Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease Adverse Event Signals Associated with Potential Inhibitors of Glutathione Peroxidase 1: A Sequence Symmetry Analysis.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Prior molecular modelling analysis identified several medicines as potential inhibitors of glutathione peroxidase 1 (GPx1) which may contribute to development or progression of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). This study investigates 40 medicines (index medicines) for signals of COPD development or progression in a real-world dataset. METHODS: Sequence symmetry analysis (SSA) was conducted using a 10% extract of Australian Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) claims data between January 2013 and September 2019. Patients must have been initiated on an index medicine and a medicine for COPD development or progression within 12 months of each other. Sequence ratios were calculated as the number of patients who initiated an index medicine followed by a medicine for COPD development or progression divided by the number who initiated the index medicine second. An adjusted sequence ratio (aSR) was calculated which accounted for changes in prescribing trends. Adverse drug event signals (ADEs) were identified where the aSR lower 95% confidence interval (CI) was greater than 1. RESULTS: Twenty-one of 40 (53%) index medicines had at least one ADE signal of COPD development or progression. Signals of COPD development, as identified using initiation of tiotropium, were observed for atenolol (aSR 1.32, 95% CI 1.23-1.42) and naproxen (aSR 1.14, 95% CI 1.06-1.23). Several signals of COPD progression were observed, including initiation of fluticasone propionate/salmeterol following initiation of atenolol (aSR 1.44, 95% CI 1.30-1.60) and initiation of aclidinium/formoterol following initiation of naproxen (aSR 2.21, 95% CI 1.34-3.65). CONCLUSION: ADE signals were generated for several potential GPx1 inhibitors; however, further validation of signals is required in large well-controlled observational studies.

Combined Structure- and Ligand-Based Approach for the Identification of Inhibitors of AcrAB-TolC in Escherichia coli.

The inhibition of efflux pumps is a promising approach to combating multidrug-resistant bacteria. We have developed a combined structure- and ligand-based model, using OpenEye software, for the identification of inhibitors of AcrB, the inner membrane protein component of the AcrAB-TolC efflux pump in Escherichia coli. From a database of 1391 FDA-approved drugs, 23 compounds were selected to test for efflux inhibition in E. coli. Seven compounds, including ivacaftor (25), butenafine (19), naftifine (27), pimozide (30), thioridazine (35), trifluoperazine (37), and meloxicam (26), enhanced the activity of at least one antimicrobial substrate and inhibited the efflux pump-mediated removal of the substrate Nile Red from cells. Ivacaftor (25) inhibited efflux dose dependently, had no effect on an E. coli strain with genomic deletion of the gene encoding AcrB, and did not damage the bacterial outer membrane. In the presence of a sub-minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of the outer membrane permeabilizer colistin, ivacaftor at 1 µg/mL reduced the MICs of erythromycin and minocycline by 4- to 8-fold. The identification of seven potential AcrB inhibitors shows the merits of a combined structure- and ligand-based approach to virtual screening.

Application of an Integrative Drug Safety Model for Detection of Adverse Drug Events Associated With Inhibition of Glutathione Peroxidase 1 in Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease.

BACKGROUND: Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease is characterised by declining lung function and a greater oxidative stress burden due to reduced activity of antioxidant enzymes such as Glutathione Peroxidase 1. OBJECTIVES: The extent to which drugs may contribute to this compromised activity is largely unknown. An integrative drug safety model explores inhibition of Glutathione Peroxidase 1 by drugs and their association with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease adverse drug events. METHODS: In silico molecular modelling approaches were utilised to predict the interactions that drugs have within the active site of Glutathione Peroxidase 1 in both human and bovine models. Similarities of chemical features between approved drugs and the known inhibitor tiopronin were also investigated. Subsequently the Food and Drug Administration Adverse Event System was searched to uncover adverse drug event signals associated with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. RESULTS: Statistical and molecular modelling analyses confirmed that the use of several registered drugs, including acetylsalicylic acid and atenolol may be associated with inhibition of Glutathione Peroxidase 1 and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. CONCLUSION: The integration of molecular modelling and pharmacoepidemological data has the potential to advance drug safety science. Ongoing review of medication use and further pharmacoepidemiological and biological analyses are warranted to ensure appropriate use is recommended.

Discovery of N,4-Di(1H-pyrazol-4-yl)pyrimidin-2-amine-Derived CDK2 Inhibitors as Potential Anticancer Agents: Design, Synthesis, and Evaluation.

Cyclin-dependent kinase 2 (CDK2) has been garnering considerable interest as a target to develop new cancer treatments and to ameliorate resistance to CDK4/6 inhibitors. However, a selective CDK2 inhibitor has yet to be clinically approved. With the desire to discover novel, potent, and selective CDK2 inhibitors, the phenylsulfonamide moiety of our previous lead compound 1 was bioisosterically replaced with pyrazole derivatives, affording a novel series of N,4-di(1H-pyrazol-4-yl)pyrimidin-2-amines that exhibited potent CDK2 inhibitory activity. Among them, 15 was the most potent CDK2 inhibitor (Ki = 0.005 µM) with a degree of selectivity over other CDKs tested. Meanwhile, this compound displayed sub-micromolar antiproliferative activity against a panel of 13 cancer cell lines (GI50 = 0.127-0.560 µM). Mechanistic studies in ovarian cancer cells revealed that 15 reduced the phosphorylation of retinoblastoma at Thr821, arrested cells at the S and G2/M phases, and induced apoptosis. These results accentuate the potential of the N,4-di(1H-pyrazol-4-yl)pyrimidin-2-amine scaffold to be developed into potent and selective CDK2 inhibitors for the treatment of cancer.

2-Anilino-4-(1-methyl-1H-pyrazol-4-yl)pyrimidine-derived CDK2 inhibitors as anticancer agents: Design, synthesis & evaluation.

Deregulation of cyclin-dependent kinase 2 (CDK2) and its activating partners, cyclins A and E, is associated with the pathogenesis of a myriad of human cancers and with resistance to anticancer drugs including CDK4/6 inhibitors. Thus, CDK2 has become an attractive target for the development of new anticancer therapies and for the amelioration of the resistance to CDK4/6 inhibitors. Bioisosteric replacement of the thiazole moiety of CDKI-73, a clinically trialled CDK inhibitor, by a pyrazole group afforded 9 and 19 that displayed potent CDK2-cyclin E inhibition (Ki = 0.023 and 0.001 µM, respectively) with submicromolar antiproliferative activity against a panel of cancer cell lines (GI50 = 0.025-0.780 µM). Mechanistic studies on 19 with HCT-116 colorectal cancer cells revealed that the compound reduced the phosphorylation of retinoblastoma at Ser807/811, arrested the cells at the G2/M phase, and induced apoptosis. These results highlight the potential of the 2-anilino-4-(1-methyl-1H-pyrazol-4-yl)pyrimidine series in developing potent and selective CDK2 inhibitors to combat cancer.

Cinnamaldehyde derivatives act as antimicrobial agents against Acinetobacter baumannii through the inhibition of cell division.

Acinetobacter baumannii is a pathogen with high intrinsic antimicrobial resistance while multidrug resistant (MDR) and extensively drug resistant (XDR) strains of this pathogen are emerging. Treatment options for infections by these strains are very limited, hence new therapies are urgently needed. The bacterial cell division protein, FtsZ, is a promising drug target for the development of novel antimicrobial agents. We have previously reported limited activity of cinnamaldehyde analogs against Escherichia coli. In this study, we have determined the antimicrobial activity of six cinnamaldehyde analogs for antimicrobial activity against A. baumannii. Microscopic analysis was performed to determine if the compounds inhibit cell division. The on-target effect of the compounds was assessed by analyzing their effect on polymerization and on the GTPase activity of purified FtsZ from A. baumannii. In silico docking was used to assess the binding of cinnamaldehyde analogs. Finally, in vivo and in vitro safety assays were performed. All six compounds displayed antibacterial activity against the critical priority pathogen A. baumannii, with 4-bromophenyl-substituted 4 displaying the most potent antimicrobial activity (MIC 32 µg/mL). Bioactivity was significantly increased in the presence of an efflux pump inhibitor for A. baumannii ATCC 19606 (up to 32-fold) and significantly, for extensively drug resistant UW 5075 (greater than 4-fold), suggesting that efflux contributes to the intrinsic resistance of A. baumannii against these agents. The compounds inhibited cell division in A. baumannii as observed by the elongated phenotype and targeted the FtsZ protein as seen from the inhibition of polymerization and GTPase activity. In silico docking predicted that the compounds bind in the interdomain cleft adjacent to the H7 core helix. Di-chlorinated 6 was devoid of hemolytic activity and cytotoxicity against mammalian cells in vitro, as well as adverse activity in a Caenorhabditis elegans nematode model in vivo. Together, these findings present halogenated analogs 4 and 6 as promising candidates for further development as antimicrobial agents aimed at combating A. baumannii. This is also the first report of FtsZ-targeting compounds with activity against an XDR A. baumannii strain.

Therapeutic Potential of a Novel Vitamin D3 Oxime Analogue, VD1-6, with CYP24A1 Enzyme Inhibitory Activity and Negligible Vitamin D Receptor Binding.

The regulation of vitamin D3 actions in humans occurs mainly through the Cytochrome P450 24-hydroxylase (CYP24A1) enzyme activity. CYP24A1 hydroxylates both 25-hydroxycholecalciferol (25(OH)D3) and 1,25-dihydroxycholecalciferol (1,25(OH)2D3), which is the first step of vitamin D catabolism. An abnormal status of the upregulation of CYP24A1 occurs in many diseases, including chronic kidney disease (CKD). CYP24A1 upregulation in CKD and diminished activation of vitamin D3 contribute to secondary hyperparathyroidism (SHPT), progressive bone deterioration, and soft tissue and cardiovascular calcification. Previous studies have indicated that CYP24A1 inhibition may be an effective strategy to increase endogenous vitamin D activity and decrease SHPT. This study has designed and synthesized a novel C-24 O-methyloxime analogue of vitamin D3 (VD1-6) to have specific CYP24A1 inhibitory properties. VD1-6 did not bind to the vitamin D receptor (VDR) in concentrations up to 10-7 M, assessed by a VDR binding assay. The absence of VDR binding by VD1-6 was confirmed in human embryonic kidney HEK293T cultures through the lack of CYP24A1 induction. However, in silico docking experiments demonstrated that VD1-6 was predicted to have superior binding to CYP24A1, when compared to that of 1,25(OH)2D3. The inhibition of CYP24A1 by VD1-6 was also evident by the synergistic potentiation of 1,25(OH)2D3-mediated transcription and reduced 1,25(OH)2D3 catabolism over 24 h. A further indication of CYP24A1 inhibition by VD1-6 was the reduced accumulation of the 24,25(OH)D3, the first metabolite of 25(OH)D catabolism by CYP24A1. Our findings suggest the potent CYP24A1 inhibitory properties of VD1-6 and its potential for testing as an alternative therapeutic candidate for treating SHPT.

An overview of CDK3 in cancer: clinical significance and pharmacological implications.

Cyclin-dependent kinase 3 (CDK3) is a major player driving retinoblastoma (Rb) phosphorylation during the G0/G1 transition and in the early G1 phase of the cell cycle, preceding the effects of CDK4/cyclin D, CDK6/cyclin D, and CDK2/cyclin E. CDK3 can also directly regulate the activity of E2 factor (E2F) by skipping the role of Rb in late G1, potentially via the phosphorylation of the E2F1 partner DP1. Beyond the cell cycle, CDK3 interacts with various transcription factors involved in cell proliferation, differentiation, and transformation driven by the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR)/rat sarcoma virus (Ras) signaling pathway. The expression of CDK3 is extremely low in normal human tissue but upregulated in many cancers, implying a profound role in oncogenesis. Further evaluation of this role has been hampered by the lack of selective pharmacological inhibitors. Herein, we provide a comprehensive overview about the therapeutic potential of targeting CDK3 in cancer.

Neuron-specific responses to acetylcholine within the spinal dorsal horn circuits of rodent and primate.

Excitatory and inhibitory neurotransmission within the spinal dorsal horn is tightly controlled to regulate transmission of nociceptive signals to the brain. One aspect of this control is modulation of neuronal activity through cholinergic signaling. Nociceptive neurons in the dorsal horn express both nicotinic and muscarinic cholinergic receptors and activation of these receptors reduces pain in humans, while inhibition leads to nociceptive hypersensitivity. At a cellular level, acetylcholine (ACh) has diverse effects on excitability which is dependent on the receptor and neuronal subtypes involved. In the present study we sought to characterize the electrophysiological responses of specific subsets of lamina II interneurons from rat and marmoset spinal cord. Neurons were grouped by morphology and by action potential firing properties. Whole-cell voltage-clamp recordings from lamina II dorsal horn neurons of adult rats showed that bath applied acetylcholine increased, decreased or had no effect on spontaneous synaptic current activity in a cell-type specific manner. ACh modulated inhibitory synaptic activity in 80% of neurons, whereas excitatory synaptic activity was affected in less than 50% of neurons. In whole-cell current clamp recordings, brief somatic application of ACh induced cell-type specific responses in 79% of rat lamina II neurons, which included: depolarization and action potential firing, subthreshold membrane depolarization, biphasic responses characterized by transient depolarization followed by hyperpolarization and membrane hyperpolarization alone. Similar responses were seen in marmoset lamina II neurons and the properties of each neuron group were consistent across species. ACh-induced hyperpolarization was blocked by the muscarinic antagonist atropine and all forms of acetylcholine-induced depolarization were blocked by the nicotinic antagonist mecamylamine. The cholinergic system plays an important role in regulating nociception and this study contributes to our understanding of how circuit activity is controlled by ACh at a cellular level in primate and rodent spinal cord.

Proton pump inhibitors may contribute to progression or development of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease-A sequence symmetry analysis approach.

WHAT IS KNOWN AND OBJECTIVE: Proton pump inhibitors (PPIs), used to treat and prevent gastro-oesophageal conditions, are well-tolerated but have been associated with risk including pneumonia. The extent to which initiation of PPIs can contribute to other respiratory conditions such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is largely unknown. METHODS: A sequence symmetry analysis (SSA) approach was applied to the Australian Department of Human Services, Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme 10% extract. Participants were aged 45 years and older and were dispensed PPIs (ATC Codes A02BC01, A02BC02, A02BC03, A02BC04 and A02BC05) and long-acting bronchodilators (LABDs) for COPD (ATC Codes R03BB04 (PBS Item Code 10509D and 08626B), R03BB05, R03BB06, R03BB07 and R03AC18 (PBS Item Code 05137J and 05134F)) between 2013 and 2019. The analysis included patients initiated on an LABD within 12 months before or after their first prescription of a PPI. The crude sequence ratio (cSR) was calculated as the number of patients prescribed their first LABD after starting a PPI divided by the number of patients prescribed their first LABD before starting a PPI. Calculation of the adjusted sequence ratio (aSR) accounted for prescribing trends over time in initiation of each of the medicines. A signal was identified where the aSR lower 95% confidence interval (CI) was greater than one. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION: Initiation of omeprazole was associated with a 29% increased risk of initiating a LABD (ASR = 1.29 95% CI 1.22-1.36). Initiation of esomeprazole, rabeprazole, pantoprazole or lansoprazole was associated with 25%, 15%, 8% and 8% increased risk, respectively. WHAT IS NEW AND CONCLUSION: There is an established association between gastro-oesophageal reflux disease and COPD which has been confirmed by implementation of a sequence symmetry-based approach which demonstrated that PPI initiation is potentially associated with progression or exacerbation of COPD. The impact PPI use has directly on this association requires further investigation.

Design and structural optimization of novel 2H-benzo[h]chromene derivatives that target AcrB and reverse bacterial multidrug resistance.

Drug efflux pumps have emerged as a new drug targets for the treatment of bacterial infections in view of its critical role in promoting multidrug resistance. Herein, novel chromanone and 2H-benzo[h]chromene derivatives were designed by means of integrated molecular design and structure-based pharmacophore modeling in an attempt to identify improved efflux pump inhibitors that target Escherichia coli AcrB. The compounds were tested for their efflux inhibitory activity, ability to inhibit efflux, and the effect on bacterial outer and inner membranes. Twenty-three novel structures were identified that synergized with antibacterials tested, inhibited Nile Red efflux, and acted specifically on the AcrB. Among them, WK2, WL7 and WL10 exhibiting broad-spectrum and high-efficiency efflux inhibitory activity were identified as potential ideal AcrB inhibitors. Molecular modeling further revealed that the strong π-π stacking interactions and hydrogen bond networks were the major contributors to tight binding of AcrB.

A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis Considering the Risk for Congenital Heart Defects of Antidepressant Classes and Individual Antidepressants.

INTRODUCTION: Antidepressant use during the first trimester is reported in 4-8% of pregnancies. The use of some selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors during the first trimester has been identified as increasing the odds for congenital heart defects; however, little is known about the safety of non-selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor antidepressants. OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to assess the odds of congenital heart defects associated with the use of antidepressants during the first trimester of pregnancy, and to update the literature as newer studies have been published since the latest systematic literature review and meta-analysis. METHODS: PubMed and Embase were searched till 3 June, 2020. Study quality was assessed, and study details were extracted. Meta-analyses were performed using RevMan 5.4, which assessed: (1) any antidepressant usage; (2) classes of antidepressants; and (3) individual antidepressants. RESULTS: Twenty studies were identified, encompassing 5,337,223 pregnancies. The odds ratio for maternal use of any antidepressant during the first trimester of pregnancy and the presence of congenital heart defects from the random effects meta-analysis was 1.28 (95% confidence interval [CI] 1.17-1.41). Significant odds ratios of 1.69 (95% CI 1.37-2.10) and 1.25 (95% CI 1.15-1.37) were reported for serotonin norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors and selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, respectively. A non-statistically significant odds ratio of 1.02 (95% CI 0.82-1.25) was reported for the tricyclic antidepressants. Analyses of individual SSRIs produced significant odds ratios of 1.57 (95% CI 1.25-1.97), 1.36 (95% CI 1.08-1.72), and 1.29 (95% CI 1.14-1.45) for paroxetine, fluoxetine, and sertraline, respectively. The norepinephrine-dopamine-reuptake inhibitor bupropion also produced a significant odds ratio of 1.23 (95% CI 1.01-1.49). CONCLUSIONS: The selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor and serotonin norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor classes of antidepressants pose a greater risk for causing congenital heart defects than the tricyclic antidepressants. However, this risk for individual antidepressants within each class varies, and information regarding some antidepressants is still lacking.

Design and synthesis of novel 4-substituted quinazoline-2-carboxamide derivatives targeting AcrB to reverse the bacterial multidrug resistance.

Novel 4-substituted quinazoline-2-carboxamide derivatives targeting AcrB were designed, synthesized and evaluated for their biological activity as AcrB inhibitors. In particular, the ability of the compounds to potentiate the activity of antibiotics, to inhibit Nile Red efflux and to target AcrB was investigated. In this study, 19 compounds were identified to reduce the MIC values of at least one tested antibacterial by 2- to 16-fold at a lower concentration. Identified modulating compounds also possessed considerable inhibition on Nile red efflux at concentrations as low as 50 µM and did not display off-target effects on the outer membrane. Among the above compounds with characteristics of ideal AcrB inhibitors, the most outstanding ones are A15 and B5-B7. In particular, A15 and B7 exhibited not only the most prominent performance in the synergistic effect, but also completely abolished Nile Red efflux at concentrations of 50 and 100 µM, respectively. In docking simulations, A15 was observed to have the most favorable docking score and was predicted to bind in the hydrophobic trap as has been noted with other inhibitors such as MBX2319. It is worth noting that the 4-morpholinoquinazoline-2-carboxamide core appears to be a promising chemical skeleton to be further optimized for the discovery of more potent AcrB inhibitors.

Discovery of CDK5 Inhibitors through Structure-Guided Approach.

Specific abrogation of cyclin-dependent kinase 5 (CDK5) activity has been validated as a viable approach for the development of anticancer agents. However, no selective CDK5 inhibitor has been reported to date. Herein, a structure-based in silico screening was employed to identify novel scaffolds from a library of compounds to identify potential CDK5 inhibitors that would be relevant for drug discovery. Hits, representatives of three chemical classes, were identified as inhibitors of CDK5. Structural modification of hit-1 resulted in 29 and 30. Compound 29 is a dual inhibitor of CDK5 and CDK2, whereas 30 preferentially inhibits CDK5. Both leads exhibited anticancer activity against acute myeloid leukemia (AML) cells via a mechanism consistent with targeting cellular CDK5. This study provides an effective strategy for discovery of CDK5 inhibitors as potential antileukemic agents.

Tripeptide analogues of MG132 as protease inhibitors.

The 26S proteasome and calpain are linked to a number of important human diseases. Here, we report a series of analogues of the prototypical tripeptide aldehyde inhibitor MG132 that show a unique combination of high activity and selectivity for calpains over proteasome. Tripeptide aldehydes (1-3) with an aromatic P3 substituent show enhanced activity and selectivity against ovine calpain 2 relative to chymotrypsin-like activity of proteasome. Docking studies reveal the key contacts between inhibitors and calpain to confirm the importance of the S3 pocket with respect to selectivity between calpains 1 and 2 and the proteasome.

Molecular Modeling Approaches for the Prediction of Selected Pharmacokinetic Properties.

Poor profiles of potential drug candidates, including pharmacokinetic properties, have been acknowledged as a significant hindrance to the development of modern therapeutics. Contemporary drug discovery and development would be incomplete without the aid of molecular modeling (in-silico) techniques, allowing the prediction of pharmacokinetic properties such as clearance, unbound fraction, volume of distribution and bioavailability. As with all models, in-silico approaches are subject to their interpretability, a trait that must be balanced with accuracy when considering the development of new methods. The best models will always require reliable data to inform them, presenting significant challenges, particularly when appropriate in-vitro or in-vivo data may be difficult or time-consuming to obtain. This article seeks to review some of the key in-silico techniques used to predict key pharmacokinetic properties and give commentary on the current and future directions of the field.

In Search of Novel CDK8 Inhibitors by Virtual Screening.

Aberrant activity of cyclin-dependent kinase (CDK) 8 is implicated in various cancers. While CDK8-targeting anticancer drugs are highly sought-after, no CDK8 inhibitor has yet reached clinical trials. Herein a large library of drug-like molecules was computationally screened using two complementary cascades to identify potential CDK8 inhibitors. Thirty-three hits were identified to inhibit CDK8 and seven of them were active against colorectal cancer cell lines. Finally, the primary target was confirmed using three promising hits.

In vitro metabolism of the anti-inflammatory clerodane diterpenoid polyandric acid A and its hydrolysis product by human liver microsomes and recombinant cytochrome P450 and UDP-glucuronosyltransferase enzymes.

1. The metabolism of the anti-inflammatory diterpenoid polyandric acid A (PAA), a constituent of the Australian Aboriginal medicinal plant Dodonaea polyandra, and its de-esterified alcohol metabolite, hydrolysed polyandric acid A (PAAH) was studied in vitro using human liver microsomes (HLM) and recombinant UDP-glucuronosyltransferase (UGT) and cytochrome P450 (CYP) enzymes. 2. Hydrolysis of PAA to yield PAAH occurred upon incubation with HLM. Further incubations of PAAH with HLM in the presence of UGT and CYP cofactors resulted in significant depletion, with UGT-mediated depletion as the major pathway. 3. Reaction phenotyping utilising selective enzyme inhibitors and recombinant human UGT and CYP enzymes revealed UGT2B7 and UGT1A1, and CYP2C9 and CYP3A4 as the major enzymes involved in the metabolism of PAAH. 4. Analysis of incubations of PAAH with UDP-glucuronic acid-supplemented HLM and recombinant enzymes by UPLC/MS/MS identified three glucuronide metabolites. The metabolites were further characterised by ß-glucuronidase and mild alkaline hydrolysis. The acyl glucuronide of PAAH was shown to be the major metabolite. 5. This study demonstrates the in vitro metabolism of PAA and PAAH and represents the first systematic study of the metabolism of an active constituent of an Australian Aboriginal medicinal plant.

Biological effect of LOXL1 coding variants associated with pseudoexfoliation syndrome.

Pseudoexfoliation (PEX) syndrome is a systemic disease involving the extracellular matrix. It increases the risk of glaucoma, an irreversible cause of blindness, and susceptibility to heart disease, stroke and hearing loss. Single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the LOXL1 (Lysyl oxidase-like 1) gene are the major known genetic risk factor for PEX syndrome. Two coding SNPs, rs1048861 (G > T; Arg141Leu) and rs3825942 (G > A; Gly153Asp), in the LOXL1 gene are strongly associated with the disease risk in multiple populations worldwide. In the present study, we investigated functional effects of these SNPs on the LOXL1 protein. We show through molecular modelling that positions 141 and 153 are likely surface residues and hence possible recognition sites for protein-protein interactions; the Arg141Leu and Gly153Asp substitutions cause charge changes that would lead to local differences in protein electrostatic potential and in turn the potential to modify protein-protein interactions. In RFL-6 rat fetal lung fibroblast cells ectopically expressing the LOXL1 protein variants related to PEX (Arg141_Gly153, Arg141_Asp153 or Leu141_Gly153), immunoprecipitation of the secreted variants showed differences in their processing by endogenous proteins, possibly Bone morphogenetic protein-1 (BMP-1) that cleaves and leads to enzymatic activation of LOXL1. Immunofluorescence labelling of the ectopically expressed protein variants in RFL-6 cells showed no significant difference in their extracellular accumulation tendency. In conclusion, this is the first report of a biological effect of the coding SNPs in the LOXL1 gene associated with PEX syndrome, on the LOXL1 protein. The findings indicate that the disease associated coding variants themselves may be involved in the manifestation of PEX syndrome.

An integrated approach for discovery of highly potent and selective Mnk inhibitors: Screening, synthesis and SAR analysis.

Deregulation of protein synthesis is a common event in cancer. As MAPK-interacting kinases (Mnks) play critical roles in regulation of protein synthesis, they have emerged as novel anti-cancer targets. Mnks phosphorylate eukaryotic initiation factor 4E (eIF4E) and promote eIF4E-mediated oncogenic activity. Given that the kinase activity of Mnks is essential for oncogenesis but is dispensable for normal development, the discovery of potent and selective pharmacological Mnk inhibitors provides pharmacological target validation and offers a new strategy for cancer treatment. Herein, comprehensive in silico screening approaches were deployed, and three thieno[2,3-d]pyrimidine and pyrazolo[3,4-d]pyrimidine derivatives were identified as hit compounds. Further chemical modification of thieno[2,3-d]pyrimidine derivative 3 has given rise to a series of highly potent Mnk2 inhibitors that could be potential leads for the treatment of acute myeloid leukemia.