Discovery of potent small-molecule inhibitors of lipoprotein(a) formation

Lipoprotein(a) (Lp(a)), an independent, causal cardiovascular risk factor, is a lipoprotein particle that is formed by the interaction of a low-density lipoprotein (LDL) particle and apolipoprotein(a) (apo(a))1,2. Apo(a) first binds to lysine residues of apolipoprotein B-100 (apoB-100) on LDL through the Kringle IV (KIV) 7 and 8 domains, before a disulfide bond forms between apo(a) and apoB-100 to create Lp(a) (refs. 3-7). Here we show that the first step of Lp(a) formation can be inhibited through small-molecule interactions with apo(a) KIV7-8. We identify compounds that bind to apo(a) KIV7-8, and, through chemical optimization and further application of multivalency, we create compounds with subnanomolar potency that inhibit the formation of Lp(a). Oral doses of prototype compounds and a potent, multivalent disruptor, LY3473329 (muvalaplin), reduced the levels of Lp(a) in transgenic mice and in cynomolgus monkeys. Although multivalent molecules bind to the Kringle domains of rat plasminogen and reduce plasmin activity, species-selective differences in plasminogen sequences suggest that inhibitor molecules will reduce the levels of Lp(a), but not those of plasminogen, in humans. These data support the clinical development of LY3473329-which is already in phase 2 studies-as a potent and specific orally administered agent for reducing the levels of Lp(a).

Caspase-8 Variant G Regulates Rheumatoid Arthritis Fibroblast-Like Synoviocyte Aggressive Behavior

OBJECTIVE

Fibroblast-like synoviocytes (FLS) play a pivotal role in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) by contributing to synovial inflammation and progressive joint damage. An imprinted epigenetic state is associated with the FLS aggressive phenotype. We identified CASP8 (encoding for caspase-8) as a differentially marked gene and evaluated its pathogenic role in RA FLSs.

METHODS

RA FLS lines were obtained from synovial tissues at arthroplasty and used at passage 5-8. Caspase-8 was silenced using small interfering RNA, and its effect was determined in cell adhesion, migration and invasion assays. Quantitative reverse transcription PCR and western blot were used to assess gene and protein expression, respectively. A caspase-8 selective inhibitor was used determine the role of enzymatic activity on FLS migration and invasion. Caspase-8 isoform transcripts and epigenetic marks in FLSs were analyzed in FLS public databases. Crystal structures of caspase-8B and G were determined.

RESULTS

Caspase-8 deficiency in RA FLSs reduced cell adhesion, migration, and invasion independent of its catalytic activity. Epigenetic and transcriptomic analyses of RA FLSs revealed that a specific caspase-8 isoform, variant G, is the dominant isoform expressed (~80% of total caspase-8) and induced by PDGF. The crystal structures of caspase-8 variant G and B were identical except for a unique unstructured 59 amino acid N-terminal domain in variant G. Selective knockdown of caspase-8G was solely responsible for the effects of caspase-8 on calpain activity and cell invasion in FLS.

CONCLUSION

Blocking caspase-8 variant G could decrease cell invasion in diseases like RA without the potential deleterious effects of nonspecific caspase-8 inhibition.

LLY-283, a Potent and Selective Inhibitor of Arginine Methyltransferase 5, PRMT5, with Antitumor Activity

Protein arginine methyltransferase 5 (PRMT5) is a type II arginine methyltransferase that catalyzes the formation of symmetric dimethylarginine in a number of nuclear and cytoplasmic proteins. Although the cellular functions of PRMT5 have not been fully unraveled, it has been implicated in a number of cellular processes like RNA processing, signal transduction, and transcriptional regulation. PRMT5 is ubiquitously expressed in most tissues and its expression has been shown to be elevated in several cancers including breast cancer, gastric cancer, glioblastoma, and lymphoma. Here, we describe the identification and characterization of a novel and selective PRMT5 inhibitor with potent in vitro and in vivo activity. Compound 1 (also called LLY-283) inhibited PRMT5 enzymatic activity in vitro and in cells with IC₅₀ of 22 ± 3 and 25 ± 1 nM, respectively, while its diastereomer, compound 2 (also called LLY-284), was much less active. Compound 1 also showed antitumor activity in mouse xenografts when dosed orally and can serve as an excellent probe molecule for understanding the biological function of PRMT5 in normal and cancer cells.

Trisilane-1,3-diolato Complexes of Ti and Zr: Syntheses and X-ray Crystal Structures

The syntheses and structures of zirconium and titanium complexes containing the novel chelating trisilane-1,3-diolate ligand [Me2Si(R2SiO)2]2- (R = SiMe3) (5)-H2 are reported. The chloride complexes [Me2Si(R2SiO)2]TiCl2 (7a) and [Me2Si(R2SiO)2]ZrCl2 x 2 THF (7b) were prepared by the reaction of MCl4 (M = Ti, Zr) with [Me2Si(R2SiO)2]2Ti (6a) and [Me2Si(R2SiO)2]2Zr (6b), which are derived from the reaction of 5 with M(NEt2)4, respectively. In the presence of TiCl4, complexes 6a and 7a undergo a ring-opening reaction to produce the dinuclear complex [Me2Si(R2SiO)2][TiCl3]2 (9). [Me2Si(R2SiO)2]TiMe2 (10) and [Me2Si(R2SiO)2]TiBnz2 (11) were prepared in moderate yields from reactions of 7a with 2 equiv of MeMgBr and BnzMgCl, respectively. According to NMR spectroscopic investigations, the reaction of the dimethyltitanium complex 10 with B(C6F5)3 led to full exchange of both methyl groups by C6F5 groups under quantitative formation of [Me2Si(R2SiO)2]Ti(C6F5)2 (12) and a mixture of B(C6F5)(3-n)Me(n), where n = 1-3. The structure of 12 is further evidenced by the preparation of an identical sample from the reaction of 7a with 2 equiv of C6F5MgBr. Refluxing an ether solution of 12 surprisingly gave [Me2Si(R2SiO)2]2TiC6F5]2O (13) as a result of ether cleavage. The structures of the complexes 7a, 7b, 9, 10, and 13 were determined by X-ray crystallography, and structural discussion of the bond parameters will be given.

[Genital findings in sexually abused prepubertal girls]

Genital findings in sexually abused prepubertal girls. Childhood sexual abuse is defined as the involvement of dependent, developmentally immature children and adolescents in sexual activities that they do not fully comprehend, to which they are unable to give informed consent or that violate the social taboos of family roles. Essential to the diagnosis of sexual abuse is an awareness of the problem and acknowledgement of its manifestations. The evaluation of the sexually abused girl usually is performed in a pediatric and adolescent gynecology outpatient department. Thus, the gynecologist will be part of a multidisciplinary approach to the problem and will need to be competent in the basic skills of history taking, physical examination, selection of laboratory tests und differential diagnosis. Findings secondary to sexual abuse are often subtle. Acute tears or bruisings are rare, because force is seldom part of sexual acts committed against a child. A vaginal opening of greater than 5 mm is not common and may indicate vaginal penetration. An intact hymen not necessarily exclude vaginal intercourse. Lack of physical evidence never rules out abuse because sexual acts may leave no physical findings.

Identification of a sperm receptor-glycoprotein from the porcine zona pellucida

Porcine zona pellucida were solubilized by treatment with lithium 3,5-diiodosalicylate. Following further purification by phenol/water extraction, ethanol precipitation and high performance liquid chromatography a total of 11 fractions were obtained. Fractions in the molecular mass range, that were previously found to possess antigenic properties, were tested in a spermatozoa radio-receptor binding assay. One of the fractions with an N-terminal amino-acid residue of alanine was found to have spermatozoa receptor properties. This result might aid future studies on the spermatozoazona pellucida interactions at the molecular level.

[The EEG and its correlation with the intermittent vertebrobasilar syndrome]

A total of 325 patients with an intermittent vertebrobasilar insufficiency syndrome were subjected to electroencephalography. Certain characteristic features could be determined. Dominant among pathological findings were beta wave frequency bands in females. Normal electroencephalograms were obtained especially in males. There was frequently observed a low level of brain potentials, but this should not be regarded as an obligate criterion. Correlation of the electroencephalogram with the clinical syndrome was only possible by taking into account the patient's medical history and by taking additional diagnostic measures, more especially as other processes in the middle and posterior cranial fossae also tended to produce corresponding changes in electroencephalograms. Also dealth with by the author in his present paper are pathophysiological relationships.