Structural Basis for Developing Multitarget Compounds Acting on Cysteinyl Leukotriene Receptor 1 and G-Protein-Coupled Bile Acid Receptor 1.

G-protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) are the molecular target of 40% of marketed drugs and the most investigated structures to develop novel therapeutics. Different members of the GPCRs superfamily can modulate the same cellular process acting on diverse pathways, thus representing an attractive opportunity to achieve multitarget drugs with synergic pharmacological effects. Here, we present a series of compounds with dual activity toward cysteinyl leukotriene receptor 1 (CysLT1R) and G-protein-coupled bile acid receptor 1 (GPBAR1). They are derivatives of REV5901─the first reported dual compound─with therapeutic potential in the treatment of colitis and other inflammatory processes. We report the binding mode of the most active compounds in the two GPCRs, revealing unprecedented structural basis for future drug design studies, including the presence of a polar group opportunely spaced from an aromatic ring in the ligand to interact with Arg792.60 of CysLT1R and achieve dual activity.

Novel Isoxazole Derivatives with Potent FXR Agonistic Activity Prevent Acetaminophen-Induced Liver Injury.

Acetaminophen misuse is a leading cause of acute liver failure and liver transplantation for which therapy is poorly effective. FXR ligands have shown effective in reducing liver injury in several experimental and clinical settings. In this Letter, we have elaborated on the structure of GW4064, the first nonsteroidal agonist for FXR, to identify novel isoxazoles endowed with FXR agonistic activity and improved ADME properties. The pharmacological characterization and molecular docking studies for the structure-activity rationalization allowed the identification of several FXR agonists with nanomolar potency in transactivation and SRC-1 recruitment assays. This characterization resulted in the identification of a potent FXR agonist, compound 20 that was orally active, and rescued mice from acute liver failure caused by acetaminophen overdose in a FXR-dependent manner.

Introduction of Nonacidic Side Chains on 6-Ethylcholane Scaffolds in the Identification of Potent Bile Acid Receptor Agonists with Improved Pharmacokinetic Properties.

As a cellular bile acid sensor, farnesoid X receptor (FXR) and the membrane G-coupled receptor (GPBAR1) participate in maintaining bile acid, lipid, and glucose homeostasis. To date, several selective and dual agonists have been developed as promising pharmacological approach to metabolic disorders, with most of them possessing an acidic conjugable function that might compromise their pharmacokinetic distribution. Here, guided by docking calculations, nonacidic 6-ethyl cholane derivatives have been prepared. In vitro pharmacological characterization resulted in the identification of bile acid receptor modulators with improved pharmacokinetic properties.