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DeBono A, Thomas DR, Lundberg L, Pinkham C, Cao Y, Graham JD, Clarke CL, Wagstaff KM, Shechter S, Kehn-Hall K, Jans DA. Novel RU486 (mifepristone) analogues with increased activity against Venezuelan Equine Encephalitis Virus but reduced progesterone receptor antagonistic activity. Sci Rep 2019; 9:2634. [PMID: 30796232 PMCID: PMC6385310 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-019-38671-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/25/2018] [Accepted: 12/27/2018] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
There are currently no therapeutics to treat infection with the alphavirus Venezuelan equine encephalitis virus (VEEV), which causes flu-like symptoms leading to neurological symptoms in up to 14% of cases. Large outbreaks of VEEV can result in 10,000 s of human cases and mass equine death. We previously showed that mifepristone (RU486) has anti-VEEV activity (EC50 = 20 μM) and only limited cytotoxicity (CC50 > 100 μM), but a limitation in its use is its abortifacient activity resulting from its ability to antagonize the progesterone receptor (PR). Here we generate a suite of new mifepristone analogues with enhanced antiviral properties, succeeding in achieving >11-fold improvement in anti-VEEV activity with no detectable increase in toxicity. Importantly, we were able to derive a lead compound with an EC50 of 7.2 µM and no detectable PR antagonism activity. Finally, based on our SAR analysis we propose avenues for the further development of these analogues as safe and effective anti-VEEV agents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aaron DeBono
- Medicinal Chemistry, Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Monash University, Parkville, Victoria, 3052, Australia
| | - David R Thomas
- Nuclear Signaling Laboratory, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology School of Biomedical Sciences, Monash University, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Lindsay Lundberg
- National Center for Biodefense and Infectious Diseases, School of Systems Biology, George Mason University, Manassas, VA, USA
| | - Chelsea Pinkham
- National Center for Biodefense and Infectious Diseases, School of Systems Biology, George Mason University, Manassas, VA, USA
| | - Ying Cao
- Centre for Cancer Research, The Westmead Institute for Medical Research, Westmead, NSW, Australia
| | - J Dinny Graham
- Centre for Cancer Research, The Westmead Institute for Medical Research, Westmead, NSW, Australia
| | - Christine L Clarke
- Centre for Cancer Research, The Westmead Institute for Medical Research, Westmead, NSW, Australia
| | - Kylie M Wagstaff
- Nuclear Signaling Laboratory, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology School of Biomedical Sciences, Monash University, Melbourne, Australia
| | | | - Kylene Kehn-Hall
- National Center for Biodefense and Infectious Diseases, School of Systems Biology, George Mason University, Manassas, VA, USA
| | - David A Jans
- Nuclear Signaling Laboratory, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology School of Biomedical Sciences, Monash University, Melbourne, Australia.
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Richardson AR, Maltz FN. Ulipristal Acetate: Review of the Efficacy and Safety of a Newly Approved Agent for Emergency Contraception. Clin Ther 2012; 34:24-36. [DOI: 10.1016/j.clinthera.2011.11.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 11/04/2011] [Indexed: 10/14/2022]
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Sathya G, Jansen MS, Nagel SC, Cook CE, McDonnell DP. Identification and characterization of novel estrogen receptor-beta-sparing antiprogestins. Endocrinology 2002; 143:3071-82. [PMID: 12130573 DOI: 10.1210/endo.143.8.8942] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
The steroid hormones estrogen and progesterone together regulate the development and maintenance of the female reproductive system. The actions of these two hormones are mediated by their respective nuclear receptors located within overlapping cell populations in target organs. The molecular mechanism of action of these two hormones has been defined to a large extent using estrogen receptor (ER) and progesterone receptor (PR) antagonists. In the case of ER, the available antagonists are highly receptor selective. With respect to PR, however, the available antiprogestins also interact with the receptors for glucocorticoids, mineralocorticoids, and androgens. Whereas these cross-reactivities can usually be managed in studies of female reproductive function, it is the recent demonstration that RU486 is an effective antagonist of the beta-isoform of ER that suggested the need for more selective antiprogestins. In this study, we used cell-based transcriptional assays combined with screens using coactivator peptide analogs to identify two novel classes of antiprogestins that distinguish themselves from the antiprogestin RU486 in the manner they interact with PR. One class exhibits the characteristics of a pure antiprogestin in that its members bind to the receptor and induce a conformational change that prevents the presentation of two potential coactivator binding surfaces on the protein. The second class of compounds distinguish themselves from RU486 in that they are ERbeta sparing. When tested in vivo the ER-sparing antiprogestins were as effective as RU486 in suppressing superovulation. It is anticipated that the availability of these new antiprogestins will advance the studies of PR pharmacology in a manner similar to how the availability of selective ER modulators has helped the study of ER action.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ganesan Sathya
- Department of Pharmacology and Cancer Biology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC 27710, USA
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