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Grossi G, Scarano N, Musumeci F, Tonelli M, Kanov E, Carbone A, Fossa P, Gainetdinov RR, Cichero E, Schenone S. Discovery of a Novel Chemo-Type for TAAR1 Agonism via Molecular Modeling. Molecules 2024; 29:1739. [PMID: 38675561 PMCID: PMC11052455 DOI: 10.3390/molecules29081739] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/16/2024] [Revised: 03/27/2024] [Accepted: 04/09/2024] [Indexed: 04/28/2024] Open
Abstract
The search for novel effective TAAR1 ligands continues to draw great attention due to the wide range of pharmacological applications related to TAAR1 targeting. Herein, molecular docking studies of known TAAR1 ligands, characterized by an oxazoline core, have been performed in order to identify novel promising chemo-types for the discovery of more active TAAR1 agonists. In particular, the oxazoline-based compound S18616 has been taken as a reference compound for the computational study, leading to the development of quite flat and conformationally locked ligands. The choice of a "Y-shape" conformation was suggested for the design of TAAR1 ligands, interacting with the protein cavity delimited by ASP103 and aromatic residues such as PHE186, PHE195, PHE268, and PHE267. The obtained results allowed us to preliminary in silico screen an in-house series of pyrimidinone-benzimidazoles (1a-10a) as a novel scaffold to target TAAR1. Combined ligand-based (LBCM) and structure based (SBCM) computational methods suggested the biological evaluation of compounds 1a-10a, leading to the identification of derivatives 1a-3a (hTAAR1 EC50 = 526.3-657.4 nM) as promising novel TAAR1 agonists.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giancarlo Grossi
- Department of Pharmacy, Section of Medicinal Chemistry, School of Medical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Genoa, Viale Benedetto XV, 3, 16132 Genoa, Italy; (G.G.); (N.S.); (F.M.); (M.T.); (A.C.); (P.F.); (S.S.)
| | - Naomi Scarano
- Department of Pharmacy, Section of Medicinal Chemistry, School of Medical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Genoa, Viale Benedetto XV, 3, 16132 Genoa, Italy; (G.G.); (N.S.); (F.M.); (M.T.); (A.C.); (P.F.); (S.S.)
| | - Francesca Musumeci
- Department of Pharmacy, Section of Medicinal Chemistry, School of Medical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Genoa, Viale Benedetto XV, 3, 16132 Genoa, Italy; (G.G.); (N.S.); (F.M.); (M.T.); (A.C.); (P.F.); (S.S.)
| | - Michele Tonelli
- Department of Pharmacy, Section of Medicinal Chemistry, School of Medical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Genoa, Viale Benedetto XV, 3, 16132 Genoa, Italy; (G.G.); (N.S.); (F.M.); (M.T.); (A.C.); (P.F.); (S.S.)
| | - Evgeny Kanov
- Institute of Translational Biomedicine, St. Petersburg State University, 199034 St. Petersburg, Russia (R.R.G.)
- St. Petersburg University Hospital, St. Petersburg State University, 199034 St. Petersburg, Russia
| | - Anna Carbone
- Department of Pharmacy, Section of Medicinal Chemistry, School of Medical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Genoa, Viale Benedetto XV, 3, 16132 Genoa, Italy; (G.G.); (N.S.); (F.M.); (M.T.); (A.C.); (P.F.); (S.S.)
| | - Paola Fossa
- Department of Pharmacy, Section of Medicinal Chemistry, School of Medical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Genoa, Viale Benedetto XV, 3, 16132 Genoa, Italy; (G.G.); (N.S.); (F.M.); (M.T.); (A.C.); (P.F.); (S.S.)
| | - Raul R. Gainetdinov
- Institute of Translational Biomedicine, St. Petersburg State University, 199034 St. Petersburg, Russia (R.R.G.)
- St. Petersburg University Hospital, St. Petersburg State University, 199034 St. Petersburg, Russia
| | - Elena Cichero
- Department of Pharmacy, Section of Medicinal Chemistry, School of Medical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Genoa, Viale Benedetto XV, 3, 16132 Genoa, Italy; (G.G.); (N.S.); (F.M.); (M.T.); (A.C.); (P.F.); (S.S.)
| | - Silvia Schenone
- Department of Pharmacy, Section of Medicinal Chemistry, School of Medical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Genoa, Viale Benedetto XV, 3, 16132 Genoa, Italy; (G.G.); (N.S.); (F.M.); (M.T.); (A.C.); (P.F.); (S.S.)
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Scarano N, Di Palma F, Origlia N, Musumeci F, Schenone S, Spinelli S, Passalacqua M, Zocchi E, Sturla L, Cichero E, Cavalli A. New Insights into the LANCL2- ABA Binding Mode towards the Evaluation of New LANCL Agonists. Pharmaceutics 2023; 15:2754. [PMID: 38140095 PMCID: PMC10747503 DOI: 10.3390/pharmaceutics15122754] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/30/2023] [Revised: 12/02/2023] [Accepted: 12/07/2023] [Indexed: 12/24/2023] Open
Abstract
The lanthionine synthetase C-like (LANCL) proteins include LANCL2, which is expressed in the central nervous system (CNS) and in peripheral tissues. LANCL2 exhibits glutathionylation activity and is involved in the neutralization of reactive electrophiles. Several studies explored LANCL2 activation as a validated pharmacological target for diabetes and inflammatory bowel disease. In this context, LANCL2 was found to bind the natural product abscisic acid (ABA), whose pre-clinical effectiveness in different inflammatory diseases was reported in the literature. More recently, LANCL2 attracted more attention as a valuable resource in the field of neurodegenerative disorders. ABA was found to regulate neuro-inflammation and synaptic plasticity to enhance learning and memory, exhibiting promising neuroprotective effects. Up until now, a limited number of LANCL2 ligands are known; among them, BT-11 is the only compound patented and investigated for its anti-inflammatory properties. To guide the design of novel putative LANCL2 agonists, a computational study including molecular docking and long molecular dynamic (MD) simulations of both ABA and BT-11 was carried out. The results pointed out the main LANCL2 ligand chemical features towards the following virtual screening of a novel putative LANCL2 agonist (AR-42). Biochemical assays on rat H9c2 cardiomyocytes showed a similar, LANCL2-mediated stimulation by BT-11 and by AR-42 of the mitochondrial proton gradient and of the transcriptional activation of the AMPK/PGC-1α/Sirt1 axis, the master regulator of mitochondrial function, effects that are previously observed with ABA. These results may allow the development of LANCL2 agonists for the treatment of mitochondrial dysfunction, a common feature of chronic and degenerative diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Naomi Scarano
- Department of Pharmacy, Section of Medicinal Chemistry, School of Medical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Genova, Viale Benedetto XV, 3, 16132 Genoa, Italy; (N.S.); (F.M.); (S.S.)
| | - Francesco Di Palma
- Computational & Chemical Biology, Fondazione Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Via Morego 30, 16163 Genova, Italy; (F.D.P.); (A.C.)
| | - Nicola Origlia
- National Research Council (CNR), Institute of Neuroscience, 56124 Pisa, Italy;
| | - Francesca Musumeci
- Department of Pharmacy, Section of Medicinal Chemistry, School of Medical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Genova, Viale Benedetto XV, 3, 16132 Genoa, Italy; (N.S.); (F.M.); (S.S.)
| | - Silvia Schenone
- Department of Pharmacy, Section of Medicinal Chemistry, School of Medical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Genova, Viale Benedetto XV, 3, 16132 Genoa, Italy; (N.S.); (F.M.); (S.S.)
| | - Sonia Spinelli
- Laboratorio di Nefrologia Molecolare, IRCCS Istituto Giannina Gaslini, Via Gerolamo Gaslini 5, 16147 Genova, Italy;
| | - Mario Passalacqua
- Department of Experimental Medicine, Section of Biochemistry, University of Genoa, Viale Benedetto XV 1, 16132 Genova, Italy; (M.P.); (E.Z.)
| | - Elena Zocchi
- Department of Experimental Medicine, Section of Biochemistry, University of Genoa, Viale Benedetto XV 1, 16132 Genova, Italy; (M.P.); (E.Z.)
| | - Laura Sturla
- Department of Experimental Medicine, Section of Biochemistry, University of Genoa, Viale Benedetto XV 1, 16132 Genova, Italy; (M.P.); (E.Z.)
| | - Elena Cichero
- Department of Pharmacy, Section of Medicinal Chemistry, School of Medical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Genova, Viale Benedetto XV, 3, 16132 Genoa, Italy; (N.S.); (F.M.); (S.S.)
| | - Andrea Cavalli
- Computational & Chemical Biology, Fondazione Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Via Morego 30, 16163 Genova, Italy; (F.D.P.); (A.C.)
- Department of Pharmacy and Biotechnology, University of Bologna, Via Belmeloro 6, 40126 Bologna, Italy
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Baroni D, Scarano N, Ludovico A, Brandas C, Parodi A, Lunaccio D, Fossa P, Moran O, Cichero E, Millo E. In Silico and In Vitro Evaluation of the Mechanism of Action of Three VX809-Based Hybrid Derivatives as Correctors of the F508del CFTR Protein. Pharmaceuticals (Basel) 2023; 16:1702. [PMID: 38139828 PMCID: PMC10748060 DOI: 10.3390/ph16121702] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/11/2023] [Revised: 12/05/2023] [Accepted: 12/06/2023] [Indexed: 12/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Cystic fibrosis (CF), the most common autosomal recessive fatal genetic disease in the Caucasian population, is caused by mutations in the gene encoding the cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR), an anion channel that regulates salt and water transport across a variety of secretory epithelia. Deletion of phenylalanine at position 508, F508del, the most common CF-causing mutation, destabilises the CFTR protein, causing folding and trafficking defects that lead to a dramatic reduction in its functional expression. Small molecules called correctors have been developed to rescue processing-defective F508del CFTR. We have combined in silico and in vitro approaches to investigate the mechanism of action and potential as CFTR correctors of three hybrid derivatives (2a, 7a, and 7m) obtained by merging the amino-arylthiazole core with the benzodioxole carboxamide moiety characterising the corrector lumacaftor. Molecular modelling analyses suggested that the three hybrids interact with a putative region located at the MSD1/NBD1 interface. Biochemical analyses confirmed these results, showing that the three molecules affect the expression and stability of the F508del NBD1. Finally, the YFP assay was used to evaluate the influence of the three hybrid derivatives on F508del CFTR function, assessing that their effect is additive to that of the correctors VX661 and VX445. Our study shows that the development and testing of optimised compounds targeting different structural and functional defects of mutant CFTR is the best strategy to provide more effective correctors that could be used alone or in combination as a valuable therapeutic option to treat an even larger cohort of people affected by CF.
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Affiliation(s)
- Debora Baroni
- Istituto di Biofisica, Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche (CNR), Via De Marini, 6, 16149 Genova, Italy; (A.L.); (O.M.)
| | - Naomi Scarano
- Department of Pharmacy, Section of Medicinal Chemistry, School of Medical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Genova, Viale Benedetto XV, 3, 16132 Genoa, Italy; (N.S.); (P.F.)
| | - Alessandra Ludovico
- Istituto di Biofisica, Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche (CNR), Via De Marini, 6, 16149 Genova, Italy; (A.L.); (O.M.)
| | - Chiara Brandas
- Istituto di Biofisica, Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche (CNR), Via De Marini, 6, 16149 Genova, Italy; (A.L.); (O.M.)
| | - Alice Parodi
- Department of Experimental Medicine, Section of Biochemistry, University of Genoa, Viale Benedetto XV 1, 16132 Genova, Italy; (A.P.); (D.L.); (E.M.)
| | - Dario Lunaccio
- Department of Experimental Medicine, Section of Biochemistry, University of Genoa, Viale Benedetto XV 1, 16132 Genova, Italy; (A.P.); (D.L.); (E.M.)
| | - Paola Fossa
- Department of Pharmacy, Section of Medicinal Chemistry, School of Medical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Genova, Viale Benedetto XV, 3, 16132 Genoa, Italy; (N.S.); (P.F.)
| | - Oscar Moran
- Istituto di Biofisica, Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche (CNR), Via De Marini, 6, 16149 Genova, Italy; (A.L.); (O.M.)
| | - Elena Cichero
- Department of Pharmacy, Section of Medicinal Chemistry, School of Medical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Genova, Viale Benedetto XV, 3, 16132 Genoa, Italy; (N.S.); (P.F.)
| | - Enrico Millo
- Department of Experimental Medicine, Section of Biochemistry, University of Genoa, Viale Benedetto XV 1, 16132 Genova, Italy; (A.P.); (D.L.); (E.M.)
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Abbotto E, Casini B, Piacente F, Scarano N, Cerri E, Tonelli M, Astigiano C, Millo E, Sturla L, Bruzzone S, Cichero E. Novel Thiazole-Based SIRT2 Inhibitors Discovered via Molecular Modelling Studies and Enzymatic Assays. Pharmaceuticals (Basel) 2023; 16:1316. [PMID: 37765125 PMCID: PMC10535842 DOI: 10.3390/ph16091316] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/28/2023] [Revised: 09/09/2023] [Accepted: 09/14/2023] [Indexed: 09/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Recently, the development of sirtuin small molecule inhibitors (SIRTIs) has been gaining attention for the treatment of different cancer types, but also to contrast neurodegenerative disease, diabetes, and autoimmune syndromes. In the search for SIRT2 modulators, the availability of several X-crystallographic data regarding SIRT2-ligand complexes has allowed for setting up a structure-based study, which is herein presented. A set of 116 SIRT2 inhibitors featuring different chemical structures has been collected from the literature and used for molecular docking studies involving 4RMG and 5MAT PDB codes. The information found highlights key contacts with the SIRT2 binding pocket such as Van der Waals and π-π stacking with Tyr104, Phe119, Phe234, and Phe235 in order to achieve high inhibitory ability values. Following the preliminary virtual screening studies, a small in-house library of compounds (1a-7a), previously investigated as putative HSP70 inhibitors, was described to guide the search for dual-acting HSP70/SIRT2 inhibitors. Biological and enzymatic assays validated the whole procedure. Compounds 2a and 7a were found to be the most promising derivatives herein proposed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elena Abbotto
- Department of Experimental Medicine, Section of Biochemistry, University of Genoa, Viale Benedetto XV 1, 16132 Genoa, Italy; (E.A.); (F.P.); (E.C.); (C.A.); (E.M.); (L.S.)
| | - Beatrice Casini
- Department of Pharmacy, Section of Medicinal Chemistry, School of Medical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Genoa, Viale Benedetto XV, 3, 16132 Genoa, Italy; (B.C.); (N.S.); (M.T.)
| | - Francesco Piacente
- Department of Experimental Medicine, Section of Biochemistry, University of Genoa, Viale Benedetto XV 1, 16132 Genoa, Italy; (E.A.); (F.P.); (E.C.); (C.A.); (E.M.); (L.S.)
| | - Naomi Scarano
- Department of Pharmacy, Section of Medicinal Chemistry, School of Medical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Genoa, Viale Benedetto XV, 3, 16132 Genoa, Italy; (B.C.); (N.S.); (M.T.)
| | - Elena Cerri
- Department of Experimental Medicine, Section of Biochemistry, University of Genoa, Viale Benedetto XV 1, 16132 Genoa, Italy; (E.A.); (F.P.); (E.C.); (C.A.); (E.M.); (L.S.)
| | - Michele Tonelli
- Department of Pharmacy, Section of Medicinal Chemistry, School of Medical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Genoa, Viale Benedetto XV, 3, 16132 Genoa, Italy; (B.C.); (N.S.); (M.T.)
| | - Cecilia Astigiano
- Department of Experimental Medicine, Section of Biochemistry, University of Genoa, Viale Benedetto XV 1, 16132 Genoa, Italy; (E.A.); (F.P.); (E.C.); (C.A.); (E.M.); (L.S.)
| | - Enrico Millo
- Department of Experimental Medicine, Section of Biochemistry, University of Genoa, Viale Benedetto XV 1, 16132 Genoa, Italy; (E.A.); (F.P.); (E.C.); (C.A.); (E.M.); (L.S.)
| | - Laura Sturla
- Department of Experimental Medicine, Section of Biochemistry, University of Genoa, Viale Benedetto XV 1, 16132 Genoa, Italy; (E.A.); (F.P.); (E.C.); (C.A.); (E.M.); (L.S.)
| | - Santina Bruzzone
- Department of Experimental Medicine, Section of Biochemistry, University of Genoa, Viale Benedetto XV 1, 16132 Genoa, Italy; (E.A.); (F.P.); (E.C.); (C.A.); (E.M.); (L.S.)
- IRCCS Ospedale Policlinico San Martino, Largo Rosanna Benzi 10, 16132 Genova, Italy
| | - Elena Cichero
- Department of Pharmacy, Section of Medicinal Chemistry, School of Medical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Genoa, Viale Benedetto XV, 3, 16132 Genoa, Italy; (B.C.); (N.S.); (M.T.)
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Scarano N, Abbotto E, Musumeci F, Salis A, Brullo C, Fossa P, Schenone S, Bruzzone S, Cichero E. Virtual Screening Combined with Enzymatic Assays to Guide the Discovery of Novel SIRT2 Inhibitors. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24119363. [PMID: 37298312 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24119363] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/29/2023] [Revised: 05/23/2023] [Accepted: 05/25/2023] [Indexed: 06/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Sirtuin isoform 2 (SIRT2) is one of the seven sirtuin isoforms present in humans, being classified as class III histone deacetylases (HDACs). Based on the high sequence similarity among SIRTs, the identification of isoform selective modulators represents a challenging task, especially for the high conservation observed in the catalytic site. Efforts in rationalizing selectivity based on key residues belonging to the SIRT2 enzyme were accompanied in 2015 by the publication of the first X-ray crystallographic structure of the potent and selective SIRT2 inhibitor SirReal2. The subsequent studies led to different experimental data regarding this protein in complex with further different chemo-types as SIRT2 inhibitors. Herein, we reported preliminary Structure-Based Virtual Screening (SBVS) studies using a commercially available library of compounds to identify novel scaffolds for the design of new SIRT2 inhibitors. Biochemical assays involving five selected compounds allowed us to highlight the most effective chemical features supporting the observed SIRT2 inhibitory ability. This information guided the following in silico evaluation and in vitro testing of further compounds from in-house libraries of pyrazolo-pyrimidine derivatives towards novel SIRT2 inhibitors (1-5). The final results indicated the effectiveness of this scaffold for the design of promising and selective SIRT2 inhibitors, featuring the highest inhibition among the tested compounds, and validating the applied strategy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Naomi Scarano
- Department of Pharmacy, Section of Medicinal Chemistry, School of Medical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Genoa, Viale Benedetto XV, 3, 16132 Genoa, Italy
| | - Elena Abbotto
- Department of Experimental Medicine, Section of Biochemistry, University of Genoa, Viale Benedetto XV 1, 16132 Genoa, Italy
| | - Francesca Musumeci
- Department of Pharmacy, Section of Medicinal Chemistry, School of Medical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Genoa, Viale Benedetto XV, 3, 16132 Genoa, Italy
| | - Annalisa Salis
- Department of Experimental Medicine, Section of Biochemistry, University of Genoa, Viale Benedetto XV 1, 16132 Genoa, Italy
| | - Chiara Brullo
- Department of Pharmacy, Section of Medicinal Chemistry, School of Medical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Genoa, Viale Benedetto XV, 3, 16132 Genoa, Italy
| | - Paola Fossa
- Department of Pharmacy, Section of Medicinal Chemistry, School of Medical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Genoa, Viale Benedetto XV, 3, 16132 Genoa, Italy
| | - Silvia Schenone
- Department of Pharmacy, Section of Medicinal Chemistry, School of Medical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Genoa, Viale Benedetto XV, 3, 16132 Genoa, Italy
| | - Santina Bruzzone
- Department of Experimental Medicine, Section of Biochemistry, University of Genoa, Viale Benedetto XV 1, 16132 Genoa, Italy
- IRCCS Ospedale Policlinico San Martino, 16132 Genova, Italy
| | - Elena Cichero
- Department of Pharmacy, Section of Medicinal Chemistry, School of Medical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Genoa, Viale Benedetto XV, 3, 16132 Genoa, Italy
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Asproni B, Catto M, Loriga G, Murineddu G, Corona P, Purgatorio R, Cichero E, Fossa P, Scarano N, Martínez AL, Brea J, Pinna GA. Novel thienocycloalkylpyridazinones as useful scaffolds for acetylcholinesterase inhibition and serotonin 5-HT6 receptor interaction. Bioorg Med Chem 2023; 84:117256. [PMID: 37003157 DOI: 10.1016/j.bmc.2023.117256] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/18/2023] [Revised: 03/10/2023] [Accepted: 03/17/2023] [Indexed: 03/31/2023]
Abstract
A library of eighteen thienocycloalkylpyridazinones was synthesized for human acetylcholinesterase (hAChE) and butyrylcholinesterase (hBChE) inhibition and serotonin 5-HT6 receptor subtype interaction by following a multitarget-directed ligand approach (MTDL), as a suitable strategy for treatment of Alzheimer's disease (AD). The novel compounds featured a tricyclic scaffold, namely thieno[3,2-h]cinnolinone, thienocyclopentapyridazinone and thienocycloheptapyridazinone, connected through alkyl chains of variable length to proper amine moieties, most often represented by N-benzylpiperazine or 1-(phenylsulfonyl)-4-(piperazin-1-ylmethyl)-1H-indole as structural elements addressing AChE and 5-HT6 interaction, respectively. Our study highlighted the versatility of thienocycloalkylpyridazinones as useful architectures for AChE interaction, with several N-benzylpiperazine-based analogues emerging as potent and selective hAChE inhibitors with IC50 in the 0.17-1.23 μM range, exhibiting low to poor activity for hBChE (IC50 = 4.13-9.70 μM). The introduction of 5-HT6 structural moiety phenylsulfonylindole in place of N-benzylpiperazine, in tandem with a pentamethylene linker, gave potent 5-HT6 thieno[3,2-h]cinnolinone and thienocyclopentapyridazinone-based ligands both displaying hAChE inhibition in the low micromolar range and unappreciable activity towards hBChE. While docking studies provided a rational structural explanation for AChE/BChE enzyme and 5-HT6 receptor interaction, in silico prediction of ADME properties of tested compounds suggested further optimization for development of such compounds in the field of MTDL for AD.
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Cichero E, Rapetti F, Lusardi M, Scarano N, Alfei S, Altieri P, Garibaldi S, Ameri P, Grazia Signorello M, Brullo C. Scouting Different Phosphodiesterase 4 Inhibitor Chemotypes in Silico To Guide the Design of Anti-inflammatory/Antioxidant Agents. ChemMedChem 2023; 18:e202300046. [PMID: 36806572 DOI: 10.1002/cmdc.202300046] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/27/2023] [Revised: 02/16/2023] [Accepted: 02/17/2023] [Indexed: 02/20/2023]
Abstract
During the last years, we developed a large library of new selective phosphodiesterase 4D inhibitors, maintaining the catechol portion of the well-known PDE4 inhibitor Rolipram, featuring different substitutions in place of the lactam group of this reference compound. Based on the X-ray analysis of PDE4 inhibitors (PDE4Is) previously synthesized by us and of naphthyridine- and naphthyridinone-containing derivatives exhibiting PDE4 inhibitory ability described in the literature, we designed and synthesized new compounds 1-3. All of them were screened in silico as putative PDE4Is, via molecular docking studies to exploit structural variation at the catechol group to gain further contacts especially with the flat aromatic residues (Phe506 and Phe538) of enzyme. Subsequent in silico prediction of ADMET properties and in vitro biological assays on platelets and endothelial cells are in good agreement with our previous data concerning the antioxidant/anti-inflammatory activity exhibited by our previous PDE4Is and similarly to other well-known PDE4Is.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elena Cichero
- Department of Pharmacy (DIFAR), Section of Medicinal Chemistry, University of Genova, Viale Benedetto XV 3, 16132, Genova, Italy
| | - Federica Rapetti
- Department of Pharmacy (DIFAR), Section of Medicinal Chemistry, University of Genova, Viale Benedetto XV 3, 16132, Genova, Italy
| | - Matteo Lusardi
- Department of Pharmacy (DIFAR), Section of Medicinal Chemistry, University of Genova, Viale Benedetto XV 3, 16132, Genova, Italy
| | - Naomi Scarano
- Department of Pharmacy (DIFAR), Section of Medicinal Chemistry, University of Genova, Viale Benedetto XV 3, 16132, Genova, Italy
| | - Silvana Alfei
- Department of Pharmacy (DIFAR), Section of Organic Chemistry, University of Genova, Viale Cembrano 4, 16148, Genova, Italy
| | - Paola Altieri
- Department of Internal Medicine, School of Medical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Genova, Viale Benedetto XV 3, 16132, Genova, Italy
| | - Silvano Garibaldi
- Department of Internal Medicine, School of Medical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Genova, Viale Benedetto XV 3, 16132, Genova, Italy
| | - Pietro Ameri
- Department of Internal Medicine, School of Medical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Genova, Viale Benedetto XV 3, 16132, Genova, Italy
| | - Maria Grazia Signorello
- Department of Pharmacy, Biochemistry Lab, University of Genova, Viale Benedetto XV 3, 16132, Genova, Italy
| | - Chiara Brullo
- Department of Pharmacy (DIFAR), Section of Medicinal Chemistry, University of Genova, Viale Benedetto XV 3, 16132, Genova, Italy
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Abbotto E, Scarano N, Piacente F, Millo E, Cichero E, Bruzzone S. Virtual Screening in the Identification of Sirtuins’ Activity Modulators. Molecules 2022; 27:molecules27175641. [PMID: 36080416 PMCID: PMC9457788 DOI: 10.3390/molecules27175641] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/30/2022] [Revised: 08/26/2022] [Accepted: 08/30/2022] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Sirtuins are NAD+-dependent deac(et)ylases with different subcellular localization. The sirtuins’ family is composed of seven members, named SIRT-1 to SIRT-7. Their substrates include histones and also an increasing number of different proteins. Sirtuins regulate a wide range of different processes, ranging from transcription to metabolism to genome stability. Thus, their dysregulation has been related to the pathogenesis of different diseases. In this review, we discussed the pharmacological approaches based on sirtuins’ modulators (both inhibitors and activators) that have been attempted in in vitro and/or in in vivo experimental settings, to highlight the therapeutic potential of targeting one/more specific sirtuin isoform(s) in cancer, neurodegenerative disorders and type 2 diabetes. Extensive research has already been performed to identify SIRT-1 and -2 modulators, while compounds targeting the other sirtuins have been less studied so far. Beside sections dedicated to each sirtuin, in the present review we also included sections dedicated to pan-sirtuins’ and to parasitic sirtuins’ modulators. A special focus is dedicated to the sirtuins’ modulators identified by the use of virtual screening.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elena Abbotto
- Department of Experimental Medicine, Section of Biochemistry, University of Genoa, Viale Benedetto XV 1, 16132 Genoa, Italy
| | - Naomi Scarano
- Department of Pharmacy, Section of Medicinal Chemistry, School of Medical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Genoa, Viale Benedetto XV, 3, 16132 Genoa, Italy
| | - Francesco Piacente
- Department of Experimental Medicine, Section of Biochemistry, University of Genoa, Viale Benedetto XV 1, 16132 Genoa, Italy
| | - Enrico Millo
- Department of Experimental Medicine, Section of Biochemistry, University of Genoa, Viale Benedetto XV 1, 16132 Genoa, Italy
| | - Elena Cichero
- Department of Pharmacy, Section of Medicinal Chemistry, School of Medical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Genoa, Viale Benedetto XV, 3, 16132 Genoa, Italy
| | - Santina Bruzzone
- Department of Experimental Medicine, Section of Biochemistry, University of Genoa, Viale Benedetto XV 1, 16132 Genoa, Italy
- Correspondence:
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De Blasi S, Scarano N, De Bellis V. [Anti-M antibodies. Collective review and description of a case]. Minerva Anestesiol 1965; 31:646-52. [PMID: 5882840] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/17/2023]
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10
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Santini M, Scarano N. [General and specific diagnosis of blood stains with immunoelectrophoresis]. Boll Soc Ital Biol Sper 1964; 40:537-8. [PMID: 5876329] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [MESH Headings] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/17/2023]
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