1
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Albertini C, Petralla S, Massenzio F, Monti B, Rizzardi N, Bergamini C, Uliassi E, Borges F, Chavarria D, Fricker G, Goettert M, Kronenberger T, Gehringer M, Laufer S, Bolognesi ML. Targeting Lewy body dementia with neflamapimod-rasagiline hybrids. Arch Pharm (Weinheim) 2024:e2300525. [PMID: 38412454 DOI: 10.1002/ardp.202300525] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/21/2023] [Revised: 02/03/2024] [Accepted: 02/06/2024] [Indexed: 02/29/2024]
Abstract
Lewy body dementia (LBD) represents the second most common neurodegenerative dementia but is a quite underexplored therapeutic area. Nepflamapimod (1) is a brain-penetrant selective inhibitor of the alpha isoform of the mitogen-activated serine/threonine protein kinase (MAPK) p38α, recently repurposed for LBD due to its remarkable antineuroinflammatory properties. Neuroprotective propargylamines are another class of molecules with a therapeutical potential against LBD. Herein, we sought to combine the antineuroinflammatory core of 1 and the neuroprotective propargylamine moiety into a single molecule. Particularly, we inserted a propargylamine moiety in position 4 of the 2,6-dichlorophenyl ring of 1, generating neflamapimod-propargylamine hybrids 3 and 4. These hybrids were evaluated using several cell models, aiming to recapitulate the complexity of LBD pathology through different molecular mechanisms. The N-methyl-N-propargyl derivative 4 showed a nanomolar p38α-MAPK inhibitory activity (IC50 = 98.7 nM), which is only 2.6-fold lower compared to that of the parent compound 1, while displaying no hepato- and neurotoxicity up to 25 μM concentration. It also retained a similar immunomodulatory profile against the N9 microglial cell line. Gratifyingly, at 5 μM concentration, 4 demonstrated a neuroprotective effect against dexamethasone-induced reactive oxygen species production in neuronal cells that was higher than that of 1.
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Affiliation(s)
- Claudia Albertini
- Department of Pharmacy and Biotechnology, Alma Mater Studiorum-University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Sabrina Petralla
- Institute of Pharmacy and Molecular Biotechnology, Ruprecht-Karls-University, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Francesca Massenzio
- Department of Pharmacy and Biotechnology, Alma Mater Studiorum-University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Barbara Monti
- Department of Pharmacy and Biotechnology, Alma Mater Studiorum-University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Nicola Rizzardi
- Department of Pharmacy and Biotechnology, Alma Mater Studiorum-University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Christian Bergamini
- Department of Pharmacy and Biotechnology, Alma Mater Studiorum-University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Elisa Uliassi
- Department of Pharmacy and Biotechnology, Alma Mater Studiorum-University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Fernanda Borges
- CIQUP-IMS, Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Faculty of Sciences, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal
| | - Daniel Chavarria
- CIQUP-IMS, Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Faculty of Sciences, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal
| | - Gert Fricker
- Institute of Pharmacy and Molecular Biotechnology, Ruprecht-Karls-University, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Marcia Goettert
- Department of Pharmaceutical and Medicinal Chemistry, Eberhard-Karls-Universität Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Thales Kronenberger
- Department of Pharmaceutical and Medicinal Chemistry, Eberhard-Karls-Universität Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
- School of Pharmacy, University of Eastern Finland, Kuopio, Finland
| | - Matthias Gehringer
- Department of Pharmaceutical and Medicinal Chemistry, Eberhard-Karls-Universität Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Stefan Laufer
- Department of Pharmaceutical and Medicinal Chemistry, Eberhard-Karls-Universität Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Maria L Bolognesi
- Department of Pharmacy and Biotechnology, Alma Mater Studiorum-University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
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2
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Exertier C, Salerno A, Antonelli L, Fiorillo A, Ocello R, Seghetti F, Caciolla J, Uliassi E, Masetti M, Fiorentino E, Orsini S, Di Muccio T, Ilari A, Bolognesi ML. Fragment Merging, Growing, and Linking Identify New Trypanothione Reductase Inhibitors for Leishmaniasis. J Med Chem 2024; 67:402-419. [PMID: 38164929 PMCID: PMC10788915 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.3c01439] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/06/2023] [Revised: 10/30/2023] [Accepted: 11/27/2023] [Indexed: 01/03/2024]
Abstract
Trypanothione reductase (TR) is a suitable target for drug discovery approaches against leishmaniasis, although the identification of potent inhibitors is still challenging. Herein, we harnessed a fragment-based drug discovery (FBDD) strategy to develop new TR inhibitors. Previous crystallographic screening identified fragments 1-3, which provided ideal starting points for a medicinal chemistry campaign. In silico investigations revealed critical hotspots in the TR binding site, guiding our structure- and ligand-based structure-actvity relationship (SAR) exploration that yielded fragment-derived compounds 4-14. A trend of improvement in Leishmania infantum TR inhibition was detected along the optimization and confirmed by the crystal structures of 9, 10, and 14 in complex with Trypanosoma brucei TR. Compound 10 showed the best TR inhibitory profile (Ki = 0.2 μM), whereas 9 was the best one in terms of in vitro and ex vivo activity. Although further fine-tuning is needed to improve selectivity, we demonstrated the potentiality of FBDD on a classic but difficult target for leishmaniasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cécile Exertier
- Institute
of Molecular Biology and Pathology (IBPM) of the National Research
Council of Italy (CNR), c/o Department of Biochemical Sciences, Sapienza University of Rome, Piazzale A. Moro 5, Roma 00185, Italy
| | - Alessandra Salerno
- Department
of Pharmacy and Biotechnology, Alma Mater
Studiorum—University of Bologna, Via Belmeloro 6, Bologna 40126, Italy
| | - Lorenzo Antonelli
- Department
of Biochemical Sciences “A. Rossi Fanelli”, Sapienza University of Rome, Piazzale A. Moro 5, Roma 00185, Italy
| | - Annarita Fiorillo
- Department
of Biochemical Sciences “A. Rossi Fanelli”, Sapienza University of Rome, Piazzale A. Moro 5, Roma 00185, Italy
| | - Riccardo Ocello
- Department
of Pharmacy and Biotechnology, Alma Mater
Studiorum—University of Bologna, Via Belmeloro 6, Bologna 40126, Italy
- Computational
and Chemical Biology, Istituto Italiano
di Tecnologia, via Morego
30, Genova 16163, Italy
| | - Francesca Seghetti
- Department
of Pharmacy and Biotechnology, Alma Mater
Studiorum—University of Bologna, Via Belmeloro 6, Bologna 40126, Italy
| | - Jessica Caciolla
- Department
of Pharmacy and Biotechnology, Alma Mater
Studiorum—University of Bologna, Via Belmeloro 6, Bologna 40126, Italy
| | - Elisa Uliassi
- Department
of Pharmacy and Biotechnology, Alma Mater
Studiorum—University of Bologna, Via Belmeloro 6, Bologna 40126, Italy
| | - Matteo Masetti
- Department
of Pharmacy and Biotechnology, Alma Mater
Studiorum—University of Bologna, Via Belmeloro 6, Bologna 40126, Italy
| | - Eleonora Fiorentino
- Department
of Infectious Diseases, Istituto Superiore
di Sanità, Viale Regina Elena 299, Roma 00161, Italy
| | - Stefania Orsini
- Department
of Infectious Diseases, Istituto Superiore
di Sanità, Viale Regina Elena 299, Roma 00161, Italy
| | - Trentina Di Muccio
- Department
of Infectious Diseases, Istituto Superiore
di Sanità, Viale Regina Elena 299, Roma 00161, Italy
| | - Andrea Ilari
- Institute
of Molecular Biology and Pathology (IBPM) of the National Research
Council of Italy (CNR), c/o Department of Biochemical Sciences, Sapienza University of Rome, Piazzale A. Moro 5, Roma 00185, Italy
| | - Maria Laura Bolognesi
- Department
of Pharmacy and Biotechnology, Alma Mater
Studiorum—University of Bologna, Via Belmeloro 6, Bologna 40126, Italy
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3
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Pasieka A, Diamanti E, Uliassi E, Laura Bolognesi M. Click Chemistry and Targeted Degradation: A Winning Combination for Medicinal Chemists? ChemMedChem 2023; 18:e202300422. [PMID: 37706617 DOI: 10.1002/cmdc.202300422] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Revised: 09/01/2023] [Indexed: 09/15/2023]
Abstract
Click chemistry is universally recognized as a powerful strategy for the fast and precise assembly of diverse building blocks. Targeted Protein Degradation (TPD) is a new therapeutic modality based on heterobifunctional small-molecule degraders that provides new opportunities to medicinal chemists dealing with undruggable targets and incurable diseases. Here, we highlight how very recently the TPD field and that of click chemistry have merged, opening up the possibility for fine-tuning the properties of a degrader, chemically assembled through a "click" synthesis. By reviewing concrete examples, we want to provide the reader with the insight that the application of click and bioorthogonal chemistry in the TDP field may be a winning combination.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna Pasieka
- Department of Pharmacy and Biotechnology, Alma Mater Studiorum-University of Bologna, Via Belmeloro 6, 40126, Bologna, Italy
| | - Eleonora Diamanti
- Department of Pharmacy and Biotechnology, Alma Mater Studiorum-University of Bologna, Via Belmeloro 6, 40126, Bologna, Italy
| | - Elisa Uliassi
- Department of Pharmacy and Biotechnology, Alma Mater Studiorum-University of Bologna, Via Belmeloro 6, 40126, Bologna, Italy
| | - Maria Laura Bolognesi
- Department of Pharmacy and Biotechnology, Alma Mater Studiorum-University of Bologna, Via Belmeloro 6, 40126, Bologna, Italy
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4
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Uliassi E, Bergamini C, Rizzardi N, Naldi M, Cores Á, Bartolini M, Carlos Menéndez J, Bolognesi ML. Quinolinetrione-tacrine hybrids as multi-target-directed ligands against Alzheimer's disease. Bioorg Med Chem 2023; 91:117419. [PMID: 37487339 DOI: 10.1016/j.bmc.2023.117419] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/12/2023] [Revised: 07/04/2023] [Accepted: 07/18/2023] [Indexed: 07/26/2023]
Abstract
Multi-target drug discovery is one of the most active fields in the search for new drugs against Alzheimer's disease (AD). This is because the complexity of AD pathological network might be adequately tackled by multi-target-directed ligands (MTDLs) aimed at modulating simultaneously multiple targets of such a network. In a continuation of our efforts to develop MTDLs for AD, we have been focusing on the molecular hybridization of the acetylcholinesterase inhibitor tacrine with the aim of expanding its anti-AD profile. Herein, we manipulated the structure of a previously developed tacrine-quinone hybrid (1). We designed and synthesized a novel set of MTDLs (2-6) by replacing the naphthoquinone scaffold of 1 with that of 2,5,8-quinolinetrione. The most interesting hybrid 3 inhibited cholinesterase enzymes at nanomolar concentrations. In addition, 3 exerted antioxidant effects in menadione-induced oxidative stress of SH-SY5Y cells. Importantly, 3 also showed low hepatotoxicity and good anti-amyloid aggregation properties. Remarkably, we uncovered the potential of the quinolinetrione scaffold, as a novel anti-amyloid aggregation and antioxidant motif to be used in further anti-AD MTDL drug discovery endeavors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elisa Uliassi
- Department of Pharmacy and Biotechnology, Alma Mater Studiorum - University of Bologna, 40126 Bologna, Italy
| | - Christian Bergamini
- Department of Pharmacy and Biotechnology, Alma Mater Studiorum - University of Bologna, 40126 Bologna, Italy
| | - Nicola Rizzardi
- Department of Pharmacy and Biotechnology, Alma Mater Studiorum - University of Bologna, 40126 Bologna, Italy
| | - Marina Naldi
- Department of Pharmacy and Biotechnology, Alma Mater Studiorum - University of Bologna, 40126 Bologna, Italy
| | - Ángel Cores
- Department of Chemistry in Pharmaceutical Sciences, Organic and Medicinal Chemistry Unit, Faculty of Pharmacy, Universidad Complutense, 28040 Madrid, Spain
| | - Manuela Bartolini
- Department of Pharmacy and Biotechnology, Alma Mater Studiorum - University of Bologna, 40126 Bologna, Italy
| | - J Carlos Menéndez
- Department of Chemistry in Pharmaceutical Sciences, Organic and Medicinal Chemistry Unit, Faculty of Pharmacy, Universidad Complutense, 28040 Madrid, Spain.
| | - Maria Laura Bolognesi
- Department of Pharmacy and Biotechnology, Alma Mater Studiorum - University of Bologna, 40126 Bologna, Italy.
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5
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Guardigni M, Pruccoli L, Santini A, Simone AD, Bersani M, Spyrakis F, Frabetti F, Uliassi E, Andrisano V, Pagliarani B, Fernández-Gómez P, Palomo V, Bolognesi ML, Tarozzi A, Milelli A. PROTAC-Induced Glycogen Synthase Kinase 3β Degradation as a Potential Therapeutic Strategy for Alzheimer's Disease. ACS Chem Neurosci 2023. [PMID: 37218653 DOI: 10.1021/acschemneuro.3c00096] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Glycogen synthase kinase 3β (GSK-3β) is a serine/threonine kinase and an attractive therapeutic target for Alzheimer's disease. Based on proteolysis-targeting chimera (PROTAC) technology, a small set of novel GSK-3β degraders was designed and synthesized by linking two different GSK-3β inhibitors, SB-216763 and tideglusib, to pomalidomide, as E3 recruiting element, through linkers of different lengths. Compound 1 emerged as the most effective PROTAC being nontoxic up to 20 μM to neuronal cells and already able to degrade GSK-3β starting from 0.5 μM in a dose-dependent manner. PROTAC 1 significantly reduced the neurotoxicity induced by Aβ25-35 peptide and CuSO4 in SH-SY5Y cells in a dose-dependent manner. Based on its encouraging features, PROTAC 1 may serve as a starting point to develop new GSK-3β degraders as potential therapeutic agents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Melissa Guardigni
- Department for Life Quality Studies, Alma Mater Studiorum-University of Bologna, Corso d'Augusto 237, 47921 Rimini, Italy
| | - Letizia Pruccoli
- Department for Life Quality Studies, Alma Mater Studiorum-University of Bologna, Corso d'Augusto 237, 47921 Rimini, Italy
| | - Alan Santini
- Department for Life Quality Studies, Alma Mater Studiorum-University of Bologna, Corso d'Augusto 237, 47921 Rimini, Italy
| | - Angela De Simone
- Department of Drug Science and Technology, University of Turin, Via Pietro Giuria 9, 10125 Torino, Italy
| | - Matteo Bersani
- Department of Drug Science and Technology, University of Turin, Via Pietro Giuria 9, 10125 Torino, Italy
| | - Francesca Spyrakis
- Department of Drug Science and Technology, University of Turin, Via Pietro Giuria 9, 10125 Torino, Italy
| | - Flavia Frabetti
- Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, Alma Mater Studiorum-University of Bologna, Via Belmeloro 8, 40126 Bologna, Italy
| | - Elisa Uliassi
- Department of Pharmacy and Biotechnology, Alma Mater Studiorum-University of Bologna, Via Belmeloro 6, 40126 Bologna, Italy
| | - Vincenza Andrisano
- Department for Life Quality Studies, Alma Mater Studiorum-University of Bologna, Corso d'Augusto 237, 47921 Rimini, Italy
| | - Barbara Pagliarani
- Department for Life Quality Studies, Alma Mater Studiorum-University of Bologna, Corso d'Augusto 237, 47921 Rimini, Italy
| | - Paula Fernández-Gómez
- Instituto Madrileño de Estudios Avanzados en Nanociencia (IMDEA-Nanociencia), C/Faraday 9, 28049 Madrid, Spain
| | - Valle Palomo
- Instituto Madrileño de Estudios Avanzados en Nanociencia (IMDEA-Nanociencia), C/Faraday 9, 28049 Madrid, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Neurodegenerativas (CIBERNED), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Av. de Monforte de Lemos, 5, 28029 Madrid, Spain
| | - Maria Laura Bolognesi
- Department of Pharmacy and Biotechnology, Alma Mater Studiorum-University of Bologna, Via Belmeloro 6, 40126 Bologna, Italy
| | - Andrea Tarozzi
- Department for Life Quality Studies, Alma Mater Studiorum-University of Bologna, Corso d'Augusto 237, 47921 Rimini, Italy
| | - Andrea Milelli
- Department for Life Quality Studies, Alma Mater Studiorum-University of Bologna, Corso d'Augusto 237, 47921 Rimini, Italy
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6
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Espinoza-Chávez R, Salerno A, Liuzzi A, Ilari A, Milelli A, Uliassi E, Bolognesi ML. Targeted Protein Degradation for Infectious Diseases: from Basic Biology to Drug Discovery. ACS Bio Med Chem Au 2023; 3:32-45. [PMID: 37101607 PMCID: PMC10125329 DOI: 10.1021/acsbiomedchemau.2c00063] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/10/2022] [Revised: 11/04/2022] [Accepted: 11/23/2022] [Indexed: 04/28/2023]
Abstract
Targeted protein degradation (TPD) is emerging as one of the most innovative strategies to tackle infectious diseases. Particularly, proteolysis-targeting chimera (PROTAC)-mediated protein degradation may offer several benefits over classical anti-infective small-molecule drugs. Because of their peculiar and catalytic mechanism of action, anti-infective PROTACs might be advantageous in terms of efficacy, toxicity, and selectivity. Importantly, PROTACs may also overcome the emergence of antimicrobial resistance. Furthermore, anti-infective PROTACs might have the potential to (i) modulate "undruggable" targets, (ii) "recycle" inhibitors from classical drug discovery approaches, and (iii) open new scenarios for combination therapies. Here, we try to address these points by discussing selected case studies of antiviral PROTACs and the first-in-class antibacterial PROTACs. Finally, we discuss how the field of PROTAC-mediated TPD might be exploited in parasitic diseases. Since no antiparasitic PROTAC has been reported yet, we also describe the parasite proteasome system. While in its infancy and with many challenges ahead, we hope that PROTAC-mediated protein degradation for infectious diseases may lead to the development of next-generation anti-infective drugs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rocío
Marisol Espinoza-Chávez
- Department
of Pharmacy and Biotechnology, Alma Mater
Studiorum - University of Bologna, Via Belmeloro 6, 40126 Bologna, Italy
| | - Alessandra Salerno
- Department
of Pharmacy and Biotechnology, Alma Mater
Studiorum - University of Bologna, Via Belmeloro 6, 40126 Bologna, Italy
| | - Anastasia Liuzzi
- Institute
of Molecular Biology and Pathology of the Italian National Research
Council (IBPM-CNR) - Department of Biochemical Sciences, Sapienza University, P.le A. Moro 5, 00185 Roma, Italy
| | - Andrea Ilari
- Institute
of Molecular Biology and Pathology of the Italian National Research
Council (IBPM-CNR) - Department of Biochemical Sciences, Sapienza University, P.le A. Moro 5, 00185 Roma, Italy
| | - Andrea Milelli
- Department
for Life Quality Studies, Alma Mater Studiorum
- University of Bologna, Corso d’Augusto 237, 47921 Rimini, Italy
| | - Elisa Uliassi
- Department
of Pharmacy and Biotechnology, Alma Mater
Studiorum - University of Bologna, Via Belmeloro 6, 40126 Bologna, Italy
| | - Maria Laura Bolognesi
- Department
of Pharmacy and Biotechnology, Alma Mater
Studiorum - University of Bologna, Via Belmeloro 6, 40126 Bologna, Italy
- E-mail:
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7
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Albertini C, Salerno A, Atzeni S, Uliassi E, Massenzio F, Maruca A, Rocca R, Mecava M, Silva FSG, Mena D, Valente P, Duarte AI, Chavarria D, Bissaro M, Moro S, Federico S, Spalluto G, Soukup O, Borges F, Alcaro S, Monti B, Oliveira PJ, Menéndez JC, Bolognesi ML. Riluzole-Rasagiline Hybrids: Toward the Development of Multi-Target-Directed Ligands for Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis. ACS Chem Neurosci 2022; 13:2252-2260. [PMID: 35868251 PMCID: PMC9354084 DOI: 10.1021/acschemneuro.2c00261] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
![]()
Polypharmacology is a new trend in amyotrophic lateral
sclerosis
(ALS) therapy and an effective way of addressing a multifactorial
etiology involving excitotoxicity, mitochondrial dysfunction, oxidative
stress, and microglial activation. Inspired by a reported clinical
trial, we converted a riluzole (1)–rasagiline
(2) combination into single-molecule multi-target-directed
ligands. By a ligand-based approach, the highly structurally integrated
hybrids 3–8 were designed and synthesized.
Through a target- and phenotypic-based screening pipeline, we identified
hit compound 6. It showed monoamine oxidase A (MAO-A)
inhibitory activity (IC50 = 6.9 μM) rationalized
by in silico studies as well as in vitro brain permeability. By using neuronal and non-neuronal cell models,
including ALS-patient-derived cells, we disclosed for 6 a neuroprotective/neuroinflammatory profile similar to that of the
parent compounds and their combination. Furthermore, the unexpected
MAO inhibitory activity of 1 (IC50 = 8.7 μM)
might add a piece to the puzzle of its anti-ALS molecular profile.
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Affiliation(s)
- Claudia Albertini
- Department of Pharmacy and Biotechnology, Alma Mater Studiorum - University of Bologna, 40126 Bologna, Italy
| | - Alessandra Salerno
- Department of Pharmacy and Biotechnology, Alma Mater Studiorum - University of Bologna, 40126 Bologna, Italy
| | - Silvia Atzeni
- Department of Pharmacy and Biotechnology, Alma Mater Studiorum - University of Bologna, 40126 Bologna, Italy
| | - Elisa Uliassi
- Department of Pharmacy and Biotechnology, Alma Mater Studiorum - University of Bologna, 40126 Bologna, Italy
| | - Francesca Massenzio
- Department of Pharmacy and Biotechnology, Alma Mater Studiorum - University of Bologna, 40126 Bologna, Italy
| | - Annalisa Maruca
- Dipartimento di Scienze della Salute, Università "Magna Græcia" di Catanzaro, Campus "S. Venuta", Viale Europa, 88100 Catanzaro, Italy.,Net4Science Academic Spin-Off, Università "Magna Græcia" di Catanzaro, Campus "S. Venuta", Viale Europa, 88100 Catanzaro, Italy
| | - Roberta Rocca
- Dipartimento di Scienze della Salute, Università "Magna Græcia" di Catanzaro, Campus "S. Venuta", Viale Europa, 88100 Catanzaro, Italy.,Net4Science Academic Spin-Off, Università "Magna Græcia" di Catanzaro, Campus "S. Venuta", Viale Europa, 88100 Catanzaro, Italy
| | - Marko Mecava
- Biomedical Research Center, University Hospital Hradec Kralove, Sokolska 581, 500 05 Hradec Králové, Czech Republic
| | - Filomena S G Silva
- Center for Neuroscience and Cell Biology (CNC), Centre for Innovative Biomedicine and Biotechnology (CIBB), University of Coimbra, 3004-504 Coimbra, Portugal.,Mitotag Lda, Biocant Park, 3060-197 Cantanhede, Portugal
| | - Débora Mena
- Center for Neuroscience and Cell Biology (CNC), Centre for Innovative Biomedicine and Biotechnology (CIBB), University of Coimbra, 3004-504 Coimbra, Portugal.,Institute for Interdisciplinary Research (IIIUC), University of Coimbra, Casa Costa Alemão - Pólo II, Rua D. Francisco de Lemos, 3030-789 Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Pedro Valente
- Center for Neuroscience and Cell Biology (CNC), Centre for Innovative Biomedicine and Biotechnology (CIBB), University of Coimbra, 3004-504 Coimbra, Portugal.,Research Unit for Sport and Physical Activity (CIDAF), Faculty of Sport Science and Physical Education (FCDEF-UC), University of Coimbra, 3040-248 Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Ana I Duarte
- Center for Neuroscience and Cell Biology (CNC), Centre for Innovative Biomedicine and Biotechnology (CIBB), University of Coimbra, 3004-504 Coimbra, Portugal.,Institute for Interdisciplinary Research (IIIUC), University of Coimbra, Casa Costa Alemão - Pólo II, Rua D. Francisco de Lemos, 3030-789 Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Daniel Chavarria
- CIQUP/Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Faculty of Sciences, University of Porto, 4169-007 Porto, Portugal
| | - Maicol Bissaro
- Department of Pharmaceutical and Pharmacological Sciences, University of Padova, 35131 Padova, Italy
| | - Stefano Moro
- Department of Pharmaceutical and Pharmacological Sciences, University of Padova, 35131 Padova, Italy
| | - Stephanie Federico
- Department of Chemical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Trieste, 34127 Trieste, Italy
| | - Giampiero Spalluto
- Department of Chemical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Trieste, 34127 Trieste, Italy
| | - Ondřej Soukup
- Biomedical Research Center, University Hospital Hradec Kralove, Sokolska 581, 500 05 Hradec Králové, Czech Republic
| | - Fernanda Borges
- CIQUP/Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Faculty of Sciences, University of Porto, 4169-007 Porto, Portugal
| | - Stefano Alcaro
- Dipartimento di Scienze della Salute, Università "Magna Græcia" di Catanzaro, Campus "S. Venuta", Viale Europa, 88100 Catanzaro, Italy.,Net4Science Academic Spin-Off, Università "Magna Græcia" di Catanzaro, Campus "S. Venuta", Viale Europa, 88100 Catanzaro, Italy
| | - Barbara Monti
- Department of Pharmacy and Biotechnology, Alma Mater Studiorum - University of Bologna, 40126 Bologna, Italy
| | - Paulo J Oliveira
- Center for Neuroscience and Cell Biology (CNC), Centre for Innovative Biomedicine and Biotechnology (CIBB), University of Coimbra, 3004-504 Coimbra, Portugal.,Institute for Interdisciplinary Research (IIIUC), University of Coimbra, Casa Costa Alemão - Pólo II, Rua D. Francisco de Lemos, 3030-789 Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Josè C Menéndez
- Department of Chemistry in Pharmaceutical Sciences, Organic and Medicinal Chemistry Unit, Faculty of Pharmacy, Universidad Complutense, 28040 Madrid, Spain
| | - Maria Laura Bolognesi
- Department of Pharmacy and Biotechnology, Alma Mater Studiorum - University of Bologna, 40126 Bologna, Italy
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8
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Salerno A, Seghetti F, Caciolla J, Uliassi E, Testi E, Guardigni M, Roberti M, Milelli A, Bolognesi ML. Enriching Proteolysis Targeting Chimeras with a Second Modality: When Two Are Better Than One. J Med Chem 2022; 65:9507-9530. [PMID: 35816671 PMCID: PMC9340767 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.2c00302] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
![]()
Proteolysis targeting chimera (PROTAC)-mediated protein
degradation
has prompted a radical rethink and is at a crucial stage in driving
a drug discovery transition. To fully harness the potential of this
technology, a growing paradigm toward enriching PROTACs with other
therapeutic modalities has been proposed. Could researchers successfully
combine two modalities to yield multifunctional PROTACs
with an expanded profile? In this Perspective, we try to answer this
question. We discuss how this possibility encompasses different approaches,
leading to multitarget PROTACs, light-controllable PROTACs, PROTAC conjugates, and macrocycle- and oligonucleotide-based PROTACs. This possibility
promises to further enhance PROTAC efficacy and selectivity, minimize
side effects, and hit undruggable targets. While PROTACs have reached
the clinical investigation stage, additional steps must be taken toward
the translational development of multifunctional PROTACs.
A deeper and detailed understanding of the most critical challenges
is required to fully exploit these opportunities and decisively enrich
the PROTAC toolbox.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alessandra Salerno
- Department of Pharmacy and Biotechnology, Alma Mater Studiorum - University of Bologna, Via Belmeloro 6, 40126 Bologna, Italy
| | - Francesca Seghetti
- Department of Pharmacy and Biotechnology, Alma Mater Studiorum - University of Bologna, Via Belmeloro 6, 40126 Bologna, Italy
| | - Jessica Caciolla
- Department of Pharmacy and Biotechnology, Alma Mater Studiorum - University of Bologna, Via Belmeloro 6, 40126 Bologna, Italy
| | - Elisa Uliassi
- Department of Pharmacy and Biotechnology, Alma Mater Studiorum - University of Bologna, Via Belmeloro 6, 40126 Bologna, Italy
| | - Eleonora Testi
- Department of Pharmacy and Biotechnology, Alma Mater Studiorum - University of Bologna, Via Belmeloro 6, 40126 Bologna, Italy
| | - Melissa Guardigni
- Department for Life Quality Studies, Alma Mater Studiorum - University of Bologna, Corso d'Augusto 237, 47921 Rimini, Italy
| | - Marinella Roberti
- Department of Pharmacy and Biotechnology, Alma Mater Studiorum - University of Bologna, Via Belmeloro 6, 40126 Bologna, Italy
| | - Andrea Milelli
- Department for Life Quality Studies, Alma Mater Studiorum - University of Bologna, Corso d'Augusto 237, 47921 Rimini, Italy
| | - Maria Laura Bolognesi
- Department of Pharmacy and Biotechnology, Alma Mater Studiorum - University of Bologna, Via Belmeloro 6, 40126 Bologna, Italy
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9
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Uliassi E, Nikolic L, Bolognesi ML, Legname G. Therapeutic strategies for identifying small molecules against prion diseases. Cell Tissue Res 2022; 392:337-347. [PMID: 34989851 DOI: 10.1007/s00441-021-03573-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/18/2021] [Accepted: 12/22/2021] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
Abstract
Prion diseases are fatal neurodegenerative disorders, for which there are no effective therapeutic and diagnostic agents. The main pathological hallmark has been identified as conformational changes of the cellular isoform prion protein (PrPC) to a misfolded isoform of the prion protein (PrPSc). Targeting PrPC and its conversion to PrPSc is still the central dogma in prion drug discovery, particularly in in silico and in vitro screening endeavors, leading to the identification of many small molecules with therapeutic potential. Nonetheless, multiple pathological targets are critically involved in the intricate pathogenesis of prion diseases. In this context, multi-target-directed ligands (MTDLs) emerge as valuable therapeutic approach for their potential to effectively counteract the complex etiopathogenesis by simultaneously modulating multiple targets. In addition, diagnosis occurs late in the disease process, and consequently a successful therapeutic intervention cannot be provided. In this respect, small molecule theranostics, which combine imaging and therapeutic properties, showed tremendous potential to cure and diagnose in vivo prion diseases. Herein, we review the major advances in prion drug discovery, from anti-prion small molecules identified by means of in silico and in vitro screening approaches to two rational strategies, namely MTDLs and theranostics, that have led to the identification of novel compounds with an expanded anti-prion profile.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elisa Uliassi
- Department of Pharmacy and Biotechnology, University of Bologna, Via Belmeloro 6, Bologna, Italy
| | - Lea Nikolic
- Laboratory of Prion Biology, Department of Neuroscience, Scuola Internazionale Superiore Di Studi Avanzati (SISSA), Trieste, Italy
| | - Maria Laura Bolognesi
- Department of Pharmacy and Biotechnology, University of Bologna, Via Belmeloro 6, Bologna, Italy.
| | - Giuseppe Legname
- Laboratory of Prion Biology, Department of Neuroscience, Scuola Internazionale Superiore Di Studi Avanzati (SISSA), Trieste, Italy.
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10
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Espro C, Paone E, Mauriello F, Gotti R, Uliassi E, Bolognesi ML, Rodríguez-Padrón D, Luque R. Sustainable production of pharmaceutical, nutraceutical and bioactive compounds from biomass and waste. Chem Soc Rev 2021; 50:11191-11207. [PMID: 34553208 DOI: 10.1039/d1cs00524c] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
The aim of this tutorial review is to provide a general overview of processes, technologies and challenges in the production of pharmaceutical and bioactive compounds from food waste and lignocellulosic residues. Particular attention is given to benign-by-design processes instinctively devoted to environmental sustainability for the recovery of bioactive compounds from food waste as well as for the production of alcohols, acids, polyols, furans and aromatic compounds from lignocellulosic residues. At the same time, novel green synthetic routes for the production of active pharmaceutical ingredients and the development of novel bioactive compounds are discussed. Recent success industrial stories on the use of food waste and lignocellulosic residues for pharmaceutical and nutraceutical applications are also discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Claudia Espro
- Dipartimento di Ingegneria, Università di Messina, Messina, Italy
| | - Emilia Paone
- Dipartimento di Ingegneria Industriale (DIEF), Università degli Studi di Firenze, Firenze, Italy.,Dipartimento DICEAM, Università degli Studi Mediterranea di Reggio Calabria, Reggio Calabria, Italy
| | - Francesco Mauriello
- Dipartimento DICEAM, Università degli Studi Mediterranea di Reggio Calabria, Reggio Calabria, Italy
| | - Roberto Gotti
- Dipartimento di Farmacia e Biotecnologie, Alma Mater Studiorum - Università di Bologna, Bologna, Italy.
| | - Elisa Uliassi
- Dipartimento di Farmacia e Biotecnologie, Alma Mater Studiorum - Università di Bologna, Bologna, Italy.
| | - Maria Laura Bolognesi
- Dipartimento di Farmacia e Biotecnologie, Alma Mater Studiorum - Università di Bologna, Bologna, Italy.
| | - Daily Rodríguez-Padrón
- Dipartimento di Ingegneria, Università di Messina, Messina, Italy.,Departamento de Química Orgánica, Universidad de Córdoba, Campus de Rabanales, Edificio Marie Curie (C-3), Ctra. Nnal. IV-A, Km 396, E14014, Córdoba, Spain
| | - Rafael Luque
- Departamento de Química Orgánica, Universidad de Córdoba, Campus de Rabanales, Edificio Marie Curie (C-3), Ctra. Nnal. IV-A, Km 396, E14014, Córdoba, Spain.,Peoples' Friendship University of Russia (RUDN University), 6 Miklukho Maklaya str., 117198, Moscow, Russian Federation
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11
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Uliassi E, de Oliveira AS, de Camargo Nascente L, Romeiro LAS, Bolognesi ML. Cashew Nut Shell Liquid (CNSL) as a Source of Drugs for Alzheimer's Disease. Molecules 2021; 26:molecules26185441. [PMID: 34576912 PMCID: PMC8466601 DOI: 10.3390/molecules26185441] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/02/2021] [Revised: 08/24/2021] [Accepted: 08/30/2021] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is a complex neurodegenerative disorder with a multifaceted pathogenesis. This fact has long halted the development of effective anti-AD drugs. Recently, a therapeutic strategy based on the exploitation of Brazilian biodiversity was set with the aim of discovering new disease-modifying and safe drugs for AD. In this review, we will illustrate our efforts in developing new molecules derived from Brazilian cashew nut shell liquid (CNSL), a natural oil and a byproduct of cashew nut food processing, with a high content of phenolic lipids. The rational modification of their structures has emerged as a successful medicinal chemistry approach to the development of novel anti-AD lead candidates. The biological profile of the newly developed CNSL derivatives towards validated AD targets will be discussed together with the role of these molecular targets in the context of AD pathogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elisa Uliassi
- Department of Pharmacy and Biotechnology, Alma Mater Studiorum—University of Bologna, Via Belmeloro 6, I-40126 Bologna, Italy;
| | - Andressa Souza de Oliveira
- Department of Pharmacy, Health Sciences Faculty, Campus Universitário Darcy Ribeiro, University of Brasília, Brasília 70910-900, DF, Brazil; (A.S.d.O.); (L.d.C.N.)
| | - Luciana de Camargo Nascente
- Department of Pharmacy, Health Sciences Faculty, Campus Universitário Darcy Ribeiro, University of Brasília, Brasília 70910-900, DF, Brazil; (A.S.d.O.); (L.d.C.N.)
| | - Luiz Antonio Soares Romeiro
- Department of Pharmacy, Health Sciences Faculty, Campus Universitário Darcy Ribeiro, University of Brasília, Brasília 70910-900, DF, Brazil; (A.S.d.O.); (L.d.C.N.)
- Correspondence: (L.A.S.R.); (M.L.B.)
| | - Maria Laura Bolognesi
- Department of Pharmacy and Biotechnology, Alma Mater Studiorum—University of Bologna, Via Belmeloro 6, I-40126 Bologna, Italy;
- Correspondence: (L.A.S.R.); (M.L.B.)
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12
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de Andrade Ramos G, Souza de Oliveira A, Bartolini M, Naldi M, Liparulo I, Bergamini C, Uliassi E, Wu L, Fraser PE, Abreu M, Kiametis AS, Gargano R, Silveira ER, Brand GD, Prchal L, Soukup O, Korábečný J, Bolognesi ML, Soares Romeiro LA. Discovery of sustainable drugs for Alzheimer's disease: cardanol-derived cholinesterase inhibitors with antioxidant and anti-amyloid properties. RSC Med Chem 2021; 12:1154-1163. [PMID: 34355181 PMCID: PMC8293282 DOI: 10.1039/d1md00046b] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/12/2021] [Accepted: 03/29/2021] [Indexed: 01/21/2023] Open
Abstract
As part of our efforts to develop sustainable drugs for Alzheimer's disease (AD), we have been focusing on the inexpensive and largely available cashew nut shell liquid (CNSL) as a starting material for the identification of new acetylcholinesterase (AChE) inhibitors. Herein, we decided to investigate whether cardanol, a phenolic CNSL component, could serve as a scaffold for improved compounds with concomitant anti-amyloid and antioxidant activities. Ten new derivatives, carrying the intact phenolic function and an aminomethyl functionality, were synthesized and first tested for their inhibitory potencies towards AChE and butyrylcholinesterase (BChE). 5 and 11 were found to inhibit human BChE at a single-digit micromolar concentration. Transmission electron microscopy revealed the potential of five derivatives to modulate Aβ aggregation, including 5 and 11. In HORAC assays, 5 and 11 performed similarly to standard antioxidant ferulic acid as hydroxyl scavenging agents. Furthermore, in in vitro studies in neuronal cell cultures, 5 and 11 were found to effectively inhibit reactive oxygen species production at a 10 μM concentration. They also showed a favorable initial ADME/Tox profile. Overall, these results suggest that CNSL is a promising raw material for the development of potential disease-modifying treatments for AD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giselle de Andrade Ramos
- Department of Pharmacy, Health Sciences Faculty, University of Brasília, Campus Universitário Darcy Ribeiro 70910-900 Brasília DF Brazil
| | - Andressa Souza de Oliveira
- Department of Pharmacy, Health Sciences Faculty, University of Brasília, Campus Universitário Darcy Ribeiro 70910-900 Brasília DF Brazil
| | - Manuela Bartolini
- Department of Pharmacy and Biotechnology, University of Bologna Via Belmeloro 6 40126 Bologna Italy
| | - Marina Naldi
- Department of Pharmacy and Biotechnology, University of Bologna Via Belmeloro 6 40126 Bologna Italy
| | - Irene Liparulo
- Department of Pharmacy and Biotechnology, University of Bologna Via Belmeloro 6 40126 Bologna Italy
| | - Christian Bergamini
- Department of Pharmacy and Biotechnology, University of Bologna Via Belmeloro 6 40126 Bologna Italy
| | - Elisa Uliassi
- Department of Pharmacy and Biotechnology, University of Bologna Via Belmeloro 6 40126 Bologna Italy
| | - Ling Wu
- Tanz Centre for Research in Neurodegenerative Diseases and Dept. of Medical Biophysics, University of Toronto Krembil Discovery Tower, 60 Leonard Avenue, 6KD-402 M5T 2S8 Toronto ON Canada
| | - Paul E Fraser
- Tanz Centre for Research in Neurodegenerative Diseases and Dept. of Medical Biophysics, University of Toronto Krembil Discovery Tower, 60 Leonard Avenue, 6KD-402 M5T 2S8 Toronto ON Canada
| | - Monica Abreu
- Physics Institute, University of Brasília, Campus Universitário Darcy Ribeiro 70910-900 Brasília DF Brazil
| | - Alessandra Sofia Kiametis
- Physics Institute, University of Brasília, Campus Universitário Darcy Ribeiro 70910-900 Brasília DF Brazil
| | - Ricardo Gargano
- Physics Institute, University of Brasília, Campus Universitário Darcy Ribeiro 70910-900 Brasília DF Brazil
| | - Edilberto Rocha Silveira
- CENAUREMN, Department of Organic and Inorganic Chemistry, Federal University of Ceará 60021-970 Fortaleza CE Brazil
| | - Guilherme D Brand
- Chemistry Institute, University of Brasília, Campus Universitário Darcy Ribeiro 70910-900 Brasília DF Brazil
| | - Lukas Prchal
- Biomedical Research Centre, University Hospital Hradec Kralove Sokolska 581, 500 05 Hradec Kralove Czech Republic
| | - Ondřej Soukup
- Biomedical Research Centre, University Hospital Hradec Kralove Sokolska 581, 500 05 Hradec Kralove Czech Republic
- Department of Toxicology and Military Pharmacy, Faculty of Military Health Sciences, University of Defence Trebesska 1575, 500 01 Hradec Kralove Czech Republic
| | - Jan Korábečný
- Biomedical Research Centre, University Hospital Hradec Kralove Sokolska 581, 500 05 Hradec Kralove Czech Republic
- Department of Toxicology and Military Pharmacy, Faculty of Military Health Sciences, University of Defence Trebesska 1575, 500 01 Hradec Kralove Czech Republic
| | - Maria Laura Bolognesi
- Department of Pharmacy and Biotechnology, University of Bologna Via Belmeloro 6 40126 Bologna Italy
| | - Luiz Antonio Soares Romeiro
- Department of Pharmacy, Health Sciences Faculty, University of Brasília, Campus Universitário Darcy Ribeiro 70910-900 Brasília DF Brazil
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13
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Gorecki L, Uliassi E, Bartolini M, Janockova J, Hrabinova M, Hepnarova V, Prchal L, Muckova L, Pejchal J, Karasova JZ, Mezeiova E, Benkova M, Kobrlova T, Soukup O, Petralla S, Monti B, Korabecny J, Bolognesi ML. Phenothiazine-Tacrine Heterodimers: Pursuing Multitarget Directed Approach in Alzheimer's Disease. ACS Chem Neurosci 2021; 12:1698-1715. [PMID: 33852284 DOI: 10.1021/acschemneuro.1c00184] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Since 2002, no clinical candidate against Alzheimer's disease has reached the market; hence, an effective therapy is urgently needed. We followed the so-called "multitarget directed ligand" approach and designed 36 novel tacrine-phenothiazine heterodimers which were in vitro evaluated for their anticholinesterase properties. The assessment of the structure-activity relationships of such derivatives highlighted compound 1dC as a potent and selective acetylcholinesterase inhibitor with IC50 = 8 nM and 1aA as a potent butyrylcholinesterase inhibitor with IC50 = 15 nM. Selected hybrids, namely, 1aC, 1bC, 1cC, 1dC, and 2dC, showed a significant inhibitory activity toward τ(306-336) peptide aggregation with percent inhibition ranging from 50.5 to 62.1%. Likewise, 1dC and 2dC exerted a remarkable ability to inhibit self-induced Aβ1-42 aggregation. Notwithstanding, in vitro studies displayed cytotoxicity toward HepG2 cells and cerebellar granule neurons; no pathophysiological abnormality was observed when 1dC was administered to mice at 14 mg/kg (i.p.). 1dC was also able to permeate to the CNS as shown by in vitro and in vivo models. The maximum brain concentration was close to the IC50 value for acetylcholinesterase inhibition with a relatively slow elimination half-time. 1dC showed an acceptable safety and good pharmacokinetic properties and a multifunctional biological profile.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lukas Gorecki
- Biomedical Research Centre, University Hospital Hradec Kralove, Sokolska 581, 500 05 Hradec Kralove, Czech Republic
- Department of Toxicology and Military Pharmacy, Faculty of Military Health Sciences, University of Defense, Trebesska 1575, 500 01 Hradec Kralove, Czech Republic
- Department of Pharmacy and Biotechnology, University of Bologna, Via Belmeloro 6/Selmi 3, 40126 Bologna, Italy
| | - Elisa Uliassi
- Department of Pharmacy and Biotechnology, University of Bologna, Via Belmeloro 6/Selmi 3, 40126 Bologna, Italy
| | - Manuela Bartolini
- Department of Pharmacy and Biotechnology, University of Bologna, Via Belmeloro 6/Selmi 3, 40126 Bologna, Italy
| | - Jana Janockova
- Biomedical Research Centre, University Hospital Hradec Kralove, Sokolska 581, 500 05 Hradec Kralove, Czech Republic
| | - Martina Hrabinova
- Biomedical Research Centre, University Hospital Hradec Kralove, Sokolska 581, 500 05 Hradec Kralove, Czech Republic
- Department of Toxicology and Military Pharmacy, Faculty of Military Health Sciences, University of Defense, Trebesska 1575, 500 01 Hradec Kralove, Czech Republic
| | - Vendula Hepnarova
- Biomedical Research Centre, University Hospital Hradec Kralove, Sokolska 581, 500 05 Hradec Kralove, Czech Republic
- Department of Toxicology and Military Pharmacy, Faculty of Military Health Sciences, University of Defense, Trebesska 1575, 500 01 Hradec Kralove, Czech Republic
| | - Lukas Prchal
- Biomedical Research Centre, University Hospital Hradec Kralove, Sokolska 581, 500 05 Hradec Kralove, Czech Republic
| | - Lubica Muckova
- Biomedical Research Centre, University Hospital Hradec Kralove, Sokolska 581, 500 05 Hradec Kralove, Czech Republic
- Department of Toxicology and Military Pharmacy, Faculty of Military Health Sciences, University of Defense, Trebesska 1575, 500 01 Hradec Kralove, Czech Republic
| | - Jaroslav Pejchal
- Department of Toxicology and Military Pharmacy, Faculty of Military Health Sciences, University of Defense, Trebesska 1575, 500 01 Hradec Kralove, Czech Republic
| | - Jana Z. Karasova
- Biomedical Research Centre, University Hospital Hradec Kralove, Sokolska 581, 500 05 Hradec Kralove, Czech Republic
- Department of Toxicology and Military Pharmacy, Faculty of Military Health Sciences, University of Defense, Trebesska 1575, 500 01 Hradec Kralove, Czech Republic
| | - Eva Mezeiova
- Biomedical Research Centre, University Hospital Hradec Kralove, Sokolska 581, 500 05 Hradec Kralove, Czech Republic
| | - Marketa Benkova
- Biomedical Research Centre, University Hospital Hradec Kralove, Sokolska 581, 500 05 Hradec Kralove, Czech Republic
| | - Tereza Kobrlova
- Biomedical Research Centre, University Hospital Hradec Kralove, Sokolska 581, 500 05 Hradec Kralove, Czech Republic
- Department of Toxicology and Military Pharmacy, Faculty of Military Health Sciences, University of Defense, Trebesska 1575, 500 01 Hradec Kralove, Czech Republic
| | - Ondrej Soukup
- Biomedical Research Centre, University Hospital Hradec Kralove, Sokolska 581, 500 05 Hradec Kralove, Czech Republic
| | - Sabrina Petralla
- Department of Pharmacy and Biotechnology, University of Bologna, Via Belmeloro 6/Selmi 3, 40126 Bologna, Italy
| | - Barbara Monti
- Department of Pharmacy and Biotechnology, University of Bologna, Via Belmeloro 6/Selmi 3, 40126 Bologna, Italy
| | - Jan Korabecny
- Biomedical Research Centre, University Hospital Hradec Kralove, Sokolska 581, 500 05 Hradec Kralove, Czech Republic
- Department of Toxicology and Military Pharmacy, Faculty of Military Health Sciences, University of Defense, Trebesska 1575, 500 01 Hradec Kralove, Czech Republic
| | - Maria Laura Bolognesi
- Department of Pharmacy and Biotechnology, University of Bologna, Via Belmeloro 6/Selmi 3, 40126 Bologna, Italy
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14
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Perone R, Albertini C, Uliassi E, Di Pietri F, de Sena Murteira Pinheiro P, Petralla S, Rizzardi N, Fato R, Pulkrabkova L, Soukup O, Tramarin A, Bartolini M, Bolognesi ML. Turning Donepezil into a Multi-Target-Directed Ligand through a Merging Strategy. ChemMedChem 2020; 16:187-198. [PMID: 32716144 DOI: 10.1002/cmdc.202000484] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/04/2020] [Indexed: 01/18/2023]
Abstract
Thanks to the widespread use and safety profile of donepezil (1) in the treatment of Alzheimer's disease (AD), one of the most widely adopted multi-target-directed ligand (MTDL) design strategies is to modify its molecular structure by linking a second fragment carrying an additional AD-relevant biological property. Herein, supported by a proposed combination therapy of 1 and the quinone drug idebenone, we rationally designed novel 1-based MTDLs targeting Aβ and oxidative pathways. By exploiting a bioisosteric replacement of the indanone core of 1 with a 1,4-naphthoquinone, we ended up with a series of highly merged derivatives, in principle devoid of the "physicochemical challenge" typical of large hybrid-based MTDLs. A preliminary investigation of their multi-target profile identified 9, which showed a potent and selective butyrylcholinesterase inhibitory activity, together with antioxidant and antiaggregating properties. In addition, it displayed a promising drug-like profile.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rosaria Perone
- Department of Pharmacy and Biotechnology, Alma Mater Studiorum - University of Bologna, Via Belmeloro 6/Via Irnerio 48/Via Selmi 3, 40126, Bologna, Italy
| | - Claudia Albertini
- Department of Pharmacy and Biotechnology, Alma Mater Studiorum - University of Bologna, Via Belmeloro 6/Via Irnerio 48/Via Selmi 3, 40126, Bologna, Italy
| | - Elisa Uliassi
- Department of Pharmacy and Biotechnology, Alma Mater Studiorum - University of Bologna, Via Belmeloro 6/Via Irnerio 48/Via Selmi 3, 40126, Bologna, Italy
| | - Flaminia Di Pietri
- Department of Pharmacy and Biotechnology, Alma Mater Studiorum - University of Bologna, Via Belmeloro 6/Via Irnerio 48/Via Selmi 3, 40126, Bologna, Italy
| | - Pedro de Sena Murteira Pinheiro
- Department of Pharmacy and Biotechnology, Alma Mater Studiorum - University of Bologna, Via Belmeloro 6/Via Irnerio 48/Via Selmi 3, 40126, Bologna, Italy.,Programa de Pós-Graduação em Farmacologia e Química Medicinal, Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, 21941-902, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
| | - Sabrina Petralla
- Department of Pharmacy and Biotechnology, Alma Mater Studiorum - University of Bologna, Via Belmeloro 6/Via Irnerio 48/Via Selmi 3, 40126, Bologna, Italy
| | - Nicola Rizzardi
- Department of Pharmacy and Biotechnology, Alma Mater Studiorum - University of Bologna, Via Belmeloro 6/Via Irnerio 48/Via Selmi 3, 40126, Bologna, Italy
| | - Romana Fato
- Department of Pharmacy and Biotechnology, Alma Mater Studiorum - University of Bologna, Via Belmeloro 6/Via Irnerio 48/Via Selmi 3, 40126, Bologna, Italy
| | - Lenka Pulkrabkova
- Biomedical Research Center, University Hospital Hradec Kralove, Sokolska 581, 500 05, Hradec Kralove, Czech Republic.,Department of Toxicology and Military Pharmacy, Faculty of Military Health Sciences, University of Defence, Trebesska, 1575
| | - Ondrej Soukup
- Biomedical Research Center, University Hospital Hradec Kralove, Sokolska 581, 500 05, Hradec Kralove, Czech Republic
| | - Anna Tramarin
- Department of Pharmacy and Biotechnology, Alma Mater Studiorum - University of Bologna, Via Belmeloro 6/Via Irnerio 48/Via Selmi 3, 40126, Bologna, Italy
| | - Manuela Bartolini
- Department of Pharmacy and Biotechnology, Alma Mater Studiorum - University of Bologna, Via Belmeloro 6/Via Irnerio 48/Via Selmi 3, 40126, Bologna, Italy
| | - Maria Laura Bolognesi
- Department of Pharmacy and Biotechnology, Alma Mater Studiorum - University of Bologna, Via Belmeloro 6/Via Irnerio 48/Via Selmi 3, 40126, Bologna, Italy
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15
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Moraes CB, Witt G, Kuzikov M, Ellinger B, Calogeropoulou T, Prousis KC, Mangani S, Di Pisa F, Landi G, Iacono LD, Pozzi C, Freitas-Junior LH, Dos Santos Pascoalino B, Bertolacini CP, Behrens B, Keminer O, Leu J, Wolf M, Reinshagen J, Cordeiro-da-Silva A, Santarem N, Venturelli A, Wrigley S, Karunakaran D, Kebede B, Pöhner I, Müller W, Panecka-Hofman J, Wade RC, Fenske M, Clos J, Alunda JM, Corral MJ, Uliassi E, Bolognesi ML, Linciano P, Quotadamo A, Ferrari S, Santucci M, Borsari C, Costi MP, Gul S. Accelerating Drug Discovery Efforts for Trypanosomatidic Infections Using an Integrated Transnational Academic Drug Discovery Platform. SLAS Discov 2020; 24:346-361. [PMID: 30784368 PMCID: PMC6484532 DOI: 10.1177/2472555218823171] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
According to the World Health Organization, more than 1 billion people are at risk of or are affected by neglected tropical diseases. Examples of such diseases include trypanosomiasis, which causes sleeping sickness; leishmaniasis; and Chagas disease, all of which are prevalent in Africa, South America, and India. Our aim within the New Medicines for Trypanosomatidic Infections project was to use (1) synthetic and natural product libraries, (2) screening, and (3) a preclinical absorption, distribution, metabolism, and excretion-toxicity (ADME-Tox) profiling platform to identify compounds that can enter the trypanosomatidic drug discovery value chain. The synthetic compound libraries originated from multiple scaffolds with known antiparasitic activity and natural products from the Hypha Discovery MycoDiverse natural products library. Our focus was first to employ target-based screening to identify inhibitors of the protozoan Trypanosoma brucei pteridine reductase 1 ( TbPTR1) and second to use a Trypanosoma brucei phenotypic assay that made use of the T. brucei brucei parasite to identify compounds that inhibited cell growth and caused death. Some of the compounds underwent structure-activity relationship expansion and, when appropriate, were evaluated in a preclinical ADME-Tox assay panel. This preclinical platform has led to the identification of lead-like compounds as well as validated hits in the trypanosomatidic drug discovery value chain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carolina B Moraes
- 1 Laboratório Nacional de Biociências (LNBio), Centro de Pesquisa em Energia e Materiais (CNPEM), Campinas-SP, Brazil.,2 Department of Microbiology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, University of São Paulo, São Paulo-SP, Brazil
| | - Gesa Witt
- 3 Fraunhofer Institute for Molecular Biology and Applied Ecology-ScreeningPort, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Maria Kuzikov
- 3 Fraunhofer Institute for Molecular Biology and Applied Ecology-ScreeningPort, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Bernhard Ellinger
- 3 Fraunhofer Institute for Molecular Biology and Applied Ecology-ScreeningPort, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Theodora Calogeropoulou
- 4 National Hellenic Research Foundation, Institute of Biology, Medicinal Chemistry and Biotechnology, Athens, Greece
| | - Kyriakos C Prousis
- 4 National Hellenic Research Foundation, Institute of Biology, Medicinal Chemistry and Biotechnology, Athens, Greece
| | - Stefano Mangani
- 5 Department of Biotechnology, Chemistry and Pharmacy, University of Siena, Siena, Italy
| | - Flavio Di Pisa
- 5 Department of Biotechnology, Chemistry and Pharmacy, University of Siena, Siena, Italy
| | - Giacomo Landi
- 5 Department of Biotechnology, Chemistry and Pharmacy, University of Siena, Siena, Italy
| | - Lucia Dello Iacono
- 5 Department of Biotechnology, Chemistry and Pharmacy, University of Siena, Siena, Italy
| | - Cecilia Pozzi
- 5 Department of Biotechnology, Chemistry and Pharmacy, University of Siena, Siena, Italy
| | - Lucio H Freitas-Junior
- 1 Laboratório Nacional de Biociências (LNBio), Centro de Pesquisa em Energia e Materiais (CNPEM), Campinas-SP, Brazil.,2 Department of Microbiology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, University of São Paulo, São Paulo-SP, Brazil
| | - Bruno Dos Santos Pascoalino
- 1 Laboratório Nacional de Biociências (LNBio), Centro de Pesquisa em Energia e Materiais (CNPEM), Campinas-SP, Brazil
| | - Claudia P Bertolacini
- 1 Laboratório Nacional de Biociências (LNBio), Centro de Pesquisa em Energia e Materiais (CNPEM), Campinas-SP, Brazil
| | - Birte Behrens
- 3 Fraunhofer Institute for Molecular Biology and Applied Ecology-ScreeningPort, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Oliver Keminer
- 3 Fraunhofer Institute for Molecular Biology and Applied Ecology-ScreeningPort, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Jennifer Leu
- 3 Fraunhofer Institute for Molecular Biology and Applied Ecology-ScreeningPort, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Markus Wolf
- 3 Fraunhofer Institute for Molecular Biology and Applied Ecology-ScreeningPort, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Jeanette Reinshagen
- 3 Fraunhofer Institute for Molecular Biology and Applied Ecology-ScreeningPort, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Anabela Cordeiro-da-Silva
- 6 Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde, Universidade do Porto and Institute for Molecular and Cell Biology, Porto, Portugal
| | - Nuno Santarem
- 6 Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde, Universidade do Porto and Institute for Molecular and Cell Biology, Porto, Portugal
| | | | | | | | | | - Ina Pöhner
- 9 Molecular and Cellular Modeling Group, Heidelberg Institute for Theoretical Studies, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Wolfgang Müller
- 9 Molecular and Cellular Modeling Group, Heidelberg Institute for Theoretical Studies, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Joanna Panecka-Hofman
- 9 Molecular and Cellular Modeling Group, Heidelberg Institute for Theoretical Studies, Heidelberg, Germany.,11 Faculty of Physics, University of Warsaw, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Rebecca C Wade
- 9 Molecular and Cellular Modeling Group, Heidelberg Institute for Theoretical Studies, Heidelberg, Germany.,12 Center for Molecular Biology (ZMBH), DKFZ-ZMBH Alliance, Heidelberg University, Heidelberg, Germany.,13 Interdisciplinary Center for Scientific Computing (IWR), Heidelberg University, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Martina Fenske
- 14 Fraunhofer Institute for Molecular Biology and Applied Ecology IME, Aachen, Germany
| | - Joachim Clos
- 15 Bernhard Nocht Institute for Tropical Medicine, Hamburg, Germany
| | | | | | - Elisa Uliassi
- 17 Department of Pharmacy and Biotechnology, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | | | - Pasquale Linciano
- 18 Department of Life Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy
| | - Antonio Quotadamo
- 18 Department of Life Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy
| | - Stefania Ferrari
- 18 Department of Life Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy
| | - Matteo Santucci
- 18 Department of Life Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy
| | - Chiara Borsari
- 18 Department of Life Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy
| | - Maria Paola Costi
- 18 Department of Life Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy
| | - Sheraz Gul
- 3 Fraunhofer Institute for Molecular Biology and Applied Ecology-ScreeningPort, Hamburg, Germany
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16
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Cerone M, Uliassi E, Prati F, Ebiloma GU, Lemgruber L, Bergamini C, Watson DG, de A. M. Ferreira T, Roth Cardoso GSH, Soares Romeiro LA, de Koning HP, Bolognesi ML. Front Cover: Discovery of Sustainable Drugs for Neglected Tropical Diseases: Cashew Nut Shell Liquid (CNSL)‐Based Hybrids Target Mitochondrial Function and ATP Production in
Trypanosoma brucei
(ChemMedChem 6/2019). ChemMedChem 2019. [DOI: 10.1002/cmdc.201900135] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Michela Cerone
- Department of Pharmacy and BiotechnologyAlma Mater Studiorum – University of Bologna Via Belmeloro 6 40126 Bologna Italy
- Institute of Infection, Immunity and InflammationUniversity of Glasgow GBRC, University Place G12 8AT Glasgow UK
| | - Elisa Uliassi
- Department of Pharmacy and BiotechnologyAlma Mater Studiorum – University of Bologna Via Belmeloro 6 40126 Bologna Italy
| | - Federica Prati
- Department of Pharmacy and BiotechnologyAlma Mater Studiorum – University of Bologna Via Belmeloro 6 40126 Bologna Italy
| | - Godwin U. Ebiloma
- Institute of Infection, Immunity and InflammationUniversity of Glasgow GBRC, University Place G12 8AT Glasgow UK
- Department of BiochemistryFaculty of Natural SciencesKogi State University P.M.B. 1008 Anyigba Kogi State Nigeria
| | - Leandro Lemgruber
- Institute of Infection, Immunity and InflammationUniversity of Glasgow GBRC, University Place G12 8AT Glasgow UK
- Wellcome Trust Centre for Molecular ParasitologyInstitute of Infection, Immunity and InflammationUniversity of Glasgow GBRC, University Place G12 8AT Glasgow UK
| | - Christian Bergamini
- Department of Pharmacy and BiotechnologyAlma Mater Studiorum – University of Bologna Via Belmeloro 6 40126 Bologna Italy
| | - David G. Watson
- Strathclyde Institute of Pharmacy and Biomedical SciencesUniversity of Strathclyde 16 Richmond Street G1 1XQ Glasgow UK
| | - Thais de A. M. Ferreira
- Department of Pharmacy, Health Sciences FacultyUniversity of Brasília Campus Universitário Darcy Ribeiro 70910-900 Brasília DF Brazil
| | | | - Luiz A. Soares Romeiro
- Department of Pharmacy, Health Sciences FacultyUniversity of Brasília Campus Universitário Darcy Ribeiro 70910-900 Brasília DF Brazil
| | - Harry P. de Koning
- Institute of Infection, Immunity and InflammationUniversity of Glasgow GBRC, University Place G12 8AT Glasgow UK
| | - Maria Laura Bolognesi
- Department of Pharmacy and BiotechnologyAlma Mater Studiorum – University of Bologna Via Belmeloro 6 40126 Bologna Italy
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17
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Cerone M, Uliassi E, Prati F, Ebiloma GU, Lemgruber L, Bergamini C, Watson DG, de A M Ferreira T, Roth Cardoso GSH, Soares Romeiro LA, de Koning HP, Bolognesi ML. Discovery of Sustainable Drugs for Neglected Tropical Diseases: Cashew Nut Shell Liquid (CNSL)-Based Hybrids Target Mitochondrial Function and ATP Production in Trypanosoma brucei. ChemMedChem 2019; 14:621-635. [PMID: 30664325 PMCID: PMC6686156 DOI: 10.1002/cmdc.201800790] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2018] [Indexed: 02/02/2023]
Abstract
In the search for effective and sustainable drugs for human African trypanosomiasis (HAT), we developed hybrid compounds by merging the structural features of quinone 4 (2‐phenoxynaphthalene‐1,4‐dione) with those of phenolic constituents from cashew nut shell liquid (CNSL). CNSL is a waste product from cashew nut processing factories, with great potential as a source of drug precursors. The synthesized compounds were tested against Trypanosoma brucei brucei, including three multidrug‐resistant strains, T. congolense, and a human cell line. The most potent activity was found against T. b. brucei, the causative agent of HAT. Shorter‐chain derivatives 20 (2‐(3‐(8‐hydroxyoctyl)phenoxy)‐5‐methoxynaphthalene‐1,4‐dione) and 22 (5‐hydroxy‐2‐(3‐(8‐hydroxyoctyl)phenoxy)naphthalene‐1,4‐dione) were more active than 4, displaying rapid micromolar trypanocidal activity, and no human cytotoxicity. Preliminary studies probing their mode of action on trypanosomes showed ATP depletion, followed by mitochondrial membrane depolarization and mitochondrion ultrastructural damage. This was accompanied by reactive oxygen species production. We envisage that such compounds, obtained from a renewable and inexpensive material, might be promising bio‐based sustainable hits for anti‐trypanosomatid drug discovery.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michela Cerone
- Department of Pharmacy and Biotechnology, Alma Mater Studiorum - University of Bologna, Via Belmeloro 6, 40126, Bologna, Italy.,Institute of Infection, Immunity and Inflammation, University of Glasgow, GBRC, University Place, G12 8AT, Glasgow, UK
| | - Elisa Uliassi
- Department of Pharmacy and Biotechnology, Alma Mater Studiorum - University of Bologna, Via Belmeloro 6, 40126, Bologna, Italy
| | - Federica Prati
- Department of Pharmacy and Biotechnology, Alma Mater Studiorum - University of Bologna, Via Belmeloro 6, 40126, Bologna, Italy
| | - Godwin U Ebiloma
- Institute of Infection, Immunity and Inflammation, University of Glasgow, GBRC, University Place, G12 8AT, Glasgow, UK.,Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Natural Sciences, Kogi State University, P.M.B. 1008, Anyigba, Kogi State, Nigeria
| | - Leandro Lemgruber
- Institute of Infection, Immunity and Inflammation, University of Glasgow, GBRC, University Place, G12 8AT, Glasgow, UK.,Wellcome Trust Centre for Molecular Parasitology, Institute of Infection, Immunity and Inflammation, University of Glasgow, GBRC, University Place, G12 8AT, Glasgow, UK
| | - Christian Bergamini
- Department of Pharmacy and Biotechnology, Alma Mater Studiorum - University of Bologna, Via Belmeloro 6, 40126, Bologna, Italy
| | - David G Watson
- Strathclyde Institute of Pharmacy and Biomedical Sciences, University of Strathclyde, 16 Richmond Street, G1 1XQ, Glasgow, UK
| | - Thais de A M Ferreira
- Department of Pharmacy, Health Sciences Faculty, University of Brasília, Campus Universitário Darcy Ribeiro, 70910-900, Brasília, DF, Brazil
| | - Gabriella Simões Heyn Roth Cardoso
- Department of Pharmacy, Health Sciences Faculty, University of Brasília, Campus Universitário Darcy Ribeiro, 70910-900, Brasília, DF, Brazil
| | - Luiz A Soares Romeiro
- Department of Pharmacy, Health Sciences Faculty, University of Brasília, Campus Universitário Darcy Ribeiro, 70910-900, Brasília, DF, Brazil
| | - Harry P de Koning
- Institute of Infection, Immunity and Inflammation, University of Glasgow, GBRC, University Place, G12 8AT, Glasgow, UK
| | - Maria Laura Bolognesi
- Department of Pharmacy and Biotechnology, Alma Mater Studiorum - University of Bologna, Via Belmeloro 6, 40126, Bologna, Italy
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18
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Uliassi E, Peña-Altamira LE, Morales AV, Massenzio F, Petralla S, Rossi M, Roberti M, Martinez Gonzalez L, Martinez A, Monti B, Bolognesi ML. A Focused Library of Psychotropic Analogues with Neuroprotective and Neuroregenerative Potential. ACS Chem Neurosci 2019; 10:279-294. [PMID: 30253086 DOI: 10.1021/acschemneuro.8b00242] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Overcoming the lack of effective treatments and the continuous clinical trial failures in neurodegenerative drug discovery might require a shift from the prevailing paradigm targeting pathogenesis to the one targeting simultaneously neuroprotection and neuroregeneration. In the studies reported herein, we sought to identify small molecules that might exert neuroprotective and neuroregenerative potential as tools against neurodegenerative diseases. In doing so, we started from the reported neuroprotective/neuroregenerative mechanisms of psychotropic drugs featuring a tricyclic alkylamine scaffold. Thus, we designed a focused-chemical library of 36 entries aimed at exploring the structural requirements for efficient neuroprotective/neuroregenerative cellular activity, without the manifestation of toxicity. To this aim, we developed a synthetic protocol, which overcame the limited applicability of previously reported procedures. Next, we evaluated the synthesized compounds through a phenotypic screening pipeline, based on primary neuronal systems. Phenothiazine 2Bc showed improved neuroregenerative and neuroprotective properties with respect to reference drug desipramine (2Aa). Importantly, we have also shown that 2Bc outperformed currently available drugs in cell models of Alzheimer's and Parkinson's diseases and attenuates microglial activation by reducing iNOS expression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elisa Uliassi
- Department of Pharmacy and Biotechnology, Alma Mater Studiorum - University of Bologna, Via Belmeloro 6, Bologna 40126, Italy
| | - Luis Emiliano Peña-Altamira
- Department of Pharmacy and Biotechnology, Alma Mater Studiorum - University of Bologna, Via Belmeloro 6, Bologna 40126, Italy
| | - Aixa V. Morales
- Department of Cellular, Molecular and Developmental Neurobiology, Cajal Institute, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC), Av. Doctor Arce, 37, Madrid 28002, Spain
| | - Francesca Massenzio
- Department of Pharmacy and Biotechnology, Alma Mater Studiorum - University of Bologna, Via Belmeloro 6, Bologna 40126, Italy
| | - Sabrina Petralla
- Department of Pharmacy and Biotechnology, Alma Mater Studiorum - University of Bologna, Via Belmeloro 6, Bologna 40126, Italy
| | - Michele Rossi
- Department of Pharmacy and Biotechnology, Alma Mater Studiorum - University of Bologna, Via Belmeloro 6, Bologna 40126, Italy
| | - Marinella Roberti
- Department of Pharmacy and Biotechnology, Alma Mater Studiorum - University of Bologna, Via Belmeloro 6, Bologna 40126, Italy
| | - Loreto Martinez Gonzalez
- Department of Chemical and Physical Biology, Centro de Investigaciones Biológicas-CSIC, Ramiro de Maeztu, 9, Madrid 28040, Spain
| | - Ana Martinez
- Department of Chemical and Physical Biology, Centro de Investigaciones Biológicas-CSIC, Ramiro de Maeztu, 9, Madrid 28040, Spain
| | - Barbara Monti
- Department of Pharmacy and Biotechnology, Alma Mater Studiorum - University of Bologna, Via Belmeloro 6, Bologna 40126, Italy
| | - Maria Laura Bolognesi
- Department of Pharmacy and Biotechnology, Alma Mater Studiorum - University of Bologna, Via Belmeloro 6, Bologna 40126, Italy
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19
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Uliassi E, Piazzi L, Belluti F, Mazzanti A, Kaiser M, Brun R, Moraes CB, Freitas-Junior LH, Gul S, Kuzikov M, Ellinger B, Borsari C, Costi MP, Bolognesi ML. Development of a Focused Library of Triazole-Linked Privileged-Structure-Based Conjugates Leading to the Discovery of Novel Phenotypic Hits against Protozoan Parasitic Infections. ChemMedChem 2018; 13:678-683. [PMID: 29451361 DOI: 10.1002/cmdc.201700786] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2017] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
Protozoan infections caused by Plasmodium, Leishmania, and Trypanosoma spp. contribute significantly to the burden of infectious diseases worldwide, causing severe morbidity and mortality. The inadequacy of available treatments calls for cost- and time-effective drug discovery endeavors. To this end, we envisaged the triazole linkage of privileged structures as an effective drug design strategy to generate a focused library of high-quality compounds. The versatility of this approach was combined with the feasibility of a phenotypic assay, integrated with early ADME-tox profiling. Thus, an 18-membered library was efficiently assembled via Huisgen cycloaddition of phenothiazine, biphenyl, and phenylpiperazine scaffolds. The resulting 18 compounds were then tested against seven parasite strains, and counter-screened for selectivity against two mammalian cell lines. In parallel, hERG and cytochrome P450 (CYP) inhibition, and mitochondrial toxicity were assessed. Remarkably, 10-((1-(3-([1,1'-biphenyl]-3-yloxy)propyl)-1H-1,2,3-triazol-5-yl)methyl)-10H-phenothiazine (7) and 10-(3-(1-(3-([1,1'-biphenyl]-3-yloxy)propyl)-1H-1,2,3-triazol-4-yl)propyl)-10H-phenothiazine (12) showed respective IC50 values of 1.8 and 1.9 μg mL-1 against T. cruzi, together with optimal selectivity. In particular, compound 7 showed a promising ADME-tox profile. Thus, hit 7 might be progressed as an antichagasic lead.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elisa Uliassi
- Department of Pharmacy and Biotechnology, Alma Mater Studiorum-University of Bologna, Via Belmeloro 6, 40126, Bologna, Italy
| | - Lorna Piazzi
- Department of Pharmacy and Biotechnology, Alma Mater Studiorum-University of Bologna, Via Belmeloro 6, 40126, Bologna, Italy
| | - Federica Belluti
- Department of Pharmacy and Biotechnology, Alma Mater Studiorum-University of Bologna, Via Belmeloro 6, 40126, Bologna, Italy
| | - Andrea Mazzanti
- Department of Industrial Chemistry "Toso Montonari", Alma Mater Studiorum-University of Bologna, Viale del Risorgimento 4, 40136, Bologna, Italy
| | - Marcel Kaiser
- Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, 4002, Basel, Switzerland.,University of Basel, Petersplatz 1, 4003, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Reto Brun
- Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, 4002, Basel, Switzerland.,University of Basel, Petersplatz 1, 4003, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Carolina B Moraes
- Laboratório Nacional de Biociências (LNBio), Centro Nacional de Pesquisa em Energia e Materiais (CNPEM), 13083-100, Campinas, Brazil.,Present address: Instituto Butantan & Department of Microbiology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, University of São Paulo, 05508-900, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Lucio H Freitas-Junior
- Laboratório Nacional de Biociências (LNBio), Centro Nacional de Pesquisa em Energia e Materiais (CNPEM), 13083-100, Campinas, Brazil.,Present address: Instituto Butantan & Department of Microbiology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, University of São Paulo, 05508-900, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Sheraz Gul
- Fraunhofer Institute for Molecular Biology and Applied Ecology ScreeningPort, 22525, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Maria Kuzikov
- Fraunhofer Institute for Molecular Biology and Applied Ecology ScreeningPort, 22525, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Bernhard Ellinger
- Fraunhofer Institute for Molecular Biology and Applied Ecology ScreeningPort, 22525, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Chiara Borsari
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Via Campi 103, 41125, Modena, Italy
| | - Maria Paola Costi
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Via Campi 103, 41125, Modena, Italy
| | - Maria Laura Bolognesi
- Department of Pharmacy and Biotechnology, Alma Mater Studiorum-University of Bologna, Via Belmeloro 6, 40126, Bologna, Italy
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20
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Ramsay RR, Popovic-Nikolic MR, Nikolic K, Uliassi E, Bolognesi ML. A perspective on multi-target drug discovery and design for complex diseases. Clin Transl Med 2018; 7:3. [PMID: 29340951 PMCID: PMC5770353 DOI: 10.1186/s40169-017-0181-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 398] [Impact Index Per Article: 66.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/01/2017] [Accepted: 12/30/2017] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Diseases of infection, of neurodegeneration (such as Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s diseases), and of malignancy (cancers) have complex and varied causative factors. Modern drug discovery has the power to identify potential modulators for multiple targets from millions of compounds. Computational approaches allow the determination of the association of each compound with its target before chemical synthesis and biological testing is done. These approaches depend on the prior identification of clinically and biologically validated targets. This Perspective will focus on the molecular and computational approaches that underpin drug design by medicinal chemists to promote understanding and collaboration with clinical scientists.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rona R Ramsay
- Biomedical Sciences Research Complex, University of St Andrews, North Haugh, St Andrews, KY16 9ST, UK.
| | - Marija R Popovic-Nikolic
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Belgrade, Vojvode Stepe 450, 11000, Belgrade, Serbia
| | - Katarina Nikolic
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Belgrade, Vojvode Stepe 450, 11000, Belgrade, Serbia
| | - Elisa Uliassi
- Department of Pharmacy and Biotechnology, Alma Mater Studiorum-Bologna University, Via Belmeloro 6, 40126, Bologna, Italy
| | - Maria Laura Bolognesi
- Department of Pharmacy and Biotechnology, Alma Mater Studiorum-Bologna University, Via Belmeloro 6, 40126, Bologna, Italy
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21
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Uliassi E, Fiorani G, Krauth-Siegel RL, Bergamini C, Fato R, Bianchini G, Carlos Menéndez J, Molina MT, López-Montero E, Falchi F, Cavalli A, Gul S, Kuzikov M, Ellinger B, Witt G, Moraes CB, Freitas-Junior LH, Borsari C, Costi MP, Bolognesi ML. Crassiflorone derivatives that inhibit Trypanosoma brucei glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase ( Tb GAPDH) and Trypanosoma cruzi trypanothione reductase ( Tc TR) and display trypanocidal activity. Eur J Med Chem 2017; 141:138-148. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2017.10.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/08/2017] [Revised: 09/18/2017] [Accepted: 10/02/2017] [Indexed: 01/23/2023]
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22
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Bruno S, Uliassi E, Zaffagnini M, Prati F, Bergamini C, Amorati R, Paredi G, Margiotta M, Conti P, Costi MP, Kaiser M, Cavalli A, Fato R, Bolognesi ML. Molecular basis for covalent inhibition of glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase by a 2-phenoxy-1,4-naphthoquinone small molecule. Chem Biol Drug Des 2017; 90:225-235. [DOI: 10.1111/cbdd.12941] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/09/2016] [Revised: 01/05/2017] [Accepted: 01/05/2017] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Stefano Bruno
- Department of Pharmacy; University of Parma; Parma Italy
| | - Elisa Uliassi
- Department of Pharmacy and Biotechnology; Alma Mater Studiorum - University of Bologna; Bologna Italy
| | - Mirko Zaffagnini
- Department of Pharmacy and Biotechnology; Alma Mater Studiorum - University of Bologna; Bologna Italy
| | - Federica Prati
- Department of Pharmacy and Biotechnology; Alma Mater Studiorum - University of Bologna; Bologna Italy
| | - Christian Bergamini
- Department of Pharmacy and Biotechnology; Alma Mater Studiorum - University of Bologna; Bologna Italy
| | - Riccardo Amorati
- Department of Chemistry “G. Ciamician”; Alma Mater Studiorum - University of Bologna; Bologna Italy
| | | | | | - Paola Conti
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences; University of Milan; Milan Italy
| | - Maria Paola Costi
- Department of Life Sciences; University of Modena and Reggio Emilia; Modena Italy
| | - Marcel Kaiser
- Swiss Tropical & Public Health Institute; Basel Switzerland
- University of Basel; Basel Switzerland
| | - Andrea Cavalli
- Department of Pharmacy and Biotechnology; Alma Mater Studiorum - University of Bologna; Bologna Italy
- CompuNet; Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia; Genova Italy
| | - Romana Fato
- Department of Pharmacy and Biotechnology; Alma Mater Studiorum - University of Bologna; Bologna Italy
| | - Maria Laura Bolognesi
- Department of Pharmacy and Biotechnology; Alma Mater Studiorum - University of Bologna; Bologna Italy
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23
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Junker A, Balasubramanian R, Ciancetta A, Uliassi E, Kiselev E, Martiriggiano C, Trujillo K, Mtchedlidze G, Birdwell L, Brown KA, Harden TK, Jacobson KA. Structure-Based Design of 3-(4-Aryl-1H-1,2,3-triazol-1-yl)-Biphenyl Derivatives as P2Y14 Receptor Antagonists. J Med Chem 2016; 59:6149-68. [PMID: 27331270 PMCID: PMC4947982 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.6b00044] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/28/2023]
Abstract
UDP and UDP-glucose activate the P2Y14 receptor (P2Y14R) to modulate processes related to inflammation, diabetes, and asthma. A computational pipeline suggested alternatives to naphthalene of a previously reported P2Y14R antagonist (3, PPTN) using docking and molecular dynamics simulations on a hP2Y14R homology model based on P2Y12R structures. By reevaluating the binding of 3 to P2Y14R computationally, two alternatives, i.e., alkynyl and triazolyl derivatives, were identified. Improved synthesis of fluorescent antagonist 4 enabled affinity quantification (IC50s, nM) using flow cytometry of P2Y14R-expressing CHO cells. p-F3C-phenyl-triazole 65 (32) was more potent than a corresponding alkyne 11. Thus, additional triazolyl derivatives were prepared, as guided by docking simulations, with nonpolar aryl substituents favored. Although triazoles were less potent than 3 (6), simpler synthesis facilitated further structural optimization. Additionally, relative P2Y14R affinities agreed with predicted binding of alkynyl and triazole analogues. These triazoles, designed through a structure-based approach, can be assessed in disease models.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna Junker
- Molecular Recognition Section, Laboratory of Bioorganic Chemistry, National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, National Institutes of Health , Bethesda, Maryland 20892-0810, United States
| | - Ramachandran Balasubramanian
- Molecular Recognition Section, Laboratory of Bioorganic Chemistry, National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, National Institutes of Health , Bethesda, Maryland 20892-0810, United States
| | - Antonella Ciancetta
- Molecular Recognition Section, Laboratory of Bioorganic Chemistry, National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, National Institutes of Health , Bethesda, Maryland 20892-0810, United States
| | - Elisa Uliassi
- Molecular Recognition Section, Laboratory of Bioorganic Chemistry, National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, National Institutes of Health , Bethesda, Maryland 20892-0810, United States
| | - Evgeny Kiselev
- Molecular Recognition Section, Laboratory of Bioorganic Chemistry, National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, National Institutes of Health , Bethesda, Maryland 20892-0810, United States
| | - Chiara Martiriggiano
- Molecular Recognition Section, Laboratory of Bioorganic Chemistry, National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, National Institutes of Health , Bethesda, Maryland 20892-0810, United States
| | - Kevin Trujillo
- Molecular Recognition Section, Laboratory of Bioorganic Chemistry, National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, National Institutes of Health , Bethesda, Maryland 20892-0810, United States
| | - Giorgi Mtchedlidze
- Molecular Recognition Section, Laboratory of Bioorganic Chemistry, National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, National Institutes of Health , Bethesda, Maryland 20892-0810, United States
| | - Leah Birdwell
- Molecular Recognition Section, Laboratory of Bioorganic Chemistry, National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, National Institutes of Health , Bethesda, Maryland 20892-0810, United States
| | - Kyle A Brown
- Department of Pharmacology, University of North Carolina, School of Medicine , Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27599, United States
| | - T Kendall Harden
- Department of Pharmacology, University of North Carolina, School of Medicine , Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27599, United States
| | - Kenneth A Jacobson
- Molecular Recognition Section, Laboratory of Bioorganic Chemistry, National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, National Institutes of Health , Bethesda, Maryland 20892-0810, United States
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Laura Bolognesi
- Department
of Pharmacy and Biotechnology, Alma Mater Studiorum—University of Bologna, Via Belmeloro 6, I-40126 Bologna, Italy
| | - Annachiara Gandini
- Department
of Pharmacy and Biotechnology, Alma Mater Studiorum—University of Bologna, Via Belmeloro 6, I-40126 Bologna, Italy
- Department of Neuroscience, Scuola Internazionale Superiore di Studi Avanzati (SISSA), Via Bonomea 265, I-34136 Trieste, Italy
| | - Federica Prati
- Department
of Pharmacy and Biotechnology, Alma Mater Studiorum—University of Bologna, Via Belmeloro 6, I-40126 Bologna, Italy
- College of Life Sciences,
Sir James Black Centre, University of Dundee, Dundee DD1 5EH, U.K
| | - Elisa Uliassi
- Department
of Pharmacy and Biotechnology, Alma Mater Studiorum—University of Bologna, Via Belmeloro 6, I-40126 Bologna, Italy
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25
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Kiselev E, Balasubramanian R, Uliassi E, Brown KA, Trujillo K, Katritch V, Hammes E, Stevens RC, Harden TK, Jacobson KA. Design, synthesis, pharmacological characterization of a fluorescent agonist of the P2Y₁₄ receptor. Bioorg Med Chem Lett 2015; 25:4733-4739. [PMID: 26303895 DOI: 10.1016/j.bmcl.2015.08.021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/06/2015] [Revised: 07/29/2015] [Accepted: 08/06/2015] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
The P2Y14R is a G(i/o)-coupled receptor of the P2Y family of purinergic receptors that is activated by extracellular UDP and UDP-glucose (UDPG). In an earlier report we described a P2Y14R fluorescent probe, MRS4174, based on the potent and selective antagonist PPTN, a naphthoic acid derivative. Here, we report the design, preparation, and activity of an agonist-based fluorescent probe MRS4183 (11) and a shorter P2Y14R agonist congener, which contain a UDP-glucuronic acid pharmacophore and BODIPY fluorophores conjugated through diaminoalkyl linkers. The design relied on both docking in a P2Y14R homology model and established structure activity relationship (SAR) of nucleotide analogs. 11 retained P2Y14R potency with EC50 value of 0.96 nM (inhibition of adenylyl cyclase), compared to parent UDPG (EC50 47 nM) and served as a tracer for microscopy and flow cytometry, displaying minimal nonspecific binding. Binding saturation analysis gave an apparent binding constant for 11 in whole cells of 21.4±1.1 nM, with a t1/2 of association at 50 nM 11 of 23.9 min. Known P2Y14R agonists and PPTN inhibited cell binding of 11 with the expected rank order of potency. The success in the identification of a new P2Y14R fluorescent agonist with low nonspecific binding illustrates the advantages of rational design based on recently determined GPCR X-ray structures. Such conjugates will be useful tools in expanding the SAR of this receptor, which still lacks chemical diversity in its collective ligands.
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Affiliation(s)
- Evgeny Kiselev
- Molecular Recognition Section, Laboratory of Bioorganic Chemistry, National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Ramachandran Balasubramanian
- Molecular Recognition Section, Laboratory of Bioorganic Chemistry, National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Elisa Uliassi
- Molecular Recognition Section, Laboratory of Bioorganic Chemistry, National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Kyle A Brown
- Department of Pharmacology, University of North Carolina, School of Medicine, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
| | - Kevin Trujillo
- Molecular Recognition Section, Laboratory of Bioorganic Chemistry, National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Vsevolod Katritch
- The Bridge Institute, Department of Biological Sciences, Dornsife College of Letters, Arts and Sciences, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90089, USA
| | - Eva Hammes
- Molecular Recognition Section, Laboratory of Bioorganic Chemistry, National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Raymond C Stevens
- The Bridge Institute, Department of Biological Sciences, Dornsife College of Letters, Arts and Sciences, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90089, USA; The Bridge Institute, Department of Chemistry, Dornsife College of Letters, Arts and Sciences, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90089, USA
| | - T Kendall Harden
- Department of Pharmacology, University of North Carolina, School of Medicine, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
| | - Kenneth A Jacobson
- Molecular Recognition Section, Laboratory of Bioorganic Chemistry, National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA.
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Santucci M, Vignudelli T, Ferrari S, Mor M, Scalvini L, Bolognesi ML, Uliassi E, Costi MP. The Hippo Pathway and YAP/TAZ-TEAD Protein-Protein Interaction as Targets for Regenerative Medicine and Cancer Treatment. J Med Chem 2015; 58:4857-73. [PMID: 25719868 DOI: 10.1021/jm501615v] [Citation(s) in RCA: 119] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
The Hippo pathway is an important organ size control signaling network and the major regulatory mechanism of cell-contact inhibition. Yes associated protein (YAP) and transcriptional co-activator with PDZ-binding motif (TAZ) are its targets and terminal effectors: inhibition of the pathway promotes YAP/TAZ translocation to the nucleus, where they interact with transcriptional enhancer associate domain (TEAD) transcription factors and coactivate the expression of target genes, promoting cell proliferation. Defects in the pathway can result in overgrowth phenotypes due to deregulation of stem-cell proliferation and apoptosis; members of the pathway are directly involved in cancer development. The pharmacological regulation of the pathway might be useful in cancer prevention, treatment, and regenerative medicine applications; currently, a few compounds can selectively modulate the pathway. In this review, we present an overview of the Hippo pathway, the sequence and structural analysis of YAP/TAZ, the known pharmacological modulators of the pathway, especially those targeting YAP/TAZ-TEAD interaction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matteo Santucci
- †Department of Life Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Via Giuseppe Campi 183, Modena 41125, Italy
| | - Tatiana Vignudelli
- †Department of Life Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Via Giuseppe Campi 183, Modena 41125, Italy
| | - Stefania Ferrari
- †Department of Life Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Via Giuseppe Campi 183, Modena 41125, Italy
| | - Marco Mor
- ‡Department of Pharmacy, University of Parma, Parco Area delle Scienze 27/A, Parma 43124, Italy
| | - Laura Scalvini
- ‡Department of Pharmacy, University of Parma, Parco Area delle Scienze 27/A, Parma 43124, Italy
| | - Maria Laura Bolognesi
- §Department of Pharmacy and Biotechnology, University of Bologna, Via Belmeloro 6, Bologna 40126, Italy
| | - Elisa Uliassi
- §Department of Pharmacy and Biotechnology, University of Bologna, Via Belmeloro 6, Bologna 40126, Italy
| | - Maria Paola Costi
- †Department of Life Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Via Giuseppe Campi 183, Modena 41125, Italy
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Nepovimova E, Uliassi E, Korabecny J, Peña-Altamira LE, Samez S, Pesaresi A, Garcia GE, Bartolini M, Andrisano V, Bergamini C, Fato R, Lamba D, Roberti M, Kuca K, Monti B, Bolognesi ML. Multitarget Drug Design Strategy: Quinone–Tacrine Hybrids Designed To Block Amyloid-β Aggregation and To Exert Anticholinesterase and Antioxidant Effects. J Med Chem 2014; 57:8576-89. [DOI: 10.1021/jm5010804] [Citation(s) in RCA: 126] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/18/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Eugenie Nepovimova
- Department
of Pharmacy and Biotechnology, Alma Mater Studiorum—University of Bologna, Via Belmeloro 6, I-40126 Bologna, Italy
- Department
of Toxicology, Department of Public Health, Centre for Advanced Studies,
Faculty of Military Health Sciences, University of Defence, Trebesska
1575, 500 01 Hradec Kralove, Czech Republic
- Biomedical
Research Centre, University Hospital Hradec Kralove, Sokolska 581, 500 05 Hradec Kralove, Czech Republic
- Department
of Pharmaceutical Chemistry and Drug Control, Faculty of Pharmacy
in Hradec Kralove, Charles University in Prague, Heyrovskeho 1203, 500 05 Hradec Kralove, Czech Republic
| | - Elisa Uliassi
- Department
of Pharmacy and Biotechnology, Alma Mater Studiorum—University of Bologna, Via Belmeloro 6, I-40126 Bologna, Italy
| | - Jan Korabecny
- Department
of Toxicology, Department of Public Health, Centre for Advanced Studies,
Faculty of Military Health Sciences, University of Defence, Trebesska
1575, 500 01 Hradec Kralove, Czech Republic
- Biomedical
Research Centre, University Hospital Hradec Kralove, Sokolska 581, 500 05 Hradec Kralove, Czech Republic
| | - Luis Emiliano Peña-Altamira
- Department
of Pharmacy and Biotechnology, Alma Mater Studiorum—University of Bologna, Via Belmeloro 6, I-40126 Bologna, Italy
| | - Sarah Samez
- Istituto
di Crystallografia, Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche, Area
Science Park-Basovizza, S.S. 14-Km 163.5, I-34149 Trieste, Italy
- Dipartimento
di Scienze Chimiche e Farmaceutiche, Università di Trieste, Via L. Giorgieri
1, I-34127 Trieste, Italy
| | - Alessandro Pesaresi
- Istituto
di Crystallografia, Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche, Area
Science Park-Basovizza, S.S. 14-Km 163.5, I-34149 Trieste, Italy
| | - Gregory E. Garcia
- Research
Division, U.S. Army Medical Research Institute of Chemical Defense, 3100 Ricketts, Point Road, Aberdeen Proving
Ground, Maryland 21010-5400, United States
| | - Manuela Bartolini
- Department
of Pharmacy and Biotechnology, Alma Mater Studiorum—University of Bologna, Via Belmeloro 6, I-40126 Bologna, Italy
| | - Vincenza Andrisano
- Department
for Life Quality Studies, Alma Mater Studiorum—University of Bologna, Corso d’Augusto
237, I-47921 Rimini, Italy
| | - Christian Bergamini
- Department
of Pharmacy and Biotechnology, Alma Mater Studiorum—University of Bologna, Via Belmeloro 6, I-40126 Bologna, Italy
| | - Romana Fato
- Department
of Pharmacy and Biotechnology, Alma Mater Studiorum—University of Bologna, Via Belmeloro 6, I-40126 Bologna, Italy
| | - Doriano Lamba
- Istituto
di Crystallografia, Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche, Area
Science Park-Basovizza, S.S. 14-Km 163.5, I-34149 Trieste, Italy
| | - Marinella Roberti
- Department
of Pharmacy and Biotechnology, Alma Mater Studiorum—University of Bologna, Via Belmeloro 6, I-40126 Bologna, Italy
| | - Kamil Kuca
- Biomedical
Research Centre, University Hospital Hradec Kralove, Sokolska 581, 500 05 Hradec Kralove, Czech Republic
| | - Barbara Monti
- Department
of Pharmacy and Biotechnology, Alma Mater Studiorum—University of Bologna, Via Belmeloro 6, I-40126 Bologna, Italy
| | - Maria Laura Bolognesi
- Department
of Pharmacy and Biotechnology, Alma Mater Studiorum—University of Bologna, Via Belmeloro 6, I-40126 Bologna, Italy
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28
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Prati F, Uliassi E, Bolognesi ML. Two diseases, one approach: multitarget drug discovery in Alzheimer's and neglected tropical diseases. Med Chem Commun 2014. [DOI: 10.1039/c4md00069b] [Citation(s) in RCA: 56] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/18/2023]
Abstract
Multitarget drug discovery may represent a promising therapeutic approach to treat Alzheimer's and neglected tropical diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- F. Prati
- Department of Drug Discovery & Development
- Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia
- Genova
- Italy
- Department of Pharmacy & Biotechnology
| | - E. Uliassi
- Department of Pharmacy & Biotechnology
- University of Bologna
- Bologna
- Italy
| | - M. L. Bolognesi
- Department of Pharmacy & Biotechnology
- University of Bologna
- Bologna
- Italy
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29
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Cicero AF, Derosa G, Bove M, Grandi E, Uliassi E, Borghi C, Gaddi AV. A nutraceutical based approach to reduce cholesterolaemia in patients previously intolerant of more than a statin: a pilot study. Mediterr J Nutr Metab 2008. [DOI: 10.1007/s12349-008-0005-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
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30
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Cicero AF, Derosa G, Bove M, Grandi E, Uliassi E, Borghi C, Gaddi AV. A nutraceutical based approach to reduce cholesterolaemia in patients previously intolerant of more than a statin: a pilot study. Mediterranean Journal of Nutrition and Metabolism 2008. [DOI: 10.3233/s12349-008-0005-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Arrigo F.G. Cicero
- “G.C. Descovich” Atherosclerosis Study Center, “D. Campanacci” Clinical Medicine and Applied Biotechnology Department, S. Orsola-Malpighi Hospital, University of Bologna, Via Massarenti 9, 40138 Bologna, Italy. e-mail:
| | - Giuseppe Derosa
- Department of Internal Medicine and Therapeutics, University of Pavia, Pavia, Italy
| | - Marilisa Bove
- “G.C. Descovich” Atherosclerosis Study Center, “D. Campanacci” Clinical Medicine and Applied Biotechnology Department, S. Orsola-Malpighi Hospital, University of Bologna, Via Massarenti 9, 40138 Bologna, Italy. e-mail:
| | - Elisa Grandi
- “G.C. Descovich” Atherosclerosis Study Center, “D. Campanacci” Clinical Medicine and Applied Biotechnology Department, S. Orsola-Malpighi Hospital, University of Bologna, Via Massarenti 9, 40138 Bologna, Italy. e-mail:
| | - Elisa Uliassi
- “G.C. Descovich” Atherosclerosis Study Center, “D. Campanacci” Clinical Medicine and Applied Biotechnology Department, S. Orsola-Malpighi Hospital, University of Bologna, Via Massarenti 9, 40138 Bologna, Italy. e-mail:
| | - Claudio Borghi
- “G.C. Descovich” Atherosclerosis Study Center, “D. Campanacci” Clinical Medicine and Applied Biotechnology Department, S. Orsola-Malpighi Hospital, University of Bologna, Via Massarenti 9, 40138 Bologna, Italy. e-mail:
| | - Antonio V. Gaddi
- “G.C. Descovich” Atherosclerosis Study Center, “D. Campanacci” Clinical Medicine and Applied Biotechnology Department, S. Orsola-Malpighi Hospital, University of Bologna, Via Massarenti 9, 40138 Bologna, Italy. e-mail:
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