2-Substituted quinazolines: Partial agonistic and antagonistic ligands of the constitutive androstane receptor (CAR).

Following the discovery of 2-(3-methoxyphenyl)-3,4-dihydroquinazoline-4-one and 2-(3-methoxyphenyl)quinazoline-4-thione as potent, but non-specific activators of the human Constitutive Androstane Receptor (CAR, NR1I3), a series of quinazolinones substituted at the C2 phenyl ring was prepared to examine their ability to selectively modulate human CAR activity. Employing cellular and in vitro TR-FRET assays with wild-type CAR or its variant 3 (CAR3) ligand binding domains (LBD), several novel partial human CAR agonists and antagonists were identified. 2-(3-Methylphenyl) quinazolinone derivatives 7d and 8d acted as partial agonists with the recombinant CAR LBD, the former in nanomolar units (EC50 = 0.055 µM and 10.6 µM, respectively). Moreover, 7d did not activate PXR, and did not show any signs of cytotoxicity. On the other hand, 2-(4-bromophenyl)quinazoline-4-thione 7l possessed significant CAR antagonistic activity, although the compound displayed no agonistic or inverse agonistic activities. A compound possessing purely antagonistic effect was thus identified for the first time. These and related compounds may serve as a remedy in xenobiotic intoxication or, conversely, in suppression of undesirable hepatic CAR activation.

Validation of Freshly Isolated Rat Renal Cells as a Tool for Preclinical Assessment of Radiolabeled Receptor-Specific Peptide Uptake in the Kidney.

The synthetic analogs of regulatory peptides radiolabeled with adequate radionuclides are perspective tools in nuclear medicine. However, undesirable uptake and retention in the kidney limit their application. Specific in vitro methods are used to evaluate undesirable renal accumulation. Therefore, we investigated the usefulness of freshly isolated rat renal cells for evaluating renal cellular uptake of receptor-specific peptide analogs. Special attention was given to megalin as this transport system is an important contributor to the active renal uptake of the peptides. Freshly isolated renal cells were obtained from native rat kidneys by the collagenase method. Compounds with known accumulation in renal cells were used to verify the viability of cellular transport systems. Megalin expressions in isolated rat renal cells were compared to two other potential renal cell models by Western blotting. Specific tubular cell markers were used to confirm the presence of proximal tubular cells expressing megalin in isolated rat renal cell preparations by immunohistochemistry. Colocalization experiments on isolated rat kidney cells confirmed the presence of proximal tubular cells bearing megalin in preparations. The applicability of the method was tested by an accumulation study with several analogs of somatostatin and gastrin labeled with indium-111 or lutetium-177. Therefore, isolated rat renal cells may be an effective screening tool for in vitro analyses of renal uptake and comparative renal accumulation studies of radiolabeled peptides or other radiolabeled compounds with potential nephrotoxicity.

Improving the antimicrobial activity of old antibacterial drug mafenide: Schiff bases and their bioactivity targeting resistant pathogens.

Background: Increasing rates of acquired resistance have justified the critical need for novel antimicrobial drugs. One viable concept is the modification of known drugs. Methods & results: 21 mafenide-based compounds were prepared via condensation reactions and screened for antimicrobial efficacy, which demonstrated promising activity against both Gram-positive and Gram-negative pathogens, pathogenic fungi and mycobacterial strains (minimum inhibitory concentrations from 3.91 µM). Importantly, they retained activity against a panel of superbugs (methicillin- and vancomycin-resistant staphylococci, enterococci, multidrug-resistant Mycobacterium tuberculosis) without any cross-resistance. Unlike mafenide, most of its imines were bactericidal. Toxicity to HepG2 cells was also investigated. Conclusion: Schiff bases were significantly more active than the parent drug, with iodinated salicylidene and 5-nitrofuran/thiophene-methylidene scaffolds being preferred in identifying the most promising drug candidates.

Allosteric Antagonism of the Pregnane X Receptor (PXR): Current-State-of-the-Art and Prediction of Novel Allosteric Sites.

The pregnane X receptor (PXR, NR1I2) is a xenobiotic-activated transcription factor with high levels of expression in the liver. It not only plays a key role in drug metabolism and elimination, but also promotes tumor growth, drug resistance, and metabolic diseases. It has been proposed as a therapeutic target for type II diabetes, metabolic syndrome, and inflammatory bowel disease, and PXR antagonists have recently been considered as a therapy for colon cancer. There are currently no PXR antagonists that can be used in a clinical setting. Nevertheless, due to the large and complex ligand-binding pocket (LBP) of the PXR, it is challenging to discover PXR antagonists at the orthosteric site. Alternative ligand binding sites of the PXR have also been proposed and are currently being studied. Recently, the AF-2 allosteric binding site of the PXR has been identified, with several compounds modulating the site discovered. Herein, we aimed to summarize our current knowledge of allosteric modulation of the PXR as well as our attempt to unlock novel allosteric sites. We describe the novel binding function 3 (BF-3) site of PXR, which is also common for other nuclear receptors. In addition, we also mention a novel allosteric site III based on in silico prediction. The identified allosteric sites of the PXR provide new insights into the development of safe and efficient allosteric modulators of the PXR receptor. We therefore propose that novel PXR allosteric sites might be promising targets for treating chronic metabolic diseases and some cancers.

Comprehensive insight into anti-staphylococcal and anti-enterococcal action of brominated and chlorinated pyrazine-based chalcones.

The greatest threat and medicinal impact within gram-positive pathogens are posed by two bacterial genera, Staphylococcus and Enterococcus. Chalcones have a wide range of biological activities and are recognized as effective templates in medicinal chemistry. This study provides comprehensive insight into the anti-staphylococcal and anti-enterococcal activities of two recently published brominated and chlorinated pyrazine-based chalcones, CH-0y and CH-0w. Their effects against 4 reference and 12 staphylococcal and enterococcal clinical isolates were evaluated. Bactericidal action, the activity in combination with selected conventional antibiotics, the study of post-antimicrobial effect (PAE, PAE/SME), and in vitro and in vivo toxicity, were included. In CH-0y, anti-staphylococcal activity ranging from MIC = 15.625 to 62.5 µM, and activity against E. faecium from 31.25 to 62.5 µM was determined. In CH-0w, anti-staphylococcal activity ranging from 31.25 to 125 µM, and activity against E. faecium and E. faecalis (62.5 µM) was revealed. Both CH-0y and CH-0w showed bactericidal action, beneficial impact on bacterial growth delay within PAE and PAE/SME studies, and non/low toxicity in vivo. Compared to CH-0w, CH-0y seems to have higher anti-staphylococcal and less toxic potential. In conclusion, chalcones CH-0y and CH-0w could be considered as structural pattern for future adjuvants to selected antibiotic drugs.

Off-target lipid metabolism disruption by the mouse constitutive androstane receptor ligand TCPOBOP in humanized mice.

The constitutive androstane receptor (CAR) controls xenobiotic clearance, regulates liver glucose, lipid metabolism, and energy homeostasis. These functions have been mainly discovered using the prototypical mouse-specific CAR ligand TCPOBOP in wild-type or CAR null mice. However, TCPOBOP is reported to result in some off-target metabolic effects in CAR null mice. In this study, we compared the metabolic effects of TCPOBOP using lipidomic, transcriptomic, and proteomic analyses in wild-type and humanized CAR-PXR-CYP3A4/3A7 mice. In the model, human CAR retains its constitutive activity in metabolism regulation; however, it is not activated by TCPOBOB. Notably, we observed that TCPOBOP affected lipid homeostasis by elevating serum and liver triglyceride levels and promoted hepatocyte hypertrophy in humanized CAR mice. Hepatic lipidomic analysis revealed a significant accumulation of triglycerides and decrease of its metabolites in humanized CAR mice. RNA-seq analysis has shown divergent gene expression levels in wild-type and humanized CAR mice. Gene expression regulation in humanized mice is mainly involved in lipid metabolic processes and in the PPAR, leptin, thyroid, and circadian clock pathways. In contrast, CAR activation by TCPOBOP in wild-type mice reduced liver and plasma triglyceride levels and induced a typical transcriptomic proliferative response in the liver. In summary, we identified TCPOBOP as a disruptor of lipid metabolism in humanized CAR mice. The divergent effects of TCPOBOP in humanized mice in comparison with the prototypical CAR-mediated response in WT mice warrant the use of appropriate model ligands and humanized animal models during the testing of endocrine disruption and the characterization of adverse outcome pathways.

Novel Aminoguanidine Hydrazone Analogues: From Potential Antimicrobial Agents to Potent Cholinesterase Inhibitors.

A series of thirty-one hydrazones of aminoguanidine, nitroaminoguanidine, 1,3-diaminoguanidine, and (thio)semicarbazide were prepared from various aldehydes, mainly chlorobenzaldehydes, halogenated salicylaldehydes, 5-nitrofurfural, and isatin (yields of 50-99%). They were characterized by spectral methods. Primarily, they were designed and evaluated as potential broad-spectrum antimicrobial agents. The compounds were effective against Gram-positive bacteria including methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus with minimum inhibitory concentrations (MIC) from 7.8 µM, as well as Gram-negative strains with higher MIC. Antifungal evaluation against yeasts and Trichophyton mentagrophytes found MIC from 62.5 µM. We also evaluated inhibition of acetylcholinesterase (AChE) and butyrylcholinesterase (BuChE). The compounds inhibited both enzymes with IC50 values of 17.95-54.93 µM for AChE and ≥1.69 µM for BuChE. Based on the substitution, it is possible to modify selectivity for a particular cholinesterase as we obtained selective inhibitors of either AChE or BuChE, as well as balanced inhibitors. The compounds act via mixed-type inhibition. Their interactions with enzymes were studied by molecular docking. Cytotoxicity was assessed in HepG2 cells. The hydrazones differ in their toxicity (IC50 from 5.27 to >500 µM). Some of the derivatives represent promising hits for further development. Based on the substitution pattern, it is possible to modulate bioactivity to the desired one.

Design and Synthesis of Highly Active Antimycobacterial Mutual Esters of 2-(2-Isonicotinoylhydrazineylidene)propanoic Acid.

The combination of two active scaffolds into one molecule represents a proven approach in drug design to overcome microbial drug resistance. We designed and synthesized more lipophilic esters of 2-(2-isonicotinoylhydrazineylidene)propanoic acid, obtained from antitubercular drug isoniazid, with various alcohols, phenols and thiols, including several drugs, using carbodiimide-mediated coupling. Nineteen new esters were evaluated as potential antimycobacterial agents against drug-sensitive Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb.) H37Rv, Mycobacterium avium and Mycobacterium kansasii. Selected derivatives were also tested for inhibition of multidrug-resistant (MDR) Mtb., and their mechanism of action was investigated. The esters exhibited high activity against Mtb. (minimum inhibitory concentrations, MIC, from ≤0.125 µM), M. kansasii, M. avium as well as MDR strains (MIC from 0.25, 32 and 8 µM, respectively). The most active mutual derivatives were derived from 4-chloro/phenoxy-phenols, triclosan, quinolin-8-ol, naphthols and terpene alcohols. The experiments identified enoyl-acyl carrier protein reductase (InhA), and thus mycobacterial cell wall biosynthesis, as the main target of the molecules that are activated by KatG, but for some compounds can also be expected adjunctive mechanism(s). Generally, the mutual esters have also avoided cytotoxicity and are promising hits for the discovery of antimycobacterial drugs with improved properties compared to parent isoniazid.

Sulfonamide-salicylaldehyde imines active against methicillin- and trimethoprim/sulfonamide-resistant Staphylococci.

Background: Increasing resistance has resulted in an urgent need for new antimicrobial drugs. A systematic me-too approach was chosen to modify clinically used sulfonamides to obtain their imines. Methods & results: Twenty-five compounds were synthesized and evaluated for their antibacterial activity. The most active compounds were also investigated against methicillin- and trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole (SMX)-resistant Gram-positive species. Staphylococci shared the highest susceptibility including resistant strains with minimum inhibitory concentrations from 3.91 µM (≥2.39 µg ml-1). Crucially, the compounds inhibit MRSA and trimethoprim/SMX-resistant Staphylococci without any cross-resistance. Modification of parent sulfonamides turned a bacteriostatic effect into a bactericidal effect. Toxicity for HepG2 and hemolytic properties were also determined. Conclusions: The presence of a dihalogenated salicylidene moiety is required for optimal activity. Based on toxicity, promising derivatives for further investigation were identified.

Iodinated 1,2-diacylhydrazines, benzohydrazide-hydrazones and their analogues as dual antimicrobial and cytotoxic agents.

Hydrazide-hydrazones have been described as a scaffold with antimicrobial and cytotoxic activities as well as iodinated compounds. A resistance rate of bacterial and fungal pathogens has increased considerably. That is why we synthesized and screened twenty-two iodinated hydrazide-hydrazones 1 and 2, ten 1,2-diacylhydrazines 3 and their three reduced analogues 4 for their antibacterial, antifungal, and cytotoxic properties. Hydrazide-hydrazones were prepared by condensation of 4-substituted benzohydrazides with 2-/4-hydroxy-3,5-diiodobenzaldehydes, diacylhydrazines from identical benzohydrazides and 3,5-diiodosalicylic acid via its chloride. These compounds were investigated in vitro against eight bacterial and eight fungal strains. The derivatives were found potent antibacterial agents against Gram-positive cocci including methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus with the lowest values of minimum inhibitory concentrations (MIC) of 7.81 µM. Four compounds inhibited also human pathogenic fungi (MIC of ≥1.95 µM). The derivatives had different degrees of cytotoxicity for HepG2 and HK-2 cell lines (IC50 values from 11.72 and 26.80 µM, respectively). Importantly, normal human cells exhibited lower sensitivity. The apoptotic effect was also investigated. In general, the presence of 3,5-diiodosalicylidene scaffold (compounds 1) is translated into enhanced both antimicrobial and cytotoxic properties whereas its 4-hydroxy isomers 2 share a low biological activity. N'-Benzoyl-2-hydroxy-3,5-diiodobenzohydrazides 3 have a non-homogeneous activity profile. Focusing on 4-substituted benzohydrazide part, the presence of an electron-withdrawing group (F, Cl, CF3, NO2) was found to be beneficial.

Optimizing the structure of (salicylideneamino)benzoic acids: Towards selective antifungal and anti-staphylococcal agents.

An increasing resistance of human pathogenic bacteria and fungi has become a global health problem. Based on previous reports of 4-(salicylideneamino)benzoic acids, we designed, synthesised and evaluated their me-too analogues as potential antimicrobial agents. Forty imines derived from substituted salicylaldehydes and aminobenzoic acids, 4-aminobenzoic acid esters and 4-amino-N-phenylbenzamide were designed using molecular hybridization and prodrug strategies. The target compounds were synthesized with high yields and characterized by spectral methods. They were investigated against a panel of Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria, mycobacteria, yeasts and moulds. The most active imines were tested to determine their cytotoxicity and selectivity in HepG2 cells. Dihalogenosalicylaldehydes-based derivatives showed potent broad-spectrum antimicrobial properties, particularly against Gram-positive bacteria including methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (minimum inhibitory concentrations, MIC, from 7.81 µM) and Enterococcus faecalis (MIC of ≥15.62 µM), yeasts (MIC from 7.81 µM) and Trichophyton interdigitale mould (MIC of ≥3.90 µM). Methyl 4-[(2-hydroxy-3,5-diiodobenzylidene)amino]benzoate 4h exhibited excellent in vitro activity along with low toxicity to mammalian cells. This compound is selective for staphylococci, Candida spp. and Trichophyton interdigitale. In addition, this imine was evaluated as a potential inhibitor of Gram-positive biofilms. The successful approach used provided some promising derivatives with more advantageous properties than the parent 4-(salicylideneamino)benzoic acids.

Biological properties of prolactin-releasing peptide analogs with a modified aromatic ring of a C-terminal phenylalanine amide.

Prolactin-releasing peptide (PrRP)-induced secretion of prolactin is not currently considered a primary function of PrRP, but the development of late-onset obesity in both PrRP and PrRP receptor knock-out mice indicates the unique anorexigenic properties of PrRP. In our recent study, we showed comparable potencies of peptides PrRP31 and PrRP20 in binding, intracellular signaling and prolactin release in pituitary RC-4B/C cells, and anorexigenic effect after central administration in fasted mice. In the present study, eight analogs of PrRP20 with C-terminal Phe amide modified with a bulky side chain or a halogenated aromatic ring revealed high binding potency, activation of mitogen-activated protein kinase/extracellular-regulated kinase (MAPK/ERK1/2) and cAMP response element-binding protein (CREB) and prolactin release in RC-4B/C cells. In particular, [PheNO(2)(31)]PrRP20, [1-Nal(31)]PrRP20, [2-Nal(31)]PrRP20 and [Tyr(31)]PrRP20 showed not only in vitro effects comparable or higher than those of PrRP20, but also a very significant and long-lasting anorexigenic effect after central administration in fasted mice. The design of potent and long-lasting PrRP analogs with selective anorexigenic properties promises to contribute to the study of food intake disorders.

Characterization of prolactin-releasing peptide: binding, signaling and hormone secretion in rodent pituitary cell lines endogenously expressing its receptor.

The recently discovered prolactin-releasing peptide (PrRP) binds to the PrRP receptor and is involved in endocrine regulation and energy metabolism. However, its main physiological role is currently unknown. Two biologically active isoforms of PrRP exist: the 31 (PrRP31) and the 20 (PrRP20) amino acid forms, which both contain a C-terminal Phe amide sequence. In the present study, the PrRP receptor was immunodetected in three rodent tumor pituitary cell lines: GH3, AtT20 and RC-4B/C cells. The saturation binding of radioiodinated PrRP31 to intact cells demonstrated a K(d) in the 10(-9)M range and a B(max) in the range of tens of thousands binding sites per cell. For binding to RC-4B/C cells, both PrRP31 and PrRP20 competed with (125)I-PrRP31 with a similar K(i). The C-terminal analog PrRP13 showed lower binding potency compared to PrRP31 and PrRP20. All PrRP analogs increased the phosphorylation of MAPK/ERK1/2 (mitogen-activated phosphorylase/extracellular-regulated kinase) and CREB (cAMP response element-binding protein) in RC-4B/C cells. Additionally, prolactin release was induced by the PrRP analogs in a dose-dependent manner in RC-4B/C cells. Finally, food intake after intracerebroventricular administration of PrRP analogs in fasted mice was followed. Both PrRP31 and PrRP20 decreased food intake, but PrRP13 did not show significant effect. Studies on pituitary cell lines expressing the PrRP receptor are more physiologically relevant than those on cells transfected with the receptor. This cell type can be used as a model system for pharmacological studies searching for PrRP antagonists and stable effective PrRP agonists, as these drugs may have potential as anti-obesity agents.

Effect of anorexinergic peptides, cholecystokinin (CCK) and cocaine and amphetamine regulated transcript (CART) peptide, on the activity of neurons in hypothalamic structures of C57Bl/6 mice involved in the food intake regulation.

The hypothalamus plays an important role in food consumption, receiving information about energy balance via hormonal, metabolic, and neural inputs. Its neurons produce neuropeptides influencing energy balance. Especially important to regulation of food consumption are certain hypothalamic structures, including the arcuate (ARC) and ventromedial (VMN) nuclei and the lateral hypothalamic area (LHA). We determined the impact of cholecystokinin (CCK) and cocaine and amphetamine regulated transcript (CART) peptide, on activity of ARC and VMN neurons and hypocretin (Hcrt) synthesizing neurons in LHA. ARC is an integrative nucleus regulating food consumption, VMN is considered to be a satiety centre, and LHA a hunger sensing centre. After overnight fasting, male C57Bl/6 mice received intraperitoneal injection of (i.p.) saline (SAL) or CCK (4microg/kg) or intracerebroventricular injection of (i.c.v.) CART peptide (0.1microg/mice) or CCK (i.p.) followed by CART peptide (i.c.v.) 5min later. Sixty minutes later, the presence of Fos or Fos/Hcrt immunostaining indicated activity of ARC and VMN neurons, as well as of Hcrt cells in LHA. CCK alone did not influence neuronal activity in any of the nuclei studied. CART peptide stimulated neurons in ARC and VMN (p<0.01) but decreased Hcrt neuronal activity in LHA (p<0.05). Co-administration of both peptides synergistically stimulated ARC neurons (p<0.01) and asynergistically inhibited LHA Hcrt neurons (p<0.01). Results indicate that CCK may modify the effect of CART peptide and thus substantially influence activity of neurons in hypothalamic structures involved in regulation of food intake.

Synergistic effect of CART (cocaine- and amphetamine-regulated transcript) peptide and cholecystokinin on food intake regulation in lean mice.

BACKGROUND: CART (cocaine- and amphetamine-regulated transcript) peptide and cholecystokinin (CCK) are neuromodulators involved in feeding behavior. This study is based on previously found synergistic effect of leptin and CCK on food intake and our hypothesis on a co-operation of the CART peptide and CCK in food intake regulation and Fos activation in their common targets, the nucleus tractus solitarii of the brainstem (NTS), the paraventricular nucleus (PVN), and the dorsomedial nucleus (DMH) of the hypothalamus. RESULTS: In fasted C57BL/6 mice, the anorexigenic effect of CART(61-102) in the doses of 0.1 or 0.5 microg/mouse was significantly enhanced by low doses of CCK-8 of 0.4 or 4 microg/kg, while 1 mg/kg dose of CCK-A receptor antagonist devazepide blocked the effect of CART(61-102) on food intake. After simultaneous administration of 0.1 microg/mouse CART(61-102) and of 4 microg/kg of CCK-8, the number of Fos-positive neurons in NTS, PVN, and DMH was significantly higher than after administration of each particular peptide. Besides, CART(61-102) and CCK-8 showed an additive effect on inhibition of the locomotor activity of mice in an open field test. CONCLUSION: The synergistic and long-lasting effect of the CART peptide and CCK on food intake and their additive effect on Fos immunoreactivity in their common targets suggest a co-operative action of CART peptide and CCK which could be related to synergistic effect of leptin on CCK satiety.

Structure-activity relationship of CART (cocaine- and amphetamine-regulated transcript) peptide fragments.

CART (cocaine- and amphetamine-regulated transcript) peptides are neuropeptides abundant in the central nervous system and periphery found to be involved in the regulation of food intake behavior and other physiological processes. Recently, we reported specific binding of (125)I-CART(61-102) to the rat adrenal pheochromocytoma cell line PC12, both intact cells and cell membranes. In this study, several fragments of CART(61-102) corresponding to its structural loops were synthesized and tested for their potency in binding experiments using PC12 intact cells and cell membranes and in feeding test with fasted mice. From all shorter peptides tested, only CART(74-86) and CART(62-86) containing disulfide bridges kept partial binding potency of the original molecule with K(i) in 10(-5) and 10(-4)M range. However, these fragments were not able to inhibit food intake after their central administration up to a dose of 4 nmol/mouse. The results showed that a compact structure containing three disulfide bridges is necessary for preservation of full biological activity of CART peptides.

Cocaine- and amphetamine-regulated transcript (CART) peptide specific binding in pheochromocytoma cells PC12.

CART (cocaine- and amphetamine-regulated transcript) peptides have been studied for ten years. We report specific binding of 125I-CART(61-102) to the rat adrenal pheochromocytoma PC12 cell line, both intact cells and cell membranes. Saturation binding to intact plated cells resulted in Kd of 0.48+/-0.16 nM and Bmax of 2228+/-529 binding sites/cell. 125I-CART(61-102) was also bound to PC12 cells differentiated using nerve growth factor to the neuronal phenotype with non-specific binding below 20%, and Kd of 1.90+/-0.27 nM and Bmax of 11,194+/-261 binding sites/cell. In competitive binding experiments, CART(61-102), CART(55-102) and di-iodinated CART(61-102) were bound to PC12 cell membranes with Ki in low nM range; their affinity to intact non-differentiated and differentiated cells was in low 10(-8) M range. In order to prove that iodination did not eliminate the pharmacological properties of CART, we tested the biological activity of di-iodinated CART(61-102). It decreased food intake in in vivo feeding experiment on fasted mice in a dose of 1 microg/mouse to the same extent as CART(61-102) in a dose of 0.5 microg/mouse.