Rare genetic variation in fibronectin 1 (FN1) protects against APOEε4 in Alzheimer's disease

The risk of developing Alzheimer's disease (AD) significantly increases in individuals carrying the APOEε4 allele. Elderly cognitively healthy individuals with APOEε4 also exist, suggesting the presence of cellular mechanisms that counteract the pathological effects of APOEε4; however, these mechanisms are unknown. We hypothesized that APOEε4 carriers without dementia might carry genetic variations that could protect them from developing APOEε4-mediated AD pathology. To test this, we leveraged whole-genome sequencing (WGS) data in the National Institute on Aging Alzheimer's Disease Family Based Study (NIA-AD FBS), Washington Heights/Inwood Columbia Aging Project (WHICAP), and Estudio Familiar de Influencia Genetica en Alzheimer (EFIGA) cohorts and identified potentially protective variants segregating exclusively among unaffected APOEε4 carriers. In homozygous unaffected carriers above 70 years old, we identified 510 rare coding variants. Pathway analysis of the genes harboring these variants showed significant enrichment in extracellular matrix (ECM)-related processes, suggesting protective effects of functional modifications in ECM proteins. We prioritized two genes that were highly represented in the ECM-related gene ontology terms, (FN1) and collagen type VI alpha 2 chain (COL6A2) and are known to be expressed at the blood-brain barrier (BBB), for postmortem validation and in vivo functional studies. An independent analysis in a large cohort of 7185 APOEε4 homozygous carriers found that rs140926439 variant in FN1 was protective of AD (OR = 0.29; 95% CI [0.11, 0.78], P = 0.014) and delayed age at onset of disease by 3.37 years (95% CI [0.42, 6.32], P = 0.025). The FN1 and COL6A2 protein levels were increased at the BBB in APOEε4 carriers with AD. Brain expression of cognitively unaffected homozygous APOEε4 carriers had significantly lower FN1 deposition and less reactive gliosis compared to homozygous APOEε4 carriers with AD, suggesting that FN1 might be a downstream driver of APOEε4-mediated AD-related pathology and cognitive decline. To validate our findings, we used zebrafish models with loss-of-function (LOF) mutations in fn1b-the ortholog for human FN1. We found that fibronectin LOF reduced gliosis, enhanced gliovascular remodeling, and potentiated the microglial response, suggesting that pathological accumulation of FN1 could impair toxic protein clearance, which is ameliorated with FN1 LOF. Our study suggests that vascular deposition of FN1 is related to the pathogenicity of APOEε4, and LOF variants in FN1 may reduce APOEε4-related AD risk, providing novel clues to potential therapeutic interventions targeting the ECM to mitigate AD risk.

Zebrafish as an Experimental and Preclinical Model for Alzheimer's Disease

The success rate of novel drug candidates in clinical trials relies on the safety and efficacy data of the preclinical studies. Although cell-based assays are widely used, the complexity of an in vivo system to mimic human disease pathophysiology is essential. Despite the wide usage of rodent models for preclinical drug discovery, increasing the repertoire of animal models that allow the investigation of various pathological mechanisms with a unique operational strength for drug discovery is required. Zebrafish, a teleost vertebrate, with its high similarity to human pathophysiology and unique tissue regenerative ability, emerged as an excellent tool for early drug discovery and preclinical studies.

Discovery of Potent Cholinesterase Inhibition-Based Multi-Target-Directed Lead Compounds for Synaptoprotection in Alzheimer's Disease

Drug development efforts that focused on single targets failed to provide effective treatment for Alzheimer's disease (AD). Therefore, we designed cholinesterase inhibition (ChEI)-based multi-target-directed ligands (MTDLs) to simultaneously target AD-related receptors. We built a library of 70 compounds, sequentially screened for ChEI, and determined σ₁R, σ₂R, NMDAR-GluN2B binding affinities, and P2X7R antagonistic activities. Nine fulfilled in silico drug-likeness criteria and did not display toxicity in three cell lines. Seven displayed cytoprotective activity in two stress-induced cellular models. Compared to donepezil, six showed equal/better synaptic protection in a zebrafish model of acute amyloidosis-induced synaptic degeneration. Two P2X7R antagonists alleviated the activation state of microglia in vivo. Permeability studies were performed, and four did not inhibit CYP450 3A4, 2D6, and 2C9. Therefore, four ChEI-based lead MTDLs are promising drug candidates for synaptic integrity protection and could serve as disease-modifying AD treatment. Our study also proposes zebrafish as a useful preclinical tool for drug discovery and development.

Lead Optimization and Structure-Activity Relationship Studies on Myeloid Ecotropic Viral Integration Site 1 Inhibitor

The pivotal role of the myeloid ecotropic viral integration site 1 (MEIS1) transcriptional factor was reported in cardiac regeneration and hematopoietic stem-cell (HSC) regulation with our previous findings. MEIS1 as a promising target in the context of pharmacological inhibition, we identified a potent myeloid ecotropic viral integration site (MEIS) inhibitor, MEISi-1, to induce murine and human HSC expansion ex vivo and in vivo. In this work, we performed lead optimization on MEISi-1 by synthesizing 45 novel analogues. Structure-activity relationship studies revealed the significance of a para-methoxy group on ring A and a hydrophobic moiety at the meta position of ring B. Obtained biological data were supported by inhibitor docking and molecular dynamics simulation studies. Eleven compounds were depicted as potent inhibitors demonstrating a better inhibitory profile on MEIS1 and target genes Meis1, Hif-1α, and p21. Among those, 4h, 4f, and 4b were the most potent inhibitors. The predicted pharmacokinetics properties fulfill drug-likeness criteria. In addition, compounds exerted neither cytotoxicity on human dermal fibroblasts nor mutagenicity.

Synthesis, Antimicrobial, Antioxidant and Molecular Docking Studies on Novel 6-Methoxybenzothiazole-piperazine Derivatives with Propanamide Chain

BACKGROUND

Infectious diseases are a major threat in the developing world and the discovery of novel antimicrobial agents remains to be crucial due to acquired resistance by the microorganisms. Additionally, various diseases can be prevented with antioxidant agents as they can eliminate the harmful effects of reactive oxygen species.

OBJECTIVE

In this study, it was aimed to synthesize novel compounds bearing N-(6- methoxybenzothiazol-2-yl)-3-(4-substitued piperazinyl)propanamide backbone that had antimicrobial and antioxidant activities. Mechanisms of activity were aimed to be revealed by docking studies.

METHODS

Antimicrobial activities were tested by agar-based disc diffusion assay, and antioxidant activities were determined by CUPRAC assay.

RESULTS

In agar-based disc diffusion assay, the most active compounds were 2b and 2e against Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Escherichia coli and Candida albicans. Compounds 2e and 2j showed promising antioxidant activity in CUPRAC assay. Docking studies were performed to optimize the interactions of compounds with DNA gyrase subunit B of S. aureus. Under the light of docking studies, a new compound with potential GyrB inhibition was designed. Antioxidant activity was also supported by docking studies on superoxide dismutase 1 enzyme in which interactions with key residues were observed.

CONCLUSION

Ten novel benzothiazole-piperazine derivatives were synthesized and their antimicrobial and antioxidant activities were evaluated. Superoxide dismutase 1 enzyme was suggested to be a possible target for the antioxidant activity of the series.

Synthesis of Novel Benzothiazole-Piperazine Derivatives and Their Biological Evaluation as Acetylcholinesterase Inhibitors and Cytotoxic Agents

OBJECTIVE AND METHOD

A new series of benzothiazole-piperazine derivatives was synthesized and a complete chemical characterization of the novel compounds was provided. In vitro cytotoxic activities were screened against colorectal (HCT-116), breast (MCF-7) and hepatocellular (Huh7) cancer cell lines by Sulforhodamine B assay.

RESULT AND DISCUSSION

All compounds showed cytotoxic activity against hepatocellular (Huh7) and breast (MCF-7) cancer cell lines. Dihalo substituted benzylpiperazine derivatives (2a, 2e) had the highest cytotoxic activities in all the tested cell lines. In addition, acetylcholinesterase (AChE) and butyrylcholinesterase (BuChE) inhibitory activities of synthesized compounds were investigated by in vitro Ellman's method. Compound 2j led to moderate and selective inhibition against AChE. Docking study was utilized to understand the binding mode of compound 2j in comparision with donepezil on AChE. The other tested compounds showed weak or no inhibition against AChE as promising anticancer agents.