1
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Faudone G, Zhubi R, Celik F, Knapp S, Chaikuad A, Heering J, Merk D. Design of a Potent TLX Agonist by Rational Fragment Fusion. J Med Chem 2022; 65:2288-2296. [PMID: 34989568 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.1c01757] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
As a master regulator of neurogenesis, the orphan nuclear receptor tailless homologue (TLX, NR2E1) maintains neuronal stem cell homeostasis by acting as a transcriptional repressor of tumor suppressor genes. It is hence considered as an appealing target for the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases, but a lack of potent TLX modulators as tools to probe pharmacological TLX control hinders further validation of its promising potential. Here, we report the development of a potent TLX agonist based on fragment screening, pharmacophore modeling, and fragment fusion. Pharmacophore similarity of a fragment screening hit and the TLX ligand ccrp2 provided a rational basis for fragment linkage, which resulted in several TLX activator scaffolds. Among them, the fused compound 10 evolved as a valuable TLX agonist tool with submicromolar potency and high selectivity over related nuclear receptors, rendering it suitable for functional studies on TLX.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giuseppe Faudone
- Institute of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Goethe University Frankfurt, D-60438 Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Rezart Zhubi
- Institute of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Goethe University Frankfurt, D-60438 Frankfurt, Germany.,Structural Genomics Consortium, BMLS, Goethe University Frankfurt, D-60438 Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Fatih Celik
- Institute of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Goethe University Frankfurt, D-60438 Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Stefan Knapp
- Institute of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Goethe University Frankfurt, D-60438 Frankfurt, Germany.,Structural Genomics Consortium, BMLS, Goethe University Frankfurt, D-60438 Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Apirat Chaikuad
- Institute of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Goethe University Frankfurt, D-60438 Frankfurt, Germany.,Structural Genomics Consortium, BMLS, Goethe University Frankfurt, D-60438 Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Jan Heering
- Fraunhofer Institute for Translational Medicine and Pharmacology ITMP, D-60596 Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Daniel Merk
- Institute of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Goethe University Frankfurt, D-60438 Frankfurt, Germany.,Department of Pharmacy, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, D-81377 Munich, Germany
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2
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Faudone G, Kilu W, Ni X, Chaikuad A, Sreeramulu S, Heitel P, Schwalbe H, Knapp S, Schubert-Zsilavecz M, Heering J, Merk D. The Transcriptional Repressor Orphan Nuclear Receptor TLX Is Responsive to Xanthines. ACS Pharmacol Transl Sci 2021; 4:1794-1807. [PMID: 34927011 PMCID: PMC8669710 DOI: 10.1021/acsptsci.1c00195] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/05/2021] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
The orphan nuclear receptor tailless homologue (TLX) is expressed almost exclusively in neural stem cells acting as an essential factor for their survival and is hence considered as a promising drug target in neurodegeneration. However, few studies have characterized the roles of TLX due to the lack of ligands and limited functional understanding. Here, we identify xanthines including caffeine and istradefylline as TLX modulators that counteract the receptor's intrinsic repressor activity. Mutagenesis of residues lining a cavity within the TLX ligand binding domain altered the activity of these ligands, suggesting direct interactions with helix 5. Using xanthines as tool compounds, we observed a ligand-sensitive recruitment of the co-repressor silencing mediator for retinoid or thyroid-hormone receptors, TLX homodimerization, and heterodimerization with the retinoid X receptor. These protein-protein interactions evolve as factors that modulate the TLX function and suggest an unprecedented role of TLX in directly repressing other nuclear receptors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giuseppe Faudone
- Institute
of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Goethe University
Frankfurt, Max-von-Laue-Str. 9, D-60438 Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Whitney Kilu
- Institute
of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Goethe University
Frankfurt, Max-von-Laue-Str. 9, D-60438 Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Xiaomin Ni
- Institute
of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Goethe University
Frankfurt, Max-von-Laue-Str. 9, D-60438 Frankfurt, Germany
- Structural
Genomics Consortium, BMLS, Goethe University
Frankfurt, Max-von-Laue-Str. 15, D-60438 Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Apirat Chaikuad
- Institute
of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Goethe University
Frankfurt, Max-von-Laue-Str. 9, D-60438 Frankfurt, Germany
- Structural
Genomics Consortium, BMLS, Goethe University
Frankfurt, Max-von-Laue-Str. 15, D-60438 Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Sridhar Sreeramulu
- Center
for Biomolecular Magnetic Resonance (BMRZ), Institute for Organic
Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Goethe University
Frankfurt, Max-von-Laue-Str. 7, D-60438 Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Pascal Heitel
- Institute
of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Goethe University
Frankfurt, Max-von-Laue-Str. 9, D-60438 Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Harald Schwalbe
- Center
for Biomolecular Magnetic Resonance (BMRZ), Institute for Organic
Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Goethe University
Frankfurt, Max-von-Laue-Str. 7, D-60438 Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Stefan Knapp
- Institute
of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Goethe University
Frankfurt, Max-von-Laue-Str. 9, D-60438 Frankfurt, Germany
- Structural
Genomics Consortium, BMLS, Goethe University
Frankfurt, Max-von-Laue-Str. 15, D-60438 Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Manfred Schubert-Zsilavecz
- Institute
of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Goethe University
Frankfurt, Max-von-Laue-Str. 9, D-60438 Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Jan Heering
- Fraunhofer
Institute for Translational Medicine and Pharmacology ITMP, Theodor-Stern-Kai 7, D-60596 Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Daniel Merk
- Institute
of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Goethe University
Frankfurt, Max-von-Laue-Str. 9, D-60438 Frankfurt, Germany
- Department
of Pharmacy, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität
München, Butenandtstr.
5-13, D-81377 Munich, Germany
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3
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Nelson AT, Wang Y, Nelson ER. TLX, an Orphan Nuclear Receptor With Emerging Roles in Physiology and Disease. Endocrinology 2021; 162:6360449. [PMID: 34463725 PMCID: PMC8462384 DOI: 10.1210/endocr/bqab184] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
TLX (NR2E1), an orphan member of the nuclear receptor superfamily, is a transcription factor that has been described to be generally repressive in nature. It has been implicated in several aspects of physiology and disease. TLX is best known for its ability to regulate the proliferation of neural stem cells and retinal progenitor cells. Dysregulation, overexpression, or loss of TLX expression has been characterized in numerous studies focused on a diverse range of pathological conditions, including abnormal brain development, psychiatric disorders, retinopathies, metabolic disease, and malignant neoplasm. Despite the lack of an identified endogenous ligand, several studies have described putative synthetic and natural TLX ligands, suggesting that this receptor may serve as a therapeutic target. Therefore, this article aims to briefly review what is known about TLX structure and function in normal physiology, and provide an overview of TLX in regard to pathological conditions. Particular emphasis is placed on TLX and cancer, and the potential utility of this receptor as a therapeutic target.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adam T Nelson
- Department of Molecular and Integrative Physiology, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, Illinois 61801, USA
| | - Yu Wang
- Department of Molecular and Integrative Physiology, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, Illinois 61801, USA
| | - Erik R Nelson
- Department of Molecular and Integrative Physiology, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, Illinois 61801, USA
- Cancer Center at Illinois, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, Illinois 61801, USA
- Division of Nutritional Sciences, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, Illinois 61801, USA
- University of Illinois Cancer Center, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, Illinois 60612, USA
- Carl R. Woese Institute for Genomic Biology, Anticancer Discovery from Pets to People Theme, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, Illinois 61801, USA
- Correspondence: Erik R. Nelson, PhD, Department of Molecular and Integrative Physiology, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, 407 S Goodwin Ave (MC-114), Urbana, IL 61801, USA.
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4
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Majidi S, Ogilvie JM, Flaveny CA. Retinal Degeneration: Short-Term Options and Long-Term Vision for Future Therapy. MISSOURI MEDICINE 2021; 118:466-472. [PMID: 34658442 PMCID: PMC8504501] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
The leading cause blindness is the loss of retinal ganglion cells which connect the retina to the brain. Degenerative retinal diseases include retinal dystrophy, macular degeneration and diabetic retinopathy, which are currently incurable as the mammalian retina has no intrinsic regenerative capacity. By utilizing insight gained from retinal regeneration in simpler species we define an approach that may unlock regenerative programs in the mammalian retina that potentially facilitate the clinical restoration of retinal function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shabnam Majidi
- Department of Pharmacology and Physiology, Saint Louis University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri
| | - Judith M Ogilvie
- Department of Biology; Saint Louis University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri
| | - Colin A Flaveny
- Department of Biology; Saint Louis University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri
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5
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Willems S, Zaienne D, Merk D. Targeting Nuclear Receptors in Neurodegeneration and Neuroinflammation. J Med Chem 2021; 64:9592-9638. [PMID: 34251209 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.1c00186] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Nuclear receptors, also known as ligand-activated transcription factors, regulate gene expression upon ligand signals and present as attractive therapeutic targets especially in chronic diseases. Despite the therapeutic relevance of some nuclear receptors in various pathologies, their potential in neurodegeneration and neuroinflammation is insufficiently established. This perspective gathers preclinical and clinical data for a potential role of individual nuclear receptors as future targets in Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, and multiple sclerosis, and concomitantly evaluates the level of medicinal chemistry targeting these proteins. Considerable evidence suggests the high promise of ligand-activated transcription factors to counteract neurodegenerative diseases with a particularly high potential of several orphan nuclear receptors. However, potent tools are lacking for orphan receptors, and limited central nervous system exposure or insufficient selectivity also compromises the suitability of well-studied nuclear receptor ligands for functional studies. Medicinal chemistry efforts are needed to develop dedicated high-quality tool compounds for the therapeutic validation of nuclear receptors in neurodegenerative pathologies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sabine Willems
- Institute of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Goethe University Frankfurt, Max-von-Laue-Strasse 9, 60438 Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Daniel Zaienne
- Institute of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Goethe University Frankfurt, Max-von-Laue-Strasse 9, 60438 Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Daniel Merk
- Institute of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Goethe University Frankfurt, Max-von-Laue-Strasse 9, 60438 Frankfurt, Germany
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6
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Faudone G, Bischoff-Kont I, Rachor L, Willems S, Zhubi R, Kaiser A, Chaikuad A, Knapp S, Fürst R, Heering J, Merk D. Propranolol Activates the Orphan Nuclear Receptor TLX to Counteract Proliferation and Migration of Glioblastoma Cells. J Med Chem 2021; 64:8727-8738. [PMID: 34115934 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.1c00733] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
The ligand-sensing transcription factor tailless homologue (TLX, NR2E1) is an essential regulator of neuronal stem cell homeostasis with appealing therapeutic potential in neurodegenerative diseases and central nervous system tumors. However, knowledge on TLX ligands is scarce, providing an obstacle to target validation and medicinal chemistry. To discover TLX ligands, we have profiled a drug fragment collection for TLX modulation and identified several structurally diverse agonists and inverse agonists of the nuclear receptor. Propranolol evolved as the strongest TLX agonist and promoted TLX-regulated gene expression in human glioblastoma cells. Structure-activity relationship elucidation of propranolol as a TLX ligand yielded a structurally related negative control compound. In functional cellular experiments, we observed an ability of propranolol to counteract glioblastoma cell proliferation and migration, while the negative control had no effect. Our results provide a collection of TLX modulators as initial chemical tools and set of lead compounds and support therapeutic potential of TLX modulation in glioblastoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giuseppe Faudone
- Institute of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Goethe University Frankfurt, Max-von-Laue-Str. 9, 60438 Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Iris Bischoff-Kont
- Institute of Pharmaceutical Biology, Goethe University Frankfurt, Max-von-Laue-Str. 9, 60438 Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Lea Rachor
- Institute of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Goethe University Frankfurt, Max-von-Laue-Str. 9, 60438 Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Sabine Willems
- Institute of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Goethe University Frankfurt, Max-von-Laue-Str. 9, 60438 Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Rezart Zhubi
- Institute of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Goethe University Frankfurt, Max-von-Laue-Str. 9, 60438 Frankfurt, Germany.,Structural Genomics Consortium, BMLS, Goethe University Frankfurt, Max-von-Laue-Str. 15, 60438 Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Astrid Kaiser
- Institute of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Goethe University Frankfurt, Max-von-Laue-Str. 9, 60438 Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Apirat Chaikuad
- Institute of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Goethe University Frankfurt, Max-von-Laue-Str. 9, 60438 Frankfurt, Germany.,Structural Genomics Consortium, BMLS, Goethe University Frankfurt, Max-von-Laue-Str. 15, 60438 Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Stefan Knapp
- Institute of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Goethe University Frankfurt, Max-von-Laue-Str. 9, 60438 Frankfurt, Germany.,Structural Genomics Consortium, BMLS, Goethe University Frankfurt, Max-von-Laue-Str. 15, 60438 Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Robert Fürst
- Institute of Pharmaceutical Biology, Goethe University Frankfurt, Max-von-Laue-Str. 9, 60438 Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Jan Heering
- Fraunhofer Institute for Translational Medicine and Pharmacology ITMP, Theodor-Stern-Kai 7, 60596 Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Daniel Merk
- Institute of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Goethe University Frankfurt, Max-von-Laue-Str. 9, 60438 Frankfurt, Germany
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