Design and synthesis of novel protein kinase R (PKR) inhibitors.

Protein kinase RNA-activated (PKR) plays an important role in a broad range of intracellular regulatory mechanisms and in the pathophysiology of many human diseases, including microbial and viral infections, cancer, diabetes and neurodegenerative disorders. Recently, several potent PKR inhibitors have been synthesized. However, the enzyme's multifunctional character and a multitude of PKR downstream targets have prevented the successful transformation of such inhibitors into effective drugs. Thus, the need for additional PKR inhibitors remains. With the help of computer-aided drug-discovery tools, we designed and synthesized potential PKR inhibitors. Indeed, two compounds were found to inhibit recombinant PKR in pharmacologically relevant concentrations. One compound, 6-amino-3-methyl-2-oxo-N-phenyl-2,3-dihydro-1H-benzo[d]imidazole-1-carboxamide, also showed anti-apoptotic properties. The novel molecules diversify the existing pool of PKR inhibitors and provide a basis for the future development of compounds based on PKR signal transduction mechanism.

Antihyperglycaemic activity of 2,4:3,5-dibenzylidene-D-xylose-diethyl dithioacetal in diabetic mice.

We have recently generated lipophilic D-xylose derivatives that increase the rate of glucose uptake in cultured skeletal muscle cells in an AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK)-dependent manner. The derivative 2,4:3,5-dibenzylidene-D-xylose-diethyl dithioacetal (EH-36) stimulated the rate of glucose transport by increasing the abundance of glucose transporter-4 in the plasma membrane of cultured myotubes. The present study aimed at investigating potential antihyperglycaemic effects of EH-36 in animal models of diabetes. Two animal models were treated subcutaneously with EH-36: streptozotocin-induced diabetes in C57BL/6 mice (a model of insulin-deficient type 1 diabetes), and spontaneously diabetic KKAy mice (Kuo Kondo rats carrying the A(y) yellow obese gene; insulin-resistant type 2 diabetes). The in vivo biodistribution of glucose in control and treated mice was followed with the glucose analogue 2-deoxy-2-[(18) F]-D-glucose; the rate of glucose uptake in excised soleus muscles was measured with [(3) H]-2-deoxy-D-glucose. Pharmacokinetic parameters were determined by non-compartmental analysis of the in vivo data. The effective blood EH-36 concentration in treated animals was 2 µM. It reduced significantly the blood glucose levels in both types of diabetic mice and also corrected the typical compensatory hyperinsulinaemia of KKAy mice. EH-36 markedly increased glucose transport in vivo into skeletal muscle and heart, but not to adipose tissue. This stimulatory effect was mediated by Thr(172) -phosphorylation in AMPK. Biochemical tests in treated animals and acute toxicological examinations showed that EH-36 was well tolerated and not toxic to the mice. These findings indicate that EH-36 is a promising prototype molecule for the development of novel antidiabetic drugs.

Inhibiting the copper efflux system in microbes as a novel approach for developing antibiotics.

Five out of six people receive at least one antibiotic prescription per year. However, the ever-expanding use of antibiotics in medicine, agriculture, and food production has accelerated the evolution of antibiotic-resistant bacteria, which, in turn, made the development of novel antibiotics based on new molecular targets a priority in medicinal chemistry. One way of possibly combatting resistant bacterial infections is by inhibiting the copper transporters in prokaryotic cells. Copper is a key element within all living cells, but it can be toxic in excess. Both eukaryotic and prokaryotic cells have developed distinct copper regulation systems to prevent its toxicity. Therefore, selectively targeting the prokaryotic copper regulation system might be an initial step in developing next-generation antibiotics. One such system is the Gram-negative bacterial CusCFBA efflux system. CusB is a key protein in this system and was previously reported to play an important role in opening the channel for efflux via significant structural changes upon copper binding while also controlling the assembly and disassembly process of the entire channel. In this study, we aimed to develop novel peptide copper channel blockers, designed by in silico calculations based on the structure of CusB. Using a combination of magnetic resonance spectroscopy and various biochemical methods, we found a lead peptide that promotes copper-induced cell toxicity. Targeting copper transport in bacteria has not yet been pursued as an antibiotic mechanism of action. Thus, our study lays the foundation for discovering novel antibiotics.

Neuroligin-2-derived peptide-covered polyamidoamine-based (PAMAM) dendrimers enhance pancreatic ß-cells' proliferation and functions.

Pancreatic ß-cell membranes and presynaptic areas of neurons contain analogous protein complexes that control the secretion of bioactive molecules. These complexes include the neuroligins (NLs) and their binding partners, the neurexins (NXs). It has been recently reported that both insulin secretion and the proliferation rates of ß-cells increase when cells are co-cultured with full-length NL-2 clusters. The pharmacological use of full-length protein is always problematic due to its unfavorable pharmacokinetic properties. Thus, NL-2-derived short peptide was conjugated to the surface of polyamidoamine-based (PAMAM) dendrimers. This nanoscale composite improved ß-cell functions in terms of the rate of proliferation, glucose-stimulated insulin secretion (GSIS), and functional maturation. This functionalized dendrimer also protected ß-cells under cellular stress conditions. In addition, various novel peptidomimetic scaffolds of NL-2-derived peptide were designed, synthesized, and conjugated to the surface of PAMAM in order to increase the biostability of the conjugates. However, after being covered by peptidomimetics, PAMAM dendrimers were inactive. Thus, the original peptide-based PAMAM dendrimer is a leading compound for continued research that might provide a unique starting point for designing an innovative class of antidiabetic therapeutics that possess a unique mode of action.

Mimicking Neuroligin-2 Functions in ß-Cells by Functionalized Nanoparticles as a Novel Approach for Antidiabetic Therapy.

Both pancreatic ß-cell membranes and presynaptic active zones of neurons include in their structures similar protein complexes, which are responsible for mediating the secretion of bioactive molecules. In addition, these membrane-anchored proteins regulate interactions between neurons and guide the formation and maturation of synapses. These proteins include the neuroligins (e.g., NL-2) and their binding partners, the neurexins. The insulin secretion and maturation of ß-cells is known to depend on their 3-dimensional (3D) arrangement. It was also reported that both insulin secretion and the proliferation rates of ß-cells increase when cells are cocultured with clusters of NL-2. Use of full-length NL-2 or even its exocellular domain as potential ß-cell functional enhancers is limited by the biostability and bioavailability issues common to all protein-based therapeutics. Thus, based on molecular modeling approaches, a short peptide with the potential ability to bind neurexins was derived from the NL-2 sequence. Here, we show that the NL-2-derived peptide conjugates onto innovative functional maghemite (γ-Fe2O3)-based nanoscale composite particles enhance ß-cell functions in terms of glucose-stimulated insulin secretion and protect them under stress conditions. Recruiting the ß-cells' "neuron-like" secretory machinery as a target for diabetes treatment use has never been reported before. Such nanoscale composites might therefore provide a unique starting point for designing a novel class of antidiabetic therapeutic agents that possess a unique mechanism of action.

A chemical chaperone-based drug candidate is effective in a mouse model of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS).

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a fatal neurodegenerative disease characterized by the selective death of motor neurons and skeletal muscle atrophy. The majority of ALS cases are acquired spontaneously, with inherited disease accounting for only 10 % of all cases. Recent studies provide compelling evidence that aggregates of misfolded proteins underlie both types of ALS. Small molecules such as artificial chaperones can prevent or even reverse the aggregation of proteins associated with various human diseases. However, their very high active concentration (micromolar range) severely limits their utility as drugs. We synthesized several ester and amide derivatives of chemical chaperones. The lead compound 14, 3-((5-((4,6-dimethylpyridin-2-yl)methoxy)-5-oxopentanoyl)oxy)-N,N-dimethylpropan-1-amine oxide shows, in the micromolar concentration range, both neuronal and astrocyte protective effects in vitro; at daily doses of 10 mg kg(-1) 14 improved the neurological functions and delayed body weight loss in ALS mice. Members of this new chemical chaperone derivative class are strong candidates for the development of new drugs for ALS patients.

Riluzole increases the rate of glucose transport in L6 myotubes and NSC-34 motor neuron-like cells via AMPK pathway activation.

Riluzole is the only approved ALS drug. Riluzole influences several cellular pathways, but its exact mechanism of action remains unclear. Our goal was to study the drug's influence on the glucose transport rate in two ALS relevant cell types, neurons and myotubes. Stably transfected wild-type or mutant G93A human SOD1 NSC-34 motor neuron-like cells and rat L6 myotubes were exposed to riluzole. The rate of glucose uptake, translocation of glucose transporters to the cell's plasma membrane and the main glucose transport regulatory proteins' phosphorylation levels were measured. We found that riluzole increases the glucose transport rate and up-regulates the translocation of glucose transporters to plasma membrane in both types of cells. Riluzole leads to AMPK phosphorylation and to the phosphorylation of its downstream target, AS-160. In conclusion, increasing the glucose transport rate in ALS affected cells might be one of the mechanisms of riluzole's therapeutic effect. These findings can be used to rationally design and synthesize novel anti-ALS drugs that modulate glucose transport in neurons and skeletal muscles.

Multifunctional cyclic D,L-α-peptide architectures stimulate non-insulin dependent glucose uptake in skeletal muscle cells and protect them against oxidative stress.

Oxidative stress directly correlates with the early onset of vascular complications and the progression of peripheral insulin resistance in diabetes. Accordingly, exogenous antioxidants augment insulin sensitivity in type 2 diabetic patients and ameliorate its clinical signs. Herein, we explored the unique structural and functional properties of the abiotic cyclic D,L-α-peptide architecture as a new scaffold for developing multifunctional agents to catalytically decompose ROS and stimulate glucose uptake. We showed that His-rich cyclic D,L-α-peptide 1 is very stable under high H2O2 concentrations, effectively self-assembles to peptide nanotubes, and increases the uptake of glucose by increasing the translocation of GLUT1 and GLUT4. It also penetrates cells and protects them against oxidative stress induced under hyperglycemic conditions at a much lower concentration than α-lipoic acid (ALA). In vivo studies are now required to probe the mode of action and efficacy of these abiotic cyclic D,L-α-peptides as a novel class of antihyperglycemic compounds.

Synthesis and mechanism of hypoglycemic activity of benzothiazole derivatives.

Adenosine 5'-monophosphate activated protein kinase (AMPK) has emerged as a major potential target for novel antidiabetic drugs. We studied the structure of 2-chloro-5-((Z)-((E)-5-((5-(4,5-dimethyl-2-nitrophenyl)furan-2-yl)methylene)-4-oxothiazolidin-2-ylidene)amino)benzoic acid (PT-1), which attenuates the autoinhibition of the enzyme AMPK, for the design and synthesis of different benzothiazoles with potential antidiabetic activity. We synthesized several structurally related benzothiazole derivatives that increased the rate of glucose uptake in L6 myotubes in an AMPK-dependent manner. One compound, 2-(benzo[d]thiazol-2-ylmethylthio)-6-ethoxybenzo[d]thiazole (34), augmented the rate of glucose uptake up to 2.5-fold compared with vehicle-treated cells and up to 1.1-fold compared to PT-1. Concomitantly, it elevated the abundance of GLUT4 in the plasma membrane of the myotubes and activated AMPK. Subcutaneous administration of 34 to hyperglycemic Kuo Kondo rats carrying the Ay-yellow obese gene (KKAy) mice lowered blood glucose levels toward the normoglycemic range. In accord with its activity, compound 34 showed a high fit value to a pharmacophore model derived from the PT-1.