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Zhao QK, Wu X, Yang F, Yan PC, Xie JH, Zhou QL. Catalytic Asymmetric Hydrogenation of 3-Ethoxycarbonyl Quinolin-2-ones and Coumarins. Org Lett 2021; 23:3593-3598. [PMID: 33872510 DOI: 10.1021/acs.orglett.1c00993] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/03/2023]
Abstract
A protocol of iridium catalyzed asymmetric hydrogenation of 4-alkyl substituted 3-ethoxycarbonyl quinolin-2-ones and coumarins has been reported, providing a wide range of chiral dihydroquinolin-2-ones and dihydrocoumarins in high yields with excellent enantioselectivities (up to 99% ee) and high turnover numbers (up to 28 000). This efficient protocol was successfully applied for the synthesis of MPR3160 and the key chiral intermediate of R-106578.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qian-Kun Zhao
- State Key Laboratory and Institute of Elemento-organic Chemistry, College of Chemistry, Nankai University, Tianjin 300071, China
| | - Xiong Wu
- State Key Laboratory and Institute of Elemento-organic Chemistry, College of Chemistry, Nankai University, Tianjin 300071, China
| | - Fan Yang
- State Key Laboratory and Institute of Elemento-organic Chemistry, College of Chemistry, Nankai University, Tianjin 300071, China
| | - Pu-Cha Yan
- Raybow (Hangzhou) Pharmaceutical Science & Technology CO., Ltd., Hangzhou 310018, China
| | - Jian-Hua Xie
- State Key Laboratory and Institute of Elemento-organic Chemistry, College of Chemistry, Nankai University, Tianjin 300071, China
| | - Qi-Lin Zhou
- State Key Laboratory and Institute of Elemento-organic Chemistry, College of Chemistry, Nankai University, Tianjin 300071, China
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2
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RNA-Targeting Splicing Modifiers: Drug Development and Screening Assays. Molecules 2021; 26:molecules26082263. [PMID: 33919699 PMCID: PMC8070285 DOI: 10.3390/molecules26082263] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/26/2021] [Revised: 04/05/2021] [Accepted: 04/09/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
RNA splicing is an essential step in producing mature messenger RNA (mRNA) and other RNA species. Harnessing RNA splicing modifiers as a new pharmacological modality is promising for the treatment of diseases caused by aberrant splicing. This drug modality can be used for infectious diseases by disrupting the splicing of essential pathogenic genes. Several antisense oligonucleotide splicing modifiers were approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for the treatment of spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) and Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD). Recently, a small-molecule splicing modifier, risdiplam, was also approved for the treatment of SMA, highlighting small molecules as important warheads in the arsenal for regulating RNA splicing. The cellular targets of these approved drugs are all mRNA precursors (pre-mRNAs) in human cells. The development of novel RNA-targeting splicing modifiers can not only expand the scope of drug targets to include many previously considered “undruggable” genes but also enrich the chemical-genetic toolbox for basic biomedical research. In this review, we summarized known splicing modifiers, screening methods for novel splicing modifiers, and the chemical space occupied by the small-molecule splicing modifiers.
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Rietz A, Hodgetts KJ, Lusic H, Quist KM, Osman EY, Lorson CL, Androphy EJ. Short-duration splice promoting compound enables a tunable mouse model of spinal muscular atrophy. Life Sci Alliance 2020; 4:4/1/e202000889. [PMID: 33234679 PMCID: PMC7723287 DOI: 10.26508/lsa.202000889] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/21/2020] [Revised: 11/06/2020] [Accepted: 11/09/2020] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
We describe drug treatment paradigms that allow investigation of cellular and molecular pathogenesis at different stages of spinal muscular atrophy in a mouse model. Spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) is a motor neuron disease and the leading genetic cause of infant mortality. SMA results from insufficient survival motor neuron (SMN) protein due to alternative splicing. Antisense oligonucleotides, gene therapy and splicing modifiers recently received FDA approval. Although severe SMA transgenic mouse models have been beneficial for testing therapeutic efficacy, models mimicking milder cases that manifest post-infancy have proven challenging to develop. We established a titratable model of mild and moderate SMA using the splicing compound NVS-SM2. Administration for 30 d prevented development of the SMA phenotype in severe SMA mice, which typically show rapid weakness and succumb by postnatal day 11. Furthermore, administration at day eight resulted in phenotypic recovery. Remarkably, acute dosing limited to the first 3 d of life significantly enhanced survival in two severe SMA mice models, easing the burden on neonates and demonstrating the compound as suitable for evaluation of follow-on therapies without potential drug–drug interactions. This pharmacologically tunable SMA model represents a useful tool to investigate cellular and molecular pathogenesis at different stages of disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anne Rietz
- Department of Dermatology, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, USA
| | - Kevin J Hodgetts
- Laboratory for Drug Discovery in Neurodegeneration, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Hrvoje Lusic
- Laboratory for Drug Discovery in Neurodegeneration, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Kevin M Quist
- Department of Dermatology, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, USA
| | - Erkan Y Osman
- Department of Veterinary Pathobiology, Bond Life Sciences Center, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, USA
| | - Christian L Lorson
- Department of Veterinary Pathobiology, Bond Life Sciences Center, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, USA
| | - Elliot J Androphy
- Department of Dermatology, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, USA
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4
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Angelbello AJ, Chen JL, Disney MD. Small molecule targeting of RNA structures in neurological disorders. Ann N Y Acad Sci 2020; 1471:57-71. [PMID: 30964958 PMCID: PMC6785366 DOI: 10.1111/nyas.14051] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/23/2018] [Revised: 02/15/2019] [Accepted: 02/19/2019] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Aberrant RNA structure and function operate in neurological disease progression and severity. As RNA contributes to disease pathology in a complex fashion, that is, via various mechanisms, it has become an attractive therapeutic target for small molecules and oligonucleotides. In this review, we discuss the identification of RNA structures that cause or contribute to neurological diseases as well as recent progress toward the development of small molecules that target them, including small molecule modulators of pre-mRNA splicing and RNA repeat expansions that cause microsatellite disorders such as Huntington's disease and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. The use of oligonucleotide-based modalities is also discussed. There are key differences between small molecule and oligonucleotide targeting of RNA. The former targets RNA structure, while the latter prefers unstructured regions. Thus, some targets will be preferentially targeted by oligonucleotides and others by small molecules.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Jonathan L Chen
- Department of Chemistry, The Scripps Research Institute, Jupiter, Florida
| | - Matthew D Disney
- Department of Chemistry, The Scripps Research Institute, Jupiter, Florida
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5
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Intraperitoneal delivery of a novel drug-like compound improves disease severity in severe and intermediate mouse models of Spinal Muscular Atrophy. Sci Rep 2019; 9:1633. [PMID: 30733501 PMCID: PMC6367425 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-018-38208-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/25/2018] [Accepted: 12/20/2018] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) is an autosomal recessive neurodegenerative disorder that causes progressive muscle weakness and is the leading genetic cause of infant mortality worldwide. SMA is caused by the loss of survival motor neuron 1 (SMN1). In humans, a nearly identical copy gene is present, called SMN2. Although SMN2 maintains the same coding sequence, this gene cannot compensate for the loss of SMN1 because of a single silent nucleotide difference in SMN2 exon 7. SMN2 primarily produces an alternatively spliced isoform lacking exon 7, which is critical for protein function. SMN2 is an important disease modifier that makes for an excellent target for therapeutic intervention because all SMA patients retain SMN2. Therefore, compounds and small molecules that can increase SMN2 exon 7 inclusion, transcription and SMN protein stability have great potential for SMA therapeutics. Previously, we performed a high throughput screen and established a class of compounds that increase SMN protein in various cellular contexts. In this study, a novel compound was identified that increased SMN protein levels in vivo and ameliorated the disease phenotype in severe and intermediate mouse models of SMA.
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Abstract
Autosomal-recessive proximal spinal muscular atrophy (Werdnig-Hoffmann, Kugelberg-Welander) is caused by mutation of the SMN1 gene, and the clinical severity correlates with the number of copies of a nearly identical gene, SMN2. The SMN protein plays a critical role in spliceosome assembly and may have other cellular functions, such as mRNA transport. Cell culture and animal models have helped to define the disease mechanism and to identify targets for therapeutic intervention. The main focus for developing treatment has been to increase SMN levels, and accomplishing this with small molecules, oligonucleotides, and gene replacement has been quite. An oligonucleotide, nusinersen, was recently approved for treatment in patients, and confirmatory studies of other agents are now under way.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eveline S Arnold
- Neurogenetics Branch, National Institutes of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, United States
| | - Kenneth H Fischbeck
- Neurogenetics Branch, National Institutes of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, United States.
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7
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Salani M, Urbina F, Brenner A, Morini E, Shetty R, Gallagher CS, Law EA, Sunshine S, Finneran DJ, Johnson G, Minor L, Slaugenhaupt SA. Development of a Screening Platform to Identify Small Molecules That Modify ELP1 Pre-mRNA Splicing in Familial Dysautonomia. SLAS DISCOVERY 2018; 24:57-67. [PMID: 30085848 DOI: 10.1177/2472555218792264] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Familial dysautonomia (FD) is an autonomic and sensory neuropathy caused by a mutation in the splice donor site of intron 20 of the ELP1 gene. Variable skipping of exon 20 leads to a tissue-specific reduction in the level of ELP1 protein. We have shown that the plant cytokinin kinetin is able to increase cellular ELP1 protein levels in vivo and in vitro through correction of ELP1 splicing. Studies in FD patients determined that kinetin is not a practical therapy due to low potency and rapid elimination. To identify molecules with improved potency and efficacy, we developed a cell-based luciferase splicing assay by inserting renilla (Rluc) and firefly (Fluc) luciferase reporters into our previously well-characterized ELP1 minigene construct. Evaluation of the Fluc/Rluc signal ratio enables a fast and accurate way to measure exon 20 inclusion. Further, we developed a secondary assay that measures ELP1 splicing in FD patient-derived fibroblasts. Here we demonstrate the quality and reproducibility of our screening method. Development and implementation of this screening platform has allowed us to efficiently screen for new compounds that robustly and specifically enhance ELP1 pre-mRNA splicing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Monica Salani
- 1 Center for Genomic Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital Research Institute, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Fabio Urbina
- 2 Department of Cell Biology and Physiology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Anthony Brenner
- 1 Center for Genomic Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital Research Institute, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Elisabetta Morini
- 1 Center for Genomic Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital Research Institute, Boston, MA, USA.,3 Department of Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital Research Institute and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Ranjit Shetty
- 1 Center for Genomic Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital Research Institute, Boston, MA, USA
| | - C Scott Gallagher
- 3 Department of Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital Research Institute and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Emily A Law
- 1 Center for Genomic Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital Research Institute, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Sara Sunshine
- 1 Center for Genomic Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital Research Institute, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Dylan J Finneran
- 4 Byrd Alzheimer's Institute College of Medicine Department of Molecular Pharmacology & Physiology, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL, USA
| | | | - Lisa Minor
- 6 In Vitro Strategies LLC, Flemington, NJ, USA
| | - Susan A Slaugenhaupt
- 1 Center for Genomic Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital Research Institute, Boston, MA, USA.,3 Department of Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital Research Institute and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
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Markossian S, Ang KK, Wilson CG, Arkin MR. Small-Molecule Screening for Genetic Diseases. Annu Rev Genomics Hum Genet 2018; 19:263-288. [PMID: 29799800 DOI: 10.1146/annurev-genom-083117-021452] [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] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
The genetic determinants of many diseases, including monogenic diseases and cancers, have been identified; nevertheless, targeted therapy remains elusive for most. High-throughput screening (HTS) of small molecules, including high-content analysis (HCA), has been an important technology for the discovery of molecular tools and new therapeutics. HTS can be based on modulation of a known disease target (called reverse chemical genetics) or modulation of a disease-associated mechanism or phenotype (forward chemical genetics). Prominent target-based successes include modulators of transthyretin, used to treat transthyretin amyloidoses, and the BCR-ABL kinase inhibitor Gleevec, used to treat chronic myelogenous leukemia. Phenotypic screening successes include modulators of cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator, splicing correctors for spinal muscular atrophy, and histone deacetylase inhibitors for cancer. Synthetic lethal screening, in which chemotherapeutics are screened for efficacy against specific genetic backgrounds, is a promising approach that merges phenotype and target. In this article, we introduce HTS technology and highlight its contributions to the discovery of drugs and probes for monogenic diseases and cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarine Markossian
- Small Molecule Discovery Center and Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, University of California, San Francisco, California 94143, USA; , , ,
| | - Kenny K Ang
- Small Molecule Discovery Center and Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, University of California, San Francisco, California 94143, USA; , , ,
| | - Christopher G Wilson
- Small Molecule Discovery Center and Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, University of California, San Francisco, California 94143, USA; , , ,
| | - Michelle R Arkin
- Small Molecule Discovery Center and Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, University of California, San Francisco, California 94143, USA; , , ,
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9
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Choi S, Calder AN, Miller EH, Anderson KP, Fiejtek DK, Rietz A, Li H, Cherry JJ, Quist KM, Xing X, Glicksman MA, Cuny GD, Lorson CL, Androphy EA, Hodgetts KJ. Optimization of a series of heterocycles as survival motor neuron gene transcription enhancers. Bioorg Med Chem Lett 2017; 27:5144-5148. [PMID: 29103974 PMCID: PMC5701662 DOI: 10.1016/j.bmcl.2017.10.066] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/02/2017] [Revised: 10/22/2017] [Accepted: 10/24/2017] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) is a neurodegenerative disorder that results from mutations in the SMN1 gene, leading to survival motor neuron (SMN) protein deficiency. One therapeutic strategy for SMA is to identify compounds that enhance the expression of the SMN2 gene, which normally only is a minor contributor to functional SMN protein production, but which is unaffected in SMA. A recent high-throughput screening campaign identified a 3,4-dihydro-4-phenyl-2(1H)-quinolinone derivative (2) that increases the expression of SMN2 by 2-fold with an EC50 = 8.3 µM. A structure-activity relationship (SAR) study revealed that the array of tolerated substituents, on either the benzo portion of the quinolinone or the 4-phenyl, was very narrow. However, the lactam ring of the quinolinone was more amenable to modifications. For example, the quinazolinone (9a) and the benzoxazepin-2(3H)-one (19) demonstrated improved potency and efficacy for increase in SMN2 expression as compared to 2.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sungwoon Choi
- Laboratory for Drug Discovery in Neurodegeneration, Brigham and Women's Hospital and Harvard Medical School, 65 Landsdowne Street, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Alyssa N Calder
- Laboratory for Drug Discovery in Neurodegeneration, Brigham and Women's Hospital and Harvard Medical School, 65 Landsdowne Street, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Eliza H Miller
- Laboratory for Drug Discovery in Neurodegeneration, Brigham and Women's Hospital and Harvard Medical School, 65 Landsdowne Street, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Kierstyn P Anderson
- Laboratory for Drug Discovery in Neurodegeneration, Brigham and Women's Hospital and Harvard Medical School, 65 Landsdowne Street, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Dawid K Fiejtek
- Laboratory for Drug Discovery in Neurodegeneration, Brigham and Women's Hospital and Harvard Medical School, 65 Landsdowne Street, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Anne Rietz
- Department of Dermatology, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, USA
| | - Hongxia Li
- Department of Dermatology, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, USA
| | - Jonathan J Cherry
- Department of Dermatology, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, USA
| | - Kevin M Quist
- Department of Dermatology, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, USA
| | - Xuechao Xing
- Laboratory for Drug Discovery in Neurodegeneration, Brigham and Women's Hospital and Harvard Medical School, 65 Landsdowne Street, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Marcie A Glicksman
- Laboratory for Drug Discovery in Neurodegeneration, Brigham and Women's Hospital and Harvard Medical School, 65 Landsdowne Street, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Gregory D Cuny
- Laboratory for Drug Discovery in Neurodegeneration, Brigham and Women's Hospital and Harvard Medical School, 65 Landsdowne Street, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Christian L Lorson
- Department of Veterinary Pathobiology, Bond Life Sciences Center, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, USA
| | - Elliot A Androphy
- Department of Dermatology, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, USA
| | - Kevin J Hodgetts
- Laboratory for Drug Discovery in Neurodegeneration, Brigham and Women's Hospital and Harvard Medical School, 65 Landsdowne Street, Cambridge, MA, USA.
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Cherry JJ, DiDonato CJ, Androphy EJ, Calo A, Potter K, Custer SK, Du S, Foley TL, Gopalsamy A, Reedich EJ, Gordo SM, Gordon W, Hosea N, Jones LH, Krizay DK, LaRosa G, Li H, Mathur S, Menard CA, Patel P, Ramos-Zayas R, Rietz A, Rong H, Zhang B, Tones MA. In vitro and in vivo effects of 2,4 diaminoquinazoline inhibitors of the decapping scavenger enzyme DcpS: Context-specific modulation of SMN transcript levels. PLoS One 2017; 12:e0185079. [PMID: 28945765 PMCID: PMC5612656 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0185079] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/09/2017] [Accepted: 09/06/2017] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
C5-substituted 2,4-diaminoquinazoline inhibitors of the decapping scavenger enzyme DcpS (DAQ-DcpSi) have been developed for the treatment of spinal muscular atrophy (SMA), which is caused by genetic deficiency in the Survival Motor Neuron (SMN) protein. These compounds are claimed to act as SMN2 transcriptional activators but data underlying that claim are equivocal. In addition it is unclear whether the claimed effects on SMN2 are a direct consequence of DcpS inhibitor or might be a consequence of lysosomotropism, which is known to be neuroprotective. DAQ-DcpSi effects were characterized in cells in vitro utilizing DcpS knockdown and 7-methyl analogues as probes for DcpS vs non-DcpS-mediated effects. We also performed analysis of Smn transcript levels, RNA-Seq analysis of the transcriptome and SMN protein in order to identify affected pathways underlying the therapeutic effect, and studied lysosomotropic and non-lysosomotropic DAQ-DCpSi effects in 2B/- SMA mice. Treatment of cells caused modest and transient SMN2 mRNA increases with either no change or a decrease in SMNΔ7 and no change in SMN1 transcripts or SMN protein. RNA-Seq analysis of DAQ-DcpSi-treated N2a cells revealed significant changes in expression (both up and down) of approximately 2,000 genes across a broad range of pathways. Treatment of 2B/- SMA mice with both lysomotropic and non-lysosomotropic DAQ-DcpSi compounds had similar effects on disease phenotype indicating that the therapeutic mechanism of action is not a consequence of lysosomotropism. In striking contrast to the findings in vitro, Smn transcripts were robustly changed in tissues but there was no increase in SMN protein levels in spinal cord. We conclude that DAQ-DcpSi have reproducible benefit in SMA mice and a broad spectrum of biological effects in vitro and in vivo, but these are complex, context specific, and not the result of simple SMN2 transcriptional activation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jonathan J. Cherry
- Rare Disease Research Unit, Pfizer Worldwide Research and Development, Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - Christine J. DiDonato
- Department of Pediatrics, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, Illinois, United States of America
- Human Molecular Genetics Program, Ann & Robert Lurie Children’s Hospital, Stanley Manne Research Institute, Chicago, Illinois, United States of America
- * E-mail: (CJD); (WG)
| | - Elliot J. Androphy
- Department of Dermatology, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, Indiana, United States of America
| | - Alessandro Calo
- Rare Disease Research Unit, Pfizer Worldwide Research and Development, Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - Kyle Potter
- Department of Pediatrics, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, Illinois, United States of America
- Human Molecular Genetics Program, Ann & Robert Lurie Children’s Hospital, Stanley Manne Research Institute, Chicago, Illinois, United States of America
| | - Sara K. Custer
- Department of Dermatology, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, Indiana, United States of America
| | - Sarah Du
- Precision Medicine, Pfizer Worldwide Research and Development, Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - Timothy L. Foley
- Pharmaceutical Sciences, Pfizer Worldwide Research and Development, Groton, Connecticut, United States of America
- Primary Pharmacology Group, Pfizer Worldwide Research and Development, Groton, Connecticut, United States of America
| | - Ariamala Gopalsamy
- Medicine Design, Pfizer Worldwide Research and Development, Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - Emily J. Reedich
- Department of Pediatrics, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, Illinois, United States of America
- Human Molecular Genetics Program, Ann & Robert Lurie Children’s Hospital, Stanley Manne Research Institute, Chicago, Illinois, United States of America
| | - Susana M. Gordo
- Rare Disease Research Unit, Pfizer Worldwide Research and Development, Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - William Gordon
- Precision Medicine, Pfizer Worldwide Research and Development, Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States of America
- * E-mail: (CJD); (WG)
| | - Natalie Hosea
- Pharmacokinetics and Drug Metabolism, Pfizer Worldwide Research and Development, Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - Lyn H. Jones
- Medicine Design, Pfizer Worldwide Research and Development, Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - Daniel K. Krizay
- Rare Disease Research Unit, Pfizer Worldwide Research and Development, Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - Gregory LaRosa
- Rare Disease Research Unit, Pfizer Worldwide Research and Development, Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - Hongxia Li
- Department of Dermatology, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, Indiana, United States of America
| | - Sachin Mathur
- Business Technology, Pfizer Worldwide Research and Development, Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - Carol A. Menard
- Pharmaceutical Sciences, Pfizer Worldwide Research and Development, Groton, Connecticut, United States of America
- Primary Pharmacology Group, Pfizer Worldwide Research and Development, Groton, Connecticut, United States of America
| | - Paraj Patel
- Rare Disease Research Unit, Pfizer Worldwide Research and Development, Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - Rebeca Ramos-Zayas
- Rare Disease Research Unit, Pfizer Worldwide Research and Development, Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - Anne Rietz
- Department of Dermatology, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, Indiana, United States of America
| | - Haojing Rong
- Pharmacokinetics and Drug Metabolism, Pfizer Worldwide Research and Development, Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - Baohong Zhang
- Clinical Genetics, Pfizer Worldwide Research and Development, Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - Michael A. Tones
- Rare Disease Research Unit, Pfizer Worldwide Research and Development, Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States of America
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11
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Bates DO, Morris JC, Oltean S, Donaldson LF. Pharmacology of Modulators of Alternative Splicing. Pharmacol Rev 2017; 69:63-79. [PMID: 28034912 PMCID: PMC5226212 DOI: 10.1124/pr.115.011239] [Citation(s) in RCA: 64] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/16/2023] Open
Abstract
More than 95% of genes in the human genome are alternatively spliced to form multiple transcripts, often encoding proteins with differing or opposing function. The control of alternative splicing is now being elucidated, and with this comes the opportunity to develop modulators of alternative splicing that can control cellular function. A number of approaches have been taken to develop compounds that can experimentally, and sometimes clinically, affect splicing control, resulting in potential novel therapeutics. Here we develop the concepts that targeting alternative splicing can result in relatively specific pathway inhibitors/activators that result in dampening down of physiologic or pathologic processes, from changes in muscle physiology to altering angiogenesis or pain. The targets and pharmacology of some of the current inhibitors/activators of alternative splicing are demonstrated and future directions discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- David O Bates
- Cancer Biology, Division of Cancer and Stem Cells, School of Medicine, University of Nottingham, Queen's Medical Centre, Nottingham, United Kingdom (D.O.B.); School of Chemistry, UNSW Australia, Sydney, Australia (J.C.M.); School of Physiology, Pharmacology and Neurosciences, School of Clinical Sciences/Bristol Renal, University of Bristol, Bristol, United Kingdom (S.O.); and School of Life Sciences, University of Nottingham, Queen's Medical Centre, Nottingham, United Kingdom (L.F.D.)
| | - Jonathan C Morris
- Cancer Biology, Division of Cancer and Stem Cells, School of Medicine, University of Nottingham, Queen's Medical Centre, Nottingham, United Kingdom (D.O.B.); School of Chemistry, UNSW Australia, Sydney, Australia (J.C.M.); School of Physiology, Pharmacology and Neurosciences, School of Clinical Sciences/Bristol Renal, University of Bristol, Bristol, United Kingdom (S.O.); and School of Life Sciences, University of Nottingham, Queen's Medical Centre, Nottingham, United Kingdom (L.F.D.)
| | - Sebastian Oltean
- Cancer Biology, Division of Cancer and Stem Cells, School of Medicine, University of Nottingham, Queen's Medical Centre, Nottingham, United Kingdom (D.O.B.); School of Chemistry, UNSW Australia, Sydney, Australia (J.C.M.); School of Physiology, Pharmacology and Neurosciences, School of Clinical Sciences/Bristol Renal, University of Bristol, Bristol, United Kingdom (S.O.); and School of Life Sciences, University of Nottingham, Queen's Medical Centre, Nottingham, United Kingdom (L.F.D.)
| | - Lucy F Donaldson
- Cancer Biology, Division of Cancer and Stem Cells, School of Medicine, University of Nottingham, Queen's Medical Centre, Nottingham, United Kingdom (D.O.B.); School of Chemistry, UNSW Australia, Sydney, Australia (J.C.M.); School of Physiology, Pharmacology and Neurosciences, School of Clinical Sciences/Bristol Renal, University of Bristol, Bristol, United Kingdom (S.O.); and School of Life Sciences, University of Nottingham, Queen's Medical Centre, Nottingham, United Kingdom (L.F.D.)
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12
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Rietz A, Li H, Quist KM, Cherry JJ, Lorson CL, Burnett BG, Kern NL, Calder AN, Fritsche M, Lusic H, Boaler PJ, Choi S, Xing X, Glicksman MA, Cuny GD, Androphy EJ, Hodgetts KJ. Discovery of a Small Molecule Probe That Post-Translationally Stabilizes the Survival Motor Neuron Protein for the Treatment of Spinal Muscular Atrophy. J Med Chem 2017; 60:4594-4610. [PMID: 28481536 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.6b01885] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/29/2023]
Abstract
Spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) is the leading genetic cause of infant death. We previously developed a high-throughput assay that employs an SMN2-luciferase reporter allowing identification of compounds that act transcriptionally, enhance exon recognition, or stabilize the SMN protein. We describe optimization and characterization of an analog suitable for in vivo testing. Initially, we identified analog 4m that had good in vitro properties but low plasma and brain exposure in a mouse PK experiment due to short plasma stability; this was overcome by reversing the amide bond and changing the heterocycle. Thiazole 27 showed excellent in vitro properties and a promising mouse PK profile, making it suitable for in vivo testing. This series post-translationally stabilizes the SMN protein, unrelated to global proteasome or autophagy inhibition, revealing a novel therapeutic mechanism that should complement other modalities for treatment of SMA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anne Rietz
- Department of Dermatology, Indiana University School of Medicine , Indianapolis, Indiana 46202, United States
| | - Hongxia Li
- Department of Dermatology, Indiana University School of Medicine , Indianapolis, Indiana 46202, United States
| | - Kevin M Quist
- Department of Dermatology, Indiana University School of Medicine , Indianapolis, Indiana 46202, United States
| | - Jonathan J Cherry
- Department of Dermatology, Indiana University School of Medicine , Indianapolis, Indiana 46202, United States
| | - Christian L Lorson
- Department of Veterinary Pathobiology, Bond Life Sciences Center, University of Missouri , Columbia, Missouri 65201, United States
| | - Barrington G Burnett
- Department of Anatomy, Physiology and Genetics, F. Edward Hebert School of Medicine, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences , Bethesda, Maryland 20814, United States
| | - Nicholas L Kern
- Laboratory for Drug Discovery in Neurodegeneration, Brigham & Women's Hospital and Harvard Medical School , 65 Landsdowne Street, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139, United States
| | - Alyssa N Calder
- Laboratory for Drug Discovery in Neurodegeneration, Brigham & Women's Hospital and Harvard Medical School , 65 Landsdowne Street, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139, United States
| | - Melanie Fritsche
- Laboratory for Drug Discovery in Neurodegeneration, Brigham & Women's Hospital and Harvard Medical School , 65 Landsdowne Street, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139, United States
| | - Hrvoje Lusic
- Laboratory for Drug Discovery in Neurodegeneration, Brigham & Women's Hospital and Harvard Medical School , 65 Landsdowne Street, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139, United States
| | - Patrick J Boaler
- Laboratory for Drug Discovery in Neurodegeneration, Brigham & Women's Hospital and Harvard Medical School , 65 Landsdowne Street, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139, United States
| | - Sungwoon Choi
- Laboratory for Drug Discovery in Neurodegeneration, Brigham & Women's Hospital and Harvard Medical School , 65 Landsdowne Street, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139, United States
| | - Xuechao Xing
- Laboratory for Drug Discovery in Neurodegeneration, Brigham & Women's Hospital and Harvard Medical School , 65 Landsdowne Street, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139, United States
| | - Marcie A Glicksman
- Laboratory for Drug Discovery in Neurodegeneration, Brigham & Women's Hospital and Harvard Medical School , 65 Landsdowne Street, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139, United States
| | - Gregory D Cuny
- Laboratory for Drug Discovery in Neurodegeneration, Brigham & Women's Hospital and Harvard Medical School , 65 Landsdowne Street, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139, United States
| | - Elliot J Androphy
- Department of Dermatology, Indiana University School of Medicine , Indianapolis, Indiana 46202, United States
| | - Kevin J Hodgetts
- Laboratory for Drug Discovery in Neurodegeneration, Brigham & Women's Hospital and Harvard Medical School , 65 Landsdowne Street, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139, United States
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Cherry JJ, Kobayashi DT, Lynes MM, Naryshkin NN, Tiziano FD, Zaworski PG, Rubin LL, Jarecki J. Assays for the identification and prioritization of drug candidates for spinal muscular atrophy. Assay Drug Dev Technol 2015; 12:315-41. [PMID: 25147906 DOI: 10.1089/adt.2014.587] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) is an autosomal recessive genetic disorder resulting in degeneration of α-motor neurons of the anterior horn and proximal muscle weakness. It is the leading cause of genetic mortality in children younger than 2 years. It affects ∼1 in 11,000 live births. In 95% of cases, SMA is caused by homozygous deletion of the SMN1 gene. In addition, all patients possess at least one copy of an almost identical gene called SMN2. A single point mutation in exon 7 of the SMN2 gene results in the production of low levels of full-length survival of motor neuron (SMN) protein at amounts insufficient to compensate for the loss of the SMN1 gene. Although no drug treatments are available for SMA, a number of drug discovery and development programs are ongoing, with several currently in clinical trials. This review describes the assays used to identify candidate drugs for SMA that modulate SMN2 gene expression by various means. Specifically, it discusses the use of high-throughput screening to identify candidate molecules from primary screens, as well as the technical aspects of a number of widely used secondary assays to assess SMN messenger ribonucleic acid (mRNA) and protein expression, localization, and function. Finally, it describes the process of iterative drug optimization utilized during preclinical SMA drug development to identify clinical candidates for testing in human clinical trials.
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14
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Wynne GM, Russell AJ. Drug Discovery Approaches for Rare Neuromuscular Diseases. ORPHAN DRUGS AND RARE DISEASES 2014. [DOI: 10.1039/9781782624202-00257] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/29/2023]
Abstract
Rare neuromuscular diseases encompass many diverse and debilitating musculoskeletal disorders, ranging from ultra-orphan conditions that affect only a few families, to the so-called ‘common’ orphan diseases like Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) and spinal muscular atrophy (SMA), which affect several thousand individuals worldwide. Increasingly, pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies, in an effort to improve productivity and rebuild dwindling pipelines, are shifting their business models away from the formerly popular ‘blockbuster’ strategy, with rare diseases being an area of increased focus in recent years. As a consequence of this paradigm shift, coupled with high-profile campaigns by not-for-profit organisations and patient advocacy groups, rare neuromuscular diseases are attracting considerable attention as new therapeutic areas for improved drug therapy. Much pioneering work has taken place to elucidate the underlying pathological mechanisms of many rare neuromuscular diseases. This, in conjunction with the availability of new screening technologies, has inspired the development of several truly innovative therapeutic strategies aimed at correcting the underlying pathology. A survey of medicinal chemistry approaches and the resulting clinical progress for new therapeutic agents targeting this devastating class of degenerative diseases is presented, using DMD and SMA as examples. Complementary strategies using small-molecule drugs and biological agents are included.
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Affiliation(s)
- Graham M. Wynne
- Chemistry Research Laboratory, University of Oxford 12 Mansfield Road Oxford OX1 3TA UK
| | - Angela J. Russell
- Chemistry Research Laboratory, University of Oxford 12 Mansfield Road Oxford OX1 3TA UK
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15
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Fu P, Johnson M, Chen H, Posner BA, MacMillan JB. Carpatamides A-C, cytotoxic arylamine derivatives from a marine-derived Streptomyces sp. JOURNAL OF NATURAL PRODUCTS 2014; 77:1245-1248. [PMID: 24754815 PMCID: PMC4035114 DOI: 10.1021/np500207p] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/04/2014] [Indexed: 06/03/2023]
Abstract
Three new acylated arylamine derivatives (1-3), carpatamides A-C, were isolated from a marine-derived Streptomyces sp. based on activity screening against non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC). The structures of 1-3 were established on the basis of comprehensive spectroscopic analyses and chemical methods. Compounds 1 and 3 showed moderate cytotoxicity against NSCLC cell lines HCC366, A549, and HCC44 with IC50 values ranging from 2.2 to 8.4 μM.
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16
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Li DK, Tisdale S, Espinoza-Derout J, Saieva L, Lotti F, Pellizzoni L. A cell system for phenotypic screening of modifiers of SMN2 gene expression and function. PLoS One 2013; 8:e71965. [PMID: 23967270 PMCID: PMC3744461 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0071965] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/10/2013] [Accepted: 07/11/2013] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) is an inherited neurodegenerative disease caused by homozygous inactivation of the SMN1 gene and reduced levels of the survival motor neuron (SMN) protein. Since higher copy numbers of the nearly identical SMN2 gene reduce disease severity, to date most efforts to develop a therapy for SMA have focused on enhancing SMN expression. Identification of alternative therapeutic approaches has partly been hindered by limited knowledge of potential targets and the lack of cell-based screening assays that serve as readouts of SMN function. Here, we established a cell system in which proliferation of cultured mouse fibroblasts is dependent on functional SMN produced from the SMN2 gene. To do so, we introduced the entire human SMN2 gene into NIH3T3 cell lines in which regulated knockdown of endogenous mouse Smn severely decreases cell proliferation. We found that low SMN2 copy number has modest effects on the cell proliferation phenotype induced by Smn depletion, while high SMN2 copy number is strongly protective. Additionally, cell proliferation correlates with the level of SMN activity in small nuclear ribonucleoprotein assembly. Following miniaturization into a high-throughput format, our cell-based phenotypic assay accurately measures the beneficial effects of both pharmacological and genetic treatments leading to SMN upregulation. This cell model provides a novel platform for phenotypic screening of modifiers of SMN2 gene expression and function that act through multiple mechanisms, and a powerful new tool for studies of SMN biology and SMA therapeutic development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Darrick K. Li
- Center for Motor Neuron Biology and Disease, Columbia University, New York, New York, United States of America
- Department of Pathology and Cell Biology, Columbia University, New York, New York, United States of America
| | - Sarah Tisdale
- Center for Motor Neuron Biology and Disease, Columbia University, New York, New York, United States of America
- Department of Pathology and Cell Biology, Columbia University, New York, New York, United States of America
| | - Jorge Espinoza-Derout
- Center for Motor Neuron Biology and Disease, Columbia University, New York, New York, United States of America
- Department of Pathology and Cell Biology, Columbia University, New York, New York, United States of America
| | - Luciano Saieva
- Center for Motor Neuron Biology and Disease, Columbia University, New York, New York, United States of America
- Department of Pathology and Cell Biology, Columbia University, New York, New York, United States of America
| | - Francesco Lotti
- Center for Motor Neuron Biology and Disease, Columbia University, New York, New York, United States of America
- Department of Pathology and Cell Biology, Columbia University, New York, New York, United States of America
| | - Livio Pellizzoni
- Center for Motor Neuron Biology and Disease, Columbia University, New York, New York, United States of America
- Department of Pathology and Cell Biology, Columbia University, New York, New York, United States of America
- * E-mail:
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17
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Cherry JJ, Osman EY, Evans MC, Choi S, Xing X, Cuny GD, Glicksman MA, Lorson CL, Androphy EJ. Enhancement of SMN protein levels in a mouse model of spinal muscular atrophy using novel drug-like compounds. EMBO Mol Med 2013; 5:1103-18. [PMID: 23740718 PMCID: PMC3721476 DOI: 10.1002/emmm.201202305] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2012] [Revised: 03/27/2013] [Accepted: 04/02/2013] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) is a neurodegenerative disease that causes progressive muscle weakness, which primarily targets proximal muscles. About 95% of SMA cases are caused by the loss of both copies of the SMN1 gene. SMN2 is a nearly identical copy of SMN1, which expresses much less functional SMN protein. SMN2 is unable to fully compensate for the loss of SMN1 in motor neurons but does provide an excellent target for therapeutic intervention. Increased expression of functional full-length SMN protein from the endogenous SMN2 gene should lessen disease severity. We have developed and implemented a new high-throughput screening assay to identify small molecules that increase the expression of full-length SMN from a SMN2 reporter gene. Here, we characterize two novel compounds that increased SMN protein levels in both reporter cells and SMA fibroblasts and show that one increases lifespan, motor function, and SMN protein levels in a severe mouse model of SMA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jonathan J Cherry
- Department of Medicine, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA, USA
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18
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Therapeutic strategies for the treatment of spinal muscular atrophy. Future Med Chem 2013; 4:1733-50. [PMID: 22924510 DOI: 10.4155/fmc.12.107] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) is an inherited neurodegenerative disease that results in progressive dysfunction of motor neurons of the anterior horn of the spinal cord. SMA is caused by the loss of full-length protein expression from the survival of motor neuron 1 (SMN1) gene. The disease has a unique genetic profile as it is autosomal recessive for the loss of SMN1, but a nearly identical homolog, SMN2, acts as a disease modifier whose expression is inversely correlated to clinical severity. Targeted therapeutic approaches primarily focus on increasing the levels of full-length SMN protein, through either gene replacement or regulation of SMN2 expression. There is currently no US FDA approved treatment for SMA. This is an exciting time as multiple efforts from academic and industrial laboratories are reaching the preclinical and clinical testing stages.
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19
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Hu Y, Martinez ED, MacMillan JB. Anthraquinones from a marine-derived Streptomyces spinoverrucosus. JOURNAL OF NATURAL PRODUCTS 2012; 75:1759-64. [PMID: 23057874 PMCID: PMC3488424 DOI: 10.1021/np3004326] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/15/2023]
Abstract
Four new anthraquinone analogues including galvaquinones A-C (1-3) and an isolation artifact, 5,8-dihydroxy-2,2,4-trimethyl-6-(3-methylbutyl)anthra[9,1-de][1,3]oxazin-7(2H)-one (4), were isolated from a marine-derived Streptomyces spinoverrucosus based on activity in an image-based assay to identify epigenetic modifying compounds. The structures of 1-4 were elucidated by comprehensive NMR and MS spectroscopic analysis. Galvaquinone B (2) was found to show epigenetic modulatory activity at 1.0 μM and exhibited moderate cytotoxicity against non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) cell lines Calu-3 and H2887.
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Affiliation(s)
- Youcai Hu
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, 5323 Harry Hines Blvd., Dallas, TX 75390-9038, USA
| | - Elisabeth D. Martinez
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, 5323 Harry Hines Blvd., Dallas, TX 75390-9038, USA
| | - John B. MacMillan
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, 5323 Harry Hines Blvd., Dallas, TX 75390-9038, USA
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20
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Lorson MA, Lorson CL. SMN-inducing compounds for the treatment of spinal muscular atrophy. Future Med Chem 2012; 4:2067-84. [PMID: 23157239 PMCID: PMC3589915 DOI: 10.4155/fmc.12.131] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) is a leading genetic cause of infant mortality. A neurodegenerative disease, it is caused by loss of SMN1, although low, but essential, levels of SMN protein are produced by the nearly identical gene SMN2. While no effective treatment or therapy currently exists, a new wave of therapeutics has rapidly progressed from cell-based and preclinical animal models to the point where clinical trials have initiated for SMA-specific compounds. There are several reasons why SMA has moved relatively rapidly towards novel therapeutics, including: SMA is monogenic; the molecular understanding of SMN gene regulation has been building for nearly 20 years; and all SMA patients retain one or more copies of SMN2 that produces low levels of full-length, fully functional SMN protein. This review primarily focuses upon the biology behind the disease and examines SMN1- and SMN2-targeted therapeutics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Monique A Lorson
- Department of Veterinary Pathobiology, Bond Life Sciences Center, Room 440C, University of Missouri, MO 65211 USA
| | - Christian L Lorson
- Department of Veterinary Pathobiology, Bond Life Sciences Center, Room 471G, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO 65211, USA
- Department of Molecular Microbiology & Immunology, University of Missouri, MO, USA
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