1
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Li W, Zhu K, Liu Y, Liu M, Chen Q. Recent advances in PKC inhibitor development: Structural design strategies and therapeutic applications. Eur J Med Chem 2025; 287:117290. [PMID: 39904144 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2025.117290] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2024] [Revised: 01/09/2025] [Accepted: 01/15/2025] [Indexed: 02/06/2025]
Abstract
Protein kinase C (PKC) isozymes play critical roles in diverse cellular processes and are implicated in numerous diseases, including cancer, diabetes, and autoimmune disorders. Despite extensive research efforts spanning four decades, only one PKC inhibitor has received clinical approval, highlighting the challenges in developing selective and efficacious PKC-targeting therapeutics. Here we review recent advances in the development of small-molecule PKC inhibitors, focusing on structural design strategies, pharmacological activities, and structure-activity relationships. We analyze emerging approaches including fragment-based drug design, allosteric targeting, and natural product derivatization that have yielded promising new scaffold classes. Special attention is given to innovations in achieving isozyme selectivity, particularly for PKCα and PKCβ, which have proven crucial for therapeutic applications. We discuss how integration of computational methods, structural biology insights, and rational design principles has advanced our understanding of PKC inhibition mechanisms. This comprehensive analysis reveals key challenges in PKC drug development, including the need for enhanced selectivity and reduced off-target effects, while highlighting promising directions for future therapeutic development. Our findings provide a framework for designing next-generation PKC inhibitors with improved clinical potential.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wen Li
- Hospital of Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, 610072, China
| | - Kun Zhu
- Hospital of Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, 610072, China
| | - Yuyin Liu
- Hospital of Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, 610072, China
| | - Meixi Liu
- Department of Endocrinology, Deyang Hospital Affiliated Hospital of Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Deyang, 618000, China
| | - Qiu Chen
- Department of Endocrinology, Hospital of Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, 610072, China.
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2
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Wu YR, Tang JQ, Zhang WN, Zhuang CL, Shi Y. Rational drug design of CB2 receptor ligands: from 2012 to 2021. RSC Adv 2022; 12:35242-35259. [PMID: 36540233 PMCID: PMC9730932 DOI: 10.1039/d2ra05661e] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/08/2022] [Accepted: 12/03/2022] [Indexed: 08/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Cannabinoid receptors belong to the large family of G-protein-coupled receptors, which can be divided into two receptor types, cannabinoid receptor type-1 (CB1) and cannabinoid receptor type-2 (CB2). Marinol, Cesamet and Sativex are marketed CB1 drugs which are still in use and work well, but the central nervous system side effects caused by activation CB1, which limited the development of CB1 ligands. So far, no selective CB2 ligand has been approved for marketing, but lots of its ligands in the clinical stage and pre-clinical stage have positive effects on the treatment of some disease models and have great potential for development. Most selective CB2 agonists are designed and synthesized based on non-selective CB2 agonists through the classical med-chem strategies, e.g. molecular hybridization, scaffold hopping, bioisosterism, etc. During these processes, the balance between selectivity, activity, and pharmacokinetic properties needs to be achieved. Hence, we summarized some reported ligands on the basis of the optimization strategies in recent 10 years, and the limitations and future directions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yan-Ran Wu
- School of Pharmacy, Key Laboratory of Hui Ethnic Medicine Modernization, Ministry of Education, Ningxia Medical University 1160 Shengli Street Yinchuan 750004 China
| | - Jia-Qin Tang
- School of Pharmacy, Key Laboratory of Hui Ethnic Medicine Modernization, Ministry of Education, Ningxia Medical University 1160 Shengli Street Yinchuan 750004 China
| | - Wan-Nian Zhang
- School of Pharmacy, Key Laboratory of Hui Ethnic Medicine Modernization, Ministry of Education, Ningxia Medical University 1160 Shengli Street Yinchuan 750004 China
- School of Pharmacy, Second Military Medical University 325 Guohe Road Shanghai 200433 China
| | - Chun-Lin Zhuang
- School of Pharmacy, Key Laboratory of Hui Ethnic Medicine Modernization, Ministry of Education, Ningxia Medical University 1160 Shengli Street Yinchuan 750004 China
- School of Pharmacy, Second Military Medical University 325 Guohe Road Shanghai 200433 China
| | - Ying Shi
- School of Pharmacy, Key Laboratory of Hui Ethnic Medicine Modernization, Ministry of Education, Ningxia Medical University 1160 Shengli Street Yinchuan 750004 China
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3
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Arai Y, Kiyotsuka Y, Nagamochi M, Oyama K, Izumi M. Lead optimization of pyrido[2,3-d][1]benzazepin-6-one derivatives leading to the discovery of a potent, selective, and orally available human parathyroid hormone receptor 1 (hPTHR1) antagonist (DS69910557). Bioorg Med Chem 2022; 64:116763. [PMID: 35487102 DOI: 10.1016/j.bmc.2022.116763] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2022] [Revised: 04/18/2022] [Accepted: 04/19/2022] [Indexed: 11/02/2022]
Abstract
We report the discovery of a series of novel zwitterionic hPTHR1 antagonists. Optimization of lead compound 2 led to 4-[[1-[4-(2,9-dichloro-5,5-dimethyl-6-oxo-pyrido[2,3-d][1]benzazepin-7-yl)phenyl]-3-fluoro-azetidin-3-yl]methylamino]cyclohexanecarboxylic acid (19e, DS69910557), a compound with excellent potency and selectivity over activity at the human ether-a-go-go-related-gene (hERG) channel. Compound 19e demonstrated in vivo potency to decrease the plasma calcium concentration in rats upon oral administration. 2022 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yoshikazu Arai
- End-Organ Disease Laboratories, Daiichi Sankyo Co., Ltd, 1-2-58 Hiromachi, Shinagawa-ku, Tokyo 140-8710, Japan.
| | - Yohei Kiyotsuka
- End-Organ Disease Laboratories, Daiichi Sankyo Co., Ltd, 1-2-58 Hiromachi, Shinagawa-ku, Tokyo 140-8710, Japan
| | - Masatoshi Nagamochi
- End-Organ Disease Laboratories, Daiichi Sankyo Co., Ltd, 1-2-58 Hiromachi, Shinagawa-ku, Tokyo 140-8710, Japan
| | - Kazunori Oyama
- End-Organ Disease Laboratories, Daiichi Sankyo Co., Ltd, 1-2-58 Hiromachi, Shinagawa-ku, Tokyo 140-8710, Japan
| | - Masanori Izumi
- End-Organ Disease Laboratories, Daiichi Sankyo Co., Ltd, 1-2-58 Hiromachi, Shinagawa-ku, Tokyo 140-8710, Japan
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4
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Gado F, Ceni C, Ferrisi R, Sbrana G, Stevenson LA, Macchia M, Pertwee RG, Bertini S, Manera C, Ortore G. CB1 receptor binding sites for NAM and PAM: A first approach for studying, new n‑butyl‑diphenylcarboxamides as allosteric modulators. Eur J Pharm Sci 2021; 169:106088. [PMID: 34863873 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejps.2021.106088] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/18/2021] [Revised: 11/24/2021] [Accepted: 11/28/2021] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
The development of cannabinoid receptor type-1 (CB1R) modulators has been implicated in multiple pathophysiological events ranging from memory deficits to neurodegenerative disorders among others, even if their central psychiatric side effects such as depression, anxiety, and suicidal tendencies, have limited their clinical use. Thus, the identification of ligands which selectively act on peripheral CB1Rs, is becoming more interesting. A recent study reported a class of peripheral CB1R selective antagonists, characterized by a 5-aryl substituted nicotinamide core. These derivatives have structural similarities with the biphenyl compounds, endowed with CB2R antagonist activity, previously synthesized by our research group. In this work we combined the pharmacophoric portion of both classes, in order to obtain novel CBR antagonists. Among the synthesized compounds rather unexpectedly two compounds of this series, C7 and C10, did not show the radioligand ([3H]CP55940) displacement on CB1R but increased binding (∼ 150%), suggesting a possible allosteric behavior. Computational studies were performed to investigate the role of these compounds in CB1R modulation. The analysis of their binding poses in two different binding cavities of the CB1R surface, revealed a preferred interaction with the experimental binding site for negative allosteric modulators.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francesca Gado
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Pisa, 56126 Pisa Italy
| | - Costanza Ceni
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Pisa, 56126 Pisa Italy; Doctoral school in Life Sciences, University of Siena, Via Aldo Moro 2, 53100, Siena, Italy
| | - Rebecca Ferrisi
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Pisa, 56126 Pisa Italy
| | - Giulia Sbrana
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Pisa, 56126 Pisa Italy
| | - Lesley A Stevenson
- School of Medicine, Medical Sciences and Nutrition, Institute of Medical Sciences, University of Aberdeen, AB25 2ZD Aberdeen, Scotland, UK
| | - Marco Macchia
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Pisa, 56126 Pisa Italy
| | - Roger G Pertwee
- School of Medicine, Medical Sciences and Nutrition, Institute of Medical Sciences, University of Aberdeen, AB25 2ZD Aberdeen, Scotland, UK
| | - Simone Bertini
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Pisa, 56126 Pisa Italy
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5
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Mangiatordi GF, Intranuovo F, Delre P, Abatematteo FS, Abate C, Niso M, Creanza TM, Ancona N, Stefanachi A, Contino M. Cannabinoid Receptor Subtype 2 (CB2R) in a Multitarget Approach: Perspective of an Innovative Strategy in Cancer and Neurodegeneration. J Med Chem 2020; 63:14448-14469. [PMID: 33094613 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.0c01357] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
The cannabinoid receptor subtype 2 (CB2R) represents an interesting and new therapeutic target for its involvement in the first steps of neurodegeneration as well as in cancer onset and progression. Several studies, focused on different types of tumors, report a promising anticancer activity induced by CB2R agonists due to their ability to reduce inflammation and cell proliferation. Moreover, in neuroinflammation, the stimulation of CB2R, overexpressed in microglial cells, exerts beneficial effects in neurodegenerative disorders. With the aim to overcome current treatment limitations, new drugs can be developed by specifically modulating, together with CB2R, other targets involved in such multifactorial disorders. Building on successful case studies of already developed multitarget strategies involving CB2R, in this Perspective we aim at prompting the scientific community to consider new promising target associations involving HDACs (histone deacetylases) and σ receptors by employing modern approaches based on molecular hybridization, computational polypharmacology, and machine learning algorithms.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Francesca Intranuovo
- Dipartimento di Farmacia-Scienze del Farmaco, Università degli Studi di Bari Aldo Moro, Via Orabona 4, 70125 Bari, Italy
| | - Pietro Delre
- CNR-Institute of Crystallography, Via Amendola 122/o, 70126 Bari, Italy.,Dipartimento di Chimica, Università degli Studi di Bari Aldo Moro, 70125 Bari, Italy
| | - Francesca Serena Abatematteo
- Dipartimento di Farmacia-Scienze del Farmaco, Università degli Studi di Bari Aldo Moro, Via Orabona 4, 70125 Bari, Italy
| | - Carmen Abate
- Dipartimento di Farmacia-Scienze del Farmaco, Università degli Studi di Bari Aldo Moro, Via Orabona 4, 70125 Bari, Italy
| | - Mauro Niso
- Dipartimento di Farmacia-Scienze del Farmaco, Università degli Studi di Bari Aldo Moro, Via Orabona 4, 70125 Bari, Italy
| | - Teresa Maria Creanza
- CNR-Institute of Intelligent Industrial Technologies and Systems for Advanced Manufacturing, Via Amendola 122/o, 70126 Bari, Italy
| | - Nicola Ancona
- CNR-Institute of Intelligent Industrial Technologies and Systems for Advanced Manufacturing, Via Amendola 122/o, 70126 Bari, Italy
| | - Angela Stefanachi
- Dipartimento di Farmacia-Scienze del Farmaco, Università degli Studi di Bari Aldo Moro, Via Orabona 4, 70125 Bari, Italy
| | - Marialessandra Contino
- Dipartimento di Farmacia-Scienze del Farmaco, Università degli Studi di Bari Aldo Moro, Via Orabona 4, 70125 Bari, Italy
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6
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Ni R, Mu L, Ametamey S. Positron emission tomography of type 2 cannabinoid receptors for detecting inflammation in the central nervous system. Acta Pharmacol Sin 2019; 40:351-357. [PMID: 29921889 PMCID: PMC6460366 DOI: 10.1038/s41401-018-0035-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/25/2017] [Accepted: 05/01/2018] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Cannabinoid receptor CB2 (CB2R) is upregulated on activated microglia and astrocytes in the brain under inflammatory conditions and plays important roles in many neurological diseases, such as Alzheimer's disease, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, and ischemic stroke. The advent of positron emission tomography (PET) using CB2R radiotracers has enabled the visualization of CB2R distribution in vivo in animal models of central nervous system inflammation, however translation to humans has been less successful. Several novel CB2R radiotracers have been developed and evaluated to quantify microglial activation. In this review, we summarize the recent preclinical and clinical imaging results of CB2R PET tracers and discuss the prospects of CB2R imaging using PET.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ruiqing Ni
- Department of Chemistry and Applied Biosciences, Center for Radiopharmaceutical Sciences of ETH-PSI-USZ, Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, ETH Zurich, Zurich, 8093, Switzerland.
| | - Linjing Mu
- Department of Chemistry and Applied Biosciences, Center for Radiopharmaceutical Sciences of ETH-PSI-USZ, Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, ETH Zurich, Zurich, 8093, Switzerland
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, University Hospital Zurich, Zurich, 8091, Switzerland
| | - Simon Ametamey
- Department of Chemistry and Applied Biosciences, Center for Radiopharmaceutical Sciences of ETH-PSI-USZ, Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, ETH Zurich, Zurich, 8093, Switzerland
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7
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Kunikawa S, Tanaka A, Takasuna Y, Tasaki M, Chida N. Discovery of 2,4-diamino-5-cyanopyrimidine derivatives as protein kinase C theta inhibitors with mitigated time-dependent drug-drug interactions. Bioorg Med Chem 2019; 27:790-799. [PMID: 30704835 DOI: 10.1016/j.bmc.2019.01.019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2018] [Revised: 01/14/2019] [Accepted: 01/18/2019] [Indexed: 10/27/2022]
Abstract
Protein kinase C theta (PKCθ) plays a critical role in T cell signaling and has therapeutic potential for T cell-mediated diseases such as transplant rejection and rheumatoid arthritis. PKCθ inhibitors have emerged as effective immunomodulative agents for the prevention of transplant rejection. We previously reported that the 2,4-diamino-5-cyanopyrimidine derivative 2 was a potent PKCθ inhibitor; however, it exhibited CYP3A4 time-dependent inhibition (TDI). Here, we report the structural modification of compound 2 into 34 focusing on mitigating CYP3A4 TDI. Compound 34 exhibited potent in vitro activity with mitigated CYP3A4 TDI and efficacy in vivo transplant model.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shigeki Kunikawa
- Drug Discovery Research, Astellas Pharma Inc., 21 Miyukigaoka, Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305-8585, Japan.
| | - Akira Tanaka
- Drug Discovery Research, Astellas Pharma Inc., 21 Miyukigaoka, Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305-8585, Japan
| | - Yuji Takasuna
- Drug Discovery Research, Astellas Pharma Inc., 21 Miyukigaoka, Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305-8585, Japan
| | - Mamoru Tasaki
- Drug Discovery Research, Astellas Pharma Inc., 21 Miyukigaoka, Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305-8585, Japan
| | - Noboru Chida
- Drug Discovery Research, Astellas Pharma Inc., 21 Miyukigaoka, Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305-8585, Japan
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8
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Kunikawa S, Tanaka A, Takasuna Y, Tasaki M, Chida N. A novel 2,4-diaminopyrimidine derivative as selective inhibitor of protein kinase C theta prevents allograft rejection in a rat heart transplant model. Bioorg Med Chem 2018; 26:5499-5509. [PMID: 30274941 DOI: 10.1016/j.bmc.2018.09.029] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/20/2018] [Revised: 09/21/2018] [Accepted: 09/22/2018] [Indexed: 10/28/2022]
Abstract
Protein kinase C theta (PKCθ) plays a critical role in T cell signaling and is an attractive target for the treatment of T cell-mediated diseases such as transplant rejection and autoimmune disease. To identify PKCθ inhibitors, we focused on the 2,6-diamino-3-carbamoyl-5-cyanopyrazine derivative 2, which exhibited moderate PKCθ inhibitory activity. Optimization of 2 identified the 2,4-diamino-5-cyanopyrimidine derivative 16c, which exhibited potent PKCθ inhibitory activity and showed good selectivity against other PKC isozymes. Compound 16c prolonged graft survival in an in vivo rat heterotopic cardiac transplant model.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shigeki Kunikawa
- Drug Discovery Research, Astellas Pharma Inc., 21, Miyukigaoka, Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305-8585, Japan.
| | - Akira Tanaka
- Drug Discovery Research, Astellas Pharma Inc., 21, Miyukigaoka, Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305-8585, Japan
| | - Yuji Takasuna
- Drug Discovery Research, Astellas Pharma Inc., 21, Miyukigaoka, Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305-8585, Japan
| | - Mamoru Tasaki
- Drug Discovery Research, Astellas Pharma Inc., 21, Miyukigaoka, Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305-8585, Japan
| | - Noboru Chida
- Drug Discovery Research, Astellas Pharma Inc., 21, Miyukigaoka, Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305-8585, Japan
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9
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Prandi C, Blangetti M, Namdar D, Koltai H. Structure-Activity Relationship of Cannabis Derived Compounds for the Treatment of Neuronal Activity-Related Diseases. Molecules 2018; 23:molecules23071526. [PMID: 29941830 PMCID: PMC6099582 DOI: 10.3390/molecules23071526] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/22/2018] [Revised: 06/21/2018] [Accepted: 06/23/2018] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Cannabis sativa active compounds are extensively studied for their therapeutic effects, beyond the well-known psychotropic activity. C. Sativa is used to treat different medical indications, such as multiple sclerosis, spasticity, epilepsy, ulcerative colitis and pain. Simultaneously, basic research is discovering new constituents of cannabis-derived compounds and their receptors capable of neuroprotection and neuronal activity modulation. The function of the various phytochemicals in different therapeutic processes is not fully understood, but their significant role is starting to emerge and be appreciated. In this review, we will consider the structure-activity relationship (SAR) of cannabinoid compounds able to bind to cannabinoid receptors and act as therapeutic agents in neuronal diseases, e.g., Parkinson’s disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cristina Prandi
- Department of Chemistry, University of Turin, 10125 Torino, Italy.
| | - Marco Blangetti
- Department of Chemistry, University of Turin, 10125 Torino, Italy.
| | - Dvora Namdar
- ARO, Volcani Center, Rishon LeZion 7505101, Israel.
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10
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Chicca A, Arena C, Bertini S, Gado F, Ciaglia E, Abate M, Digiacomo M, Lapillo M, Poli G, Bifulco M, Macchia M, Tuccinardi T, Gertsch J, Manera C. Polypharmacological profile of 1,2-dihydro-2-oxo-pyridine-3-carboxamides in the endocannabinoid system. Eur J Med Chem 2018; 154:155-171. [PMID: 29793210 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2018.05.019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/19/2018] [Revised: 05/11/2018] [Accepted: 05/12/2018] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
The endocannabinoid system (ECS) represents one of the major neuromodulatory systems involved in different physiological and pathological processes. Multi-target compounds exert their activities by acting via multiple mechanisms of action and represent a promising pharmacological modulation of the ECS. In this work we report 4-substituted and 4,5-disubstituted 1,2-dihydro-2-oxo-pyridine-3-carboxamide derivatives with a broad spectrum of affinity and functional activity towards both cannabinoid receptors and additional effects on the main components of the ECS. In particular compound B3 showed high affinity for CB1R (Ki = 23.1 nM, partial agonist) and CB2R (Ki = 6.9 nM, inverse agonist) and also significant inhibitory activity (IC50 = 70 nM) on FAAH with moderate inhibition of ABHD12 (IC50 = 2.5 μΜ). Compounds B4, B5 and B6 that act as full agonists at CB1R and as partial agonists (B5 and B6) or antagonist (B4) at CB2R, exhibited an additional multi-target property by inhibiting anandamide uptake with sub-micromolar IC50 values (0.28-0.62 μΜ). The best derivatives showed cytotoxic activity on U937 lymphoblastoid cells. Finally, molecular docking analysis carried out on the three-dimensional structures of CB1R and CB2R and of FAAH allowed to rationalize the structure-activity relationships of this series of compounds.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrea Chicca
- Institute of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, NCCR TransCure, University of Bern, Bühlstrasse 28, CH-3012, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Chiara Arena
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Pisa, 56126, Pisa, Italy
| | - Simone Bertini
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Pisa, 56126, Pisa, Italy
| | - Francesca Gado
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Pisa, 56126, Pisa, Italy
| | - Elena Ciaglia
- Department of Medicine, Surgery and Dentistry "Scuola Medica Salernitana", University of Salerno, 84081, Baronissi, Salerno, Italy
| | - Mario Abate
- Department of Medicine, Surgery and Dentistry "Scuola Medica Salernitana", University of Salerno, 84081, Baronissi, Salerno, Italy
| | - Maria Digiacomo
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Pisa, 56126, Pisa, Italy
| | | | - Giulio Poli
- Department of Biotechnology, Chemistry and Pharmacy, University of Siena, via Aldo Moro 2, 53019, Siena, Italy
| | - Maurizio Bifulco
- Department of Molecular Medicine and Medical Biotechnology, University of Naples Federico II, 80131, Naples, Italy
| | - Marco Macchia
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Pisa, 56126, Pisa, Italy
| | - Tiziano Tuccinardi
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Pisa, 56126, Pisa, Italy; Sbarro Institute for Cancer Research and Molecular Medicine, Center for Biotechnology, College of Science and Technology, Temple University, Philadelphia, PA 19122, USA
| | - Jürg Gertsch
- Institute of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, NCCR TransCure, University of Bern, Bühlstrasse 28, CH-3012, Bern, Switzerland
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11
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Tuo W, Bollier M, Leleu-Chavain N, Lemaire L, Barczyk A, Dezitter X, Klupsch F, Szczepanski F, Spencer J, Chavatte P, Millet R. Development of novel oxazolo[5,4-d]pyrimidines as competitive CB2 neutral antagonists based on scaffold hopping. Eur J Med Chem 2018; 146:68-78. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2018.01.034] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/01/2017] [Revised: 01/10/2018] [Accepted: 01/11/2018] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
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12
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Spinelli F, Capparelli E, Abate C, Colabufo NA, Contino M. Perspectives of Cannabinoid Type 2 Receptor (CB2R) Ligands in Neurodegenerative Disorders: Structure-Affinity Relationship (SAfiR) and Structure-Activity Relationship (SAR) Studies. J Med Chem 2017; 60:9913-9931. [PMID: 28608697 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.7b00155] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
Up-regulation of CB2R on activated microglial cells, the first step in neurodegeneration, has been widely demonstrated, and this finding makes the receptor a promising target in the early diagnosis and treatment of several neurodegenerative disorders such as Alzheimer's disease (AD), Parkinson's disease (PD), Huntington's disease (HD), and multiple sclerosis (MS). The development of CB2R PET ligands could help demonstrate the neurodegenerative pathogenesis, thus providing useful tools for characterizing the role of neuroinflammation in the progression of these disorders. CB2R agonists and inverse agonists have emerged as neuroprotective agents, and CB2R agonists have entered several clinical trials. CB2R ligands have therefore received great attention, and different molecular scaffolds have been selected to target CB2R subtypes. This review is focused on structure-activity relationship (SAR) and structure-affinity relationship (SAfiR) studies performed on different scaffolds with the aim to identify the molecular features useful for the design of both therapeutic and diagnostic agents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francesco Spinelli
- Dipartimento di Farmacia-Scienze del Farmaco, Università degli Studi di Bari Aldo Moro , Via Orabona 4, 70125, Bari, Italy
| | - Elena Capparelli
- Biofordrug srl, Dipartimento di Farmacia-Scienze del Farmaco, Università degli Studi di Bari Aldo Moro, Via Orabona 4, 70125, Bari, Italy.,Catholic University "Our Lady of Good Counsel", Kompleksi Spitalor Universitar "Zoja e Këshillit të Mirë" , Rr. Dritan Hoxha, Laprakë, 1000, Tirana, Albania
| | - Carmen Abate
- Dipartimento di Farmacia-Scienze del Farmaco, Università degli Studi di Bari Aldo Moro , Via Orabona 4, 70125, Bari, Italy
| | - Nicola A Colabufo
- Dipartimento di Farmacia-Scienze del Farmaco, Università degli Studi di Bari Aldo Moro , Via Orabona 4, 70125, Bari, Italy.,Biofordrug srl, Dipartimento di Farmacia-Scienze del Farmaco, Università degli Studi di Bari Aldo Moro, Via Orabona 4, 70125, Bari, Italy
| | - Marialessandra Contino
- Dipartimento di Farmacia-Scienze del Farmaco, Università degli Studi di Bari Aldo Moro , Via Orabona 4, 70125, Bari, Italy
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13
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Dore A, Asproni B, Scampuddu A, Gessi S, Murineddu G, Cichero E, Fossa P, Merighi S, Bencivenni S, Pinna GA. Synthesis, molecular modeling and SAR study of novel pyrazolo[5,1-f][1,6]naphthyridines as CB 2 receptor antagonists/inverse agonists. Bioorg Med Chem 2016; 24:5291-5301. [PMID: 27624523 DOI: 10.1016/j.bmc.2016.08.055] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/27/2016] [Revised: 08/05/2016] [Accepted: 08/27/2016] [Indexed: 01/03/2023]
Abstract
Pyrazolo[5,1-f][1,6]naphthyridine-carboxamide derivatives were synthesized and evaluated for the affinity at CB1 and CB2 receptors. Based on the AgOTf and proline-cocatalyzed multicomponent methodology, the ethyl 5-(p-tolyl)pyrazolo[5,1-f][1,6]naphthyridine-2-carboxylate (12) and ethyl 5-(2,4-dichlorophenyl)pyrazolo[5,1-f][1,6]naphthyridine-2-carboxylate (13) intermediates were synthesized from the appropriate o-alkynylaldehydes, p-toluenesulfonyl hydrazide and ethyl pyruvate. Most of the novel compounds feature a p-tolyl (8a-i) or a 2,4-dichlorophenyl (8j) motif at the C5-position of the tricyclic pyrazolo[5,1-f][1,6]naphthyridine scaffold. Structural variation on the carboxamide moiety at the C2-position includes basic monocyclic, terpenoid and adamantine-based amines. Among these derivatives, compound 8h (N-adamant-1-yl-5-(p-tolyl)pyrazolo[5,1-f][1,6]naphthyridine-2-carboxamide) exhibited the highest CB2 receptor affinity (Ki=33nM) and a high degree of selectivity (KiCB1/KiCB2=173:1), whereas a similar trend in the near nM range was seen for the bornyl analogue (compound 8f, Ki=53nM) and the myrtanyl derivative 8j (Ki=67nM). Effects of 8h, 8f and 8j on forskolin-stimulated cAMP levels were determined, showing antagonist/inverse agonist properties for such compounds. Docking studies conducted for these derivatives and the reference antagonist/inverse agonist compound 4 (SR144528) disclosed the specific pattern of interactions probably related to the pyrazolo[5,1-f][1,6]naphthyridine scaffold as CB2 inverse agonists.
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Affiliation(s)
- Antonio Dore
- Dipartimento di Chimica e Farmacia, Università degli Studi di Sassari, Via F. Muroni 23/a, 07100 Sassari, Italy
| | - Battistina Asproni
- Dipartimento di Chimica e Farmacia, Università degli Studi di Sassari, Via F. Muroni 23/a, 07100 Sassari, Italy.
| | - Alessia Scampuddu
- Dipartimento di Chimica e Farmacia, Università degli Studi di Sassari, Via F. Muroni 23/a, 07100 Sassari, Italy
| | - Stefania Gessi
- Dipartimento di Scienze Mediche, Sezione di Farmacologia, Università di Ferrara, Via Fossato di Mortara, 17-19, 44121 Ferrara, Italy.
| | - Gabriele Murineddu
- Dipartimento di Chimica e Farmacia, Università degli Studi di Sassari, Via F. Muroni 23/a, 07100 Sassari, Italy
| | - Elena Cichero
- Dipartimento di Farmacia, Università di Genova, Viale Benedetto XV n. 3, 16132 Genova, Italy
| | - Paola Fossa
- Dipartimento di Farmacia, Università di Genova, Viale Benedetto XV n. 3, 16132 Genova, Italy
| | - Stefania Merighi
- Dipartimento di Scienze Mediche, Sezione di Farmacologia, Università di Ferrara, Via Fossato di Mortara, 17-19, 44121 Ferrara, Italy
| | - Serena Bencivenni
- Dipartimento di Scienze Mediche, Sezione di Farmacologia, Università di Ferrara, Via Fossato di Mortara, 17-19, 44121 Ferrara, Italy
| | - Gérard A Pinna
- Dipartimento di Chimica e Farmacia, Università degli Studi di Sassari, Via F. Muroni 23/a, 07100 Sassari, Italy
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14
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Bertini S, Chicca A, Arena C, Chicca S, Saccomanni G, Gertsch J, Manera C, Macchia M. Synthesis and pharmacological evaluation of new biphenylic derivatives as CB2 receptor ligands. Eur J Med Chem 2016; 116:252-266. [PMID: 27078864 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2016.03.072] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2015] [Revised: 03/24/2016] [Accepted: 03/25/2016] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
Targeting type-2 cannabinoid receptor (CB2) is considered a feasible strategy to develop new drugs for the treatment of diseases like neuropathic pain, chronic inflammation, neurodegenerative disorders and cancer. Such drugs are devoid of the undesired central side effects that are typically mediated by the CB1 receptor. In this work we synthesized 18 biphenylic carboxamides as new CB2-selective ligands and evaluated their pharmacological profiles. The functional activity of these compounds is strongly influenced by the nature of the substituent at position 4' and 5 of the biphenyl scaffold. Position 5 seems to be responsible for the agonist or inverse agonist behaviour independently of the substituent in position 4', with the exception of the methoxyl group which transforms both full agonists and inverse agonists into neutral antagonists. This study provides a novel complete toolbox of CB2 functional modulators that derive from the same chemical scaffold. Such probes may be useful to investigate the biological role of CB2 receptors in cellular assays.
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Affiliation(s)
- Simone Bertini
- Dipartimento di Farmacia, Università di Pisa, Via Bonanno 6, 56126 Pisa, Italy.
| | - Andrea Chicca
- Institute of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, National Center of Competence in Research (NCCR) TransCure, University of Bern, Bühlstrasse 28, CH-3012 Bern, Switzerland
| | - Chiara Arena
- Dipartimento di Farmacia, Università di Pisa, Via Bonanno 6, 56126 Pisa, Italy; Institute of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, National Center of Competence in Research (NCCR) TransCure, University of Bern, Bühlstrasse 28, CH-3012 Bern, Switzerland
| | - Stefano Chicca
- Institute of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, National Center of Competence in Research (NCCR) TransCure, University of Bern, Bühlstrasse 28, CH-3012 Bern, Switzerland
| | - Giuseppe Saccomanni
- Dipartimento di Farmacia, Università di Pisa, Via Bonanno 6, 56126 Pisa, Italy
| | - Jürg Gertsch
- Institute of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, National Center of Competence in Research (NCCR) TransCure, University of Bern, Bühlstrasse 28, CH-3012 Bern, Switzerland
| | - Clementina Manera
- Dipartimento di Farmacia, Università di Pisa, Via Bonanno 6, 56126 Pisa, Italy
| | - Marco Macchia
- Dipartimento di Farmacia, Università di Pisa, Via Bonanno 6, 56126 Pisa, Italy
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15
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16
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Bugge S, Buene AF, Jurisch-Yaksi N, Moen IU, Skjønsfjell EM, Sundby E, Hoff BH. Extended structure–activity study of thienopyrimidine-based EGFR inhibitors with evaluation of drug-like properties. Eur J Med Chem 2016; 107:255-74. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2015.11.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/17/2015] [Revised: 11/04/2015] [Accepted: 11/05/2015] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
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17
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Cavasotto CN, Palomba D. Expanding the horizons of G protein-coupled receptor structure-based ligand discovery and optimization using homology models. Chem Commun (Camb) 2015; 51:13576-94. [DOI: 10.1039/c5cc05050b] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/17/2023]
Abstract
We show the key role of structural homology models in GPCR structure-based lead discovery and optimization, highlighting methodological aspects, recent progress and future directions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Claudio N. Cavasotto
- Instituto de Investigación en Biomedicina de Buenos Aires (IBioBA) - CONICET - Partner Institute of the Max Planck Society
- Buenos Aires
- Argentina
| | - Damián Palomba
- Instituto de Investigación en Biomedicina de Buenos Aires (IBioBA) - CONICET - Partner Institute of the Max Planck Society
- Buenos Aires
- Argentina
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18
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Cichero E, Menozzi G, Guariento S, Fossa P. Ligand-based homology modelling of the human CB2 receptor SR144528 antagonist binding site: a computational approach to explore the 1,5-diaryl pyrazole scaffold. MEDCHEMCOMM 2015. [DOI: 10.1039/c5md00333d] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
SR144528 docking mode into the LBHM of the human CB2 receptor antagonist binding site.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elena Cichero
- Department of Pharmacy
- University of Genoa
- 3 - 16132 Genoa
- Italy
| | - Giulia Menozzi
- Department of Pharmacy
- University of Genoa
- 3 - 16132 Genoa
- Italy
| | - Sara Guariento
- Department of Pharmacy
- University of Genoa
- 3 - 16132 Genoa
- Italy
| | - Paola Fossa
- Department of Pharmacy
- University of Genoa
- 3 - 16132 Genoa
- Italy
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