The GAF-tandem domain of phosphodiesterase 5 as a potential drug target

Therapeutic targeting of 3',5'-cyclic nucleotide phosphodiesterases: inhibition and beyond

Phosphodiesterases (PDEs), enzymes that degrade 3',5'-cyclic nucleotides, are being pursued as therapeutic targets for several diseases, including those affecting the nervous system, the cardiovascular system, fertility, immunity, cancer and metabolism. Clinical development programmes have focused exclusively on catalytic inhibition, which continues to be a strong focus of ongoing drug discovery efforts. However, emerging evidence supports novel strategies to therapeutically target PDE function, including enhancing catalytic activity, normalizing altered compartmentalization and modulating post-translational modifications, as well as the potential use of PDEs as disease biomarkers. Importantly, a more refined appreciation of the intramolecular mechanisms regulating PDE function and trafficking is emerging, making these pioneering drug discovery efforts tractable.

Targeting PDE10A GAF Domain with Small Molecules: A Way for Allosteric Modulation with Anti-Inflammatory Effects

Phosphodiesterase (PDE) enzymes regulate the levels of cyclic nucleotides, cAMP, and/or cGMP, being attractive therapeutic targets. In order to modulate PDE activity in a selective way, we focused our efforts on the search of allosteric modulators. Based on the crystal structure of the PDE10A GAF-B domain, a virtual screening study allowed the discovery of new hits that were also tested experimentally, showing inhibitory activities in the micromolar range. Moreover, these new PDE10A inhibitors were able to decrease the nitrite production in LPS-stimulated cells, thus demonstrating their potential as anti-inflammatory agents.

Effect of phosphodiesterase-5 inhibitors on glycemic control in person with type 2 diabetes mellitus: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Chronic use of phosphodiesterase-5 inhibitors (PDE-5i) has been shown to improve insulin action on muscle glucose uptake by the prolongation of nitric oxide (NO)/cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP)/protein kinase (PKG) signalling.

Aims

As the effects of PDE-5i on glycemic control in person with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) have not been systematically explored, we conducted a meta-analysis of available randomized controlled trials (RCTs).

Methods

A literature search was performed through electronic databases including MEDLINE (Pubmed), The Cochrane Library, SCOPUS, Web of Science, CINAHL, www.clinicaltrials.gov and www.clinicaltrialresults.org until April 2016 without language restriction. Studies were included if they met the following criteria: (i) RCTs of the chronic use of PDE-5i compared with placebo or no active treatment in T2DM patients (ii) reporting of HbA1c or glycated haemoglobin or fasting plasma glucose (FPG).

Results

Four studies involving a total of 198 patients fit into the inclusion criteria. All included studies used the same PDE-5i, sildenafil. Reports of HbA1c were analysed as only one study reported FPG. PDE-5i had no beneficial effect on HbA1c with weighted mean difference (WMD) of 0.17% (95% CI, −0.64 to 0.97).

Conclusion

This meta-analysis suggests that large and well-controlled studies are warranted to shed light on the effect of PDE-5i on glycemic control in people with type 2 diabetes mellitus.

[Cyclic nucleotide phosphodiesterases: role in the heart and therapeutic perspectives]

Cyclic nucleotide phosphodiesterases (PDEs) degrade the second messengers cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) and cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP), thereby regulating multiple aspects of cardiac function. This highly diverse class of enzymes encoded by 21 genes encompasses 11 families that are not only responsible for the termination of cyclic nucleotide signalling, but are also involved in the generation of dynamic microdomains of cAMP and cGMP, controlling specific cell functions in response to various neurohormonal stimuli. In the myocardium, the PDE3 and PDE4 families predominate, degrading cAMP and thereby regulating cardiac excitation-contraction coupling. PDE3 inhibitors are positive inotropes and vasodilators in humans, but their use is limited to acute heart failure and intermittent claudication. PDE5 inhibitors, which are used with success to treat erectile dysfunction and pulmonary hypertension, do not seem efficient in heart failure with preserved ejection fraction. There is experimental evidence however that these PDE, as well as other PDE families including PDE1, PDE2 and PDE9, may play important roles in cardiac diseases, such as hypertrophy and heart failure (HF). After a brief presentation of the cyclic nucleotide pathways in cardiac myocytes and the major characteristics of the PDE superfamily, this review will focus on the potential use of PDE inhibitors in HF, and the recent research developments that could lead to a better exploitation of the therapeutic potential of these enzymes in the future.

Phosphodiesterase 11A (PDE11A), Enriched in Ventral Hippocampus Neurons, is Required for Consolidation of Social but not Nonsocial Memories in Mice

The capacity to form long-lasting social memories is critical to our health and survival. cAMP signaling in the ventral hippocampal formation (VHIPP) appears to be required for social memory formation, but the phosphodiesterase (PDE) involved remains unknown. Previously, we showed that PDE11A, which degrades cAMP and cGMP, is preferentially expressed in CA1 and subiculum of the VHIPP. Here, we determine whether PDE11A is expressed in neurons where it could directly influence synaptic plasticity and whether expression is required for the consolidation and/or retrieval of social memories. In CA1, and possibly CA2, PDE11A4 is expressed throughout neuronal cell bodies, dendrites (stratum radiatum), and axons (fimbria), but not astrocytes. Unlike PDE2A, PDE9A, or PDE10A, PDE11A4 expression begins very low at postnatal day 7 (P7) and dramatically increases until P28, at which time it stabilizes to young adult levels. This expression pattern is consistent with the fact that PDE11A is required for social long-term memory (LTM) formation during adolescence and adulthood. Male and female PDE11 knockout (KO) mice show normal short-term memory (STM) for social odor recognition (SOR) and social transmission of food preference (STFP), but no LTM 24 h post training. Importantly, PDE11A KO mice show normal LTM for nonsocial odor recognition. Deletion of PDE11A may impair memory consolidation by impairing requisite protein translation in the VHIPP. Relative to WT littermates, PDE11A KO mice show reduced expression of RSK2 and lowered phosphorylation of S6 (pS6-235/236). Together, these data suggest PDE11A is selectively required for the proper consolidation of recognition and associative social memories.

Cyclic nucleotide phosphodiesterases in heart and vessels: A therapeutic perspective

Cyclic nucleotide phosphodiesterases (PDEs) degrade the second messengers cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) and cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP), thereby regulating multiple aspects of cardiac and vascular muscle functions. This highly diverse class of enzymes encoded by 21 genes encompasses 11 families that are not only responsible for the termination of cyclic nucleotide signalling, but are also involved in the generation of dynamic microdomains of cAMP and cGMP, controlling specific cell functions in response to various neurohormonal stimuli. In the myocardium and vascular smooth muscle, the PDE3 and PDE4 families predominate, degrading cAMP and thereby regulating cardiac excitation-contraction coupling and smooth muscle contractile tone. PDE3 inhibitors are positive inotropes and vasodilators in humans, but their use is limited to acute heart failure and intermittent claudication. PDE5 is particularly important for the degradation of cGMP in vascular smooth muscle, and PDE5 inhibitors are used to treat erectile dysfunction and pulmonary hypertension. There is experimental evidence that these PDEs, as well as other PDE families, including PDE1, PDE2 and PDE9, may play important roles in cardiac diseases, such as hypertrophy and heart failure, as well as several vascular diseases. After a brief presentation of the cyclic nucleotide pathways in cardiac and vascular cells, and the major characteristics of the PDE superfamily, this review will focus on the current use of PDE inhibitors in cardiovascular diseases, and the recent research developments that could lead to better exploitation of the therapeutic potential of these enzymes in the future.

Cyclic nucleotide phosphodiesterases: important signaling modulators and therapeutic targets

By catalyzing hydrolysis of cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) and cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP), cyclic nucleotide phosphodiesterases are critical regulators of their intracellular concentrations and their biological effects. As these intracellular second messengers control many cellular homeostatic processes, dysregulation of their signals and signaling pathways initiate or modulate pathophysiological pathways related to various disease states, including erectile dysfunction, pulmonary hypertension, acute refractory cardiac failure, intermittent claudication, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and psoriasis. Alterations in expression of PDEs and PDE-gene mutations (especially mutations in PDE6, PDE8B, PDE11A, and PDE4) have been implicated in various diseases and cancer pathologies. PDEs also play important role in formation and function of multimolecular signaling/regulatory complexes, called signalosomes. At specific intracellular locations, individual PDEs, together with pathway-specific signaling molecules, regulators, and effectors, are incorporated into specific signalosomes, where they facilitate and regulate compartmentalization of cyclic nucleotide signaling pathways and specific cellular functions. Currently, only a limited number of PDE inhibitors (PDE3, PDE4, PDE5 inhibitors) are used in clinical practice. Future paths to novel drug discovery include the crystal structure-based design approach, which has resulted in generation of more effective family-selective inhibitors, as well as burgeoning development of strategies to alter compartmentalized cyclic nucleotide signaling pathways by selectively targeting individual PDEs and their signalosome partners.

Advances in targeting cyclic nucleotide phosphodiesterases

Cyclic nucleotide phosphodiesterases (PDEs) catalyse the hydrolysis of cyclic AMP and cyclic GMP, thereby regulating the intracellular concentrations of these cyclic nucleotides, their signalling pathways and, consequently, myriad biological responses in health and disease. Currently, a small number of PDE inhibitors are used clinically for treating the pathophysiological dysregulation of cyclic nucleotide signalling in several disorders, including erectile dysfunction, pulmonary hypertension, acute refractory cardiac failure, intermittent claudication and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. However, pharmaceutical interest in PDEs has been reignited by the increasing understanding of the roles of individual PDEs in regulating the subcellular compartmentalization of specific cyclic nucleotide signalling pathways, by the structure-based design of novel specific inhibitors and by the development of more sophisticated strategies to target individual PDE variants.

Phosphodiesterase inhibitors: factors that influence potency, selectivity, and action

Cyclic nucleotide phosphodiesterases (PDEs) are promising targets for pharmacological intervention. The presence of multiple PDE genes, diversity of the isoforms produced from each gene, selective tissue and cellular expression of the isoforms, compartmentation within cells, and an array of conformations of PDE proteins are some of the properties that challenge the development of drugs that target these enzymes. Nevertheless, many of the characteristics of PDEs are also viewed as unique opportunities to increase specificity and selectivity when designing novel compounds for certain therapeutic indications. This chapter provides a summary of the major concepts related to the design and use of PDE inhibitors. The overall structure and properties of the catalytic domain and conformations of PDEs are summarized in light of the most recent X-ray crystal structures. The distinctive properties of catalytic domains of different families as well as the technical challenges associated with probing PDE properties and their interactions with small molecules are discussed. The effect of posttranslational modifications and protein-protein interactions are additional factors to be considered when designing PDE inhibitors. PDE inhibitor interaction with other proteins needs to be taken into account and is also discussed.