Small Molecule Inhibited Parathyroid Hormone Mediated cAMP Response by N-Terminal Peptide Binding

Inactivation of parathyroid hormone: perspectives of drug discovery to combating hyperparathyroidism

Hormonal coordination is tightly regulated within the human body and thus regulates human physiology. The parathyroid hormone (PTH), a member of the endocrine system, regulates the calcium and phosphate level within the human body. Under non-physiological conditions, PTH levels get upregulated (hyperparathyroidism) or downregulated (hypoparathyroidism) due to external or internal factors. In the case of hyperparathyroidism, elevated PTH stimulates cellular receptors present in the bones, kidneys, and intestines to increase the blood calcium level, leading to calcium deposition. This eventually causes various symptoms including kidney stones. Currently, there is no known medication that directly targets PTH in order to suppress its function. Therefore, it is of great interest to find novel small molecules or any other means that can modulate PTH function. The molecular signaling of PTH starts by binding of its N-terminus to the G-protein coupled PTH1/2 receptor. Therefore, any intervention that affects the N-terminus of PTH could be a lead candidate for treating hyperparathyroidism. As a proof-of-concept, there are various possibilities to inhibit molecular PTH function by (i) a small molecule, (ii) N-terminal PTH phosphorylation, (iii) fibril formation and (iv) residue-specific mutations. These modifications put PTH into an inactive state, which will be discussed in detail in this review article. We anticipate that exploring small molecules or other means that affect the N-terminus of PTH could be lead candidates in combating hyperparathyroidism.

A small-molecule acts as a 'roadblock' on DNA, hampering its fundamental processes

DNA replication, RNA and protein synthesis are the most fundamental housekeeping processes involved in an organism's growth. Failure or dysregulation of these pathways are often deleterious to life. Therefore, selective inhibition of such processes can be crucial for the inhibition of the growth of any cell, including cancer cells, pathogenic bacteria or other deadly microbes. In the present study, a Zn²⁺ complex is shown to act as a roadblock of DNA. The Zn²⁺ complex inhibited DNA taq polymerase activity under the in vitro conditions of polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Under in vivo conditions, it readily crosses the cell wall of gram-negative bacteria (Escherichia coli), leading to the reduction of RNA levels as well as protein content. Growth of pathogenic bacteria (e.g., Staphylococcus aureus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa) was also significantly retarded. The Zn²⁺ complex binds to the grooves of the DNA without inducing conformational changes or exhibiting chemical nuclease activity. To the best current knowledge, this is first coordination complex exhibiting a 'roadblock' property under both in vitro and in vivo conditions (show at all three levels - DNA, RNA and protein). The label-free approach used in this study may offer an alternative route towards fighting pathogenic bacteria or cancer cells by hampering fundamental cellular processes.

Targeting the molecular chaperone SlyD to inhibit bacterial growth with a small molecule

Molecular chaperones are essential molecules for cell growth, whereby they maintain protein homeostasis. Because of their central cellular function, bacterial chaperones might be potential candidates for drug targets. Antimicrobial resistance is currently one of the greatest threats to human health, with gram-negative bacteria being of major concern. We found that a Cu2+ complex readily crosses the bacterial cell wall and inhibits SlyD, which is a molecular chaperone, cis/trans peptidyl prolyl isomerise (PPIase) and involved in various other metabolic pathways. The Cu2+ complex binds to the active sites of SlyD, which suppresses its PPIase and chaperone activities. Significant cell growth retardation could be observed for pathogenic bacteria (e.g., Staphylococcus aureus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa). We anticipate that rational development of drugs targeting molecular chaperones might help in future control of pathogenic bacterial growth, in an era of rapidly increasing antibiotic resistance.