Synapto-depressive effects of amyloid beta require PICK1.

Amyloid beta (Aß), a key component in the pathophysiology of Alzheimer's disease, is thought to target excitatory synapses early in the disease. However, the mechanism by which Aß weakens synapses is not well understood. Here we showed that the PDZ domain protein, protein interacting with C kinase 1 (PICK1), was required for Aß to weaken synapses. In mice lacking PICK1, elevations of Aß failed to depress synaptic transmission in cultured brain slices. In dissociated cultured neurons, Aß failed to reduce surface α-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazolepropionic acid receptor subunit 2, a subunit of α-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazolepropionic acid receptors that binds with PICK1 through a PDZ ligand-domain interaction. Lastly, a novel small molecule (BIO922) discovered through structure-based drug design that targets the specific interactions between GluA2 and PICK1 blocked the effects of Aß on synapses and surface receptors. We concluded that GluA2-PICK1 interactions are a key component of the effects of Aß on synapses.

Inhibitors of protein-protein interactions: new methodologies to tackle this challenge.

Several advances in the fields of crystallography, molecular modeling, biophysical assays and chemistry are converging to making protein-protein interaction targets more amenable to drug design. These include steps towards improving crystallization of protein-protein complexes, identifying the clusters of residues that constitute putative small molecule binding 'hot spots', generating new methods for detecting the binding of small molecules to target proteins, and generating custom libraries via diversity oriented synthesis to enable the identification of natural-product-like hits.

Discovery of 4-aminomethylphenylacetic acids as γ-secretase modulators via a scaffold design approach.

Starting from literature examples of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)-type carboxylic acid γ-secretase modulators (GSMs) and using a scaffold design approach, we identified 4-aminomethylphenylacetic acid 4 with a desirable γ-secretase modulation profile. Scaffold optimization led to the discovery of a novel chemical series, represented by 6b, having improved brain penetration. Further SAR studies provided analog 6q that exhibited a good pharmacological profile. Oral administration of 6q significantly reduced brain Aß42 levels in mice and rats.

Discovery of a potent and highly selective PDK1 inhibitor via fragment-based drug discovery.

We report the use of a fragment-based lead discovery method, Tethering with extenders, to discover a pyridinone fragment that binds in an adaptive site of the protein PDK1. With subsequent medicinal chemistry, this led to the discovery of a potent and highly selective inhibitor of PDK1, which binds in the 'DFG-out' conformation.

Discovery of Potent Selective Nonzinc Binding Autotaxin Inhibitor BIO-32546.

Autotaxin (ATX) is a lysophospholipase D that is the main enzyme responsible for generating LPA in body fluids. Although ATX was isolated from a conditioned medium of melanoma cells, later it was discovered to play a critical role in vascular and neuronal development. ATX has also been implicated in primary brain tumor, fibrosis, and rheumatoid arthritis, as well as neurological diseases such as multiple sclerosis, Alzheimer's disease, and neuropathic pain. As ATX and LPA levels are increased upon neuronal injury, a selective ATX inhibitor could provide a new approach to treat neuropathic pain. Herein we describe the discovery of a novel series of nonzinc binding reversible ATX inhibitors, particularly a potent, selective, orally bioavailable, brain-penetrable tool compound BIO-32546, as well as its synthesis, X-ray cocrystal structure, pharmacokinetics, and in vivo efficacy.

Stereochemistry-activity relationship of orally active tetralin S1P agonist prodrugs.

Modifying FTY720, an immunosuppressant modulator, led to a new series of well phosphorylated tetralin analogs as potent S1P1 receptor agonists. The stereochemistry effect of tetralin ring was probed, and (-)-(R)-2-amino-2-((S)-6-octyl-1,2,3,4-tetrahydronaphthalen-2-yl)propan-1-ol was identified as a good SphK2 substrate and potent S1P1 agonist with good oral bioavailability.

PEARL-seq: A Photoaffinity Platform for the Analysis of Small Molecule-RNA Interactions.

RNA is emerging as a valuable target for the development of novel therapeutic agents. The rational design of RNA-targeting small molecules, however, has been hampered by the relative lack of methods for the analysis of small molecule-RNA interactions. Here, we present our efforts to develop such a platform using photoaffinity labeling. This technique, termed Photoaffinity Evaluation of RNA Ligation-Sequencing (PEARL-seq), enables the rapid identification of small molecule binding locations within their RNA targets and can provide information on ligand selectivity across multiple different RNAs. These data, when supplemented with small molecule SAR data and RNA probing data enable the construction of a computational model of the RNA-ligand structure, thereby enabling the rational design of novel RNA-targeted ligands.

Potent PDZ-Domain PICK1 Inhibitors that Modulate Amyloid Beta-Mediated Synaptic Dysfunction.

Protein interacting with C kinase (PICK1) is a scaffolding protein that is present in dendritic spines and interacts with a wide array of proteins through its PDZ domain. The best understood function of PICK1 is regulation of trafficking of AMPA receptors at neuronal synapses via its specific interaction with the AMPA GluA2 subunit. Disrupting the PICK1-GluA2 interaction has been shown to alter synaptic plasticity, a molecular mechanism of learning and memory. Lack of potent, selective inhibitors of the PICK1 PDZ domain has hindered efforts at exploring the PICK1-GluA2 interaction as a therapeutic target for neurological diseases. Here, we report the discovery of PICK1 small molecule inhibitors using a structure-based drug design strategy. The inhibitors stabilized surface GluA2, reduced Aß-induced rise in intracellular calcium concentrations in cultured neurons, and blocked long term depression in brain slices. These findings demonstrate that it is possible to identify potent, selective PICK1-GluA2 inhibitors which may prove useful for treatment of neurodegenerative disorders.

BIIB042, a novel γ-secretase modulator, reduces amyloidogenic Aß isoforms in primates and rodents and plaque pathology in a mouse model of Alzheimer's disease.

Reducing the production of larger aggregation-prone amyloid ß-peptides (Aß) remains an untested therapeutic approach for reducing the appearance and growth of Aß plaques in the brain, which are a hallmark pathological feature of Alzheimer's disease. γ-Secretase modulators (GSMs) are therapeutics that impact γ-secretase-dependent cleavage of amyloid precursor protein to promote the production of shorter Aß peptides that are less prone to aggregation and plaque deposition. This is accomplished without inhibiting overall γ-secretase function and cleavage of other substrates, which is believed to be a source of deleterious side effects. Here, we report the pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic properties of BIIB042, a novel bioavailable and brain-penetrant GSM. In cell-based assays, BIIB042 reduced the levels of Aß42, increased the levels of Aß38 and had little effect on the levels of Aß40, the most abundant Aß species. Similar pharmacodynamic properties were confirmed in the central nervous system and in plasma of mice and rats, and also in plasma of cynomolgus monkeys after a single oral dose of BIIB042. BIIB042 reduced Aß42 levels and Aß plaque burden in Tg2576 mice, which overexpress human amyloid precursor protein and serve as a model system for Alzheimer's disease. BIIB042 did not inhibit cleavage of other γ-secretase substrates in cell-based and in vivo signaling and cleavage assays. The pharmacodynamic effects of lowering Aß42 in the central nervous system coupled with demonstrated efficacy in reducing plaque pathology suggests modulation of γ-secretase, with molecules like BIIB042, is a compelling therapeutic approach for the treatment of Alzheimer's disease.

Novel diamino derivatives of [1,2,4]triazolo[1,5-a][1,3,5]triazine as potent and selective adenosine A2a receptor antagonists.

Piperazine derivatives of 2-furanyl[1,2,4]triazolo[1,5-a][1,3,5]triazine have recently been demonstrated to be potent and selective adenosine A(2a) receptor antagonists with oral activity in rodent models of Parkinson's disease. We have replaced the piperazinyl group with a variety of linear, monocyclic, and bicyclic diamines. Of these diamines, (R)-2-(aminomethyl)pyrrolidine is a particularly potent and selective replacement for the piperazinyl group. With this diamine component, we have been able to prepare numerous analogues with low nanomolar affinity toward the A(2a) receptor and good selectivity with respect to the A(1) receptor (>200-fold in some cases). Selected analogues from this series of [1,2,4]triazolo[1,5-a][1,3,5]triazine have now been shown to be orally active in the mouse catalepsy model.

Piperazine derivatives of [1,2,4]triazolo[1,5-a][1,3,5]triazine as potent and selective adenosine A2a receptor antagonists.

The [1,2,4]triazolo[1,5-a]triazine derivative 3, more commonly known in the field of adenosine research as ZM-241385, has previously been demonstrated to be a potent and selective adenosine A2a receptor antagonist, although with limited oral bioavailability. This [1,2,4]triazolo[1,5-a]triazine core structure has now been improved by incorporating various piperazine derivatives. With some preliminary optimization, the A2a binding affinity of some of the best piperazine derivatives is almost as good as that of compound 3. The selectivity level over the adenosine A1 receptor subtype for some of the more active analogues is also fairly high, > 400-fold in some cases. Many compounds within this piperazine series of [1,2,4]triazolo[1,5-a]triazine have now been shown to have good oral bioavailability in the rat, with some as high as 89% (compound 35). More significantly, some piperazines derivatives of [1,2,4]triazolo[1,5-a]triazine also possessed good oral efficacy in rodent models of Parkinson's disease. For instance, compound 34 was orally active in the rat catalepsy model at 3 mg/kg. In the 6-hydroxydopamine-lesioned rat model, this compound was also quite effective, with a minimum effective dose of 3 mg/kg po.

Novel bicyclic piperazine derivatives of triazolotriazine and triazolopyrimidines as highly potent and selective adenosine A2A receptor antagonists.

A series of bicyclic piperazine derivatives of triazolotriazine and triazolopyrimidines was synthesized. Some of these analogues show high affinity and excellent selectivity for adenosine A(2a) receptor versus the adenosine A(1) receptor. Structure-activity-relationship (SAR) studies based on octahydropyrrolo[1,2-a]pyrazine and octahydropyrido[1,2-a]pyrazine with various capping groups are reported. Among these analogues, the most potent and selective A(2a) antagonist 26 h has a K(i) value of 0.2 nM and is 16 500-fold selective with respect to the A(1) receptor. Among a number of compounds tested, compounds 21a and 21c exhibited significantly improved metabolic stability. Compounds 21a, 21c, and 18a showed good oral efficacy in rodent catalepsy models of Parkinson's disease.

Progression of Organic Reactions on Resin Supports Monitored by Single Bead FTIR Microspectroscopy.

We report the time courses of five solid-phase reactions obtained using single bead FTIR microspectroscopy. This time-resolved information aided in the determination of the required reaction time, the nature of the solid-phase reaction, and resin property, effectively assisting in the initial phase of our combinatorial chemistry efforts. Our results showed that solid-phase organic reactions proceed faster than generally speculated. In addition, we have shown that reactions on the surface and in the interior of the bead occur at the same rate for reactions studied. The reaction on the TentaGel resin was shown to be not faster than reactions on Wang resin, suggesting that the diffusion of the substrate into polystyrene bead copolymerized with 1% divinylbenzene is not rate-limiting. Finally, the capability of obtaining IR spectra from the partial surface of a single bead demonstrated the femtomolar detection limit of single bead FTIR microspectroscopy.

Small molecule inhibition of the TNF family cytokine CD40 ligand through a subunit fracture mechanism.

BIO8898 is one of several synthetic organic molecules that have recently been reported to inhibit receptor binding and function of the constitutively trimeric tumor necrosis factor (TNF) family cytokine CD40 ligand (CD40L, aka CD154). Small molecule inhibitors of protein-protein interfaces are relatively rare, and their discovery is often very challenging. Therefore, to understand how BIO8898 achieves this feat, we characterized its mechanism of action using biochemical assays and X-ray crystallography. BIO8898 inhibited soluble CD40L binding to CD40-Ig with a potency of IC(50) = 25 µM and inhibited CD40L-dependent apoptosis in a cellular assay. A co-crystal structure of BIO8898 with CD40L revealed that one inhibitor molecule binds per protein trimer. Surprisingly, the compound binds not at the surface of the protein but by intercalating deeply between two subunits of the homotrimeric cytokine, disrupting a constitutive protein-protein interface and breaking the protein's 3-fold symmetry. The compound forms several hydrogen bonds with the protein, within an otherwise hydrophobic binding pocket. In addition to the translational splitting of the trimer, binding of BIO8898 was accompanied by additional local and longer-range conformational perturbations of the protein, both in the core and in a surface loop. Binding of BIO8898 is reversible, and the resulting complex is stable and does not lead to detectable dissociation of the protein trimer. Our results suggest that a set of core aromatic residues that are conserved across a subset of TNF family cytokines might represent a generic hot-spot for the induced-fit binding of trimer-disrupting small molecules.

Discovery of BIIB042, a Potent, Selective, and Orally Bioavailable γ-Secretase Modulator.

We have investigated a novel series of acid-derived γ-secretase modulators as a potential treatment of Alzheimer's disease. Optimization based on cellular potency and brain pharmacodynamics after oral dosing led to the discovery of 10a (BIIB042). Compound 10a is a potent γ-secretase modulator, which lowered Aß42, increased Aß38, but had little to no effect on Aß40 levels both in vitro and in vivo. In addition, compound 10a did not affect Notch signaling in our in vitro assessment. Compound 10a demonstrated excellent pharmacokinetic parameters in multiple species. Oral administration of 10a significantly reduced brain Aß42 levels in CF-1 mice and Fischer rats, as well as plasma Aß42 levels in cynomolgus monkeys. Compound 10a was selected as a candidate for preclinical safety evaluation.

Between a rock and a hard place?

Developing small-molecule inhibitors against protein-protein interaction targets is among the most difficult challenges in contemporary drug discovery. Recent developments in our understanding of this problem, and in the knowledge and tools available to address it, give cause for renewed hope, but substantial challenges remain.

Synthesis of alkyne derivatives of a novel triazolopyrazine as A(2A) adenosine receptor antagonists.

A novel [1,2,4]triazolo[1,5-a]pyrazine core was synthesized and coupled with terminal acetylenes. The structure-activity relationship of the alkynes from this novel template was studied for their in vitro and in vivo adenosine A(2A) receptor antagonism. Selected compounds from this series were shown to have potent in vitro and in vivo activities against adenosine A(2A) receptor. Compound 12, in particular, was found to be orally active at 3mg/kg in both a mouse catalepsy model and a 6-hydroxydopamine-lesioned rat model.

Synthesis of [1,2,4]triazolo[1,5-a]pyrazines as adenosine A2A receptor antagonists.

Potent and selective antagonists of the adenosine A2A receptor often contain a nitrogen-rich fused-ring heterocyclic core. Replacement of the core with an isomeric ring system has previously been shown to improve target affinity, selectivity, and in vivo activity. This paper describes the preparation, by a novel route, of A2A receptor antagonists containing the [1,2,4]triazolo[1,5-a]pyrazine nucleus, which is isomeric with the [1,2,4]triazolo[1,5-c]pyrimidine core of a series of known A2A antagonists with in vivo activity in animal models of Parkinson's disease.

Triamino derivatives of triazolotriazine and triazolopyrimidine as adenosine A2a receptor antagonists.

Piperazine derivatives of 2-furanyl[1,2,4]triazolo[1,5-a][1,3,5]triazine have recently been shown to be potent and selective adenosine A(2a) receptor antagonists. We now demonstrate that potent and selective A(2a) receptor antagonists could still be obtained when the arylpiperazines are separated from the triazolotriazine core structure by an ethylenediamine spacer. Selected analogs bearing this triazolotriazine or the related triazolopyrimidine core structure have been found to be orally active in a mouse catalepsy model of Parkinson's disease.

Studies on adenosine A2a receptor antagonists: comparison of three core heterocycles.

Piperazine and (R)-2-(aminomethyl)pyrrolidine derivatives of [1,2,4]triazolo[1,5-a][1,3,5]triazine have recently been shown to be potent and selective adenosine A(2a) receptor antagonists. We have replaced the triazolotriazine core structure with two different heterocyclic cores. One of these, the one deriving from [1,2,4]triazolo[1,5-c]pyrimidine, appears to be particularly effective and selected analogs from this series have been shown to be orally active in a mouse catalepsy model of Parkinson's disease.