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Poblano J, Castillo-Tobías I, Berlanga L, Tamayo-Ordoñez MC, Del Carmen Rodríguez-Salazar M, Silva-Belmares SY, Aguayo-Morales H, Cobos-Puc LE. Drugs targeting APOE4 that regulate beta-amyloid aggregation in the brain: Therapeutic potential for Alzheimer's disease. Basic Clin Pharmacol Toxicol 2024; 135:237-249. [PMID: 39020526 DOI: 10.1111/bcpt.14055] [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: 02/26/2024] [Revised: 05/21/2024] [Accepted: 07/05/2024] [Indexed: 07/19/2024]
Abstract
Alzheimer's disease is characterized by progressive cognitive decline, and behavioural and psychological symptoms of dementia are common. The APOE ε4 allele, a genetic risk factor, significantly increases susceptibility to the disease. Despite efforts to effectively treat the disease, only seven drugs are approved for its treatment, and only two of these prevent its progression. This highlights the need to identify new pharmacological options. This review focuses on mimetic peptides, small molecule correctors and HAE-4 antibodies that target ApoE. These drugs reduce β-amyloid-induced neurodegeneration in preclinical models. In addition, loop diuretics such as bumetanide and furosemide show the potential to reduce the prevalence of Alzheimer's disease in humans, and antidepressants such as imipramine improve cognitive function in individuals diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease. Consistent with this, both classes of drugs have been shown to exert neuroprotective effects by inhibiting ApoE4-catalysed Aβ aggregation in preclinical models. Moreover, peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor ligands, particularly pioglitazone and rosiglitazone, reduce ApoE4-induced neurodegeneration in animal models. However, they do not prevent the cognitive decline in APOE ε4 allele carriers. Finally, ApoE4 impairs the integrity of the blood-brain barrier and haemostasis. On this basis, ApoE4 modulation is a promising avenue for the treatment of late-onset Alzheimer's disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joan Poblano
- Faculty of Chemical Sciences, Autonomous University of Coahuila, Saltillo, Coahuila, Mexico
| | - Ileana Castillo-Tobías
- Faculty of Chemical Sciences, Autonomous University of Coahuila, Saltillo, Coahuila, Mexico
| | - Lia Berlanga
- Faculty of Chemical Sciences, Autonomous University of Coahuila, Saltillo, Coahuila, Mexico
| | | | | | | | - Hilda Aguayo-Morales
- Faculty of Chemical Sciences, Autonomous University of Coahuila, Saltillo, Coahuila, Mexico
| | - Luis E Cobos-Puc
- Faculty of Chemical Sciences, Autonomous University of Coahuila, Saltillo, Coahuila, Mexico
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2
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Jackson RJ, Hyman BT, Serrano-Pozo A. Multifaceted roles of APOE in Alzheimer disease. Nat Rev Neurol 2024; 20:457-474. [PMID: 38906999 DOI: 10.1038/s41582-024-00988-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 05/24/2024] [Indexed: 06/23/2024]
Abstract
For the past three decades, apolipoprotein E (APOE) has been known as the single greatest genetic modulator of sporadic Alzheimer disease (AD) risk, influencing both the average age of onset and the lifetime risk of developing AD. The APOEε4 allele significantly increases AD risk, whereas the ε2 allele is protective relative to the most common ε3 allele. However, large differences in effect size exist across ethnoracial groups that are likely to depend on both global genetic ancestry and local genetic ancestry, as well as gene-environment interactions. Although early studies linked APOE to amyloid-β - one of the two culprit aggregation-prone proteins that define AD - in the past decade, mounting work has associated APOE with other neurodegenerative proteinopathies and broader ageing-related brain changes, such as neuroinflammation, energy metabolism failure, loss of myelin integrity and increased blood-brain barrier permeability, with potential implications for longevity and resilience to pathological protein aggregates. Novel mouse models and other technological advances have also enabled a number of therapeutic approaches aimed at either attenuating the APOEε4-linked increased AD risk or enhancing the APOEε2-linked AD protection. This Review summarizes this progress and highlights areas for future research towards the development of APOE-directed therapeutics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rosemary J Jackson
- Department of Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Bradley T Hyman
- Department of Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA.
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA.
- Massachusetts Alzheimer's Disease Research Center, Charlestown, MA, USA.
| | - Alberto Serrano-Pozo
- Department of Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA.
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA.
- Massachusetts Alzheimer's Disease Research Center, Charlestown, MA, USA.
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3
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Turgutalp B, Kizil C. Multi-target drugs for Alzheimer's disease. Trends Pharmacol Sci 2024; 45:628-638. [PMID: 38853102 DOI: 10.1016/j.tips.2024.05.005] [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: 04/06/2024] [Revised: 04/28/2024] [Accepted: 05/09/2024] [Indexed: 06/11/2024]
Abstract
Alzheimer's disease (AD), a leading cause of dementia, increasingly challenges our healthcare systems and society. Traditional therapies aimed at single targets have fallen short owing to the complex, multifactorial nature of AD that necessitates simultaneous targeting of various disease mechanisms for clinical success. Therefore, targeting multiple pathologies at the same time could provide a synergistic therapeutic effect. The identification of new disease targets beyond the classical hallmarks of AD offers a fertile ground for the design of new multi-target drugs (MTDs), and building on existing compounds have the potential to yield in successful disease modifying therapies. This review discusses the evolving landscape of MTDs, focusing on their potential as AD therapeutics. Analysis of past and current trials of compounds with multi-target activity underscores the capacity of MTDs to offer synergistic therapeutic effects, and the flourishing genetic understanding of AD will inform and inspire the development of MTD-based AD therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bengisu Turgutalp
- Taub Institute for Research on Alzheimer's Disease and the Aging Brain, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, Columbia University, 650 West 168th Street, New York, NY 10032, USA; Department of Neurology, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, Columbia University, 710 West 168th Street, New York, NY 10032, USA.
| | - Caghan Kizil
- Taub Institute for Research on Alzheimer's Disease and the Aging Brain, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, Columbia University, 650 West 168th Street, New York, NY 10032, USA; Department of Neurology, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, Columbia University, 710 West 168th Street, New York, NY 10032, USA; Gertrude H. Sergievsky Center, College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, Columbia University, 630 West 168th Street, New York, NY, USA.
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4
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Zhang Y, Zhang Z, Ke D, Pan X, Wang X, Xiao X, Ji C. FragGrow: A Web Server for Structure-Based Drug Design by Fragment Growing within Constraints. J Chem Inf Model 2024; 64:3970-3976. [PMID: 38725251 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jcim.4c00154] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/28/2024]
Abstract
Fragment growing is an important ligand design strategy in drug discovery. In this study, we present FragGrow, a web server that facilitates structure-based drug design by fragment growing. FragGrow offers two working modes: one for growing molecules through the direct replacement of hydrogen atoms or substructures and the other for growing via virtual synthesis. FragGrow works by searching for suitable fragments that meet a set of constraints from an indexed 3D fragment database and using them to create new compounds in 3D space. The users can set a range of constraints when searching for their desired fragment, including the fragment's ability to interact with specific protein sites; its size, topology, and physicochemical properties; and the presence of particular heteroatoms and functional groups within the fragment. We hope that FragGrow will serve as a useful tool for medicinal chemists in ligand design. The FragGrow server is freely available to researchers and can be accessed at https://fraggrow.xundrug.cn.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yueqing Zhang
- Shanghai Engineering Research Center of Molecular Therapeutics & New Drug Development, School of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, East China Normal University, Shanghai, 200062, China
- NYU-ECNU Center for Computational Chemistry at NYU Shanghai, Shanghai, 200062, China
| | - Zhihan Zhang
- Shanghai Engineering Research Center of Molecular Therapeutics & New Drug Development, School of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, East China Normal University, Shanghai, 200062, China
- NYU-ECNU Center for Computational Chemistry at NYU Shanghai, Shanghai, 200062, China
| | - Dongliang Ke
- Shanghai Engineering Research Center of Molecular Therapeutics & New Drug Development, School of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, East China Normal University, Shanghai, 200062, China
- NYU-ECNU Center for Computational Chemistry at NYU Shanghai, Shanghai, 200062, China
| | - Xiaolin Pan
- Shanghai Engineering Research Center of Molecular Therapeutics & New Drug Development, School of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, East China Normal University, Shanghai, 200062, China
- NYU-ECNU Center for Computational Chemistry at NYU Shanghai, Shanghai, 200062, China
| | - Xingyu Wang
- NYU-ECNU Center for Computational Chemistry at NYU Shanghai, Shanghai, 200062, China
| | - Xudong Xiao
- Shanghai Engineering Research Center of Molecular Therapeutics & New Drug Development, School of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, East China Normal University, Shanghai, 200062, China
| | - Changge Ji
- Shanghai Engineering Research Center of Molecular Therapeutics & New Drug Development, School of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, East China Normal University, Shanghai, 200062, China
- NYU-ECNU Center for Computational Chemistry at NYU Shanghai, Shanghai, 200062, China
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5
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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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Furkan M, Khan MS, Shahwan M, Hassan N, Yadav DK, Anwar S, Khan RH, Shamsi A. Identifying repurposed drugs as potential inhibitors of Apolipoprotein E: A bioinformatics approach to target complex diseases associated with lipid metabolism and neurodegeneration. Int J Biol Macromol 2024; 259:129167. [PMID: 38176507 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2023.129167] [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: 09/02/2023] [Revised: 12/25/2023] [Accepted: 12/29/2023] [Indexed: 01/06/2024]
Abstract
Apolipoprotein E (ApoE), a pivotal contributor to lipid metabolism and neurodegenerative disorders, emerges as an attractive target for therapeutic intervention. Within this study, we deployed an integrated in-silico strategy, harnessing structure-based virtual screening, to identify potential compounds from DrugBank database. Employing molecular docking, we unveil initial hits by evaluating their binding efficiency with ApoE. This first tier of screening narrows our focus to compounds that exhibit a strong propensity to bind with ApoE. Further, a detailed interaction analysis was carried out to explore the binding patterns of the selected hits towards the ApoE binding site. The selected compounds were then evaluated for the biological properties in PASS analysis, which showed anti-neurodegenerative properties. Building upon this foundation, we delve deeper, employing all-atom molecular dynamics (MD) simulations extending over an extensive 500 ns. In particular, Ergotamine and Dihydroergocristine emerge as noteworthy candidates, binding to ApoE in a competitive mode. This intriguing binding behavior positions these compounds as potential candidates warranting further analysis in the pursuit of novel therapeutics targeting complex diseases associated with lipid metabolism and neurodegeneration. This approach holds the promise of catalyzing advancements in therapeutic intervention for complex disorders, thereby reporting a meaningful pace towards improved healthcare outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohammad Furkan
- Department of Biochemistry, Aligarh Muslim University, Aligarh, India
| | - Mohd Shahnawaz Khan
- Department of Biochemistry, College of Science, King Saud University, Saudi Arabia.
| | - Moyad Shahwan
- Center for Medical and Bio-Allied Health Sciences Research, Ajman University, United Arab Emirates; Department of Clinical Sciences, College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, Ajman University, Ajman, P.O. Box 346, United Arab Emirates.
| | - Nageeb Hassan
- Center for Medical and Bio-Allied Health Sciences Research, Ajman University, United Arab Emirates; Department of Clinical Sciences, College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, Ajman University, Ajman, P.O. Box 346, United Arab Emirates.
| | - Dharmendra Kumar Yadav
- Gachon Institute of Pharmaceutical Science and Department of Pharmacy, College of Pharmacy, Gachon University, Incheon, Republic of Korea.
| | - Saleha Anwar
- Centre for Interdisciplinary Research in Basic Sciences, Jamia Millia Islamia, Jamia Nagar, New Delhi 110025, India
| | - Rizwan Hasan Khan
- Interdisciplinary Biotechnology Unit, Aligarh Muslim University, Aligarh, India
| | - Anas Shamsi
- Center for Medical and Bio-Allied Health Sciences Research, Ajman University, United Arab Emirates.
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7
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Shaji D, Nagura Y, Sabishiro H, Suzuki R, Kurita N. In Silico Design of Natural Inhibitors of ApoE4 from the Plant Moringa oleifera: Molecular Docking and Ab Initio Fragment Molecular Orbital Calculations. Molecules 2023; 28:8035. [PMID: 38138525 PMCID: PMC10745539 DOI: 10.3390/molecules28248035] [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: 11/14/2023] [Revised: 12/01/2023] [Accepted: 12/08/2023] [Indexed: 12/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a neurological disease, and its signs and symptoms appear slowly over time. Although current Alzheimer's disease treatments can alleviate symptoms, they cannot prevent the disease from progressing. To accurately diagnose and treat Alzheimer's disease, it is therefore necessary to establish effective methods for diagnosis. Apolipoprotein E4 (ApoE4), the most frequent genetic risk factor for AD, is expressed in more than half of patients with AD, making it an attractive target for AD therapy. We used molecular docking simulations, classical molecular mechanics optimizations, and ab initio fragment molecular orbital (FMO) calculations to investigate the specific interactions between ApoE4 and the naturally occurring compounds found in the plant Moringa Oleifera. According to the FMO calculations, quercetin had the highest binding affinity to ApoE4 among the sixteen compounds because its hydroxyl groups generated strong hydrogen bonds with the ApoE4 residues Trp11, Asp12, Arg15, and Asp130. As a result, we proposed various quercetin derivatives by introducing a hydroxyl group into quercetin and studied their ApoE4 binding properties. The FMO data clearly showed that adding a hydroxyl group to quercetin improved its binding capacity to ApoE4. Furthermore, ApoE4 Trp11, Asp12, Arg15, and Asp130 residues were discovered to be required for significant interactions between ApoE4 and quercetin derivatives. They had a higher ApoE4 binding affinity than our previously proposed epicatechin derivatives. Accordingly, the current results evaluated using the ab initio FMO method will be useful for designing potent ApoE4 inhibitors that can be used as a candidate agent for AD treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | - Noriyuki Kurita
- Department of Computer Science and Engineering, Toyohashi University of Technology, Tempaku-cho, Toyohashi 441-8580, Aichi, Japan
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8
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Choi K, Lee Y, Kim C. An In Silico Study for Expanding the Utility of Cannabidiol in Alzheimer's Disease Therapeutic Development. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:16013. [PMID: 37959001 PMCID: PMC10648567 DOI: 10.3390/ijms242116013] [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: 09/29/2023] [Revised: 10/18/2023] [Accepted: 10/20/2023] [Indexed: 11/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Cannabidiol (CBD), a major non-psychoactive component of the cannabis plant, has shown therapeutic potential in Alzheimer's disease (AD). In this study, we identified potential CBD targets associated with AD using a drug-target binding affinity prediction model and generated CBD analogs using a genetic algorithm combined with a molecular docking system. As a result, we identified six targets associated with AD: Endothelial NOS (ENOS), Myeloperoxidase (MPO), Apolipoprotein E (APOE), Amyloid-beta precursor protein (APP), Disintegrin and metalloproteinase domain-containing protein 10 (ADAM10), and Presenilin-1 (PSEN1). Furthermore, we generated CBD analogs for each target that optimize for all desired drug-likeness properties and physicochemical property filters, resulting in improved pIC50 values and docking scores compared to CBD. Molecular dynamics (MD) simulations were applied to analyze each target's CBD and highest-scoring CBD analogs. The MD simulations revealed that the complexes of ENOS, MPO, and ADAM10 with CBD exhibited high conformational stability, and the APP and PSEN1 complexes with CBD analogs demonstrated even higher conformational stability and lower interaction energy compared to APP and PSEN1 complexes with CBD. These findings demonstrated the capable binding of the six identified targets with CBD and the enhanced binding stability achieved with the developed CBD analogs for each target.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kyudam Choi
- Heerae Co., Ltd., Seoul 06253, Republic of Korea;
| | - Yurim Lee
- Department of Software, Sejong University, Seoul 05006, Republic of Korea;
| | - Cheongwon Kim
- Department of Software, Sejong University, Seoul 05006, Republic of Korea;
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9
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Qiu W, Liu H, Liu Y, Lu X, Wang L, Hu Y, Feng F, Li Q, Sun H. Regulation of beta-amyloid for the treatment of Alzheimer's disease: Research progress of therapeutic strategies and bioactive compounds. Med Res Rev 2023. [PMID: 36945751 DOI: 10.1002/med.21947] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/23/2021] [Revised: 01/09/2023] [Accepted: 02/26/2023] [Indexed: 03/23/2023]
Abstract
Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disease that is difficult to treat. Extracellular amyloid is the principal pathological criterion for the diagnosis of AD. Amyloid β (Aβ) interacts with various receptor molecules on the plasma membrane and mediates a series of signaling pathways that play a vital role in the occurrence and development of AD. Research on receptors that interact with Aβ is currently ongoing. Overall, there are no effective medications to treat AD. In this review, we first discuss the importance of Aβ in the pathogenesis of AD, then summarize the latest progress of Aβ-related targets and compounds. Finally, we put forward the challenges and opportunities in the development of effective AD therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Weimin Qiu
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, School of Pharmacy, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Hui Liu
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, School of Pharmacy, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Yijun Liu
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, School of Pharmacy, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Xin Lu
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, School of Pharmacy, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Lei Wang
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, School of Pharmacy, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Yanyu Hu
- Department of Natural Medicinal Chemistry, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Feng Feng
- Department of Natural Medicinal Chemistry, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, China
- Department of Natural Medicinal Chemistry, Jiangsu Food and Pharmaceuticals Science College, Institute of Food and Pharmaceuticals Research, Jiangsu, Huaian, China
| | - Qi Li
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Basic Medicine, Qingdao University, Qingdao, China
| | - Haopeng Sun
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, School of Pharmacy, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, China
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10
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Shaji D, Das A, Suzuki R, Nagura Y, Sabishiro H, Kurita N. Proposal of novel ApoE4 inhibitors from the natural spice Cinnamon for the treatment of Alzheimer's disease: Ab initio molecular simulations. Biophys Chem 2023; 296:106990. [PMID: 36898350 DOI: 10.1016/j.bpc.2023.106990] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/02/2023] [Revised: 02/24/2023] [Accepted: 02/28/2023] [Indexed: 03/07/2023]
Abstract
Alzheimer's disease (AD), one of the most common neurodegenerative diseases, is a major factor contributing to cognitive impairment in older adults. Current therapeutic treatments can only relieve the symptoms of AD, but they cannot stop the progression of the disease because it takes a long time for clinical symptoms to manifest. Therefore, it is essential to develop effective diagnostic strategies for early detection and treatment of AD. As the most common genetic risk factor for AD, apolipoprotein E4 (ApoE4) is present in more than half of patients with AD, and it can be a target protein for AD therapy. We used molecular docking, classical molecular mechanics optimizations, and ab initio fragment molecular orbital (FMO) calculations to investigate the specific interactions between ApoE4 and Cinnamon-derived compounds. Of the 10 compounds, epicatechin was found to have the highest binding affinity to ApoE4 because the hydroxyl groups of epicatechin form strong hydrogen bonds with the Asp130 and Asp12 residues of ApoE4. Therefore, we proposed some epicatechin derivatives by adding a hydroxyl group to epicatechin and studied their interactions with ApoE4. The FMO results indicate that the addition of a hydroxyl group to epicatechin increases its binding affinity to ApoE4. It is also revealed that the Asp130 and Asp12 residues of ApoE4 are important for the binding between ApoE4 and the epicatechin derivatives. These findings will help propose potent inhibitors against ApoE4, leading to a proposal for effective therapeutic candidates for AD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Divya Shaji
- Department of Computer Science and Engineering, Toyohashi University of Technology, Tempaku-cho, Toyohashi, Aichi 441-8580, Japan
| | - Abhinav Das
- Nalanda Academy, Thrissur, Kerala 680020, India
| | - Ryo Suzuki
- Department of Computer Science and Engineering, Toyohashi University of Technology, Tempaku-cho, Toyohashi, Aichi 441-8580, Japan
| | - Yoshinobu Nagura
- Department of Computer Science and Engineering, Toyohashi University of Technology, Tempaku-cho, Toyohashi, Aichi 441-8580, Japan
| | - Haruna Sabishiro
- Department of Computer Science and Engineering, Toyohashi University of Technology, Tempaku-cho, Toyohashi, Aichi 441-8580, Japan
| | - Noriyuki Kurita
- Department of Computer Science and Engineering, Toyohashi University of Technology, Tempaku-cho, Toyohashi, Aichi 441-8580, Japan.
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11
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Lindner K, van Ek LC, Awwad K, Hanke F, Korepanova AV, Rybin V, Beckenbauer K, Gavin AC. In vitro and in cellulo ApoE particle formation, isolation, and characterization. STAR Protoc 2022; 3:101894. [PMID: 36595894 PMCID: PMC9722783 DOI: 10.1016/j.xpro.2022.101894] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/15/2022] [Revised: 10/21/2022] [Accepted: 11/08/2022] [Indexed: 12/04/2022] Open
Abstract
Apolipoprotein E (ApoE) particles are responsible for packing and transporting lipids throughout aqueous environments. We detail steps to assess in vitro particles forming from artificial membranes using right-angle light scattering and to measure their size using dynamic light scattering. We further describe how to generate in cellulo ApoE particles containing triacylglycerol under fatty-acid-induced stress. We also detail steps to isolate them from cell secretome by immunoprecipitation and analyze their lipid cargo by thin-layer chromatography. For complete details on the use and execution of this protocol, please refer to Lindner et al. (2022).1.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karina Lindner
- Department of Cell Physiology and Metabolism, Faculty of Medicine, University of Geneva, Rue Michel-Servet 1, 1211 Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Larissa C van Ek
- Department of Cell Physiology and Metabolism, Faculty of Medicine, University of Geneva, Rue Michel-Servet 1, 1211 Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Khader Awwad
- AbbVie Deutschland GmbH & Co. KG Drug Metabolism and Pharmacokinetics, Knollstrasse, 67061 Ludwigshafen, Germany
| | - Franziska Hanke
- AbbVie Deutschland GmbH & Co. KG Drug Metabolism and Pharmacokinetics, Knollstrasse, 67061 Ludwigshafen, Germany
| | | | - Vladimir Rybin
- European Molecular Biology Laboratory (EMBL), Meyerhofstrasse 1, 69117 Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Katharina Beckenbauer
- AbbVie Deutschland GmbH & Co. KG Neuroscience Discovery, Knollstrasse, 67061 Ludwigshafen, Germany.
| | - Anne-Claude Gavin
- Department of Cell Physiology and Metabolism, Faculty of Medicine, University of Geneva, Rue Michel-Servet 1, 1211 Geneva, Switzerland.
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12
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van der Kolk MR, Jansen MACH, Rutjes FPJT, Blanco-Ania D. CYCLOBUTANES IN SMALL MOLECULE DRUG CANDIDATES. ChemMedChem 2022; 17:e202200020. [PMID: 35263505 PMCID: PMC9314592 DOI: 10.1002/cmdc.202200020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 22.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/10/2022] [Revised: 03/05/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022]
Abstract
Cyclobutanes are increasingly used in medicinal chemistry in the search for relevant biological properties. Important characteristics of the cyclobutane ring include its unique puckered structure, longer C−C bond lengths, increased C−C π‐character and relative chemical inertness for a highly strained carbocycle. This review will focus on contributions of cyclobutane rings in drug candidates to arrive at favorable properties. Cyclobutanes have been employed for improving multiple factors such as preventing cis/trans‐isomerization by replacing alkenes, replacing larger cyclic systems, increasing metabolic stability, directing key pharmacophore groups, inducing conformational restriction, reducing planarity, as aryl isostere and filling hydrophobic pockets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marnix R van der Kolk
- Radboud University Institute for Molecules and Materials: Radboud Universiteit Institute for Molecules and Materials, Synthetic Organic Chemistry, Heyendaalseweg 135, 6525AJ, Nijmegen, NETHERLANDS
| | - Mathilde A C H Jansen
- Radboud University Institute for Molecules and Materials: Radboud Universiteit Institute for Molecules and Materials, Synthetic Organic Chemistry, Heyendaalseweg 135, 6525AJ, Nijmegen, NETHERLANDS
| | - Floris P J T Rutjes
- Radboud University Institute for Molecules and Materials: Radboud Universiteit Institute for Molecules and Materials, Synthetic Organic Chemistry, Heyendaalseweg 135, 6525AJ, Nijmegen, NETHERLANDS
| | - Daniel Blanco-Ania
- Radboud University, Cluster for Molecular Chemistry, Heyendaalaseweg 135, 6525 AJ, Nijmegen, NETHERLANDS
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Lindner K, Beckenbauer K, van Ek LC, Titeca K, de Leeuw SM, Awwad K, Hanke F, Korepanova AV, Rybin V, van der Kam EL, Mohler EG, Tackenberg C, Lakics V, Gavin AC. Isoform- and cell-state-specific lipidation of ApoE in astrocytes. Cell Rep 2022; 38:110435. [PMID: 35235798 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2022.110435] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 18.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/04/2021] [Revised: 12/16/2021] [Accepted: 02/03/2022] [Indexed: 01/21/2023] Open
Abstract
Apolipoprotein E transports lipids and couples metabolism between astrocytes and neurons. The E4 variant (APOE4) affects these functions and represents a genetic predisposition for Alzheimer's disease, but the molecular mechanisms remain elusive. We show that ApoE produces different types of lipoproteins via distinct lipidation pathways. ApoE forms high-density lipoprotein (HDL)-like, cholesterol-rich particles via the ATP-binding cassette transporter 1 (ABCA1), a mechanism largely unaffected by ApoE polymorphism. Alternatively, ectopic accumulation of fat in astrocytes, a stress-associated condition, redirects ApoE toward the assembly and secretion of triacylglycerol-rich lipoproteins, a process boosted by the APOE4 variant. We demonstrate in vitro that ApoE can detect triacylglycerol in membranes and spontaneously assemble lipoprotein particles (10-20 nm) rich in unsaturated triacylglycerol, and that APOE4 has remarkable properties behaving as a strong triacylglycerol binder. We propose that fatty APOE4 astrocytes have reduced ability to clear toxic fatty acids from the extracellular milieu, because APOE4 reroutes them back to secretion.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karina Lindner
- Department of Cell Physiology and Metabolism, Faculty of Medicine, University of Geneva, Rue Michel-Servet 1, 1211 Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Katharina Beckenbauer
- European Molecular Biology Laboratory (EMBL), Meyerhofstrasse 1, 69117 Heidelberg, Germany; AbbVie Deutschland GmbH & Co. KG Neuroscience Discovery, Knollstrasse, 67061 Ludwigshafen, Germany
| | - Larissa C van Ek
- Department of Cell Physiology and Metabolism, Faculty of Medicine, University of Geneva, Rue Michel-Servet 1, 1211 Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Kevin Titeca
- European Molecular Biology Laboratory (EMBL), Meyerhofstrasse 1, 69117 Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Sherida M de Leeuw
- Institute for Regenerative Medicine (IREM), University of Zurich, Wagistrasse 12, 8952 Schlieren, Switzerland; Neuroscience Center Zurich, University of Zurich and ETH Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Khader Awwad
- AbbVie Deutschland GmbH & Co. KG Drug Metabolism and Pharmacokinetics, Knollstrasse, 67061 Ludwigshafen, Germany
| | - Franziska Hanke
- AbbVie Deutschland GmbH & Co. KG Drug Metabolism and Pharmacokinetics, Knollstrasse, 67061 Ludwigshafen, Germany
| | | | - Vladimir Rybin
- European Molecular Biology Laboratory (EMBL), Meyerhofstrasse 1, 69117 Heidelberg, Germany
| | | | - Eric G Mohler
- AbbVie Inc., 1 North Waukegan Road, North Chicago, IL 60064, USA
| | - Christian Tackenberg
- Institute for Regenerative Medicine (IREM), University of Zurich, Wagistrasse 12, 8952 Schlieren, Switzerland; Neuroscience Center Zurich, University of Zurich and ETH Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Viktor Lakics
- AbbVie Deutschland GmbH & Co. KG Neuroscience Discovery, Knollstrasse, 67061 Ludwigshafen, Germany
| | - Anne-Claude Gavin
- Department of Cell Physiology and Metabolism, Faculty of Medicine, University of Geneva, Rue Michel-Servet 1, 1211 Geneva, Switzerland; European Molecular Biology Laboratory (EMBL), Meyerhofstrasse 1, 69117 Heidelberg, Germany.
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14
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Jackson RJ, Meltzer JC, Nguyen H, Commins C, Bennett RE, Hudry E, Hyman BT. APOE4 derived from astrocytes leads to blood-brain barrier impairment. Brain 2021; 145:3582-3593. [PMID: 34957486 PMCID: PMC9586546 DOI: 10.1093/brain/awab478] [Citation(s) in RCA: 66] [Impact Index Per Article: 22.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/20/2021] [Revised: 10/25/2021] [Accepted: 12/01/2021] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Apolipoprotein E (ApoE) is a multifaceted secreted molecule synthesized in the CNS by astrocytes and microglia, and in the periphery largely by the liver. ApoE has been shown to impact the integrity of the blood-brain barrier, and, in humans, the APOE4 allele of the gene is reported to lead to a leaky blood-brain barrier. We used allele specific knock-in mice expressing each of the common (human) ApoE alleles, and longitudinal multiphoton intravital microscopy, to directly monitor the impact of various ApoE isoforms on blood-brain barrier integrity. We found that humanized APOE4, but not APOE2 or APOE3, mice show a leaky blood-brain barrier, increased MMP9, impaired tight junctions, and reduced astrocyte end-foot coverage of blood vessels. Removal of astrocyte-produced ApoE4 led to the amelioration of all phenotypes while the removal of astrocyte-produced ApoE3 had no effect on blood-brain barrier integrity. This work shows a cell specific gain of function effect of ApoE4 in the dysfunction of the BBB and implicates astrocyte production of ApoE4, possibly as a function of astrocytic end foot interactions with vessels, as a key regulator of the integrity of the blood-brain barrier.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rosemary J Jackson
- Alzheimer Research Unit, The Massachusetts General Hospital Institute for Neurodegenerative Disease, Charlestown, MA, USA,Department of Neurology, The Massachusetts General Hospital and NeuroDiscovery Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | | | | | - Caitlin Commins
- Alzheimer Research Unit, The Massachusetts General Hospital Institute for Neurodegenerative Disease, Charlestown, MA, USA,Department of Neurology, The Massachusetts General Hospital and NeuroDiscovery Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Rachel E Bennett
- Alzheimer Research Unit, The Massachusetts General Hospital Institute for Neurodegenerative Disease, Charlestown, MA, USA,Department of Neurology, The Massachusetts General Hospital and NeuroDiscovery Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Eloise Hudry
- Alzheimer Research Unit, The Massachusetts General Hospital Institute for Neurodegenerative Disease, Charlestown, MA, USA,Department of Neurology, The Massachusetts General Hospital and NeuroDiscovery Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA,Novartis Institute for Biomedical Research, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Bradley T Hyman
- Correspondence to: Bradley Hyman Massachusetts General Hospital MIND Institute 114 16th Street, Charlestown, 02129 MA, USA E-mail:
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15
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Hermans SJ, Nero TL, Morton CJ, Gooi JH, Crespi GAN, Hancock NC, Gao C, Ishii K, Markulić J, Parker MW. Structural biology of cell surface receptors implicated in Alzheimer’s disease. Biophys Rev 2021; 14:233-255. [DOI: 10.1007/s12551-021-00903-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/03/2021] [Accepted: 11/02/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
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16
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Jahnke W, Erlanson DA, de Esch IJP, Johnson CN, Mortenson PN, Ochi Y, Urushima T. Fragment-to-Lead Medicinal Chemistry Publications in 2019. J Med Chem 2020; 63:15494-15507. [PMID: 33226222 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.0c01608] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Fragment-based drug discovery (FBDD) has grown and matured to a point where it is valuable to keep track of its extent and details of application. This Perspective summarizes successful fragment-to-lead stories published in 2019. It is the fifth in a series that started with literature published in 2015. The analysis of screening methods, optimization strategies, and molecular properties of hits and leads are presented in the hope of informing best practices for FBDD. Moreover, FBDD is constantly evolving, and the latest technologies and emerging trends are summarized. These include covalent FBDD, FBDD for the stabilization of proteins or protein-protein interactions, FBDD for enzyme activators, new screening technologies, and advances in library design and chemical synthesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wolfgang Jahnke
- Chemical Biology and Therapeutics, Novartis Institutes for Biomedical Research, 4002 Basel, Switzerland
| | - Daniel A Erlanson
- Frontier Medicines, 151 Oyster Point Boulevard, South San Francisco, California 94080, United States of America
| | - Iwan J P de Esch
- Division of Medicinal Chemistry, Amsterdam Institute for Molecules, Medicines and Systems (AIMMS), Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, De Boelelaan 1108, 1081 HZ Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Christopher N Johnson
- Astex Pharmaceuticals, 436 Cambridge Science Park, Milton Road, Cambridge CB4 0QA, United Kingdom
| | - Paul N Mortenson
- Astex Pharmaceuticals, 436 Cambridge Science Park, Milton Road, Cambridge CB4 0QA, United Kingdom
| | - Yuji Ochi
- Astex Pharmaceuticals, 436 Cambridge Science Park, Milton Road, Cambridge CB4 0QA, United Kingdom
| | - Tatsuya Urushima
- Astex Pharmaceuticals, 436 Cambridge Science Park, Milton Road, Cambridge CB4 0QA, United Kingdom
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Abstract
Genetic studies of autosomal dominant Alzheimer's disease (AD) revealed that β-amyloid is central to disease pathogenesis. However, amyloid-targeted therapies have generally failed to slow progression in patients with symptomatic disease. This result suggests a transition from an early amyloid-dependent phase to a later amyloid-independent one, during which neurodegeneration occurs and symptoms arise. Microglia, the brain's resident myeloid cells, envelop amyloid and express the majority of genes linked to risk for sporadic late-onset AD. Their activation is associated spatially and temporally with the accumulation of pathological tau. Microglial facilitation of tau pathology may involve apolipoprotein E, the most important genetic risk factor for AD. Once formed, pathological tau spreads between connected neurons, eventually accumulating in the somatic compartment where catastrophic nuclear damage ensues. This emerging understanding of the postamyloid processes leading to neurodegeneration affords the opportunity to develop therapeutics that interrupt this pathological cascade and prevent or delay dementia, even after amyloid deposition.
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Affiliation(s)
- William J Ray
- The Neurodegeneration Consortium, Therapeutics Discovery Division, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas 77154, USA; ,
| | - Virginie Buggia-Prevot
- The Neurodegeneration Consortium, Therapeutics Discovery Division, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas 77154, USA; ,
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18
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APOE in the normal brain. Neurobiol Dis 2020; 136:104724. [PMID: 31911114 DOI: 10.1016/j.nbd.2019.104724] [Citation(s) in RCA: 70] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/28/2019] [Revised: 12/19/2019] [Accepted: 12/31/2019] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
The APOE4 protein affects the primary neuropathological markers of Alzheimer's disease (AD): amyloid plaques, neurofibrillary tangles, and gliosis. These interactions have been investigated to understand the strong effect of APOE genotype on risk of AD. However, APOE genotype has strong effects on processes in normal brains, in the absence of the hallmarks of AD. We propose that CNS APOE is involved in processes in the normal brains that in later years apply specifically to processes of AD pathogenesis. We review the differences of the APOE protein found in the CNS compared to the plasma, including post-translational modifications (glycosylation, lipidation, multimer formation), focusing on ways that the common APOE isoforms differ from each other. We also review structural and functional studies of young human brains and control APOE knock-in mouse brains. These approaches demonstrate the effects of APOE genotype on microscopic neuron structure, gross brain structure, and behavior, primarily related to the hippocampal areas. By focusing on the effects of APOE genotype on normal brain function, approaches can be pursued to identify biomarkers of APOE dysfunction, to promote normal functions of the APOE4 isoform, and to prevent the accumulation of the pathologic hallmarks of AD with aging.
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