1
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Markham L, Koelblen T, Chobanian HR, Follis AV, Burris TP, Micalizio GC. From Functional Fatty Acids to Potent and Selective Natural-Product-Inspired Mimetics via Conformational Profiling. ACS CENTRAL SCIENCE 2024; 10:477-486. [PMID: 38435518 PMCID: PMC10906247 DOI: 10.1021/acscentsci.3c01155] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/18/2023] [Revised: 01/16/2024] [Accepted: 01/17/2024] [Indexed: 03/05/2024]
Abstract
Fatty acids play important signaling roles in biology, albeit typically lacking potency or selectivity, due to their substantial conformational flexibility. While being recognized as having properties of potentially great value as therapeutics, it is often the case that the functionally relevant conformation of the natural fatty acid is not known, thereby complicating efforts to develop natural-product-inspired ligands that have similar functional properties along with enhanced potency and selectivity profiles. In other words, without structural information associated with a particular functional relationship and the hopelessly unbiased conformational preferences of the endogenous ligand, one is molecularly ill-informed regarding the precise ligand-receptor interactions that play a role in driving the biological activity of interest. To address this problem, a molecular strategy to query the relevance of distinct subpopulations of fatty acid conformers has been established through "conformational profiling", a process whereby a unique collection of chiral and conformationally constrained fatty acids is employed to deconvolute beneficial structural features that impart natural-product-inspired function. Using oleic acid as an example because it is known to engage a variety of receptors, including GPR40, GPR120, and TLX, a 24-membered collection of mimetics was designed and synthesized. It was then demonstrated that this collection contained members that have enhanced potency and selectivity profiles, with some being clearly biased for engagement of the GPCRs GPR40 and GPR120 while others were identified as potent and selective modulators of the nuclear receptor TLX. A chemical synthesis strategy that exploited the power of modern technology for stereoselective synthesis was critical to achieving success, establishing a common sequence of bond-forming reactions to access a disparate collection of chiral mimetics, whose conformational preferences are impacted by the nature of stereodefined moieties differentially positioned about the C18 skeleton of the parent fatty acid. Overall, this study establishes a foundation to fuel future programs aimed at developing natural-product-inspired fatty acid mimetics as valuable tools in chemical biology and potential therapeutic leads.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lauren
E. Markham
- Department
of Chemistry, Dartmouth College, 6128 Burke Laboratory, Hanover, New Hampshire 03755, United States
| | - Thomas Koelblen
- University
of Florida Genetics Institute, P.O. Box 103610, 2033 Mowry Road, Gainesville, Florida 32610, United States
| | - Harry R. Chobanian
- ROME
Therapeutics, 201 Brookline Avenue, Suite 1001, Boston, Massachusetts 02215, United States
| | - Ariele Viacava Follis
- ROME
Therapeutics, 201 Brookline Avenue, Suite 1001, Boston, Massachusetts 02215, United States
| | - Thomas P. Burris
- University
of Florida Genetics Institute, P.O. Box 103610, 2033 Mowry Road, Gainesville, Florida 32610, United States
| | - Glenn C. Micalizio
- Department
of Chemistry, Dartmouth College, 6128 Burke Laboratory, Hanover, New Hampshire 03755, United States
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2
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Murray MH, Valfort AC, Koelblen T, Ronin C, Ciesielski F, Chatterjee A, Veerakanellore GB, Elgendy B, Walker JK, Hegazy L, Burris TP. Structural basis of synthetic agonist activation of the nuclear receptor REV-ERB. Nat Commun 2022; 13:7131. [PMID: 36414641 PMCID: PMC9681850 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-022-34892-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/08/2022] [Accepted: 11/10/2022] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
The nuclear receptor REV-ERB plays an important role in a range of physiological processes. REV-ERB behaves as a ligand-dependent transcriptional repressor and heme has been identified as a physiological agonist. Our current understanding of how ligands bind to and regulate transcriptional repression by REV-ERB is based on the structure of heme bound to REV-ERB. However, porphyrin (heme) analogues have been avoided as a source of synthetic agonists due to the wide range of heme binding proteins and potential pleotropic effects. How non-porphyrin synthetic agonists bind to and regulate REV-ERB has not yet been defined. Here, we characterize a high affinity synthetic REV-ERB agonist, STL1267, and describe its mechanism of binding to REV-ERB as well as the method by which it recruits transcriptional corepressor both of which are unique and distinct from that of heme-bound REV-ERB.
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Affiliation(s)
- Meghan H Murray
- Department of Pharmacology and Physiology, Saint Louis University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, 63104, USA
- Center for Clinical Pharmacology, Washington University School of Medicine, University of Health Sciences & Pharmacy, St. Louis, MO, 63110, USA
| | | | - Thomas Koelblen
- University of Florida Genetics Institute, Gainesville, FL, 32610, USA
| | | | | | - Arindam Chatterjee
- Department of Pharmacology and Physiology, Saint Louis University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, 63104, USA
| | - Giri Babu Veerakanellore
- Center for Clinical Pharmacology, Washington University School of Medicine, University of Health Sciences & Pharmacy, St. Louis, MO, 63110, USA
- Department of Pharmaceutical and Administrative Sciences, University of Health Sciences & Pharmacy, St. Louis, MO, 63110, USA
| | - Bahaa Elgendy
- Center for Clinical Pharmacology, Washington University School of Medicine, University of Health Sciences & Pharmacy, St. Louis, MO, 63110, USA
- Department of Pharmaceutical and Administrative Sciences, University of Health Sciences & Pharmacy, St. Louis, MO, 63110, USA
| | - John K Walker
- Department of Pharmacology and Physiology, Saint Louis University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, 63104, USA
| | - Lamees Hegazy
- Center for Clinical Pharmacology, Washington University School of Medicine, University of Health Sciences & Pharmacy, St. Louis, MO, 63110, USA.
- Department of Pharmaceutical and Administrative Sciences, University of Health Sciences & Pharmacy, St. Louis, MO, 63110, USA.
| | - Thomas P Burris
- University of Florida Genetics Institute, Gainesville, FL, 32610, USA.
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3
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Kchouk S, Hegazy L. Pharmacophore modeling for biological targets with high flexibility: LXRβ case study. MEDICINE IN DRUG DISCOVERY 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.medidd.2022.100135] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/18/2022] Open
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4
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Sakellakis M. Orphan receptors in prostate cancer. Prostate 2022; 82:1016-1024. [PMID: 35538397 DOI: 10.1002/pros.24370] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/07/2022] [Revised: 02/22/2022] [Accepted: 04/22/2022] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The identification of new cellular receptors has been increasing rapidly. A receptor is called "orphan" if an endogenous ligand has not been identified yet. METHODS Here we review receptors that contribute to prostate cancer and are considered orphan or partially orphan. This means that the full spectrum of their endogenous ligands remains unknown. RESULTS The orphan receptors are divided into two major families. The first group includes G protein-coupled receptors. Most are orphan olfactory receptors. OR51E1 inhibits cell proliferation and induces senescence in prostate cancer. OR51E2 inhibits prostate cancer growth, but promotes invasiveness and metastasis. GPR158, GPR110, and GPCR-X play significant roles in prostate cancer development and progression. However, GPR160 induces cell cycle arrest and apoptosis. The other major subset of orphan receptors are nuclear receptors. Receptor-related orphan receptor α (RORα) inhibits tumor growth, but RORγ stimulates androgen receptor signaling. PXR contributes to metabolic deactivation of androgens and inhibits cell proliferation. TLX has protumorigenic effects in prostate cancer, while its knockdown triggers cellular senescence and growth arrest. Estrogen-related receptor ERRγ can inhibit tumor growth but ERRα is protumorigenic. Dax1 and short heterodimeric partner are also inhibitory in prostate cancer. CONCLUSION There is a "zoo" of relatively underappreciated orphan receptors that play key roles in prostate cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Minas Sakellakis
- Fourth Oncology Department and Comprehensive Clinical Trials Center, Metropolitan Hospital, Athens, Greece
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5
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Oleic acid is an endogenous ligand of TLX/NR2E1 that triggers hippocampal neurogenesis. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2022; 119:e2023784119. [PMID: 35333654 PMCID: PMC9060471 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2023784119] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
SignificanceAdult hippocampal neurogenesis underpins learning, memory, and mood but diminishes with age and certain illnesses. The orphan nuclear receptor TLX/NR2E1 regulates neural stem and progenitor cell self-renewal and proliferation, but its orphan status has hindered its utilization as a therapeutic target to modulate adult neurogenesis. Here, we deorphanize TLX and report that oleic acid is an endogenous, metabolic ligand of TLX. These findings open avenues for future therapeutic modulation of TLX to counteract cognitive and mental decline in aging and diseases associated with decreased neurogenesis.
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6
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Puebla M, Tapia PJ, Espinoza H. Key Role of Astrocytes in Postnatal Brain and Retinal Angiogenesis. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23052646. [PMID: 35269788 PMCID: PMC8910249 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23052646] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2022] [Revised: 02/21/2022] [Accepted: 02/23/2022] [Indexed: 01/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Angiogenesis is a key process in various physiological and pathological conditions in the nervous system and in the retina during postnatal life. Although an increasing number of studies have addressed the role of endothelial cells in this event, the astrocytes contribution in angiogenesis has received less attention. This review is focused on the role of astrocytes as a scaffold and in the stabilization of the new blood vessels, through different molecules release, which can modulate the angiogenesis process in the brain and in the retina. Further, differences in the astrocytes phenotype are addressed in glioblastoma, one of the most devastating types of brain cancer, in order to provide potential targets involved in the cross signaling between endothelial cells, astrocytes and glioma cells, that mediate tumor progression and pathological angiogenesis. Given the relevance of astrocytes in angiogenesis in physiological and pathological conditions, future studies are required to better understand the interrelation between endothelial and astrocyte signaling pathways during this process.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mariela Puebla
- Centro de Fisiología Celular e Integrativa, Facultad de Medicina-Clínica Alemana, Universidad del Desarrollo, Av. Plaza 680, Las Condes, Santiago 7550000, Chile;
| | - Pablo J. Tapia
- Centro de Biología Celular y Biomedicina (CEBICEM), Facultad de Medicina y Ciencia, Universidad San Sebastián, Av. Lota 2465, Providencia, Santiago 7500000, Chile;
- Facultad de Medicina Veterinaria y Agronomía, Universidad de las Américas, Av. República 71, Santiago 8320000, Chile
| | - Hilda Espinoza
- Facultad de Ciencias de la Salud, Universidad del Alba, Av. Ejército Libertador 171, Santiago 8320000, Chile
- Correspondence:
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7
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Faudone G, Zhubi R, Celik F, Knapp S, Chaikuad A, Heering J, Merk D. Design of a Potent TLX Agonist by Rational Fragment Fusion. J Med Chem 2022; 65:2288-2296. [PMID: 34989568 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.1c01757] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
As a master regulator of neurogenesis, the orphan nuclear receptor tailless homologue (TLX, NR2E1) maintains neuronal stem cell homeostasis by acting as a transcriptional repressor of tumor suppressor genes. It is hence considered as an appealing target for the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases, but a lack of potent TLX modulators as tools to probe pharmacological TLX control hinders further validation of its promising potential. Here, we report the development of a potent TLX agonist based on fragment screening, pharmacophore modeling, and fragment fusion. Pharmacophore similarity of a fragment screening hit and the TLX ligand ccrp2 provided a rational basis for fragment linkage, which resulted in several TLX activator scaffolds. Among them, the fused compound 10 evolved as a valuable TLX agonist tool with submicromolar potency and high selectivity over related nuclear receptors, rendering it suitable for functional studies on TLX.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giuseppe Faudone
- Institute of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Goethe University Frankfurt, D-60438 Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Rezart Zhubi
- Institute of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Goethe University Frankfurt, D-60438 Frankfurt, Germany.,Structural Genomics Consortium, BMLS, Goethe University Frankfurt, D-60438 Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Fatih Celik
- Institute of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Goethe University Frankfurt, D-60438 Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Stefan Knapp
- Institute of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Goethe University Frankfurt, D-60438 Frankfurt, Germany.,Structural Genomics Consortium, BMLS, Goethe University Frankfurt, D-60438 Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Apirat Chaikuad
- Institute of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Goethe University Frankfurt, D-60438 Frankfurt, Germany.,Structural Genomics Consortium, BMLS, Goethe University Frankfurt, D-60438 Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Jan Heering
- Fraunhofer Institute for Translational Medicine and Pharmacology ITMP, D-60596 Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Daniel Merk
- Institute of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Goethe University Frankfurt, D-60438 Frankfurt, Germany.,Department of Pharmacy, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, D-81377 Munich, Germany
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8
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Faudone G, Kilu W, Ni X, Chaikuad A, Sreeramulu S, Heitel P, Schwalbe H, Knapp S, Schubert-Zsilavecz M, Heering J, Merk D. The Transcriptional Repressor Orphan Nuclear Receptor TLX Is Responsive to Xanthines. ACS Pharmacol Transl Sci 2021; 4:1794-1807. [PMID: 34927011 PMCID: PMC8669710 DOI: 10.1021/acsptsci.1c00195] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/05/2021] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
The orphan nuclear receptor tailless homologue (TLX) is expressed almost exclusively in neural stem cells acting as an essential factor for their survival and is hence considered as a promising drug target in neurodegeneration. However, few studies have characterized the roles of TLX due to the lack of ligands and limited functional understanding. Here, we identify xanthines including caffeine and istradefylline as TLX modulators that counteract the receptor's intrinsic repressor activity. Mutagenesis of residues lining a cavity within the TLX ligand binding domain altered the activity of these ligands, suggesting direct interactions with helix 5. Using xanthines as tool compounds, we observed a ligand-sensitive recruitment of the co-repressor silencing mediator for retinoid or thyroid-hormone receptors, TLX homodimerization, and heterodimerization with the retinoid X receptor. These protein-protein interactions evolve as factors that modulate the TLX function and suggest an unprecedented role of TLX in directly repressing other nuclear receptors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giuseppe Faudone
- Institute
of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Goethe University
Frankfurt, Max-von-Laue-Str. 9, D-60438 Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Whitney Kilu
- Institute
of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Goethe University
Frankfurt, Max-von-Laue-Str. 9, D-60438 Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Xiaomin Ni
- Institute
of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Goethe University
Frankfurt, Max-von-Laue-Str. 9, D-60438 Frankfurt, Germany
- Structural
Genomics Consortium, BMLS, Goethe University
Frankfurt, Max-von-Laue-Str. 15, D-60438 Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Apirat Chaikuad
- Institute
of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Goethe University
Frankfurt, Max-von-Laue-Str. 9, D-60438 Frankfurt, Germany
- Structural
Genomics Consortium, BMLS, Goethe University
Frankfurt, Max-von-Laue-Str. 15, D-60438 Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Sridhar Sreeramulu
- Center
for Biomolecular Magnetic Resonance (BMRZ), Institute for Organic
Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Goethe University
Frankfurt, Max-von-Laue-Str. 7, D-60438 Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Pascal Heitel
- Institute
of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Goethe University
Frankfurt, Max-von-Laue-Str. 9, D-60438 Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Harald Schwalbe
- Center
for Biomolecular Magnetic Resonance (BMRZ), Institute for Organic
Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Goethe University
Frankfurt, Max-von-Laue-Str. 7, D-60438 Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Stefan Knapp
- Institute
of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Goethe University
Frankfurt, Max-von-Laue-Str. 9, D-60438 Frankfurt, Germany
- Structural
Genomics Consortium, BMLS, Goethe University
Frankfurt, Max-von-Laue-Str. 15, D-60438 Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Manfred Schubert-Zsilavecz
- Institute
of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Goethe University
Frankfurt, Max-von-Laue-Str. 9, D-60438 Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Jan Heering
- Fraunhofer
Institute for Translational Medicine and Pharmacology ITMP, Theodor-Stern-Kai 7, D-60596 Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Daniel Merk
- Institute
of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Goethe University
Frankfurt, Max-von-Laue-Str. 9, D-60438 Frankfurt, Germany
- Department
of Pharmacy, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität
München, Butenandtstr.
5-13, D-81377 Munich, Germany
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9
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Nelson AT, Wang Y, Nelson ER. TLX, an Orphan Nuclear Receptor With Emerging Roles in Physiology and Disease. Endocrinology 2021; 162:6360449. [PMID: 34463725 PMCID: PMC8462384 DOI: 10.1210/endocr/bqab184] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
TLX (NR2E1), an orphan member of the nuclear receptor superfamily, is a transcription factor that has been described to be generally repressive in nature. It has been implicated in several aspects of physiology and disease. TLX is best known for its ability to regulate the proliferation of neural stem cells and retinal progenitor cells. Dysregulation, overexpression, or loss of TLX expression has been characterized in numerous studies focused on a diverse range of pathological conditions, including abnormal brain development, psychiatric disorders, retinopathies, metabolic disease, and malignant neoplasm. Despite the lack of an identified endogenous ligand, several studies have described putative synthetic and natural TLX ligands, suggesting that this receptor may serve as a therapeutic target. Therefore, this article aims to briefly review what is known about TLX structure and function in normal physiology, and provide an overview of TLX in regard to pathological conditions. Particular emphasis is placed on TLX and cancer, and the potential utility of this receptor as a therapeutic target.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adam T Nelson
- Department of Molecular and Integrative Physiology, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, Illinois 61801, USA
| | - Yu Wang
- Department of Molecular and Integrative Physiology, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, Illinois 61801, USA
| | - Erik R Nelson
- Department of Molecular and Integrative Physiology, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, Illinois 61801, USA
- Cancer Center at Illinois, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, Illinois 61801, USA
- Division of Nutritional Sciences, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, Illinois 61801, USA
- University of Illinois Cancer Center, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, Illinois 60612, USA
- Carl R. Woese Institute for Genomic Biology, Anticancer Discovery from Pets to People Theme, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, Illinois 61801, USA
- Correspondence: Erik R. Nelson, PhD, Department of Molecular and Integrative Physiology, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, 407 S Goodwin Ave (MC-114), Urbana, IL 61801, USA.
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10
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Parkitny L, Maletic-Savatic M. Glial PAMPering and DAMPening of Adult Hippocampal Neurogenesis. Brain Sci 2021; 11:1299. [PMID: 34679362 PMCID: PMC8533961 DOI: 10.3390/brainsci11101299] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/05/2021] [Revised: 09/16/2021] [Accepted: 09/22/2021] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Adult neurogenesis represents a mature brain's capacity to integrate newly generated neurons into functional circuits. Impairment of neurogenesis contributes to the pathophysiology of various mood and cognitive disorders such as depression and Alzheimer's Disease. The hippocampal neurogenic niche hosts neural progenitors, glia, and vasculature, which all respond to intrinsic and environmental cues, helping determine their current state and ultimate fate. In this article we focus on the major immune communication pathways and mechanisms through which glial cells sense, interact with, and modulate the neurogenic niche. We pay particular attention to those related to the sensing of and response to innate immune danger signals. Receptors for danger signals were first discovered as a critical component of the innate immune system response to pathogens but are now also recognized to play a crucial role in modulating non-pathogenic sterile inflammation. In the neurogenic niche, viable, stressed, apoptotic, and dying cells can activate danger responses in neuroimmune cells, resulting in neuroprotection or neurotoxicity. Through these mechanisms glial cells can influence hippocampal stem cell fate, survival, neuronal maturation, and integration. Depending on the context, such responses may be appropriate and on-target, as in the case of learning-associated synaptic pruning, or excessive and off-target, as in neurodegenerative disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luke Parkitny
- Baylor College of Medicine and Jan and Dan Duncan Neurological Research Institute at Texas Children’s Hospital, Houston, TX 77030, USA;
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11
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Majidi S, Ogilvie JM, Flaveny CA. Retinal Degeneration: Short-Term Options and Long-Term Vision for Future Therapy. MISSOURI MEDICINE 2021; 118:466-472. [PMID: 34658442 PMCID: PMC8504501] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
The leading cause blindness is the loss of retinal ganglion cells which connect the retina to the brain. Degenerative retinal diseases include retinal dystrophy, macular degeneration and diabetic retinopathy, which are currently incurable as the mammalian retina has no intrinsic regenerative capacity. By utilizing insight gained from retinal regeneration in simpler species we define an approach that may unlock regenerative programs in the mammalian retina that potentially facilitate the clinical restoration of retinal function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shabnam Majidi
- Department of Pharmacology and Physiology, Saint Louis University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri
| | - Judith M Ogilvie
- Department of Biology; Saint Louis University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri
| | - Colin A Flaveny
- Department of Biology; Saint Louis University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri
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12
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Willems S, Zaienne D, Merk D. Targeting Nuclear Receptors in Neurodegeneration and Neuroinflammation. J Med Chem 2021; 64:9592-9638. [PMID: 34251209 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.1c00186] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Nuclear receptors, also known as ligand-activated transcription factors, regulate gene expression upon ligand signals and present as attractive therapeutic targets especially in chronic diseases. Despite the therapeutic relevance of some nuclear receptors in various pathologies, their potential in neurodegeneration and neuroinflammation is insufficiently established. This perspective gathers preclinical and clinical data for a potential role of individual nuclear receptors as future targets in Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, and multiple sclerosis, and concomitantly evaluates the level of medicinal chemistry targeting these proteins. Considerable evidence suggests the high promise of ligand-activated transcription factors to counteract neurodegenerative diseases with a particularly high potential of several orphan nuclear receptors. However, potent tools are lacking for orphan receptors, and limited central nervous system exposure or insufficient selectivity also compromises the suitability of well-studied nuclear receptor ligands for functional studies. Medicinal chemistry efforts are needed to develop dedicated high-quality tool compounds for the therapeutic validation of nuclear receptors in neurodegenerative pathologies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sabine Willems
- Institute of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Goethe University Frankfurt, Max-von-Laue-Strasse 9, 60438 Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Daniel Zaienne
- Institute of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Goethe University Frankfurt, Max-von-Laue-Strasse 9, 60438 Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Daniel Merk
- Institute of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Goethe University Frankfurt, Max-von-Laue-Strasse 9, 60438 Frankfurt, Germany
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13
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Faudone G, Bischoff-Kont I, Rachor L, Willems S, Zhubi R, Kaiser A, Chaikuad A, Knapp S, Fürst R, Heering J, Merk D. Propranolol Activates the Orphan Nuclear Receptor TLX to Counteract Proliferation and Migration of Glioblastoma Cells. J Med Chem 2021; 64:8727-8738. [PMID: 34115934 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.1c00733] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
The ligand-sensing transcription factor tailless homologue (TLX, NR2E1) is an essential regulator of neuronal stem cell homeostasis with appealing therapeutic potential in neurodegenerative diseases and central nervous system tumors. However, knowledge on TLX ligands is scarce, providing an obstacle to target validation and medicinal chemistry. To discover TLX ligands, we have profiled a drug fragment collection for TLX modulation and identified several structurally diverse agonists and inverse agonists of the nuclear receptor. Propranolol evolved as the strongest TLX agonist and promoted TLX-regulated gene expression in human glioblastoma cells. Structure-activity relationship elucidation of propranolol as a TLX ligand yielded a structurally related negative control compound. In functional cellular experiments, we observed an ability of propranolol to counteract glioblastoma cell proliferation and migration, while the negative control had no effect. Our results provide a collection of TLX modulators as initial chemical tools and set of lead compounds and support therapeutic potential of TLX modulation in glioblastoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giuseppe Faudone
- Institute of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Goethe University Frankfurt, Max-von-Laue-Str. 9, 60438 Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Iris Bischoff-Kont
- Institute of Pharmaceutical Biology, Goethe University Frankfurt, Max-von-Laue-Str. 9, 60438 Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Lea Rachor
- Institute of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Goethe University Frankfurt, Max-von-Laue-Str. 9, 60438 Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Sabine Willems
- Institute of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Goethe University Frankfurt, Max-von-Laue-Str. 9, 60438 Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Rezart Zhubi
- Institute of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Goethe University Frankfurt, Max-von-Laue-Str. 9, 60438 Frankfurt, Germany.,Structural Genomics Consortium, BMLS, Goethe University Frankfurt, Max-von-Laue-Str. 15, 60438 Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Astrid Kaiser
- Institute of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Goethe University Frankfurt, Max-von-Laue-Str. 9, 60438 Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Apirat Chaikuad
- Institute of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Goethe University Frankfurt, Max-von-Laue-Str. 9, 60438 Frankfurt, Germany.,Structural Genomics Consortium, BMLS, Goethe University Frankfurt, Max-von-Laue-Str. 15, 60438 Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Stefan Knapp
- Institute of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Goethe University Frankfurt, Max-von-Laue-Str. 9, 60438 Frankfurt, Germany.,Structural Genomics Consortium, BMLS, Goethe University Frankfurt, Max-von-Laue-Str. 15, 60438 Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Robert Fürst
- Institute of Pharmaceutical Biology, Goethe University Frankfurt, Max-von-Laue-Str. 9, 60438 Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Jan Heering
- Fraunhofer Institute for Translational Medicine and Pharmacology ITMP, Theodor-Stern-Kai 7, 60596 Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Daniel Merk
- Institute of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Goethe University Frankfurt, Max-von-Laue-Str. 9, 60438 Frankfurt, Germany
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Zhou J, Pei X, Yang Y, Wang Z, Gao W, Ye R, Zhang X, Liu J, Liu Z, Yang X, Tao J, Gu C, Hu W, Chan FL, Li X, Mao J, Wu D. Orphan nuclear receptor TLX promotes immunosuppression via its transcriptional activation of PD-L1 in glioma. J Immunother Cancer 2021; 9:e001937. [PMID: 33858847 PMCID: PMC8055120 DOI: 10.1136/jitc-2020-001937] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 03/18/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND High-grade gliomas are rapidly progressing tumors of the central nervous system, and are associated with poor prognosis and highly immunosuppressive microenvironments. Meanwhile, a better understanding of PD-L1, a major prognostic biomarker for checkpoint immune therapy, regulation may provide insights for developing novel immunotherapeutic strategies for treating gliomas. In the present study, we elucidate the functional significance of the orphan nuclear receptor TLX in human glioma, and its functional role in immune suppression through regulation of PD-L1/PD-1 axis. METHODS TLX and PD-L1 expression patterns, and their association with clinicopathological parameters and immune phenotypes of glioma were analysed using CIBERSORT algorithm and single-sample gene-set enrichment analysis from The Cancer Genome Atlas (n=695) and Chinese Glioma Genome Atlas (n=1018) databases. Protein expression and cellular localization of TLX, PD-L1, and PD-1, as well as the prevalence of cytotoxic tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs), and tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs), in the glioma immune microenvironment were analyzed via tissue microarray by immunohistochemistry and multiplex immunofluorescence. Glioma allografts and xenografts with TLX manipulation (knockdown/knockout or reverse agonist) were inoculated subcutaneously, or orthotopically into the brains of immunodeficient and immunocompetent mice to assess tumor growth by imaging, and the immune microenvironment by flow cytometry. PD-L1 transcriptional regulation by TLX was analyzed by chromatin immunoprecipitation and luciferase reporter assays. RESULTS TLX and PD-L1 expression was positively associated with macrophage-mediated immunosuppressive phenotypes in gliomas. TLX showed significant upregulation and positive correlation with PD-L1. Meanwhile, suppression of TLX significantly inhibited in vivo growth of glioma allografts and xenografts (p<0.05), rescued the antitumoral immune response, significantly decreased the PD-L1+, and glioma-associated macrophage population, and increased cytotoxic lymphocyte infiltration (p<0.05). Mechanistically, TLX binds directly to CD274 (PD-L1) gene promoter and activates CD274 transcription. CONCLUSIONS TLX contributes to glioma malignancy and immunosuppression through transcriptional activation of PD-L1 ligands that bind to PD-1 expressed on both TILs and TAMs. Thus, targeting the druggable TLX may have potential therapeutic significance in glioma immune therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiayi Zhou
- Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Viral Oncology, The Clinical Innovation & Research Center (CIRC), Shenzhen Hospital, Southern Medical University, Shenzhen, Guangdong, China
- The Third School of Clinical Medicine, Southern Medical University, Shenzhen, Guangdong, China
| | - Xiaojuan Pei
- Department of Pathology, Shenzhen Hospital, Southern Medical University, Shenzhen, Guandong, China
| | - Yingui Yang
- Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Viral Oncology, The Clinical Innovation & Research Center (CIRC), Shenzhen Hospital, Southern Medical University, Shenzhen, Guangdong, China
- The Third School of Clinical Medicine, Southern Medical University, Shenzhen, Guangdong, China
| | - Zhu Wang
- Department of Urology, People's Hospital of Longhua, Southern Medical University, Shenzhen, Guangdong, China
| | - Weijie Gao
- School of Biomedical Sciences, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hongkong, China
| | - Ran Ye
- Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Viral Oncology, The Clinical Innovation & Research Center (CIRC), Shenzhen Hospital, Southern Medical University, Shenzhen, Guangdong, China
- The Third School of Clinical Medicine, Southern Medical University, Shenzhen, Guangdong, China
| | - Xiantong Zhang
- Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Viral Oncology, The Clinical Innovation & Research Center (CIRC), Shenzhen Hospital, Southern Medical University, Shenzhen, Guangdong, China
- The Third School of Clinical Medicine, Southern Medical University, Shenzhen, Guangdong, China
| | - Jiangang Liu
- Department of Neurosurgery, Shenzhen Hospital, Southern Medical University, Shenzhen, Guangdong, China
| | - Zhuohao Liu
- Department of Neurosurgery, Shenzhen Hospital, Southern Medical University, Shenzhen, Guangdong, China
| | - Xinzhi Yang
- Department of Neurosurgery, Shenzhen Hospital, Southern Medical University, Shenzhen, Guangdong, China
| | - Jingli Tao
- Department of Pathology, Shenzhen Hospital, Southern Medical University, Shenzhen, Guandong, China
| | - Chunshan Gu
- Hospital Management & performance Office, Shenzhen Hospital, Southern Medical University, Shenzhen, Guangdong, China
| | - Wei Hu
- Department of Gastroenterology, Shenzhen Hospital, Southern Medical University, Shenzhen, Guangdong, China
| | - Franky Lueng Chan
- School of Biomedical Sciences, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hongkong, China
| | - Xin Li
- Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Viral Oncology, The Clinical Innovation & Research Center (CIRC), Shenzhen Hospital, Southern Medical University, Shenzhen, Guangdong, China
- The Third School of Clinical Medicine, Southern Medical University, Shenzhen, Guangdong, China
| | - Jie Mao
- Department of Neurosurgery, Shenzhen Hospital, Southern Medical University, Shenzhen, Guangdong, China
| | - Dinglan Wu
- Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Viral Oncology, The Clinical Innovation & Research Center (CIRC), Shenzhen Hospital, Southern Medical University, Shenzhen, Guangdong, China
- The Third School of Clinical Medicine, Southern Medical University, Shenzhen, Guangdong, China
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