Kinase and GPCR polypharmacological approach for the identification of efficient anticancer medicines

Impact of GSK-3β and CK-1δ on Wnt signaling pathway in alzheimer disease: A dual target approach

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is an enigmatic neurological illness that offers few treatment options. Recent exploration has highlighted the crucial connection of the Wnt signaling pathway in AD pathogenesis, shedding light on potential therapeutic targets. The present study focuses on the dual targeting of glycogen synthase kinase-3β (GSK-3β) and casein kinase-1δ (CK-1δ) within the framework of the Wnt signaling pathway as a possible technique for AD intervention. GSK-3β and CK-1δ are multifunctional kinases known for their roles in tau hyperphosphorylation, amyloid processing, and synaptic dysfunction, all of which are major hallmarks of Alzheimer's disease. They are intricately linked to Wnt signaling, which plays a pivotal part in sustaining neuronal function and synaptic plasticity. Dysregulation of the Wnt pathway in AD contributes to cognitive decline and neurodegeneration. This review delves into the molecular mechanisms by which GSK-3β and CK-1δ impact the Wnt signaling pathway, elucidating their roles in AD pathogenesis. We discuss the potential of small-molecule inhibitors along with their SAR studies along with the multi-targetd approach targeting GSK-3β and CK-1δ to modulate Wnt signaling and mitigate AD-related pathology. In summary, the dual targeting of GSK-3β and CK-1δ within the framework of the Wnt signaling pathway presents an innovative and promising avenue for future AD therapies, offering new hope for patients and caregivers in the quest to combat this challenging condition.

Novel fused imidazotriazines acting as promising top. II inhibitors and apoptotic inducers with greater selectivity against head and neck tumors: Design, synthesis, and biological assessments

Although the great effectiveness of doxorubicin (Dox) in the treatment of many types of tumors, it showed limited effectiveness against the head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) subtype which is attributed to its reported multiple drug resistance (MDR). In the current study, we considered the essential pharmacophoric features of Dox as an effective Top. II inhibitor and sought to develop a novel set of imidazo[1,2-a] [1,3,5]triazin-2-amines (2a-2p) as a suggested anticancer option that could intercalate the DNA base pairs. We evaluated the % inhibition of the newly synthesized compounds on thirteen cancer cell lines and the analysis of structure-activity relationships revealed that the human head and neck cancer cell line (HNO97) was the most sensitive to their growth inhibition effect. Then, the IC50 values were recorded against the most sensitive cancer cell lines (HNO97, MDA-MB-231, and HEPG2), and compared to the normal cell line OEC (human oral epithelial cells). Compounds 2f and 2g showed very strong activities against HNO97 with IC50 values of (4 ± 1 and 3 ± 1.5 μg/mL), respectively, compared to that of Dox (9 ± 1.6 μg/mL). Next, a quantitative determination of human DNA Top. II concentrations in the most sensitive cell line (HNO97) were recorded for the most active anticancer derivatives. Again, compound 2f showed a superior Top. II inhibition with 87.86% compared to that of Dox (86.44%), while compound 2g achieved an inhibition of 81.37% which was close to the effect of Dox. To further investigate their effects on cell cycle progression and apoptosis induction in HNO97 cells, both 2f and 2g were selected for analysis. Both candidates arrested cell cycle progression at both the S and G2-M phases, as well as increased the early and late apoptosis phase ratios. Besides, both 2f and 2g were subjected to protein expression analysis of apoptosis-related genes (p53, BAX, IL-6, and BCL2). Moreover, the antioxidant effect of 2f and 2g was evaluated by measuring GSH, MDA, and NO markers in HNO97 cells. Furthermore, molecular docking for the newly designed tricyclic derivatives against both the Top. II and DNA double helix was carried out.

Two-Track Virtual Screening Approach to Identify the Dual Inhibitors of Wild Type and C481S Mutant of Bruton's Tyrosine Kinase

Bruton's tyrosine kinase (BTK) is responsible for the pathogenesis of various autoimmune diseases and chronic lymphocytic leukemia. However, the discovery of efficient medicines has seen limited success due to the constitutively active mutants that acquired the drug resistance. To disclose the dual inhibitors against the wild-type BTK and the problematic drug-resistant C481S mutant, a large chemical library was virtually screened with extensive molecular docking simulations using two target proteins. As a consequence of imposing the configurational restraint to make a hydrogen bond in the hinge region of BTK as well as modifying the ligand dehydration term in the scoring function, a total of 20 dual inhibitors were discovered with the range of the associated IC₅₀ values from 2.5 to 15 μM. All these dual inhibitors revealed the inhibitory activity against the C481S mutant to a comparable extent to that measured for the wild type. Among the new inhibitors, N-(3,5-dimethoxyphenyl)-6,7-dimethoxyquinazolin-4-amine (1) appeared to be most suitable as a starting point of the lead optimization due to the highest biochemical potency against the C481S mutant as well as the lowest molecular weight. To increase the potential of a drug candidate, 1 was modified into 6,7-dimethoxy-N-(pyridin-3-yl)quinazolin-4-amine (12) via chemical synthesis so as to possess better physicochemical properties without loss of the biochemical potency. 12 is suggested as a new effective molecular core from which numerous druggable dual inhibitors of the wild-type BTK and the C481S mutant would be derivatized.

Casein Kinase 1δ Inhibitors as Promising Therapeutic Agents for Neurodegenerative Disorders

Casein kinase 1 (CK1) belongs to the serine-threonine kinase family and is expressed in all eukaryotic organisms. At least six human isoforms of CK1 (termed α, γ1-3, δ and ε) have been cloned and characterized. CK1 isoform modulates several physiological processes, including DNA damage repair, circadian rhythm, cellular proliferation and apoptosis. Therefore, CK1 dysfunction may trigger diverse pathologies, such as cancer, inflammation and central nervous system disorders. Overexpression and aberrant activity of CK1 has been connected to hyperphosphorylation of key proteins implicated in the development of neurodegenerative disorders, such as Parkinson's and Alzheimer's diseases and Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis. Thus, CK1 inhibitors have attracted attention as potential drugs for these pathologies and several compounds have been synthesized or isolated from natural sources to be evaluated for their CK1 inhibitory activity. Here we report a comprehensive review on the development of CK1 inhibitors, with a particular emphasis on structure-activity relationships and computational studies which provide useful insight for the design of novel inhibitors.

Structure-Based Virtual Screening and De Novo Design of PIM1 Inhibitors with Anticancer Activity from Natural Products

BACKGROUND

the proviral insertion site of Moloney murine leukemia (PIM) 1 kinase has served as a therapeutic target for various human cancers due to the enhancement of cell proliferation and the inhibition of apoptosis.

METHODS

to identify effective PIM1 kinase inhibitors, structure-based virtual screening of natural products of plant origin and de novo design were carried out using the protein-ligand binding free energy function improved by introducing an adequate dehydration energy term.

RESULTS

as a consequence of subsequent enzyme inhibition assays, four classes of PIM1 kinase inhibitors were discovered, with the biochemical potency ranging from low-micromolar to sub-micromolar levels. The results of extensive docking simulations showed that the inhibitory activity stemmed from the formation of multiple hydrogen bonds in combination with hydrophobic interactions in the ATP-binding site. Optimization of the biochemical potency by chemical modifications of the 2-benzylidenebenzofuran-3(2H)-one scaffold led to the discovery of several nanomolar inhibitors with antiproliferative activities against human breast cancer cell lines.

CONCLUSIONS

these new PIM1 kinase inhibitors are anticipated to serve as a new starting point for the development of anticancer medicine.