discovery Institute, University College London, The Cruciform Building, Gower Street, LondonWC1E 6BT, U.K
| | - Chandni Patel
- Alzheimer's Research UK UCL Drug Discovery Institute, University College London, The Cruciform Building, Gower Street, LondonWC1E 6BT, U.K
| | - Emma Armstrong
- Alzheimer's Research UK UCL Drug Discovery Institute, University College London, The Cruciform Building, Gower Street, LondonWC1E 6BT, U.K
| | - Kathryn Costelloe
- Alzheimer's Research UK UCL Drug Discovery Institute, University College London, The Cruciform Building, Gower Street, LondonWC1E 6BT, U.K
| | - Lorenza Magno
- Alzheimer's Research UK UCL Drug Discovery Institute, University College London, The Cruciform Building, Gower Street, LondonWC1E 6BT, U.K
| | - Magda Bictash
- Alzheimer's Research UK UCL Drug Discovery Institute, University College London, The Cruciform Building, Gower Street, LondonWC1E 6BT, U.K
| | - E Yvonne Jones
- Division of Structural Biology, Wellcome Centre for Human Genetics, University of Oxford, The Henry Wellcome Building for Genomic Medicine, Roosevelt Drive, OxfordOX3 7BN, U.K
| | - Paul V Fish
- Alzheimer's Research UK UCL Drug Discovery Institute, University College London, The Cruciform Building, Gower Street, LondonWC1E 6BT, U.K
| | - Fredrik Svensson
- Alzheimer's Research UK UCL Drug Discovery Institute, University College London, The Cruciform Building, Gower Street, LondonWC1E 6BT, U.K
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8
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Zhao Y, Svensson F, Steadman D, Frew S, Monaghan A, Bictash M, Moreira T, Chalk R, Lu W, Fish PV, Jones EY. Structural Insights into Notum Covalent Inhibition. J Med Chem 2021; 64:11354-11363. [PMID: 34292747 PMCID: PMC8365597 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.1c00701] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/17/2021] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
The carboxylesterase Notum hydrolyzes a palmitoleate moiety from Wingless/Integrated(Wnt) ligands and deactivates Wnt signaling. Notum inhibitors can restore Wnt signaling which may be of therapeutic benefit for pathologies such as osteoporosis and Alzheimer's disease. We report the identification of a novel class of covalent Notum inhibitors, 4-(indolin-1-yl)-4-oxobutanoate esters. High-resolution crystal structures of the Notum inhibitor complexes reveal a common covalent adduct formed between the nucleophile serine-232 and hydrolyzed butyric esters. The covalent interaction in solution was confirmed by mass spectrometry analysis. Inhibitory potencies vary depending on the warheads used. Mechanistically, the resulting acyl-enzyme intermediate carbonyl atom is positioned at an unfavorable angle for the approach of the active site water, which, combined with strong hydrophobic interactions with the enzyme pocket residues, hinders the intermediate from being further processed and results in covalent inhibition. These insights into Notum catalytic inhibition may guide development of more potent Notum inhibitors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuguang Zhao
- Division
of Structural Biology, Wellcome Centre for Human Genetics, University of Oxford, Oxford OX3 7BN, U.K.
| | - Fredrik Svensson
- Alzheimer’s
Research UK UCL Drug Discovery Institute, University College London, Cruciform Building, Gower Street, London WC1E 6BT, U.K.
| | - David Steadman
- Alzheimer’s
Research UK UCL Drug Discovery Institute, University College London, Cruciform Building, Gower Street, London WC1E 6BT, U.K.
| | - Sarah Frew
- Alzheimer’s
Research UK UCL Drug Discovery Institute, University College London, Cruciform Building, Gower Street, London WC1E 6BT, U.K.
| | - Amy Monaghan
- Alzheimer’s
Research UK UCL Drug Discovery Institute, University College London, Cruciform Building, Gower Street, London WC1E 6BT, U.K.
| | - Magda Bictash
- Alzheimer’s
Research UK UCL Drug Discovery Institute, University College London, Cruciform Building, Gower Street, London WC1E 6BT, U.K.
| | - Tiago Moreira
- Centre
for Medicines Discovery, University of Oxford, Oxford OX3 7DQ, U.K.
| | - Rod Chalk
- Centre
for Medicines Discovery, University of Oxford, Oxford OX3 7DQ, U.K.
| | - Weixian Lu
- Division
of Structural Biology, Wellcome Centre for Human Genetics, University of Oxford, Oxford OX3 7BN, U.K.
| | - Paul V. Fish
- Alzheimer’s
Research UK UCL Drug Discovery Institute, University College London, Cruciform Building, Gower Street, London WC1E 6BT, U.K.
| | - E. Yvonne Jones
- Division
of Structural Biology, Wellcome Centre for Human Genetics, University of Oxford, Oxford OX3 7BN, U.K.
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9
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Zhao Y, Schuhmacher LN, Roberts M, Kakugawa S, Bineva-Todd G, Howell S, O'Reilly N, Perret C, Snijders AP, Vincent JP, Jones EY. Notum deacylates octanoylated ghrelin. Mol Metab 2021; 49:101201. [PMID: 33647468 PMCID: PMC8010218 DOI: 10.1016/j.molmet.2021.101201] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/03/2021] [Revised: 02/23/2021] [Accepted: 02/24/2021] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES The only proteins known to be modified by O-linked lipidation are Wnts and ghrelin, and enzymatic removal of this post-translational modification inhibits ligand activity. Indeed, the Wnt-deacylase activity of Notum is the basis of its ability to act as a feedback inhibitor of Wnt signalling. Whether Notum also deacylates ghrelin has not been determined. METHODS We used mass spectrometry to assay ghrelin deacylation by Notum and co-crystallisation to reveal enzyme-substrate interactions at the atomic level. CRISPR/Cas technology was used to tag endogenous Notum and assess its localisation in mice while liver-specific Notum knock-out mice allowed us to investigate the physiological role of Notum in modulating the level of ghrelin deacylation. RESULTS Mass spectrometry detected the removal of octanoyl from ghrelin by purified active Notum but not by an inactive mutant. The 2.2 Å resolution crystal structure of the Notum-ghrelin complex showed that the octanoyl lipid was accommodated in the hydrophobic pocket of the Notum. The knock-in allele expressing HA-tagged Notum revealed that Notum was produced in the liver and present in the bloodstream, albeit at a low level. Liver-specific inactivation of Notum in animals fed a high-fat diet led to a small but significant increase in acylated ghrelin in the circulation, while no such increase was seen in wild-type animals on the same diet. CONCLUSIONS Overall, our data demonstrate that Notum can act as a ghrelin deacylase, and that this may be physiologically relevant under high-fat diet conditions. Our study therefore adds Notum to the list of enzymes, including butyrylcholinesterase and other carboxylesterases, that modulate the acylation state of ghrelin. The contribution of multiple enzymes could help tune the activity of this important hormone to a wide range of physiological conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuguang Zhao
- Division of Structural Biology, Wellcome Centre for Human Genetics, Oxford University, Oxford, OX3 7BN, UK
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Christine Perret
- Université de Paris, Institut Cochin, INSERM, CNRS, F75014 Paris, France
| | | | | | - E Yvonne Jones
- Division of Structural Biology, Wellcome Centre for Human Genetics, Oxford University, Oxford, OX3 7BN, UK.
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10
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Zhao Y, Jolly S, Benvegnu S, Jones EY, Fish PV. Small-molecule inhibitors of carboxylesterase Notum. Future Med Chem 2021; 13:1001-1015. [PMID: 33882714 PMCID: PMC8130783 DOI: 10.4155/fmc-2021-0036] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/18/2021] [Accepted: 03/12/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Notum has recently been identified as a negative regulator of Wnt signaling through the removal of an essential palmitoleate group from Wnt proteins. There are emerging reports that Notum plays a role in human disease, with published data suggesting that targeting Notum could represent a new therapeutic approach for treating cancer, osteoporosis and neurodegenerative disorders. Complementary hit-finding strategies have been applied with successful approaches that include high-throughput screening, activity-based protein profiling, screening of fragment libraries and virtual screening campaigns. Structural studies are accelerating the discovery of new inhibitors of Notum. Three fit-for-purpose examples are LP-922056, ABC99 and ARUK3001185. The application of these small-molecule inhibitors is helping to further advance an understanding of the role Notum plays in human disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuguang Zhao
- Division of Structural Biology, Wellcome Centre for Human Genetics, University of Oxford, Henry Wellcome Building for Genomic Medicine, Roosevelt Drive, Oxford, OX3 7BN, UK
| | - Sarah Jolly
- Alzheimer's Research UK UCL Drug Discovery Institute, University College London, Cruciform Building, Gower Street, London, WC1E 6BT, UK
| | - Stefano Benvegnu
- Alzheimer's Research UK UCL Drug Discovery Institute, University College London, Cruciform Building, Gower Street, London, WC1E 6BT, UK
| | - E Yvonne Jones
- Division of Structural Biology, Wellcome Centre for Human Genetics, University of Oxford, Henry Wellcome Building for Genomic Medicine, Roosevelt Drive, Oxford, OX3 7BN, UK
| | - Paul V Fish
- Alzheimer's Research UK UCL Drug Discovery Institute, University College London, Cruciform Building, Gower Street, London, WC1E 6BT, UK
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11
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Bayle E, Svensson F, Atkinson BN, Steadman D, Willis NJ, Woodward HL, Whiting P, Vincent JP, Fish PV. Carboxylesterase Notum Is a Druggable Target to Modulate Wnt Signaling. J Med Chem 2021; 64:4289-4311. [PMID: 33783220 PMCID: PMC8172013 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.0c01974] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/14/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Regulation of the Wnt signaling pathway is critically important for a number of cellular processes in both development and adult mammalian biology. This Perspective will provide a summary of current and emerging therapeutic opportunities in modulating Wnt signaling, especially through inhibition of Notum carboxylesterase activity. Notum was recently shown to act as a negative regulator of Wnt signaling through the removal of an essential palmitoleate group. Inhibition of Notum activity may represent a new approach to treat disease where aberrant Notum activity has been identified as the underlying cause. Reliable screening technologies are available to identify inhibitors of Notum, and structural studies are accelerating the discovery of new inhibitors. A selection of these hits have been optimized to give fit-for-purpose small molecule inhibitors of Notum. Three noteworthy examples are LP-922056 (26), ABC99 (27), and ARUK3001185 (28), which are complementary chemical tools for exploring the role of Notum in Wnt signaling.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elliott
D. Bayle
- Alzheimer’s
Research UK UCL Drug Discovery Institute, University College London, Cruciform Building, Gower Street, London WC1E 6BT, U.K.
- The
Francis Crick Institute, 1 Midland Road, Kings Cross, London NW1 1AT, U.K.
| | - Fredrik Svensson
- Alzheimer’s
Research UK UCL Drug Discovery Institute, University College London, Cruciform Building, Gower Street, London WC1E 6BT, U.K.
- The
Francis Crick Institute, 1 Midland Road, Kings Cross, London NW1 1AT, U.K.
| | - Benjamin N. Atkinson
- Alzheimer’s
Research UK UCL Drug Discovery Institute, University College London, Cruciform Building, Gower Street, London WC1E 6BT, U.K.
| | - David Steadman
- Alzheimer’s
Research UK UCL Drug Discovery Institute, University College London, Cruciform Building, Gower Street, London WC1E 6BT, U.K.
| | - Nicky J. Willis
- Alzheimer’s
Research UK UCL Drug Discovery Institute, University College London, Cruciform Building, Gower Street, London WC1E 6BT, U.K.
| | - Hannah L. Woodward
- Alzheimer’s
Research UK UCL Drug Discovery Institute, University College London, Cruciform Building, Gower Street, London WC1E 6BT, U.K.
| | - Paul Whiting
- Alzheimer’s
Research UK UCL Drug Discovery Institute, University College London, Cruciform Building, Gower Street, London WC1E 6BT, U.K.
| | - Jean-Paul Vincent
- The
Francis Crick Institute, 1 Midland Road, Kings Cross, London NW1 1AT, U.K.
| | - Paul V. Fish
- Alzheimer’s
Research UK UCL Drug Discovery Institute, University College London, Cruciform Building, Gower Street, London WC1E 6BT, U.K.
- The
Francis Crick Institute, 1 Midland Road, Kings Cross, London NW1 1AT, U.K.
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12
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Mahy W, Willis NJ, Zhao Y, Woodward HL, Svensson F, Sipthorp J, Vecchia L, Ruza RR, Hillier J, Kjær S, Frew S, Monaghan A, Bictash M, Salinas PC, Whiting P, Vincent JP, Jones EY, Fish PV. 5-Phenyl-1,3,4-oxadiazol-2(3 H)-ones Are Potent Inhibitors of Notum Carboxylesterase Activity Identified by the Optimization of a Crystallographic Fragment Screening Hit. J Med Chem 2020; 63:12942-12956. [PMID: 33124429 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.0c01391] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Carboxylesterase Notum is a negative regulator of the Wnt signaling pathway. There is an emerging understanding of the role Notum plays in disease, supporting the need to discover new small-molecule inhibitors. A crystallographic X-ray fragment screen was performed, which identified fragment hit 1,2,3-triazole 7 as an attractive starting point for a structure-based drug design hit-to-lead program. Optimization of 7 identified oxadiazol-2-one 23dd as a preferred example with properties consistent with drug-like chemical space. Screening 23dd in a cell-based TCF/LEF reporter gene assay restored the activation of Wnt signaling in the presence of Notum. Mouse pharmacokinetic studies with oral administration of 23dd demonstrated good plasma exposure and partial blood-brain barrier penetration. Significant progress was made in developing fragment hit 7 into lead 23dd (>600-fold increase in activity), making it suitable as a new chemical tool for exploring the role of Notum-mediated regulation of Wnt signaling.
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Affiliation(s)
- William Mahy
- Alzheimer's Research UK UCL Drug Discovery Institute, University College London, Cruciform Building, Gower Street, London WC1E 6BT, U.K
| | - Nicky J Willis
- Alzheimer's Research UK UCL Drug Discovery Institute, University College London, Cruciform Building, Gower Street, London WC1E 6BT, U.K
| | - Yuguang Zhao
- Division of Structural Biology, Wellcome Centre for Human Genetics, University of Oxford, The Henry Wellcome Building for Genomic Medicine, Roosevelt Drive, Oxford OX3 7BN, U.K
| | - Hannah L Woodward
- Alzheimer's Research UK UCL Drug Discovery Institute, University College London, Cruciform Building, Gower Street, London WC1E 6BT, U.K
| | - Fredrik Svensson
- Alzheimer's Research UK UCL Drug Discovery Institute, University College London, Cruciform Building, Gower Street, London WC1E 6BT, U.K
- The Francis Crick Institute, 1 Midland Road, Kings Cross, London NW1 1AT, U.K
| | - James Sipthorp
- Alzheimer's Research UK UCL Drug Discovery Institute, University College London, Cruciform Building, Gower Street, London WC1E 6BT, U.K
- The Francis Crick Institute, 1 Midland Road, Kings Cross, London NW1 1AT, U.K
| | - Luca Vecchia
- Division of Structural Biology, Wellcome Centre for Human Genetics, University of Oxford, The Henry Wellcome Building for Genomic Medicine, Roosevelt Drive, Oxford OX3 7BN, U.K
| | - Reinis R Ruza
- Division of Structural Biology, Wellcome Centre for Human Genetics, University of Oxford, The Henry Wellcome Building for Genomic Medicine, Roosevelt Drive, Oxford OX3 7BN, U.K
| | - James Hillier
- Division of Structural Biology, Wellcome Centre for Human Genetics, University of Oxford, The Henry Wellcome Building for Genomic Medicine, Roosevelt Drive, Oxford OX3 7BN, U.K
| | - Svend Kjær
- The Francis Crick Institute, 1 Midland Road, Kings Cross, London NW1 1AT, U.K
| | - Sarah Frew
- Alzheimer's Research UK UCL Drug Discovery Institute, University College London, Cruciform Building, Gower Street, London WC1E 6BT, U.K
| | - Amy Monaghan
- Alzheimer's Research UK UCL Drug Discovery Institute, University College London, Cruciform Building, Gower Street, London WC1E 6BT, U.K
| | - Magda Bictash
- Alzheimer's Research UK UCL Drug Discovery Institute, University College London, Cruciform Building, Gower Street, London WC1E 6BT, U.K
| | - Patricia C Salinas
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, Laboratory for Molecular and Cellular Biology, University College London, London WC1E 6BT, U.K
| | - Paul Whiting
- Alzheimer's Research UK UCL Drug Discovery Institute, University College London, Cruciform Building, Gower Street, London WC1E 6BT, U.K
| | - Jean-Paul Vincent
- The Francis Crick Institute, 1 Midland Road, Kings Cross, London NW1 1AT, U.K
| | - E Yvonne Jones
- Division of Structural Biology, Wellcome Centre for Human Genetics, University of Oxford, The Henry Wellcome Building for Genomic Medicine, Roosevelt Drive, Oxford OX3 7BN, U.K
| | - Paul V Fish
- Alzheimer's Research UK UCL Drug Discovery Institute, University College London, Cruciform Building, Gower Street, London WC1E 6BT, U.K
- The Francis Crick Institute, 1 Midland Road, Kings Cross, London NW1 1AT, U.K
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