1
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Therapeutic candidates for the Zika virus identified by a high-throughput screen for Zika protease inhibitors. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2020; 117:31365-31375. [PMID: 33229545 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2005463117] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
When Zika virus emerged as a public health emergency there were no drugs or vaccines approved for its prevention or treatment. We used a high-throughput screen for Zika virus protease inhibitors to identify several inhibitors of Zika virus infection. We expressed the NS2B-NS3 Zika virus protease and conducted a biochemical screen for small-molecule inhibitors. A quantitative structure-activity relationship model was employed to virtually screen ∼138,000 compounds, which increased the identification of active compounds, while decreasing screening time and resources. Candidate inhibitors were validated in several viral infection assays. Small molecules with favorable clinical profiles, especially the five-lipoxygenase-activating protein inhibitor, MK-591, inhibited the Zika virus protease and infection in neural stem cells. Members of the tetracycline family of antibiotics were more potent inhibitors of Zika virus infection than the protease, suggesting they may have multiple mechanisms of action. The most potent tetracycline, methacycline, reduced the amount of Zika virus present in the brain and the severity of Zika virus-induced motor deficits in an immunocompetent mouse model. As Food and Drug Administration-approved drugs, the tetracyclines could be quickly translated to the clinic. The compounds identified through our screening paradigm have the potential to be used as prophylactics for patients traveling to endemic regions or for the treatment of the neurological complications of Zika virus infection.
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2
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Mekala S, Nelson G, Li YM. Recent developments of small molecule γ-secretase modulators for Alzheimer's disease. RSC Med Chem 2020; 11:1003-1022. [PMID: 33479693 PMCID: PMC7513388 DOI: 10.1039/d0md00196a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/10/2020] [Accepted: 07/29/2020] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Alzheimer's disease (AD) is the most common form of progressive neurodegenerative disorder, marked by memory loss and a decline in cognitive function. The major hallmarks of AD are the presence of intracellular neurofibrillary tau tangles (NFTs) composed of hyperphosphorylated tau proteins and extracellular plaques composed of amyloid beta peptides (Aβ). The amyloid (Aβ) cascade hypothesis proposes that the AD pathogenesis is initiated by the accumulation of Aβ peptides in the parenchyma of the brain. An aspartyl intramembranal protease called γ-secretase is responsible for the production of Aβ by the cleavage of the amyloid precursor protein (APP). Clinical studies of γ-secretase inhibitors (GSIs) for AD failed due to the lack of substrate specificity. Therefore, γ-secretase modulators (GSMs) have been developed as potential disease modifying agents to modulate the γ-secretase cleavage activity towards the production of toxic Aβ42 peptides. Following the first-generation 'nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug' (NSAID) based GSMs, second-generation GSMs (carboxylic acid based NSAID derivatives and non-NSAID derived heterocyclic analogues), as well as natural product-based GSMs, have been developed. In this review, we focus on the recent developments of small molecule-based GSMs that show potential improvements in terms of drug-like properties as well as their current status in human clinical trials and the future perspectives of GSM research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shekar Mekala
- Chemical Biology Program , Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center , 1275 York Avenue , New York , New York 10065 , USA . ;
| | - Grady Nelson
- Chemical Biology Program , Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center , 1275 York Avenue , New York , New York 10065 , USA . ;
| | - Yue-Ming Li
- Chemical Biology Program , Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center , 1275 York Avenue , New York , New York 10065 , USA . ;
- Pharmacology Graduate Program , Weill Graduate School of Medical Sciences of Cornell University , New York , New York 10021 , USA
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3
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Kumar D, Ganeshpurkar A, Kumar D, Modi G, Gupta SK, Singh SK. Secretase inhibitors for the treatment of Alzheimer's disease: Long road ahead. Eur J Med Chem 2018; 148:436-452. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2018.02.035] [Citation(s) in RCA: 84] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2017] [Revised: 01/30/2018] [Accepted: 02/10/2018] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
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4
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Johnson DS, Li YM, Pettersson M, St George-Hyslop PH. Structural and Chemical Biology of Presenilin Complexes. Cold Spring Harb Perspect Med 2017; 7:cshperspect.a024067. [PMID: 28320827 PMCID: PMC5710098 DOI: 10.1101/cshperspect.a024067] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/02/2023]
Abstract
The presenilin proteins are the catalytic subunits of a tetrameric complex containing presenilin 1 or 2, anterior pharynx defective 1 (APH1), nicastrin, and PEN-2. Other components such as TMP21 may exist in a subset of specialized complexes. The presenilin complex is the founding member of a unique class of aspartyl proteases that catalyze the γ, ɛ, ζ site cleavage of the transmembrane domains of Type I membrane proteins including amyloid precursor protein (APP) and Notch. Here, we detail the structural and chemical biology of this unusual enzyme. Taken together, these studies suggest that the complex exists in several conformations, and subtle long-range (allosteric) shifts in the conformation of the complex underpin substrate access to the catalytic site and the mechanism of action for allosteric inhibitors and modulators. Understanding the mechanics of these shifts will facilitate the design of γ-secretase modulator (GSM) compounds that modulate the relative efficiency of γ, ɛ, ζ site cleavage and/or substrate specificity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Douglas S. Johnson
- Pfizer Worldwide Research and Development, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139
| | - Yue-Ming Li
- Chemical Biology Program, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York 10065
| | - Martin Pettersson
- Pfizer Worldwide Research and Development, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139
| | - Peter H. St George-Hyslop
- Cambridge Institute for Medical Research, Wellcome Trust MRC Building, Addenbrookes Hospital, Cambridge CB2 0XY, United Kingdom,Tanz Centre for Research in Neurodegenerative Diseases and Departments of Medicine, Laboratory Medicine and Pathobiology, and Medical Biophysics, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario M5T 2S8, Canada
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5
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Pettersson M, Johnson DS, Rankic DA, Kauffman GW, Am Ende CW, Butler TW, Boscoe B, Evrard E, Helal CJ, Humphrey JM, Stepan AF, Stiff CM, Yang E, Xie L, Bales KR, Hajos-Korcsok E, Jenkinson S, Pettersen B, Pustilnik LR, Ramirez DS, Steyn SJ, Wood KM, Verhoest PR. Discovery of cyclopropyl chromane-derived pyridopyrazine-1,6-dione γ-secretase modulators with robust central efficacy. MEDCHEMCOMM 2017; 8:730-743. [PMID: 30108792 PMCID: PMC6071960 DOI: 10.1039/c6md00406g] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/18/2016] [Accepted: 10/05/2016] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
Herein we describe the discovery of a novel series of cyclopropyl chromane-derived pyridopyrazine-1,6-dione γ-secretase modulators for the treatment of Alzheimer's disease (AD). Using ligand-based design tactics such as conformational analysis and molecular modeling, a cyclopropyl chromane unit was identified as a suitable heterocyclic replacement for a naphthyl moiety that was present in the preliminary lead 4. The optimized lead molecule 44 achieved good central exposure resulting in robust and sustained reduction of brain amyloid-β42 (Aβ42) when dosed orally at 10 mg kg-1 in a rat time-course study. Application of the unpaced isolated heart Langendorff model enabled efficient differentiation of compounds with respect to cardiovascular safety, highlighting how minor structural changes can greatly impact the safety profile within a series of compounds.
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Affiliation(s)
- Martin Pettersson
- Neuroscience and Pain Medicinal Chemistry , Cambridge , Massachusetts 02139 , USA . ; Tel: +(617) 395 0705
| | - Douglas S Johnson
- Neuroscience and Pain Medicinal Chemistry , Cambridge , Massachusetts 02139 , USA . ; Tel: +(617) 395 0705
| | - Danica A Rankic
- Neuroscience and Pain Medicinal Chemistry , Groton , Connecticut 06340 , USA . ; Tel: +(860) 441 4354
| | - Gregory W Kauffman
- Neuroscience and Pain Medicinal Chemistry , Cambridge , Massachusetts 02139 , USA . ; Tel: +(617) 395 0705
| | - Christopher W Am Ende
- Neuroscience and Pain Medicinal Chemistry , Groton , Connecticut 06340 , USA . ; Tel: +(860) 441 4354
| | - Todd W Butler
- Neuroscience and Pain Medicinal Chemistry , Groton , Connecticut 06340 , USA . ; Tel: +(860) 441 4354
| | - Brian Boscoe
- Neuroscience and Pain Medicinal Chemistry , Groton , Connecticut 06340 , USA . ; Tel: +(860) 441 4354
| | - Edelweiss Evrard
- Neuroscience and Pain Medicinal Chemistry , Cambridge , Massachusetts 02139 , USA . ; Tel: +(617) 395 0705
| | - Christopher J Helal
- Neuroscience and Pain Medicinal Chemistry , Groton , Connecticut 06340 , USA . ; Tel: +(860) 441 4354
| | - John M Humphrey
- Neuroscience and Pain Medicinal Chemistry , Groton , Connecticut 06340 , USA . ; Tel: +(860) 441 4354
| | - Antonia F Stepan
- Neuroscience and Pain Medicinal Chemistry , Cambridge , Massachusetts 02139 , USA . ; Tel: +(617) 395 0705
| | - Cory M Stiff
- Neuroscience and Pain Medicinal Chemistry , Groton , Connecticut 06340 , USA . ; Tel: +(860) 441 4354
| | - Eddie Yang
- Neuroscience and Pain Medicinal Chemistry , Groton , Connecticut 06340 , USA . ; Tel: +(860) 441 4354
| | - Longfei Xie
- Neuroscience and Pain Medicinal Chemistry , Groton , Connecticut 06340 , USA . ; Tel: +(860) 441 4354
| | - Kelly R Bales
- Neuroscience and Pain Research Unit , Cambridge , Massachusetts 02139 , USA
| | - Eva Hajos-Korcsok
- Neuroscience and Pain Research Unit , Cambridge , Massachusetts 02139 , USA
| | - Stephen Jenkinson
- Global Safety Pharmacology , Pfizer Worldwide Research and Development , La Jolla , California 92121 , USA
| | - Betty Pettersen
- Drug Safety R&D , Pfizer Worldwide Research and Development , Groton , Connecticut 06340 , USA
| | | | - David S Ramirez
- Global Safety Pharmacology , Pfizer Worldwide Research and Development , La Jolla , California 92121 , USA
| | - Stefanus J Steyn
- Pharmacokinetics, Dynamics and Metabolism , Pfizer Worldwide Research and Development , Cambridge , Massachusetts 02139 , USA
| | - Kathleen M Wood
- Neuroscience and Pain Research Unit , Cambridge , Massachusetts 02139 , USA
| | - Patrick R Verhoest
- Neuroscience and Pain Medicinal Chemistry , Cambridge , Massachusetts 02139 , USA . ; Tel: +(617) 395 0705
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6
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Bursavich MG, Harrison BA, Acharya R, Costa DE, Freeman EA, Hodgdon HE, Hrdlicka LA, Jin H, Kapadnis S, Moffit JS, Murphy DA, Nolan S, Patzke H, Tang C, Wen M, Koenig G, Blain JF, Burnett DA. Design, Synthesis, and Evaluation of a Novel Series of Oxadiazine Gamma Secretase Modulators for Familial Alzheimer’s Disease. J Med Chem 2017; 60:2383-2400. [DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.6b01620] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Matthew G. Bursavich
- FORUM Pharmaceuticals, 225 Second Avenue, Waltham, Massachusetts 02451, United States
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Kounnas MZ, Lane-Donovan C, Nowakowski DW, Herz J, Comer WT. NGP 555, a γ-Secretase Modulator, Lowers the Amyloid Biomarker, Aβ 42, in Cerebrospinal Fluid while Preventing Alzheimer's Disease Cognitive Decline in Rodents. ALZHEIMERS & DEMENTIA-TRANSLATIONAL RESEARCH & CLINICAL INTERVENTIONS 2016; 3:65-73. [PMID: 28497107 PMCID: PMC5421551 DOI: 10.1016/j.trci.2016.09.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
Introduction Alzheimer's disease (AD) is defined by the progressive accumulation of amyloid plaques and neurofibrillary tangles in the brain which precedes cognitive decline by years. Methods Using amyloid biomarkers, chemical modeling, mouse behavioral models, and drug development techniques, we investigate the properties of NGP 555, a clinical-stage γ-secretase modulator. Results NGP 555 shifts amyloid peptide production to the smaller, nonaggregating forms of amyloid. Our preclinical studies show beneficial effects on amyloid biomarkers, pathology, and cognition. NGP 555 has successfully completed chemistry, pharmacology, toxicity, metabolism, and safety studies. Discussion Abundant data support Aβ42 as a target for prophylactic or early-stage intervention therapies in AD. The γ-secretase modulator, NGP 555 is being actively developed in human clinical trials for the prevention of Alzheimer's disease with the overall aim to achieve an appropriate balance of potency/efficacy on reducing the toxic forms of amyloid versus safety.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Z. Kounnas
- NeuroGenetic Pharmaceuticals, Inc., Del Mar, CA, USA
- Corresponding author.
| | - Courtney Lane-Donovan
- Department of Molecular Genetics, Center for Translational Neurodegeneration Research, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA
| | | | - Joachim Herz
- Department of Molecular Genetics, Center for Translational Neurodegeneration Research, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA
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8
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Discovery of Potent Gamma Secretase Modulators for the Treatment of Alzheimer’s Disease. Transl Neurosci 2016. [DOI: 10.1007/978-1-4899-7654-3_19] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
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9
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Pettersson M, Johnson DS, Humphrey JM, Butler TW, am Ende CW, Fish BA, Green ME, Kauffman GW, Mullins PB, O’Donnell CJ, Stepan AF, Stiff CM, Subramanyam C, Tran TP, Vetelino BC, Yang E, Xie L, Bales KR, Pustilnik LR, Steyn SJ, Wood KM, Verhoest PR. Design of Pyridopyrazine-1,6-dione γ-Secretase Modulators that Align Potency, MDR Efflux Ratio, and Metabolic Stability. ACS Med Chem Lett 2015; 6:596-601. [PMID: 26005540 DOI: 10.1021/acsmedchemlett.5b00070] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/11/2015] [Accepted: 03/27/2015] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Herein we describe the design and synthesis of a series of pyridopyrazine-1,6-dione γ-secretase modulators (GSMs) for Alzheimer's disease (AD) that achieve good alignment of potency, metabolic stability, and low MDR efflux ratios, while also maintaining favorable physicochemical properties. Specifically, incorporation of fluorine enabled design of metabolically less liable lipophilic alkyl substituents to increase potency without compromising the sp(3)-character. The lead compound 21 (PF-06442609) displayed a favorable rodent pharmacokinetic profile, and robust reductions of brain Aβ42 and Aβ40 were observed in a guinea pig time-course experiment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Martin Pettersson
- Pfizer Worldwide Research & Development, 610 Main Street, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139, United States
| | - Douglas S. Johnson
- Pfizer Worldwide Research & Development, 610 Main Street, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139, United States
| | - John M. Humphrey
- Pfizer Worldwide Research & Development, Eastern Point Road, Groton, Connecticut 06340, United States
| | - Todd W. Butler
- Pfizer Worldwide Research & Development, Eastern Point Road, Groton, Connecticut 06340, United States
| | - Christopher W. am Ende
- Pfizer Worldwide Research & Development, Eastern Point Road, Groton, Connecticut 06340, United States
| | - Benjamin A. Fish
- Pfizer Worldwide Research & Development, Eastern Point Road, Groton, Connecticut 06340, United States
| | - Michael E. Green
- Pfizer Worldwide Research & Development, 610 Main Street, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139, United States
| | - Gregory W. Kauffman
- Pfizer Worldwide Research & Development, Eastern Point Road, Groton, Connecticut 06340, United States
| | - Patrick B. Mullins
- Pfizer Worldwide Research & Development, Eastern Point Road, Groton, Connecticut 06340, United States
| | - Christopher J. O’Donnell
- Pfizer Worldwide Research & Development, Eastern Point Road, Groton, Connecticut 06340, United States
| | - Antonia F. Stepan
- Pfizer Worldwide Research & Development, 610 Main Street, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139, United States
| | - Cory M. Stiff
- Pfizer Worldwide Research & Development, Eastern Point Road, Groton, Connecticut 06340, United States
| | - Chakrapani Subramanyam
- Pfizer Worldwide Research & Development, Eastern Point Road, Groton, Connecticut 06340, United States
| | - Tuan P. Tran
- Pfizer Worldwide Research & Development, Eastern Point Road, Groton, Connecticut 06340, United States
| | - Beth Cooper Vetelino
- Pfizer Worldwide Research & Development, Eastern Point Road, Groton, Connecticut 06340, United States
| | - Eddie Yang
- Pfizer Worldwide Research & Development, Eastern Point Road, Groton, Connecticut 06340, United States
| | - Longfei Xie
- Pfizer Worldwide Research & Development, Eastern Point Road, Groton, Connecticut 06340, United States
| | - Kelly R. Bales
- Pfizer Worldwide Research & Development, 610 Main Street, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139, United States
| | - Leslie R. Pustilnik
- Pfizer Worldwide Research & Development, Eastern Point Road, Groton, Connecticut 06340, United States
| | - Stefanus J. Steyn
- Pfizer Worldwide Research & Development, 610 Main Street, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139, United States
| | - Kathleen M. Wood
- Pfizer Worldwide Research & Development, 610 Main Street, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139, United States
| | - Patrick R. Verhoest
- Pfizer Worldwide Research & Development, 610 Main Street, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139, United States
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10
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Petersen N, Reimann F, van Es JH, van den Berg BM, Kroone C, Pais R, Jansen E, Clevers H, Gribble FM, de Koning EJP. Targeting development of incretin-producing cells increases insulin secretion. J Clin Invest 2014; 125:379-85. [PMID: 25500886 DOI: 10.1172/jci75838] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/24/2014] [Accepted: 11/06/2014] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Glucagon-like peptide-1-based (GLP-1-based) therapies improve glycemic control in patients with type 2 diabetes. While these agents augment insulin secretion, they do not mimic the physiological meal-related rise and fall of GLP-1 concentrations. Here, we tested the hypothesis that increasing the number of intestinal L cells, which produce GLP-1, is an alternative strategy to augment insulin responses and improve glucose tolerance. Blocking the NOTCH signaling pathway with the γ-secretase inhibitor dibenzazepine increased the number of L cells in intestinal organoid-based mouse and human culture systems and augmented glucose-stimulated GLP-1 secretion. In a high-fat diet-fed mouse model of impaired glucose tolerance and type 2 diabetes, dibenzazepine administration increased L cell numbers in the intestine, improved the early insulin response to glucose, and restored glucose tolerance. Dibenzazepine also increased K cell numbers, resulting in increased gastric inhibitory polypeptide (GIP) secretion. Using a GLP-1 receptor antagonist, we determined that the insulinotropic effect of dibenzazepine was mediated through an increase in GLP-1 signaling. Together, our data indicate that modulation of the development of incretin-producing cells in the intestine has potential as a therapeutic strategy to improve glycemic control.
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11
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Velter AI, Bischoff FP, Berthelot D, De Cleyn M, Oehlrich D, Jaroskova L, Macdonald G, Minne G, Pieters S, Rombouts F, Van Brandt S, Van Roosbroeck Y, Surkyn M, Trabanco AA, Tresadern G, Wu T, Borghys H, Mercken M, Masungi C, Gijsen H. Anilinotriazoles as potent gamma secretase modulators. Bioorg Med Chem Lett 2014; 24:5805-5813. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bmcl.2014.10.024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/29/2014] [Revised: 10/02/2014] [Accepted: 10/07/2014] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
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12
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Toyn JH, Thompson LA, Lentz KA, Meredith JE, Burton CR, Sankaranararyanan S, Guss V, Hall T, Iben LG, Krause CM, Krause R, Lin XA, Pierdomenico M, Polson C, Robertson AS, Denton RR, Grace JE, Morrison J, Raybon J, Zhuo X, Snow K, Padmanabha R, Agler M, Esposito K, Harden D, Prack M, Varma S, Wong V, Zhu Y, Zvyaga T, Gerritz S, Marcin LR, Higgins MA, Shi J, Wei C, Cantone JL, Drexler DM, Macor JE, Olson RE, Ahlijanian MK, Albright CF. Identification and Preclinical Pharmacology of the γ-Secretase Modulator BMS-869780. Int J Alzheimers Dis 2014; 2014:431858. [PMID: 25097793 PMCID: PMC4109680 DOI: 10.1155/2014/431858] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/28/2014] [Accepted: 05/18/2014] [Indexed: 01/13/2023] Open
Abstract
Alzheimer's disease is the most prevalent cause of dementia and is associated with accumulation of amyloid-β peptide (Aβ), particularly the 42-amino acid Aβ1-42, in the brain. Aβ1-42 levels can be decreased by γ-secretase modulators (GSM), which are small molecules that modulate γ-secretase, an enzyme essential for Aβ production. BMS-869780 is a potent GSM that decreased Aβ1-42 and Aβ1-40 and increased Aβ1-37 and Aβ1-38, without inhibiting overall levels of Aβ peptides or other APP processing intermediates. BMS-869780 also did not inhibit Notch processing by γ-secretase and lowered brain Aβ1-42 without evidence of Notch-related side effects in rats. Human pharmacokinetic (PK) parameters were predicted through allometric scaling of PK in rat, dog, and monkey and were combined with the rat pharmacodynamic (PD) parameters to predict the relationship between BMS-869780 dose, exposure and Aβ1-42 levels in human. Off-target and safety margins were then based on comparisons to the predicted exposure required for robust Aβ1-42 lowering. Because of insufficient safety predictions and the relatively high predicted human daily dose of 700 mg, further evaluation of BMS-869780 as a potential clinical candidate was discontinued. Nevertheless, BMS-869780 demonstrates the potential of the GSM approach for robust lowering of brain Aβ1-42 without Notch-related side effects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jeremy H. Toyn
- Exploratory Biology and Genomics, Bristol-Myers Squibb Research and Development, 5 Research Parkway, Wallingford, CT 06492, USA
| | - Lorin A. Thompson
- Discovery Chemistry, Bristol-Myers Squibb Research and Development, 5 Research Parkway, Wallingford, CT 06492, USA
| | - Kimberley A. Lentz
- Pharmaceutical Candidate Optimization, Bristol-Myers Squibb Research and Development, 5 Research Parkway, Wallingford, CT 06492, USA
| | - Jere E. Meredith
- Exploratory Biology and Genomics, Bristol-Myers Squibb Research and Development, 5 Research Parkway, Wallingford, CT 06492, USA
| | - Catherine R. Burton
- Exploratory Biology and Genomics, Bristol-Myers Squibb Research and Development, 5 Research Parkway, Wallingford, CT 06492, USA
| | - Sethu Sankaranararyanan
- Exploratory Biology and Genomics, Bristol-Myers Squibb Research and Development, 5 Research Parkway, Wallingford, CT 06492, USA
| | - Valerie Guss
- Exploratory Biology and Genomics, Bristol-Myers Squibb Research and Development, 5 Research Parkway, Wallingford, CT 06492, USA
| | - Tracey Hall
- Exploratory Biology and Genomics, Bristol-Myers Squibb Research and Development, 5 Research Parkway, Wallingford, CT 06492, USA
- Preclinical Sciences, Alexion Pharmaceuticals, Inc 352 Knotter Drive, Cheshire, CT 06410, USA
| | - Lawrence G. Iben
- Exploratory Biology and Genomics, Bristol-Myers Squibb Research and Development, 5 Research Parkway, Wallingford, CT 06492, USA
| | - Carol M. Krause
- Exploratory Biology and Genomics, Bristol-Myers Squibb Research and Development, 5 Research Parkway, Wallingford, CT 06492, USA
| | - Rudy Krause
- Exploratory Biology and Genomics, Bristol-Myers Squibb Research and Development, 5 Research Parkway, Wallingford, CT 06492, USA
| | - Xu-Alan Lin
- Exploratory Biology and Genomics, Bristol-Myers Squibb Research and Development, 5 Research Parkway, Wallingford, CT 06492, USA
| | - Maria Pierdomenico
- Exploratory Biology and Genomics, Bristol-Myers Squibb Research and Development, 5 Research Parkway, Wallingford, CT 06492, USA
| | - Craig Polson
- Exploratory Biology and Genomics, Bristol-Myers Squibb Research and Development, 5 Research Parkway, Wallingford, CT 06492, USA
| | - Alan S. Robertson
- Exploratory Biology and Genomics, Bristol-Myers Squibb Research and Development, 5 Research Parkway, Wallingford, CT 06492, USA
| | - R. Rex Denton
- Pharmaceutical Candidate Optimization, Bristol-Myers Squibb Research and Development, 5 Research Parkway, Wallingford, CT 06492, USA
| | - James E. Grace
- Pharmaceutical Candidate Optimization, Bristol-Myers Squibb Research and Development, 5 Research Parkway, Wallingford, CT 06492, USA
| | - John Morrison
- Pharmaceutical Candidate Optimization, Bristol-Myers Squibb Research and Development, 5 Research Parkway, Wallingford, CT 06492, USA
| | - Joseph Raybon
- Pharmaceutical Candidate Optimization, Bristol-Myers Squibb Research and Development, 5 Research Parkway, Wallingford, CT 06492, USA
| | - Xiaoliang Zhuo
- Pharmaceutical Candidate Optimization, Bristol-Myers Squibb Research and Development, 5 Research Parkway, Wallingford, CT 06492, USA
| | - Kimberly Snow
- Pharmaceutical Candidate Optimization, Bristol-Myers Squibb Research and Development, 5 Research Parkway, Wallingford, CT 06492, USA
| | - Ramesh Padmanabha
- Lead Discovery and Lead Profiling, Bristol-Myers Squibb Research and Development, 5 Research Parkway, Wallingford, CT 06492, USA
| | - Michele Agler
- Lead Discovery and Lead Profiling, Bristol-Myers Squibb Research and Development, 5 Research Parkway, Wallingford, CT 06492, USA
- High Throughput Biology, Boehringer Ingelheim, 900 Ridgebury Road, Ridgefield, CT 06877, USA
| | - Kim Esposito
- Lead Discovery and Lead Profiling, Bristol-Myers Squibb Research and Development, 5 Research Parkway, Wallingford, CT 06492, USA
| | - David Harden
- Lead Discovery and Lead Profiling, Bristol-Myers Squibb Research and Development, 5 Research Parkway, Wallingford, CT 06492, USA
| | - Margaret Prack
- Lead Discovery and Lead Profiling, Bristol-Myers Squibb Research and Development, 5 Research Parkway, Wallingford, CT 06492, USA
| | - Sam Varma
- Lead Discovery and Lead Profiling, Bristol-Myers Squibb Research and Development, 5 Research Parkway, Wallingford, CT 06492, USA
- Stratford High School, 45 North Parade, Stratford, CT 06615, USA
| | - Victoria Wong
- Lead Discovery and Lead Profiling, Bristol-Myers Squibb Research and Development, 5 Research Parkway, Wallingford, CT 06492, USA
- External Research Solutions, WWMC, Pfizer World Wide Research & Development, Eastern Point Road, Groton, CT 06340, USA
| | - Yingjie Zhu
- Lead Discovery and Lead Profiling, Bristol-Myers Squibb Research and Development, 5 Research Parkway, Wallingford, CT 06492, USA
- Arvinas Inc, 5 Science Park, New Haven, CT 06511, USA
| | - Tatyana Zvyaga
- Lead Discovery and Lead Profiling, Bristol-Myers Squibb Research and Development, 5 Research Parkway, Wallingford, CT 06492, USA
| | - Samuel Gerritz
- Discovery Chemistry, Bristol-Myers Squibb Research and Development, 5 Research Parkway, Wallingford, CT 06492, USA
| | - Lawrence R. Marcin
- Discovery Chemistry, Bristol-Myers Squibb Research and Development, 5 Research Parkway, Wallingford, CT 06492, USA
| | - Mendi A. Higgins
- Discovery Chemistry, Bristol-Myers Squibb Research and Development, 5 Research Parkway, Wallingford, CT 06492, USA
| | - Jianliang Shi
- Discovery Chemistry, Bristol-Myers Squibb Research and Development, 5 Research Parkway, Wallingford, CT 06492, USA
| | - Cong Wei
- Discovery Analytical Sciences, Bristol-Myers Squibb Research and Development, 5 Research Parkway, Wallingford, CT 06492, USA
- Department of Pharmacokinetics, Dynamics and Metabolism, Pfizer World Wide Research & Development, Eastern Point Road, Groton, CT 06340, USA
| | - Joseph L. Cantone
- Discovery Analytical Sciences, Bristol-Myers Squibb Research and Development, 5 Research Parkway, Wallingford, CT 06492, USA
| | - Dieter M. Drexler
- Discovery Analytical Sciences, Bristol-Myers Squibb Research and Development, 5 Research Parkway, Wallingford, CT 06492, USA
| | - John E. Macor
- Discovery Chemistry, Bristol-Myers Squibb Research and Development, 5 Research Parkway, Wallingford, CT 06492, USA
| | - Richard E. Olson
- Discovery Chemistry, Bristol-Myers Squibb Research and Development, 5 Research Parkway, Wallingford, CT 06492, USA
| | - Michael K. Ahlijanian
- Exploratory Biology and Genomics, Bristol-Myers Squibb Research and Development, 5 Research Parkway, Wallingford, CT 06492, USA
| | - Charles F. Albright
- Exploratory Biology and Genomics, Bristol-Myers Squibb Research and Development, 5 Research Parkway, Wallingford, CT 06492, USA
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13
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Jung JI, Ran Y, Cruz PE, Rosario AM, Ladd TB, Kukar TL, Koo EH, Felsenstein KM, Golde TE. Complex relationships between substrate sequence and sensitivity to alterations in γ-secretase processivity induced by γ-secretase modulators. Biochemistry 2014; 53:1947-57. [PMID: 24620716 PMCID: PMC3985764 DOI: 10.1021/bi401521t] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
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γ-Secretase
catalyzes the final cleavage of the amyloid precursor
protein (APP), resulting in the production of amyloid-β (Aβ)
peptides with different carboxyl termini. Presenilin (PSEN) and amyloid precursor protein (APP) mutations
linked to early onset familial Alzheimer’s disease modify the
profile of Aβ isoforms generated, by altering both the initial
γ-secretase cleavage site and subsequent processivity in a manner
that leads to increased levels of the more amyloidogenic Aβ42
and in some circumstances Aβ43. Compounds termed γ-secretase
modulators (GSMs) and inverse GSMs (iGSMs) can decrease and increase
levels of Aβ42, respectively. As GSMs lower the level of production
of pathogenic forms of long Aβ isoforms, they are of great interest
as potential Alzheimer’s disease therapeutics. The factors
that regulate GSM modulation are not fully understood; however, there
is a growing body of evidence that supports the hypothesis that GSM
activity is influenced by the amino acid sequence of the γ-secretase
substrate. We have evaluated whether mutations near the luminal border
of the transmembrane domain (TMD) of APP alter the ability of both
acidic, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug-derived carboxylate and
nonacidic,
phenylimidazole-derived classes of GSMs and iGSMs to modulate γ-secretase
cleavage. Our data show that point mutations can dramatically reduce
the sensitivity to modulation of cleavage by GSMs but have weaker
effects on iGSM activity. These studies support the concept that the
effect of GSMs may be substrate selective; for APP, it is dependent
on the amino acid sequence of the substrate near the junction of the
extracellular domain and luminal segment of the TMD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joo In Jung
- Center for Translational Research in Neurodegenerative Disease, Department of Neuroscience, and McKnight Brain Institute, College of Medicine, University of Florida , Gainesville, Florida 32603, United States
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14
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Golde TE, Koo EH, Felsenstein KM, Osborne BA, Miele L. γ-Secretase inhibitors and modulators. BIOCHIMICA ET BIOPHYSICA ACTA 2013; 1828:2898-907. [PMID: 23791707 PMCID: PMC3857966 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbamem.2013.06.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 215] [Impact Index Per Article: 19.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/24/2013] [Accepted: 06/04/2013] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
γ-Secretase is a fascinating, multi-subunit, intramembrane cleaving protease that is now being considered as a therapeutic target for a number of diseases. Potent, orally bioavailable γ-secretase inhibitors (GSIs) have been developed and tested in humans with Alzheimer's disease (AD) and cancer. Preclinical studies also suggest the therapeutic potential for GSIs in other disease conditions. However, due to inherent mechanism based-toxicity of non-selective inhibition of γ-secretase, clinical development of GSIs will require empirical testing with careful evaluation of benefit versus risk. In addition to GSIs, compounds referred to as γ-secretase modulators (GSMs) remain in development as AD therapeutics. GSMs do not inhibit γ-secretase, but modulate γ-secretase processivity and thereby shift the profile of the secreted amyloid β peptides (Aβ) peptides produced. Although GSMs are thought to have an inherently safe mechanism of action, their effects on substrates other than the amyloid β protein precursor (APP) have not been extensively investigated. Herein, we will review the current state of development of GSIs and GSMs and explore pertinent biological and pharmacological questions pertaining to the use of these agents for select indications. This article is part of a Special Issue entitled: Intramembrane Proteases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Todd E Golde
- Center for Translational Research in Neurodegenerative Disease, Department of Neuroscience, McKnight Brain Institute, College of Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32610, USA.
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15
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Jung JI, Ladd TB, Kukar T, Price AR, Moore BD, Koo EH, Golde TE, Felsenstein KM. Steroids as γ-secretase modulators. FASEB J 2013; 27:3775-85. [PMID: 23716494 PMCID: PMC3752532 DOI: 10.1096/fj.12-225649] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/12/2013] [Accepted: 05/14/2013] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Abstract
Aggregation and accumulation of Aβ42 play an initiating role in Alzheimer's disease (AD); thus, selective lowering of Aβ42 by γ-secretase modulators (GSMs) remains a promising approach to AD therapy. Based on evidence suggesting that steroids may influence Aβ production, we screened 170 steroids at 10 μM for effects on Aβ42 secreted from human APP-overexpressing Chinese hamster ovary cells. Many acidic steroids lowered Aβ42, whereas many nonacidic steroids actually raised Aβ42. Studies on the more potent compounds showed that Aβ42-lowering steroids were bonafide GSMs and Aβ42-raising steroids were inverse GSMs. The most potent steroid GSM identified was 5β-cholanic acid (EC50=5.7 μM; its endogenous analog lithocholic acid was virtually equipotent), and the most potent inverse GSM identified was 4-androsten-3-one-17β-carboxylic acid ethyl ester (EC50=6.25 μM). In addition, we found that both estrogen and progesterone are weak inverse GSMs with further complex effects on APP processing. These data suggest that certain endogenous steroids may have the potential to act as GSMs and add to the evidence that cholesterol, cholesterol metabolites, and other steroids may play a role in modulating Aβ production and thus risk for AD. They also indicate that acidic steroids might serve as potential therapeutic leads for drug optimization/development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joo In Jung
- Center for Translational Research in Neurodegenerative Disease and
- Department of Neuroscience, College of Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida, USA
| | - Thomas B. Ladd
- Center for Translational Research in Neurodegenerative Disease and
- Department of Neuroscience, College of Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida, USA
| | - Thomas Kukar
- Department of Pharmacology and Neurology, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia, USA; and
| | - Ashleigh R. Price
- Center for Translational Research in Neurodegenerative Disease and
- Department of Neuroscience, College of Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida, USA
| | - Brenda D. Moore
- Center for Translational Research in Neurodegenerative Disease and
- Department of Neuroscience, College of Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida, USA
| | - Edward H. Koo
- Department of Neuroscience, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, California, USA
| | - Todd E. Golde
- Center for Translational Research in Neurodegenerative Disease and
- Department of Neuroscience, College of Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida, USA
| | - Kevin M. Felsenstein
- Center for Translational Research in Neurodegenerative Disease and
- Department of Neuroscience, College of Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida, USA
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16
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Crump CJ, Johnson DS, Li YM. Development and mechanism of γ-secretase modulators for Alzheimer's disease. Biochemistry 2013; 52:3197-216. [PMID: 23614767 DOI: 10.1021/bi400377p] [Citation(s) in RCA: 131] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
γ-Secretase is an aspartyl intramembranal protease composed of presenilin, Nicastrin, Aph1, and Pen2 with 19 transmembrane domains. γ-Secretase cleaves the amyloid precursor proteins (APP) to release Aβ peptides that likely play a causative role in the pathogenesis of Alzheimer's disease (AD). In addition, γ-secretase cleaves Notch and other type I membrane proteins. γ-Secretase inhibitors (GSIs) have been developed and used for clinical studies. However, clinical trials have shown adverse effects of GSIs that are potentially linked with nondiscriminatory inhibition of Notch signaling, overall APP processing, and other substrate cleavages. Therefore, these findings call for the development of disease-modifying agents that target γ-secretase activity to lower levels of Aβ42 production without blocking the overall processing of γ-secretase substrates. γ-Secretase modulators (GSMs) originally derived from nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) display such characteristics and are the focus of this review. However, first-generation GSMs have limited potential because of the low potency and undesired neuropharmacokinetic properties. This generation of GSMs has been suggested to interact with the APP substrate, γ-secretase, or both. To improve the potency and brain availability, second-generation GSMs, including NSAID-derived carboxylic acid and non-NSAID-derived heterocyclic chemotypes, as well as natural product-derived GSMs have been developed. Animal studies of this generation of GSMs have shown encouraging preclinical profiles. Moreover, using potent GSM photoaffinity probes, multiple studies unambiguously have showed that both carboxylic acid and heterocyclic GSMs specifically target presenilin, the catalytic subunit of γ-secretase. In addition, two types of GSMs have distinct binding sites within the γ-secretase complex and exhibit different Aβ profiles. GSMs induce a conformational change of γ-secretase to achieve modulation. Various models are proposed and discussed. Despite the progress of GSM research, many outstanding issues remain to be investigated to achieve the ultimate goal of developing GSMs as effective AD therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christina J Crump
- Molecular Pharmacology and Chemistry Program, Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center , 1275 York Avenue, New York, New York 10065, United States
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