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Clare RH, Dawson CA, Westhorpe A, Albulescu LO, Woodley CM, Mosallam N, Chong DJW, Kool J, Berry NG, O’Neill PM, Casewell NR. Snakebite drug discovery: high-throughput screening to identify novel snake venom metalloproteinase toxin inhibitors. Front Pharmacol 2024; 14:1328950. [PMID: 38273820 PMCID: PMC10808794 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2023.1328950] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/27/2023] [Accepted: 12/21/2023] [Indexed: 01/27/2024] Open
Abstract
Snakebite envenoming results in ∼100,000 deaths per year, with close to four times as many victims left with life-long sequelae. Current antivenom therapies have several limitations including high cost, variable cross-snake species efficacy and a requirement for intravenous administration in a clinical setting. Next-generation snakebite therapies are being widely investigated with the aim to improve cost, efficacy, and safety. In recent years several small molecule drugs have shown considerable promise for snakebite indication, with oral bioavailability particularly promising for community delivery rapidly after a snakebite. However, only two such drugs have entered clinical development for snakebite. To offset the risk of attrition during clinical trials and to better explore the chemical space for small molecule venom toxin inhibitors, here we describe the first high throughput drug screen against snake venom metalloproteinases (SVMPs)-a pathogenic toxin family responsible for causing haemorrhage and coagulopathy. Following validation of a 384-well fluorescent enzymatic assay, we screened a repurposed drug library of 3,547 compounds against five geographically distinct and toxin variable snake venoms. Our drug screen resulted in the identification of 14 compounds with pan-species inhibitory activity. Following secondary potency testing, four SVMP inhibitors were identified with nanomolar EC50s comparable to the previously identified matrix metalloproteinase inhibitor marimastat and superior to the metal chelator dimercaprol, doubling the current global portfolio of SVMP inhibitors. Following analysis of their chemical structure and ADME properties, two hit-to-lead compounds were identified. These clear starting points for the initiation of medicinal chemistry campaigns provide the basis for the first ever designer snakebite specific small molecules.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rachel H. Clare
- Department of Tropical Disease Biology, Centre for Snakebite Research and Interventions, Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, Liverpool, United Kingdom
- Department of Tropical Disease Biology, Centre for Drugs and Diagnostics, Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, Liverpool, United Kingdom
| | - Charlotte A. Dawson
- Department of Tropical Disease Biology, Centre for Snakebite Research and Interventions, Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, Liverpool, United Kingdom
- Department of Tropical Disease Biology, Centre for Drugs and Diagnostics, Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, Liverpool, United Kingdom
| | - Adam Westhorpe
- Department of Tropical Disease Biology, Centre for Snakebite Research and Interventions, Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, Liverpool, United Kingdom
- Department of Tropical Disease Biology, Centre for Drugs and Diagnostics, Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, Liverpool, United Kingdom
| | - Laura-Oana Albulescu
- Department of Tropical Disease Biology, Centre for Snakebite Research and Interventions, Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, Liverpool, United Kingdom
- Department of Tropical Disease Biology, Centre for Drugs and Diagnostics, Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, Liverpool, United Kingdom
| | | | - Nada Mosallam
- Department of Chemistry, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, United Kingdom
| | - Daniel J. W. Chong
- Department of Chemistry, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, United Kingdom
| | - Jeroen Kool
- Division of BioAnalytical Chemistry, Department of Chemistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Faculty of Science, Amsterdam Institute of Molecular and Life Sciences, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam, Netherlands
| | - Neil G. Berry
- Department of Chemistry, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, United Kingdom
| | - Paul M. O’Neill
- Department of Chemistry, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, United Kingdom
| | - Nicholas R. Casewell
- Department of Tropical Disease Biology, Centre for Snakebite Research and Interventions, Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, Liverpool, United Kingdom
- Department of Tropical Disease Biology, Centre for Drugs and Diagnostics, Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, Liverpool, United Kingdom
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Tan K, Jäger C, Geissler S, Schlenzig D, Buchholz M, Ramsbeck D. Synthesis and structure-activity relationships of pyrazole-based inhibitors of meprin α and β. J Enzyme Inhib Med Chem 2023; 38:2165648. [PMID: 36661029 PMCID: PMC9870012 DOI: 10.1080/14756366.2023.2165648] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/21/2023] Open
Abstract
Targeting metalloproteinases has been in the focus of drug design for a long time. However, meprin α and β emerged as potential drug targets just recently and are linked to several diseases with different pathological background. Nevertheless, the validation of meprins as suitable drug targets still requires highly potent and selective inhibitors as chemical probes to elucidate their role in pathophysiology. Albeit highly selective inhibitors of meprin β have already been reported, only inhibitors of meprin α with modest activity or selectivity are known. Starting from recently reported heteroaromatic scaffolds, the aim of this study was the optimisation of meprin α and/or meprin β inhibition while keeping the favourable off-target inhibition profile over other metalloproteases. We report potent pan-meprin inhibitors as well as highly active inhibitors of meprin α with superior selectivity over meprin β. The latter are suitable to serve as chemical probes and enable further target validation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kathrin Tan
- Department of Drug Design and Target Validation MWT, Fraunhofer Institute for Cell Therapy and Immunology IZI, Biocenter, Halle (Saale), Germany
| | | | - Stefanie Geissler
- Department of Drug Design and Target Validation MWT, Fraunhofer Institute for Cell Therapy and Immunology IZI, Biocenter, Halle (Saale), Germany
| | - Dagmar Schlenzig
- Department of Drug Design and Target Validation MWT, Fraunhofer Institute for Cell Therapy and Immunology IZI, Biocenter, Halle (Saale), Germany
| | - Mirko Buchholz
- Department of Drug Design and Target Validation MWT, Fraunhofer Institute for Cell Therapy and Immunology IZI, Biocenter, Halle (Saale), Germany
| | - Daniel Ramsbeck
- Department of Drug Design and Target Validation MWT, Fraunhofer Institute for Cell Therapy and Immunology IZI, Biocenter, Halle (Saale), Germany,CONTACT Daniel Ramsbeck Department of Drug Design and Target Validation MWT, Fraunhofer Institute for Cell Therapy and Immunology IZI, Biocenter, Weinbergweg 22, Halle (Saale), 06120, Germany
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Bayly-Jones C, Lupton CJ, Fritz C, Venugopal H, Ramsbeck D, Wermann M, Jäger C, de Marco A, Schilling S, Schlenzig D, Whisstock JC. Helical ultrastructure of the metalloprotease meprin α in complex with a small molecule inhibitor. Nat Commun 2022; 13:6178. [PMID: 36261433 PMCID: PMC9581967 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-022-33893-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/13/2022] [Accepted: 09/30/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
The zinc-dependent metalloprotease meprin α is predominantly expressed in the brush border membrane of proximal tubules in the kidney and enterocytes in the small intestine and colon. In normal tissue homeostasis meprin α performs key roles in inflammation, immunity, and extracellular matrix remodelling. Dysregulated meprin α is associated with acute kidney injury, sepsis, urinary tract infection, metastatic colorectal carcinoma, and inflammatory bowel disease. Accordingly, meprin α is the target of drug discovery programs. In contrast to meprin β, meprin α is secreted into the extracellular space, whereupon it oligomerises to form giant assemblies and is the largest extracellular protease identified to date (~6 MDa). Here, using cryo-electron microscopy, we determine the high-resolution structure of the zymogen and mature form of meprin α, as well as the structure of the active form in complex with a prototype small molecule inhibitor and human fetuin-B. Our data reveal that meprin α forms a giant, flexible, left-handed helical assembly of roughly 22 nm in diameter. We find that oligomerisation improves proteolytic and thermal stability but does not impact substrate specificity or enzymatic activity. Furthermore, structural comparison with meprin β reveal unique features of the active site of meprin α, and helical assembly more broadly.
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Affiliation(s)
- Charles Bayly-Jones
- Biomedicine Discovery Institute, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
- ARC Centre of Excellence in Advanced Molecular Imaging, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Christopher J Lupton
- Biomedicine Discovery Institute, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
- ARC Centre of Excellence in Advanced Molecular Imaging, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Claudia Fritz
- Department for Drug Design and Target Validation (IZI-MWT), Fraunhofer Institute for Cell Therapy and Immunology, Halle, Germany
| | - Hariprasad Venugopal
- Ramaciotti Centre for Cryo-Electron Microscopy, Monash University, Clayton, 3800, VIC, Australia
| | - Daniel Ramsbeck
- Department for Drug Design and Target Validation (IZI-MWT), Fraunhofer Institute for Cell Therapy and Immunology, Halle, Germany
| | - Michael Wermann
- Department for Drug Design and Target Validation (IZI-MWT), Fraunhofer Institute for Cell Therapy and Immunology, Halle, Germany
| | | | - Alex de Marco
- Biomedicine Discovery Institute, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
- ARC Centre of Excellence in Advanced Molecular Imaging, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Stephan Schilling
- Department for Drug Design and Target Validation (IZI-MWT), Fraunhofer Institute for Cell Therapy and Immunology, Halle, Germany
- Hochschule Anhalt, University of Applied Sciences, Köthen, Germany
| | - Dagmar Schlenzig
- Department for Drug Design and Target Validation (IZI-MWT), Fraunhofer Institute for Cell Therapy and Immunology, Halle, Germany.
| | - James C Whisstock
- Biomedicine Discovery Institute, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia.
- ARC Centre of Excellence in Advanced Molecular Imaging, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia.
- EMBL Australia, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC, 3800, Australia.
- ACRF Department of Cancer Biology and Therapeutics, John Curtin School of Medical Research, Australian National University, Canberra, ACT, 2601, Australia.
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Regulation of meprin metalloproteases in mucosal homeostasis. BIOCHIMICA ET BIOPHYSICA ACTA-MOLECULAR CELL RESEARCH 2021; 1869:119158. [PMID: 34626680 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbamcr.2021.119158] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/02/2021] [Revised: 09/15/2021] [Accepted: 09/20/2021] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Mucus is covering the entire epithelium of the gastrointestinal tract (GIT), building the interface for the symbiosis between microorganisms and their host. Hence, a disrupted mucosal barrier or alterations of proper mucus composition, including the gut microbiota, can cause severe infection and inflammation. Meprin metalloproteases are well-known to cleave various pro-inflammatory molecules, contributing to the onset and progression of pathological conditions including sepsis, pulmonary hypertension or inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Moreover, meprins have an impact on migration and infiltration of immune cells like monocytes or leukocytes during intestinal inflammation by cleaving tight junction proteins or cell adhesion molecules, thereby disrupting epithelial cell barrier and promoting transendothelial cell migration. Interestingly, both meprin α and meprin β are susceptibility genes for IBD. However, both genes are significantly downregulated in inflamed intestinal tissue in contrast to healthy donors. Therefore, a detailed understanding of the underlying molecular mechanisms is the basis for developing new and effective therapies against manifold pathologies like IBD. This review focuses on the regulation of meprin metalloproteases and its impact on physiological and pathological conditions related to mucosal homeostasis.
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Discovery and Optimization of Selective Inhibitors of Meprin α (Part II). Pharmaceuticals (Basel) 2021; 14:ph14030197. [PMID: 33673639 PMCID: PMC7997411 DOI: 10.3390/ph14030197] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2020] [Revised: 02/23/2021] [Accepted: 02/24/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Meprin α is a zinc metalloproteinase (metzincin) that has been implicated in multiple diseases, including fibrosis and cancers. It has proven difficult to find small molecules that are capable of selectively inhibiting meprin a, or its close relative meprin b, over numerous other metzincins which, if inhibited, would elicit unwanted effects. We recently identified possible molecular starting points for meprin a-specific inhibition through an HTS effort (see part I, preceding paper). Here, in part II, we report further efforts to optimize potency and selectivity. We hope that a hydroxamic acid meprin α inhibitor probe will help define the therapeutic potential for small molecule meprin a inhibition and spur further drug discovery efforts in the area of zinc metalloproteinase inhibition.
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