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Yamada T, Mihara K, Ueda T, Yamauchi D, Shimizu M, Ando A, Mayumi K, Nakata Z, Mikamiyama H. Discovery and Hit to Lead Optimization of Macrocyclic Peptides as Novel Tropomyosin Receptor Kinase A Antagonists. J Med Chem 2024; 67:11197-11208. [PMID: 38950284 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.4c00715] [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: 07/03/2024]
Abstract
Tropomyosin receptor kinases (Trks) are receptor tyrosine kinases activated by neurotrophic factors, called neurotrophins. Among them, TrkA interacts with the nerve growth factor (NGF), which leads to pain induction. mRNA-display screening was carried out to discover a hit compound 2, which inhibits protein-protein interactions between TrkA and NGF. Subsequent structure optimization improving phosphorylation inhibitory activity and serum stability was pursued using a unique process that took advantage of the peptide being synthesized by translation from mRNA. This gave peptide 19, which showed an analgesic effect in a rat incisional pain model. The peptides described here can serve as a new class of analgesics, and the structure optimization methods reported provide a strategy for discovering new peptide drugs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Toru Yamada
- Biopharmaceutical Research Division, Shionogi Pharmaceutical Research Center, Toyonaka , Osaka 561-0825, Japan
| | - Kousuke Mihara
- Pharmaceutical Research Division, Shionogi Pharmaceutical Research Center, Toyonaka , Osaka 561-0825, Japan
| | - Taichi Ueda
- Pharmaceutical Research Division, Shionogi Pharmaceutical Research Center, Toyonaka , Osaka 561-0825, Japan
| | - Daisuke Yamauchi
- Pharmaceutical Research Division, Shionogi Pharmaceutical Research Center, Toyonaka , Osaka 561-0825, Japan
| | - Masaya Shimizu
- Pharmaceutical Research Division, Shionogi Pharmaceutical Research Center, Toyonaka , Osaka 561-0825, Japan
| | - Azusa Ando
- Pharmaceutical Research Division, Shionogi Pharmaceutical Research Center, Toyonaka , Osaka 561-0825, Japan
| | - Kei Mayumi
- Pharmaceutical Development Division, Yodoyabashi Office, Osaka , Osaka 541-0042, Japan
| | - Zenzaburo Nakata
- Pharmaceutical Research Division, Shionogi Pharmaceutical Research Center, Toyonaka , Osaka 561-0825, Japan
| | - Hidenori Mikamiyama
- Pharmaceutical Research Division, Shionogi Pharmaceutical Research Center, Toyonaka , Osaka 561-0825, Japan
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Munni YA, Dash R, Mitra S, Dash N, Shima M, Moon IS. Mechanistic study of Coriandrum sativum on neuritogenesis and synaptogenesis based on computationally guided in vitro analyses. JOURNAL OF ETHNOPHARMACOLOGY 2023; 306:116165. [PMID: 36641106 DOI: 10.1016/j.jep.2023.116165] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/09/2022] [Revised: 12/28/2022] [Accepted: 01/10/2023] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE Acceleration of neurite outgrowth and halting neurodegeneration are the most critical factors that are negatively regulated in various neurodegenerative diseases or injuries in the central nervous system (CNS). Functional foods or nutrients are considered alternative sources of bioactive components to alleviate various CNS injuries by promoting neuritogenesis and synaptogenesis, while their exact molecular mechanism remains unexplored. AIM OF THE STUDY Coriandrum sativum L. (CS) is one of the popular herbs in the Apiaceae family, of which CNS modulating action is a well-documented traditionally but detailed study on memory boosting function yet remains unexplored. Consequently, this study aims to analyze the neurogenic and synaptogenic modulation of CS aqueous ethanol (CSAE) extract in the primary hippocampal neurons. MATERIALS AND METHODS Primary hippocampal neurons were cultured and allowed to incubate with CSAE or vehicle. To observe the early neuronal differentiation, axonal and dendritic arborization, and synapse formation, neurons were immune-stained against indicated antibodies or stained directly with a lipophilic dye (1, 1'-dioctadecyl-3, 3, 3', 3'-tetramethyl indocarbocyanine perchlorate, DiL). Meanwhile, western blot was used to validate the synaptogenesis effect of CSAE compared to vehicle. Additionally, molecular docking and system pharmacology approaches were applied to confirm the possible secondary metabolites and pathways by which CSAE promotes neuritogenesis. RESULTS Results show that CSAE can induce neuritogenesis and synaptogenesis at 30 μg/mL concentration. The treatment impacts early neuronal polarization, axonal and dendritic arborization, synaptogenesis, and synaptic plasticity via NMDARs expressions in primary neurons. In silico network pharmacology of CS metabolites show that the CSAE-mediated neurogenic effect is likely dependent on the NTRK2 (TrkB) mediated neurotrophin signaling pathway. Indeed, the observed neurogenic activity of CSAE is markedly reduced upon the co-treatment with a TrkB-specific inhibitor. Furthermore, molecular docking following binding energy calculation shows that one of the CS metabolites, scoparone, has a high affinity to bind in the BDNF mimetic binding site of TrkB, suggesting its role in TrkB activation. Scoparone was found to enhance neuritogenesis, but not to the same extent as CSAE. Moreover, the expression of TrkB signaling-related proteins (BCL2, CASP3, GSK3, and BDNF), which was found to be modulated by scoparone, was significantly affected by the co-treatment of TrkB inhibitor (ANA-12). These results further suggest that the modulation of neuritogenesis by scoparone is TrkB-dependent. CONCLUSIONS This study provides deeper insights into the molecular mechanism of CS in boosting neuronal growth and memory function, which might implicate the prevention of many neurological disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yeasmin Akter Munni
- Department of Anatomy, Dongguk University College of Medicine, Gyeongju, 38066, Republic of Korea
| | - Raju Dash
- Department of Anatomy, Dongguk University College of Medicine, Gyeongju, 38066, Republic of Korea; Department of New Biology, Daegu Gyeongbuk Institute of Science and Technology (DGIST), Daegu, 42988, Republic of Korea
| | - Sarmistha Mitra
- Department of Anatomy, Dongguk University College of Medicine, Gyeongju, 38066, Republic of Korea
| | - Nayan Dash
- Department of Computer Science and Engineering, BGC Trust University Bangladesh, Chittagong, 4381, Bangladesh
| | - Mutakabrun Shima
- Department of Clinical Pharmacy and Molecular Pharmacology, East West University, Dhaka, 1212, Bangladesh
| | - Il Soo Moon
- Department of Anatomy, Dongguk University College of Medicine, Gyeongju, 38066, Republic of Korea.
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Development and Biological Characterization of a Novel Selective TrkA Agonist with Neuroprotective Properties against Amyloid Toxicity. Biomedicines 2022; 10:biomedicines10030614. [PMID: 35327415 PMCID: PMC8945229 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines10030614] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/12/2022] [Revised: 02/23/2022] [Accepted: 03/03/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Neurotrophins are growth factors that exert important neuroprotective effects by preventing neuronal death and synaptic loss. Nerve Growth Factor (NGF) acts through the activation of its high-affinity, pro-survival TrkA and low-affinity, pro-apoptotic p75NTR receptors. NGF has been shown to slow or prevent neurodegenerative signals in Alzheimer’s Disease (AD) progression. However, its low bioavailability and its blood–brain-barrier impermeability limit the use of NGF as a potential therapeutic agent against AD. Based on our previous findings on synthetic dehydroepiandrosterone derivatives, we identified a novel NGF mimetic, named ENT-A013, which selectively activates TrkA and exerts neuroprotective, anti-amyloid-β actions. We now report the chemical synthesis, in silico modelling, metabolic stability, CYP-mediated reaction phenotyping and biological characterization of ENT-A013 under physiological and neurodegenerative conditions. We show that ENT-A013 selectively activates the TrkA receptor and its downstream kinases Akt and Erk1/2 in PC12 cells, protecting these cells from serum deprivation-induced cell death. Moreover, ENT-A013 promotes survival of primary Dorsal Root Ganglion (DRG) neurons upon NGF withdrawal and protects hippocampal neurons against Amyloid β-induced apoptosis and synaptic loss. Furthermore, this neurotrophin mimetic partially restores LTP impairment. In conclusion, ENT-A013 represents a promising new lead molecule for developing therapeutics against neurodegenerative disorders, such as Alzheimer’s Disease, selectively targeting TrkA-mediated pro-survival signals.
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Hannan MA, Dash R, Haque MN, Choi SM, Moon IS. Integrated System Pharmacology and In Silico Analysis Elucidating Neuropharmacological Actions of Withania somnifera in the Treatment of Alzheimer's Disease. CNS & NEUROLOGICAL DISORDERS-DRUG TARGETS 2020; 19:541-556. [PMID: 32748763 DOI: 10.2174/1871527319999200730214807] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/24/2020] [Revised: 06/18/2020] [Accepted: 06/19/2020] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Withania somnifera (WS), also referred to as Medhya Rasayana (nootropic or rejuvenating), has traditionally been prescribed for various neurological ailments, including dementia. Despite substantial evidence, pharmacological roles of WS, neither as nootropic nor as an antidementia agent, are well-understood at the cellular and molecular levels. OBJECTIVES We aimed at elucidating the pharmacological action mechanisms of WS root constituents against Alzheimer's Disease (AD) pathology. METHODS Various bioinformatics tools and resources, including DAVID, Cytoscape, NetworkAnalyst and KEGG pathway database were employed to analyze the interaction of WS root bioactive molecules with the protein targets of AD-associated cellular processes. We also used a molecular simulation approach to validate the interaction of compounds with selected protein targets. RESULTS Network analysis revealed that β-sitosterol, withaferin A, stigmasterol, withanolide A, and withanolide D are the major constituents of WS root that primarily target the cellular pathways such as PI3K/Akt signaling, neurotrophin signaling and toll-like receptor signaling and proteins such as Tropomyosin receptor Kinase B (TrkB), Glycogen Synthase Kinase-3β (GSK-3β), Toll-Like Receptor 2/4 (TLR2/4), and β-secretase (BACE-1). Also, the in silico analysis further validated the interaction patterns and binding affinity of the major WS compounds, particularly stigmasterol, withanolide A, withanolide D and β-sitosterol with TrkB, GSK-3β, TLR2/4, and BACE-1. CONCLUSION The present findings demonstrate that stigmasterol, withanolide A, withanolide D and β-sitosterol are the major metabolites that are responsible for the neuropharmacological action of WS root against AD-associated pathobiology, and TrkB, GSK-3β, TLR2/4, and BACE-1 could be the potential druggable targets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Md Abdul Hannan
- Department of Anatomy, Dongguk University College of Medicine, Gyeongju 38066, Korea,Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh-2202, Bangladesh
| | - Raju Dash
- Department of Anatomy, Dongguk University College of Medicine, Gyeongju 38066, Korea
| | - Md Nazmul Haque
- Departement of Fisheries Biology and Genetics, Patuakhali Science and Technology University Patuakhali-8602, Bangladesh
| | - Sung Min Choi
- Department of Pediatrics, Dongguk University College of Medicine, Gyeongju 38066, Republic of Korea
| | - Il Soo Moon
- Department of Anatomy, Dongguk University College of Medicine, Gyeongju 38066, Korea
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3β, 6β-dichloro-5-hydroxy-5α-cholestane facilitates neuronal development through modulating TrkA signaling regulated proteins in primary hippocampal neuron. Sci Rep 2019; 9:18919. [PMID: 31831796 PMCID: PMC6908615 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-019-55364-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/05/2019] [Accepted: 11/27/2019] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Potentiating neuritogenesis through pharmacological intervention might hold therapeutic promise in neurodegenerative disorders and acute brain injury. Here, we investigated the novel neuritogenic potentials of a steroidal chlorohydrin, 3β, 6β-dichloro-5-hydroxy-5α-cholestane (hereafter, SCH) and the change in cellular proteome to gain insight into the underlying mechanism of its neurotrophic activity in hippocampal neurons. Morphometric analysis showed that SCH promoted early neuronal differentiation, dendritic arborization and axonal maturation. Proteomic and bioinformatic analysis revealed that SCH induced upregulation of several proteins, including those associated with neuronal differentiation and development. Immunocytochemical data further indicates that SCH-treated neurons showed upregulation of Hnrnpa2b1 and Map1b, validating their proteomic profiles. In addition, a protein-protein interaction network analysis identified TrkA as a potential target connecting most of the upregulated proteins. The neurite outgrowth effect of SCH was suppressed by TrkA inhibitor, GW441756, verifying TrkA-dependent activity of SCH, which further supports the connection of TrkA with the upregulated proteins. Also, the computational analysis revealed that SCH interacts with the NGF-binding domain of TrkA through Phe327 and Asn355. Collectively, our findings provide evidence that SCH promotes neuronal development via upregulating TrkA-signaling proteins and suggest that SCH could be a promising therapeutic agent in the prevention and treatment of neurodegenerative disorders.
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Deciphering Molecular Mechanism of the Neuropharmacological Action of Fucosterol through Integrated System Pharmacology and In Silico Analysis. Mar Drugs 2019; 17:md17110639. [PMID: 31766220 PMCID: PMC6891791 DOI: 10.3390/md17110639] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/30/2019] [Revised: 11/07/2019] [Accepted: 11/08/2019] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Fucosterol is an algae-derived unique phytosterol having several medicinal properties, including antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anticholinesterase, neuroprotective, and so on. Accumulated evidence suggests a therapeutic promise of fucosterol in neurodegeneration; however, the in-depth pharmacological mechanism of its neuroprotection is poorly understood. Here, we employed system pharmacology and in silico analysis to elucidate the underlying mechanism of neuropharmacological action of fucosterol against neurodegenerative disorders (NDD). Network pharmacology revealed that fucosterol targets signaling molecules, receptors, enzymes, transporters, transcription factors, cytoskeletal, and various other proteins of cellular pathways, including tumor necrosis factor (TNF), mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK), phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase/protein kinase B (PI3K/Akt), neurotrophin, and toll-like receptor (TLR) signaling, which are intimately associated with neuronal survival, immune response, and inflammation. Moreover, the molecular simulation study further verified that fucosterol exhibited a significant binding affinity to some of the vital targets, including liver X-receptor-beta (LXR-β), glucocorticoid receptor (GR), tropomyosin receptor kinase B (TrkB), toll-like receptor 2/4 (TLR2/4), and β-secretase (BACE1), which are the crucial regulators of molecular and cellular processes associated with NDD. Together, the present system pharmacology and in silico findings demonstrate that fucosterol might play a significant role in modulating NDD-pathobiology, supporting its therapeutic application for the prevention and treatment of NDD.
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Norman BH, McDermott JS. Targeting the Nerve Growth Factor (NGF) Pathway in Drug Discovery. Potential Applications to New Therapies for Chronic Pain. J Med Chem 2016; 60:66-88. [DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.6b00964] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Bryan H. Norman
- Discovery Chemistry
Research and Technologies and ‡Neurophysiology, Lilly Research Laboratories, A Division of Eli Lilly and Company, Indianapolis, Lilly
Corporate Center, Indiana 46285, United States
| | - Jeff S. McDermott
- Discovery Chemistry
Research and Technologies and ‡Neurophysiology, Lilly Research Laboratories, A Division of Eli Lilly and Company, Indianapolis, Lilly
Corporate Center, Indiana 46285, United States
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