1
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Fougiaxis V, He B, Khan T, Vatinel R, Koutroumpa NM, Afantitis A, Lesire L, Sierocki P, Deprez B, Deprez-Poulain R. ERAP Inhibitors in Autoimmunity and Immuno-Oncology: Medicinal Chemistry Insights. J Med Chem 2024; 67:11597-11621. [PMID: 39011823 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.4c00840] [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: 07/17/2024]
Abstract
Endoplasmic reticulum aminopeptidases ERAP1 and 2 are intracellular aminopeptidases that trim antigenic precursors and generate antigens presented by major histocompatibility complex class I (MHC-I) molecules. They thus modulate the antigenic repertoire and drive the adaptive immune response. ERAPs are considered as emerging targets for precision immuno-oncology or for the treatment of autoimmune diseases, in particular MHC-I-opathies. This perspective covers the structural and biological characterization of ERAP, their relevance to these diseases and the ongoing research on small-molecule inhibitors. We describe the chemical and pharmacological space explored by medicinal chemists to exploit the potential of these targets given their localization, biological functions, and family depth. Specific emphasis is put on the binding mode, potency, selectivity, and physchem properties of inhibitors featuring diverse scaffolds. The discussion provides valuable insights for the future development of ERAP inhibitors and analysis of persisting challenges for the translation for clinical applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vasileios Fougiaxis
- U1177 - Drugs and Molecules for Living Systems, Univ. Lille, Inserm, Institut Pasteur de Lille, F-59000 Lille, France
| | - Ben He
- U1177 - Drugs and Molecules for Living Systems, Univ. Lille, Inserm, Institut Pasteur de Lille, F-59000 Lille, France
| | - Tuhina Khan
- U1177 - Drugs and Molecules for Living Systems, Univ. Lille, Inserm, Institut Pasteur de Lille, F-59000 Lille, France
- European Genomic Institute for Diabetes, EGID, University of Lille, F-59000 Lille, France
| | - Rodolphe Vatinel
- U1177 - Drugs and Molecules for Living Systems, Univ. Lille, Inserm, Institut Pasteur de Lille, F-59000 Lille, France
| | | | | | - Laetitia Lesire
- U1177 - Drugs and Molecules for Living Systems, Univ. Lille, Inserm, Institut Pasteur de Lille, F-59000 Lille, France
- European Genomic Institute for Diabetes, EGID, University of Lille, F-59000 Lille, France
| | - Pierre Sierocki
- U1177 - Drugs and Molecules for Living Systems, Univ. Lille, Inserm, Institut Pasteur de Lille, F-59000 Lille, France
- European Genomic Institute for Diabetes, EGID, University of Lille, F-59000 Lille, France
| | - Benoit Deprez
- U1177 - Drugs and Molecules for Living Systems, Univ. Lille, Inserm, Institut Pasteur de Lille, F-59000 Lille, France
- European Genomic Institute for Diabetes, EGID, University of Lille, F-59000 Lille, France
| | - Rebecca Deprez-Poulain
- U1177 - Drugs and Molecules for Living Systems, Univ. Lille, Inserm, Institut Pasteur de Lille, F-59000 Lille, France
- European Genomic Institute for Diabetes, EGID, University of Lille, F-59000 Lille, France
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2
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Gising J, Honarnejad S, Bras M, Baillie GL, McElroy SP, Jones PS, Morrison A, Beveridge J, Hallberg M, Larhed M. The Discovery of New Inhibitors of Insulin-Regulated Aminopeptidase by a High-Throughput Screening of 400,000 Drug-like Compounds. Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:4084. [PMID: 38612894 PMCID: PMC11012289 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25074084] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2024] [Revised: 03/25/2024] [Accepted: 04/02/2024] [Indexed: 04/14/2024] Open
Abstract
With the ambition to identify novel chemical starting points that can be further optimized into small drug-like inhibitors of insulin-regulated aminopeptidase (IRAP) and serve as potential future cognitive enhancers in the clinic, we conducted an ultra-high-throughput screening campaign of a chemically diverse compound library of approximately 400,000 drug-like small molecules. Three biochemical and one biophysical assays were developed to enable large-scale screening and hit triaging. The screening funnel, designed to be compatible with high-density microplates, was established with two enzyme inhibition assays employing either fluorescent or absorbance readouts. As IRAP is a zinc-dependent enzyme, the remaining active compounds were further evaluated in the primary assay, albeit with the addition of zinc ions. Rescreening with zinc confirmed the inhibitory activity for most compounds, emphasizing a zinc-independent mechanism of action. Additionally, target engagement was confirmed using a complementary biophysical thermal shift assay where compounds causing positive/negative thermal shifts were considered genuine binders. Triaging based on biochemical activity, target engagement, and drug-likeness resulted in the selection of 50 qualified hits, of which the IC50 of 32 compounds was below 3.5 µM. Despite hydroxamic acid dominance, diverse chemotypes with biochemical activity and target engagement were discovered, including non-hydroxamic acid compounds. The most potent compound (QHL1) was resynthesized with a confirmed inhibitory IC50 of 320 nM. Amongst these compounds, 20 new compound structure classes were identified, providing many new starting points for the development of unique IRAP inhibitors. Detailed characterization and optimization of lead compounds, considering both hydroxamic acids and other diverse structures, are in progress for further exploration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Johan Gising
- The Beijer Laboratory, Science for Life Laboratory, Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Biomedical Centre, Uppsala University, P.O. Box 574, SE-751 23 Uppsala, Sweden; (J.B.); (M.L.)
| | - Saman Honarnejad
- Pivot Park Screening Centre, Kloosterstraat 9, 5349 AB Oss, The Netherlands; (S.H.); (M.B.)
| | - Maaike Bras
- Pivot Park Screening Centre, Kloosterstraat 9, 5349 AB Oss, The Netherlands; (S.H.); (M.B.)
| | - Gemma L. Baillie
- BioAscent Discovery Ltd., Bo‘Ness Road, Newhouse, Motherwell ML1 5UH, UK; (G.L.B.); (S.P.M.); (P.S.J.); (A.M.)
| | - Stuart P. McElroy
- BioAscent Discovery Ltd., Bo‘Ness Road, Newhouse, Motherwell ML1 5UH, UK; (G.L.B.); (S.P.M.); (P.S.J.); (A.M.)
| | - Philip S. Jones
- BioAscent Discovery Ltd., Bo‘Ness Road, Newhouse, Motherwell ML1 5UH, UK; (G.L.B.); (S.P.M.); (P.S.J.); (A.M.)
| | - Angus Morrison
- BioAscent Discovery Ltd., Bo‘Ness Road, Newhouse, Motherwell ML1 5UH, UK; (G.L.B.); (S.P.M.); (P.S.J.); (A.M.)
| | - Julia Beveridge
- The Beijer Laboratory, Science for Life Laboratory, Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Biomedical Centre, Uppsala University, P.O. Box 574, SE-751 23 Uppsala, Sweden; (J.B.); (M.L.)
| | - Mathias Hallberg
- The Beijer Laboratory, Department of Pharmaceutical Biosciences, Neuropharmacology and Addiction Research, Biomedical Centre, Uppsala University, P.O. Box 591, SE-751 24 Uppsala, Sweden;
| | - Mats Larhed
- The Beijer Laboratory, Science for Life Laboratory, Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Biomedical Centre, Uppsala University, P.O. Box 574, SE-751 23 Uppsala, Sweden; (J.B.); (M.L.)
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3
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Engen K, Lundbäck T, Yadav A, Puthiyaparambath S, Rosenström U, Gising J, Jenmalm-Jensen A, Hallberg M, Larhed M. Inhibition of Insulin-Regulated Aminopeptidase by Imidazo [1,5-α]pyridines-Synthesis and Evaluation. Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:2516. [PMID: 38473764 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25052516] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/23/2024] [Revised: 02/15/2024] [Accepted: 02/16/2024] [Indexed: 03/14/2024] Open
Abstract
Inhibition of insulin-regulated aminopeptidase (IRAP) has been shown to improve cognitive functions in several animal models. Recently, we performed a screening campaign of approximately 10,000 compounds, identifying novel small-molecule-based compounds acting as inhibitors of the enzymatic activity of IRAP. Here we report on the chemical synthesis, structure-activity relationships (SAR) and initial characterization of physicochemical properties of a series of 48 imidazo [1,5-α]pyridine-based inhibitors, including delineation of their mode of action as non-competitive inhibitors with a small L-leucine-based IRAP substrate. The best compound displays an IC50 value of 1.0 µM. We elucidate the importance of two chiral sites in these molecules and find they have little impact on the compound's metabolic stability or physicochemical properties. The carbonyl group of a central urea moiety was initially believed to mimic substrate binding to a catalytically important Zn2+ ion in the active site, although the plausibility of this binding hypothesis is challenged by observation of excellent selectivity versus the closely related aminopeptidase N (APN). Taken together with the non-competitive inhibition pattern, we also consider an alternative model of allosteric binding.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karin Engen
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Uppsala University, BMC, P.O. Box 574, SE-751 23 Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Thomas Lundbäck
- Chemical Biology Consortium Sweden (CBCS), Science for Life Laboratory, Department of Medical Biochemistry and Biophysics, Division of Chemical Biology and Genome Engineering, Karolinska Institutet, Tomtebodavägen 23A, SE-171 65 Solna, Sweden
- Mechanistic & Structural Biology, Discovery Sciences, R&D, AstraZeneca, SE-431 83 Mölndal, Sweden
| | - Anubha Yadav
- The Beijer Laboratory, Science for Life Laboratory, Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Uppsala University, BMC, P.O. Box 574, SE-751 23 Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Sharathna Puthiyaparambath
- The Beijer Laboratory, Science for Life Laboratory, Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Uppsala University, BMC, P.O. Box 574, SE-751 23 Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Ulrika Rosenström
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Uppsala University, BMC, P.O. Box 574, SE-751 23 Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Johan Gising
- The Beijer Laboratory, Science for Life Laboratory, Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Uppsala University, BMC, P.O. Box 574, SE-751 23 Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Annika Jenmalm-Jensen
- Chemical Biology Consortium Sweden (CBCS), Science for Life Laboratory, Department of Medical Biochemistry and Biophysics, Division of Chemical Biology and Genome Engineering, Karolinska Institutet, Tomtebodavägen 23A, SE-171 65 Solna, Sweden
| | - Mathias Hallberg
- The Beijer Laboratory, Department of Pharmaceutical Biosciences, Neuropharmacology and Addiction Research, Uppsala University, BMC, P.O. Box 591, SE-751 24 Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Mats Larhed
- The Beijer Laboratory, Science for Life Laboratory, Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Uppsala University, BMC, P.O. Box 574, SE-751 23 Uppsala, Sweden
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4
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Vourloumis D, Mavridis I, Athanasoulis A, Temponeras I, Koumantou D, Giastas P, Mpakali A, Magrioti V, Leib J, van Endert P, Stratikos E, Papakyriakou A. Discovery of Selective Nanomolar Inhibitors for Insulin-Regulated Aminopeptidase Based on α-Hydroxy-β-amino Acid Derivatives of Bestatin. J Med Chem 2022; 65:10098-10117. [PMID: 35833347 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.2c00904] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
The oxytocinase subfamily of M1 zinc aminopeptidases comprises emerging drug targets, including the ER-resident aminopeptidases 1 and 2 (ERAP1 and ERAP2) and insulin-regulated aminopeptidase (IRAP); however, reports on clinically relevant inhibitors are limited. Here we report a new synthetic approach of high diastereo- and regioselectivity for functionalization of the α-hydroxy-β-amino acid scaffold of bestatin. Stereochemistry and mechanism of inhibition were investigated by a high-resolution X-ray crystal structure of ERAP1 in complex with a micromolar inhibitor. By exploring the P1 side-chain functionalities, we achieve significant potency and selectivity, and we report a cell-active, low-nanomolar inhibitor of IRAP with >120-fold selectivity over homologous enzymes. X-ray crystallographic analysis of IRAP in complex with this inhibitor suggest that interactions with the GAMEN loop is an unappreciated key determinant for potency and selectivity. Overall, our results suggest that α-hydroxy-β-amino acid derivatives may constitute useful chemical tools and drug leads for this group of aminopeptidases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dionisios Vourloumis
- National Centre for Scientific Research "Demokritos", Ag. Paraskevi, GR-15341 Athens, Greece
| | - Ioannis Mavridis
- National Centre for Scientific Research "Demokritos", Ag. Paraskevi, GR-15341 Athens, Greece
| | - Alexandros Athanasoulis
- National Centre for Scientific Research "Demokritos", Ag. Paraskevi, GR-15341 Athens, Greece
| | - Ioannis Temponeras
- National Centre for Scientific Research "Demokritos", Ag. Paraskevi, GR-15341 Athens, Greece.,Department of Pharmacy, University of Patras, 26504 Patra, Greece
| | - Despoina Koumantou
- National Centre for Scientific Research "Demokritos", Ag. Paraskevi, GR-15341 Athens, Greece
| | - Petros Giastas
- Department of Biotechnology, Agricultural University of Athens, GR-11855 Athens, Greece
| | - Anastasia Mpakali
- National Centre for Scientific Research "Demokritos", Ag. Paraskevi, GR-15341 Athens, Greece.,Department of Chemistry, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, GR-15784 Athens, Greece
| | - Victoria Magrioti
- Department of Chemistry, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, GR-15784 Athens, Greece
| | - Jacqueline Leib
- Université Paris Cité, INSERM, CNRS, Institut Necker Enfants Malades, F-75015 Paris, France
| | - Peter van Endert
- Université Paris Cité, INSERM, CNRS, Institut Necker Enfants Malades, F-75015 Paris, France.,Service Immunologie Biologique, AP-HP, Hôpital Universitaire Necker-Enfants Malades, F-75015 Paris, France
| | - Efstratios Stratikos
- National Centre for Scientific Research "Demokritos", Ag. Paraskevi, GR-15341 Athens, Greece.,Department of Chemistry, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, GR-15784 Athens, Greece
| | - Athanasios Papakyriakou
- National Centre for Scientific Research "Demokritos", Ag. Paraskevi, GR-15341 Athens, Greece
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5
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Discovery of Selective Inhibitor Leads by Targeting an Allosteric Site in Insulin-Regulated Aminopeptidase. Pharmaceuticals (Basel) 2021; 14:ph14060584. [PMID: 34207179 PMCID: PMC8233869 DOI: 10.3390/ph14060584] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/03/2021] [Revised: 06/15/2021] [Accepted: 06/16/2021] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Insulin-Regulated aminopeptidase (IRAP) is a zinc-dependent aminopeptidase with several important biological functions and is an emerging pharmaceutical target for cognitive enhancement and immune system regulation. Aiming to discover lead-like IRAP inhibitors with enhanced selectivity versus homologous enzymes, we targeted an allosteric site at the C-terminal domain pocket of IRAP. We compiled a library of 2.5 million commercially available compounds from the ZINC database, and performed molecular docking at the target pocket of IRAP and the corresponding pocket of the homologous endoplasmic reticulum aminopeptidase 1 (ERAP1). Of the top compounds that showed high selectivity, 305 were further analyzed by molecular dynamics simulations and free energy calculations, leading to the selection of 33 compounds for in vitro evaluation. Two orthogonal functional assays were employed: one using a small fluorogenic substrate and one following the degradation of oxytocin, a natural peptidic substrate of IRAP. In vitro evaluation suggested that several of the compounds tested can inhibit IRAP, but the inhibition profile was dependent on substrate size, consistent with the allosteric nature of the targeted site. Overall, our results describe several novel leads as IRAP inhibitors and suggest that the C-terminal domain pocket of IRAP is a promising target for developing highly selective IRAP inhibitors.
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6
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Vella P, Rudraraju RS, Lundbäck T, Axelsson H, Almqvist H, Vallin M, Schneider G, Schnell R. A FabG inhibitor targeting an allosteric binding site inhibits several orthologs from Gram-negative ESKAPE pathogens. Bioorg Med Chem 2021; 30:115898. [PMID: 33388594 DOI: 10.1016/j.bmc.2020.115898] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/06/2020] [Accepted: 11/22/2020] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
The spread of antibiotic resistance within the ESKAPE group of human pathogenic bacteria poses severe challenges in the treatment of infections and maintenance of safe hospital environments. This motivates efforts to validate novel target proteins within these species that could be pursued as potential targets for antibiotic development. Genetic data suggest that the enzyme FabG, which is part of the bacterial fatty acid biosynthetic system FAS-II, is essential in several ESKAPE pathogens. FabG catalyzes the NADPH dependent reduction of 3-keto-acyl-ACP during fatty acid elongation, thus enabling lipid supply for production and maintenance of the cell envelope. Here we report on small-molecule screening on the FabG enzymes from A. baumannii and S. typhimurium to identify a set of µM inhibitors, with the most potent representative (1) demonstrating activity against six FabG-orthologues. A co-crystal structure with FabG from A. baumannii (PDB:6T65) confirms inhibitor binding at an allosteric site located in the subunit interface, as previously demonstrated for other sub-µM inhibitors of FabG from P. aeruginosa. We show that inhibitor binding distorts the oligomerization interface in the FabG tetramer and displaces crucial residues involved in the interaction with the co-substrate NADPH. These observations suggest a conserved allosteric site across the FabG family, which can be potentially targeted for interference with fatty acid biosynthesis in clinically relevant ESKAPE pathogens.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peter Vella
- Department of Medical Biochemistry and Biophysics, Karolinska Institutet, S-17 165 Stockholm, Sweden
| | | | - Thomas Lundbäck
- Chemical Biology Consortium Sweden, Science for Life Laboratory, Department of Medical Biochemistry and Biophysics, Karolinska Institutet, S-171 65 Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Hanna Axelsson
- Chemical Biology Consortium Sweden, Science for Life Laboratory, Department of Medical Biochemistry and Biophysics, Karolinska Institutet, S-171 65 Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Helena Almqvist
- Chemical Biology Consortium Sweden, Science for Life Laboratory, Department of Medical Biochemistry and Biophysics, Karolinska Institutet, S-171 65 Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Michaela Vallin
- Chemical Biology Consortium Sweden, Science for Life Laboratory, Department of Medical Biochemistry and Biophysics, Karolinska Institutet, S-171 65 Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Gunter Schneider
- Department of Medical Biochemistry and Biophysics, Karolinska Institutet, S-17 165 Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Robert Schnell
- Department of Medical Biochemistry and Biophysics, Karolinska Institutet, S-17 165 Stockholm, Sweden.
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7
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Hallberg M, Larhed M. From Angiotensin IV to Small Peptidemimetics Inhibiting Insulin-Regulated Aminopeptidase. Front Pharmacol 2020; 11:590855. [PMID: 33178027 PMCID: PMC7593869 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2020.590855] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/03/2020] [Accepted: 09/18/2020] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
It was reported three decades ago that intracerebroventricular injection of angiotensin IV (Ang IV, Val-Tyr-Ile-His-Pro-Phe) improved memory and learning in the rat. There are several explanations for these positive effects of the hexapeptide and related analogues on cognition available in the literature. In 2001, it was proposed that the insulin-regulated aminopeptidase (IRAP) is a main target for Ang IV and that Ang IV serves as an inhibitor of the enzyme. The focus of this review is the efforts to stepwise transform the hexapeptide into more drug-like Ang IV peptidemimetics serving as IRAP inhibitors. Moreover, the discovery of IRAP inhibitors by virtual and substance library screening and direct design applying knowledge of the structure of IRAP and of related enzymes is briefly presented.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mathias Hallberg
- The Beijer Laboratory, Division of Biological Research on Drug Dependence, Department of Pharmaceutical Biosciences, BMC, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Mats Larhed
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Science for Life Laboratory, BMC, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
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8
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Barlow N, Thompson PE. IRAP Inhibitors: M1-Aminopeptidase Family Inspiration. Front Pharmacol 2020; 11:585930. [PMID: 33101040 PMCID: PMC7546331 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2020.585930] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/22/2020] [Accepted: 09/04/2020] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
The insulin regulated aminopeptidase (IRAP) has been proposed as an important therapeutic target for indications including Alzheimer’s disease and immune disorders. To date, a number of IRAP inhibitor designs have been investigated but the total number of molecules investigated remains quite small. As a member the M1 aminopeptidase family, IRAP shares numerous structural features with the other M1 aminopeptidases. The study of those enzymes and the development of inhibitors provide key learnings and new approaches and are potential sources of inspiration for future IRAP inhibitors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicholas Barlow
- Medicinal Chemistry, Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Monash University, Parkville, VIC, Australia
| | - Philip E Thompson
- Medicinal Chemistry, Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Monash University, Parkville, VIC, Australia
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9
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Georgiadis D, Ziotopoulou A, Kaloumenou E, Lelis A, Papasava A. The Discovery of Insulin-Regulated Aminopeptidase (IRAP) Inhibitors: A Literature Review. Front Pharmacol 2020; 11:585838. [PMID: 33071797 PMCID: PMC7538644 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2020.585838] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/21/2020] [Accepted: 08/24/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Insulin-Regulated Aminopeptidase (IRAP, EC 3.4.11.3) is a multi-tasking member of the M1 family of zinc aminopeptidases. Among its diverse biological functions, IRAP is a regulator of oxytocin levels during late stages of pregnancy, it affects cellular glucose uptake by trafficking of the glucose transporter type 4 and it mediates antigen cross-presentation by dendritic cells. Accumulating evidence show that pharmacological inhibition of IRAP may hold promise as a valid approach for the treatment of several pathological states such as memory disorders, neurodegenerative diseases, etc. Aiming to the investigation of physiological roles of IRAP and therapeutic potential of its regulation, intense research efforts have been dedicated to the discovery of small-molecule inhibitors. Moreover, reliable structure-activity relationships have been largely facilitated by recent crystal structures of IRAP and detailed computational studies. This review aims to summarize efforts of medicinal chemists toward the design and development of IRAP inhibitors, with special emphasis to factors affecting inhibitor selectivity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dimitris Georgiadis
- Laboratory of Organic Chemistry, Department of Chemistry, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - Angeliki Ziotopoulou
- Laboratory of Organic Chemistry, Department of Chemistry, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - Eleni Kaloumenou
- Laboratory of Organic Chemistry, Department of Chemistry, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - Angelos Lelis
- Laboratory of Organic Chemistry, Department of Chemistry, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - Antonia Papasava
- Laboratory of Organic Chemistry, Department of Chemistry, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece
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10
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Engen K, Vanga SR, Lundbäck T, Agalo F, Konda V, Jensen AJ, Åqvist J, Gutiérrez‐de‐Terán H, Hallberg M, Larhed M, Rosenström U. Synthesis, Evaluation and Proposed Binding Pose of Substituted Spiro-Oxindole Dihydroquinazolinones as IRAP Inhibitors. ChemistryOpen 2020; 9:325-337. [PMID: 32154052 PMCID: PMC7050655 DOI: 10.1002/open.201900344] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/22/2019] [Revised: 01/23/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Insulin-regulated aminopeptidase (IRAP) is a new potential macromolecular target for drugs aimed for treatment of cognitive disorders. Inhibition of IRAP by angiotensin IV (Ang IV) improves the memory and learning in rats. The majority of the known IRAP inhibitors are peptidic in character and suffer from poor pharmacokinetic properties. Herein, we present a series of small non-peptide IRAP inhibitors derived from a spiro-oxindole dihydroquinazolinone screening hit (pIC50 5.8). The compounds were synthesized either by a simple microwave (MW)-promoted three-component reaction, or by a two-step one-pot procedure. For decoration of the oxindole ring system, rapid MW-assisted Suzuki-Miyaura cross-couplings (1 min) were performed. A small improvement of potency (pIC50 6.6 for the most potent compound) and an increased solubility could be achieved. As deduced from computational modelling and MD simulations it is proposed that the S-configuration of the spiro-oxindole dihydroquinazolinones accounts for the inhibition of IRAP.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karin Engen
- Department of Medicinal ChemistryUppsala UniversitySE-751 23UppsalaSWEDEN
| | | | - Thomas Lundbäck
- Chemical Biology Consortium Sweden, Science for Life Laboratory, Department of Medical Biochemistry and BiophysicsKarolinska InstitutetSE-171 65SolnaSWEDEN
- Mechanistic Biology & Profiling, Discovery Sciences, R&DAstraZenecaSE-431 83GöteborgSWEDEN
| | - Faith Agalo
- Department of Medicinal ChemistryUppsala UniversitySE-751 23UppsalaSWEDEN
| | - Vivek Konda
- Department of Medicinal ChemistryUppsala UniversitySE-751 23UppsalaSWEDEN
| | - Annika Jenmalm Jensen
- Chemical Biology Consortium Sweden, Science for Life Laboratory, Department of Medical Biochemistry and BiophysicsKarolinska InstitutetSE-171 65SolnaSWEDEN
| | - Johan Åqvist
- Department of Cell and Molecular BiologyUppsala UniversitySE-751 23UppsalaSWEDEN
| | - Hugo Gutiérrez‐de‐Terán
- Science for Life Laboratory, Department of Cell and Molecular BiologyUppsala UniversitySE-751 23UppsalaSWEDEN
| | - Mathias Hallberg
- The Beijer Laboratory, Department of Pharmaceutical BiosciencesUppsala UniversitySE-751 23UppsalaSWEDEN
| | - Mats Larhed
- Science for Life Laboratory, Department of Medicinal ChemistryUppsala UniversitySE-751 23UppsalaSWEDEN
| | - Ulrika Rosenström
- Department of Medicinal ChemistryUppsala UniversitySE-751 23UppsalaSWEDEN
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11
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Hanson AL, Morton CJ, Parker MW, Bessette D, Kenna TJ. The genetics, structure and function of the M1 aminopeptidase oxytocinase subfamily and their therapeutic potential in immune-mediated disease. Hum Immunol 2019; 80:281-289. [DOI: 10.1016/j.humimm.2018.11.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2018] [Revised: 10/16/2018] [Accepted: 11/05/2018] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
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12
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Vanga SR, Sävmarker J, Ng L, Larhed M, Hallberg M, Åqvist J, Hallberg A, Chai SY, Gutiérrez-de-Terán H. Structural Basis of Inhibition of Human Insulin-Regulated Aminopeptidase (IRAP) by Aryl Sulfonamides. ACS OMEGA 2018; 3:4509-4521. [PMID: 30023895 PMCID: PMC6045421 DOI: 10.1021/acsomega.8b00595] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/2018] [Accepted: 04/16/2018] [Indexed: 05/07/2023]
Abstract
The insulin-regulated aminopeptidase (IRAP) is a membrane-bound zinc metallopeptidase with many important regulatory functions. It has been demonstrated that inhibition of IRAP by angiotensin IV (Ang IV) and other peptides, as well as more druglike inhibitors, improves cognition in several rodent models. We recently reported a series of aryl sulfonamides as small-molecule IRAP inhibitors and a promising scaffold for pharmacological intervention. We have now expanded with a number of derivatives, report their stability in liver microsomes, and characterize the activity of the whole series in a new assay performed on recombinant human IRAP. Several compounds, such as the new fluorinated derivative 29, present submicromolar affinity and high metabolic stability. Starting from the two binding modes previously proposed for the sulfonamide scaffold, we systematically performed molecular dynamics simulations and binding affinity estimation with the linear interaction energy method for the full compound series. The significant agreement with experimental affinities suggests one of the binding modes, which was further confirmed by the excellent correlation for binding affinity differences between the selected pair of compounds obtained by rigorous free energy perturbation calculations. The new experimental data and the computationally derived structure-activity relationship of the sulfonamide series provide valuable information for further lead optimization of novel IRAP inhibitors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sudarsana Reddy Vanga
- Department
of Cell and Molecular Biology, BMC, Box 596, Uppsala University, SE-751
24 Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Jonas Sävmarker
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry and Science for Life Laboratory, Department
of Medicinal Chemistry, Uppsala University,
BMC, SE-751 24 Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Leelee Ng
- Biomedicine
Discovery Institute, Department of Physiology, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria 3800, Australia
| | - Mats Larhed
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry and Science for Life Laboratory, Department
of Medicinal Chemistry, Uppsala University,
BMC, SE-751 24 Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Mathias Hallberg
- The
Beijer Laboratory, Department of Pharmaceutical Biosciences, Division
of Biological Research on Drug Dependence, Uppsala University, BMC, SE-751 23 Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Johan Åqvist
- Department
of Cell and Molecular Biology, BMC, Box 596, Uppsala University, SE-751
24 Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Anders Hallberg
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry and Science for Life Laboratory, Department
of Medicinal Chemistry, Uppsala University,
BMC, SE-751 24 Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Siew Yeen Chai
- Biomedicine
Discovery Institute, Department of Physiology, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria 3800, Australia
- E-mail: . Phone: +61 3 990 52515. Fax: +61 3 990 52547 (S.Y.C.)
| | - Hugo Gutiérrez-de-Terán
- Department
of Cell and Molecular Biology, BMC, Box 596, Uppsala University, SE-751
24 Uppsala, Sweden
- E-mail: . Phone: +46 18 471 5056. Fax: +46 18 53 69 71 (H.G.-d.-T.)
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13
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Reithmeier A, Lundbäck T, Haraldsson M, Frank M, Ek-Rylander B, Nyholm PG, Gustavsson AL, Andersson G. Identification of inhibitors of Tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase (TRAP/ACP5) activity by small-molecule screening. Chem Biol Drug Des 2018; 92:1255-1271. [PMID: 29500863 DOI: 10.1111/cbdd.13187] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/24/2017] [Revised: 01/29/2018] [Accepted: 02/21/2018] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
Tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase (TRAP/ACP5) occurs as two isoforms-TRAP 5a with low enzymatic activity due to a loop interacting with the active site and the more active TRAP isoform 5b generated upon proteolytic cleavage of this loop. TRAP has been implicated in several diseases, including cancer. Thus, this study set out to identify small-molecule inhibitors of TRAP activity. A microplate-based enzymatic assay for TRAP 5b was applied in a screen of 30,315 compounds, resulting in the identification of 90 primary hits. After removal of promiscuous compounds, unwanted groups, and false positives by orthogonal assays and three-concentration validation, the properties of 52 compounds were further investigated to better understand their mechanism of action. Full-concentration-response curves for these compounds were established under different enzyme concentrations and (pre)incubation times to remove compounds with inconsistent results and low potencies. Full-concentration-response curves were also performed for both isoforms, to examine isoform prevalence. Filtering led to six prioritized compounds, representing different clusters. One of these, CBK289001 or (6S)-6-[3-(2H-1,3-benzodioxol-5-yl)-1,2,4-oxadiazol-5-yl]-N-(propan-2-yl)-1H,4H,5H,6H,7H-imidazo[4,5-c]pyridine-5-carboxamide, demonstrated efficacy in a migration assay and IC50 values from 4 to 125 μm. Molecular docking studies and analog testing were performed around CBK289001 to provide openings for further improvement toward more potent blockers of TRAP activity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anja Reithmeier
- Department of Laboratory Medicine (LABMED), H5, Division of Pathology, F46, Karolinska University Hospital, Huddinge, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Thomas Lundbäck
- Chemical Biology Consortium Sweden (CBCS), Science for Life Laboratory, Department of Medical Biochemistry and Biophysics, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Martin Haraldsson
- Chemical Biology Consortium Sweden (CBCS), Science for Life Laboratory, Department of Medical Biochemistry and Biophysics, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | | | - Barbro Ek-Rylander
- Department of Laboratory Medicine (LABMED), H5, Division of Pathology, F46, Karolinska University Hospital, Huddinge, Stockholm, Sweden
| | | | - Anna-Lena Gustavsson
- Chemical Biology Consortium Sweden (CBCS), Science for Life Laboratory, Department of Medical Biochemistry and Biophysics, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Göran Andersson
- Department of Laboratory Medicine (LABMED), H5, Division of Pathology, F46, Karolinska University Hospital, Huddinge, Stockholm, Sweden
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14
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Institutional profile: the national Swedish academic drug discovery & development platform at SciLifeLab. Future Sci OA 2017; 3:FSO176. [PMID: 28670468 PMCID: PMC5481862 DOI: 10.4155/fsoa-2017-0013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/04/2017] [Accepted: 01/23/2017] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
The Science for Life Laboratory Drug Discovery and Development Platform (SciLifeLab DDD) was established in Stockholm and Uppsala, Sweden, in 2014. It is one of ten platforms of the Swedish national SciLifeLab which support projects run by Swedish academic researchers with large-scale technologies for molecular biosciences with a focus on health and environment. SciLifeLab was created by the coordinated effort of four universities in Stockholm and Uppsala: Stockholm University, Karolinska Institutet, KTH Royal Institute of Technology and Uppsala University, and has recently expanded to other Swedish university locations. The primary goal of the SciLifeLab DDD is to support selected academic discovery and development research projects with tools and resources to discover novel lead therapeutics, either molecules or human antibodies. Intellectual property developed with the help of SciLifeLab DDD is wholly owned by the academic research group. The bulk of SciLifeLab DDD's research and service activities are funded from the Swedish state, with only consumables paid by the academic research group through individual grants.
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15
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Diwakarla S, Nylander E, Grönbladh A, Vanga SR, Shamsudin Y, Gutiérrez-de-Terán H, Sävmarker J, Ng L, Pham V, Lundbäck T, Jenmalm-Jensen A, Svensson R, Artursson P, Zelleroth S, Engen K, Rosenström U, Larhed M, Åqvist J, Chai SY, Hallberg M. Aryl Sulfonamide Inhibitors of Insulin-Regulated Aminopeptidase Enhance Spine Density in Primary Hippocampal Neuron Cultures. ACS Chem Neurosci 2016; 7:1383-1392. [PMID: 27501164 DOI: 10.1021/acschemneuro.6b00146] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
The zinc metallopeptidase insulin regulated aminopeptidase (IRAP), which is highly expressed in the hippocampus and other brain regions associated with cognitive function, has been identified as a high-affinity binding site of the hexapeptide angiotensin IV (Ang IV). This hexapeptide is thought to facilitate learning and memory by binding to the catalytic site of IRAP to inhibit its enzymatic activity. In support of this hypothesis, low molecular weight, nonpeptide specific inhibitors of IRAP have been shown to enhance memory in rodent models. Recently, it was demonstrated that linear and macrocyclic Ang IV-derived peptides can alter the shape and increase the number of dendritic spines in hippocampal cultures, properties associated with enhanced cognitive performance. After screening a library of 10 500 drug-like substances for their ability to inhibit IRAP, we identified a series of low molecular weight aryl sulfonamides, which exhibit no structural similarity to Ang IV, as moderately potent IRAP inhibitors. A structural and biological characterization of three of these aryl sulfonamides was performed. Their binding modes to human IRAP were explored by docking calculations combined with molecular dynamics simulations and binding affinity estimations using the linear interaction energy method. Two alternative binding modes emerged from this analysis, both of which correctly rank the ligands according to their experimental binding affinities for this series of compounds. Finally, we show that two of these drug-like IRAP inhibitors can alter dendritic spine morphology and increase spine density in primary cultures of hippocampal neurons.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Leelee Ng
- Biomedicine Discovery Institute, Department of Physiology, Monash University , Clayton, Victoria 3800, Australia
| | - Vi Pham
- Biomedicine Discovery Institute, Department of Physiology, Monash University , Clayton, Victoria 3800, Australia
| | - Thomas Lundbäck
- Chemical Biology Consortium Sweden, Science for Life Laboratory, Division of Translational Medicine and Chemical Biology, Department of Medicinal Biochemistry and Biophysics, Karolinska Institute , 171 77 Solna, Sweden
| | - Annika Jenmalm-Jensen
- Chemical Biology Consortium Sweden, Science for Life Laboratory, Division of Translational Medicine and Chemical Biology, Department of Medicinal Biochemistry and Biophysics, Karolinska Institute , 171 77 Solna, Sweden
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Siew Yeen Chai
- Biomedicine Discovery Institute, Department of Physiology, Monash University , Clayton, Victoria 3800, Australia
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