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Adouvi G, Nawa F, Ballarotto M, Rüger LA, Knümann L, Kasch T, Arifi S, Schubert-Zsilavecz M, Willems S, Marschner JA, Pabel J, Merk D. Structural Fusion of Natural and Synthetic Ligand Features Boosts RXR Agonist Potency. J Med Chem 2023; 66:16762-16771. [PMID: 38064686 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.3c01435] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/29/2023]
Abstract
The retinoid X receptors (RXRs) are ligand-activated transcription factors involved in, for example, differentiation and apoptosis regulation. Currently used reference RXR agonists suffer from insufficient specificity and poor physicochemical properties, and improved tools are needed to capture the unexplored therapeutic potential of RXR. Endogenous vitamin A-derived RXR ligands and the natural product RXR agonist valerenic acid comprise acrylic acid residues with varying substitution patterns to engage the critical ionic contact with the binding site arginine. To mimic and exploit this natural ligand motif, we probed its structural fusion with synthetic RXR modulator scaffolds, which had profound effects on agonist activity and remarkably boosted potency of an oxaprozin-derived RXR agonist chemotype. Bioisosteric replacement of the acrylic acid to overcome its pan-assay interference compounds (PAINS) character enabled the development of a highly optimized RXR agonist chemical probe.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gustave Adouvi
- Institute of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Goethe University Frankfurt, 60438 Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Felix Nawa
- Department of Pharmacy, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, 81377 Munich, Germany
| | - Marco Ballarotto
- Department of Pharmacy, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, 81377 Munich, Germany
| | - Lorena Andrea Rüger
- Institute of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Goethe University Frankfurt, 60438 Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Loris Knümann
- Department of Pharmacy, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, 81377 Munich, Germany
| | - Till Kasch
- Department of Pharmacy, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, 81377 Munich, Germany
| | - Silvia Arifi
- Institute of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Goethe University Frankfurt, 60438 Frankfurt, Germany
| | | | - Sabine Willems
- Department of Pharmacy, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, 81377 Munich, Germany
| | - Julian A Marschner
- Department of Pharmacy, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, 81377 Munich, Germany
| | - Jörg Pabel
- Department of Pharmacy, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, 81377 Munich, Germany
| | - Daniel Merk
- Institute of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Goethe University Frankfurt, 60438 Frankfurt, Germany
- Department of Pharmacy, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, 81377 Munich, Germany
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Páscoa I, Biltes R, Sousa J, Preto MAC, Vasconcelos V, Castro LF, Ruivo R, Cunha I. A Multiplex Molecular Cell-Based Sensor to Detect Ligands of PPARs: An Optimized Tool for Drug Discovery in Cyanobacteria. SENSORS (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2023; 23:s23031338. [PMID: 36772378 PMCID: PMC9919141 DOI: 10.3390/s23031338] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/07/2022] [Revised: 01/13/2023] [Accepted: 01/16/2023] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Cyanobacteria produce a wealth of secondary metabolites. Since these organisms attach fatty acids into molecules in unprecedented ways, cyanobacteria can serve as a novel source for bioactive compounds acting as ligands for Peroxisome Proliferator-Activated Receptors (PPAR). PPARs (PPARα, PPARβ/δ and PPARγ) are ligand-activated nuclear receptors, involved in the regulation of various metabolic and cellular processes, thus serving as potential drug targets for a variety of pathologies. Yet, given that PPARs' agonists can have pan-, dual- or isoform-specific action, some controversy has been raised over currently approved drugs and their side effects, highlighting the need for novel molecules. Here, we expand and validate a cell-based PPAR transactivation activity biosensor, and test it in a screening campaign to guide drug discovery. Biosensor upgrades included the use of different reporter genes to increase signal intensity and stability, a different promoter to modulate reporter gene expression, and multiplexing to improve efficiency. Sensor's limit of detection (LOD) ranged from 0.36-0.89 nM in uniplex and 0.89-1.35 nM in multiplex mode. In triplex mode, the sensor's feature screening, a total of 848 fractions of 96 cyanobacteria extracts were screened. Hits were confirmed in multiplex mode and in uniplex mode, yielding one strain detected to have action on PPARα and three strains to have dual action on PPARα and -β.
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Affiliation(s)
- Inês Páscoa
- CIIMAR/CIMAR-Interdisciplinary Centre of Marine and Environmental Research, University of Porto, 4450-208 Matosinhos, Portugal
| | - Rita Biltes
- CIIMAR/CIMAR-Interdisciplinary Centre of Marine and Environmental Research, University of Porto, 4450-208 Matosinhos, Portugal
- ICBAS-Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas Abel Salazar, University of Porto, 4050-313 Porto, Portugal
- FCUP-Faculty of Sciences, Department of Biology, University of Porto, 4169-007 Porto, Portugal
| | - João Sousa
- CIIMAR/CIMAR-Interdisciplinary Centre of Marine and Environmental Research, University of Porto, 4450-208 Matosinhos, Portugal
- ICBAS-Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas Abel Salazar, University of Porto, 4050-313 Porto, Portugal
- FCUP-Faculty of Sciences, Department of Biology, University of Porto, 4169-007 Porto, Portugal
| | - Marco Aurélio Correia Preto
- CIIMAR/CIMAR-Interdisciplinary Centre of Marine and Environmental Research, University of Porto, 4450-208 Matosinhos, Portugal
| | - Vitor Vasconcelos
- CIIMAR/CIMAR-Interdisciplinary Centre of Marine and Environmental Research, University of Porto, 4450-208 Matosinhos, Portugal
- FCUP-Faculty of Sciences, Department of Biology, University of Porto, 4169-007 Porto, Portugal
| | - Luís Filipe Castro
- CIIMAR/CIMAR-Interdisciplinary Centre of Marine and Environmental Research, University of Porto, 4450-208 Matosinhos, Portugal
- FCUP-Faculty of Sciences, Department of Biology, University of Porto, 4169-007 Porto, Portugal
| | - Raquel Ruivo
- CIIMAR/CIMAR-Interdisciplinary Centre of Marine and Environmental Research, University of Porto, 4450-208 Matosinhos, Portugal
| | - Isabel Cunha
- CIIMAR/CIMAR-Interdisciplinary Centre of Marine and Environmental Research, University of Porto, 4450-208 Matosinhos, Portugal
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