CYP2C8-Mediated Formation of a Human Disproportionate Metabolite of the Selective NaV1.7 Inhibitor DS-1971a, a Mixed Cytochrome P450 and Aldehyde Oxidase Substrate.

Predicting human disproportionate metabolites is difficult, especially when drugs undergo species-specific metabolism mediated by cytochrome P450s (P450s) and/or non-P450 enzymes. This study assessed human metabolites of DS-1971a, a potent Nav1.7-selective blocker, by performing human mass balance studies and characterizing DS-1971a metabolites, in accordance with the Metabolites in Safety Testing guidance. In addition, we investigated the mechanism by which the major human disproportionate metabolite (M1) was formed. After oral administration of radiolabeled DS-1971a, the major metabolites in human plasma were P450-mediated monoxidized metabolites M1 and M2 with area under the curve ratios of 27% and 10% of total drug-related exposure, respectively; the minor metabolites were dioxidized metabolites produced by aldehyde oxidase and P450s. By comparing exposure levels of M1 and M2 between humans and safety assessment animals, M1 but not M2 was found to be a human disproportionate metabolite, requiring further characterization under the Metabolites in Safety Testing guidance. Incubation studies with human liver microsomes indicated that CYP2C8 was responsible for the formation of M1. Docking simulation indicated that, in the formation of M1 and M2, there would be hydrogen bonding and/or electrostatic interactions between the pyrimidine and sulfonamide moieties of DS-1971a and amino acid residues Ser100, Ile102, Ile106, Thr107, and Asn217 in CYP2C8, and that the cyclohexane ring of DS-1971a would be located near the heme iron of CYP2C8. These results clearly indicate that M1 is the predominant metabolite in humans and a human disproportionate metabolite due to species-specific differences in metabolism. SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT: This report is the first to show a human disproportionate metabolite generated by CYP2C8-mediated primary metabolism. We clearly demonstrate that DS-1971a, a mixed aldehyde oxidase and cytochrome P450 substrate, was predominantly metabolized by CYP2C8 to form M1, a human disproportionate metabolite. Species differences in the formation of M1 highlight the regio- and stereoselective metabolism by CYP2C8, and the proposed interaction between DS-1971a and CYP2C8 provides new knowledge of CYP2C8-mediated metabolism of cyclohexane-containing substrates.

Discovery of a Novel Class of ERRα Agonists.

A novel class of estrogen-related receptor α (ERRα) agonists has been discovered. A structure-activity relationship study of high-throughput screening hits 1 and 2 led to the discovery of benzimidazole 3d (DS20362725) and acetophenone analogue 5c (DS45500853). The X-ray crystal structure of the ERRα ligand-binding domain in complex with 5c and PGC-1α coactivator peptide revealed conformational changes in the ligand-binding pocket to accommodate 5c and the key interaction between the protein and ligand. Since both analogues avoided PPARγ transcriptional activity, they can be useful tool compounds for investigating biological ERRα functions.

Anti-ORAI1 antibody DS-2741a, a specific CRAC channel blocker, shows ideal therapeutic profiles for allergic disease via suppression of aberrant T-cell and mast cell activation.

ORAI1 constitutes the pore-forming subunit of the calcium release-activated calcium (CRAC) channel, which is responsible for store-operated calcium entry into lymphocytes. It is known that ORAI1 is essential for the activation of T cells and mast cells and is considered to be a potent therapeutic target for autoimmune and allergic diseases. Here, we obtained a new humanized antibody, DS-2741a, that inhibits ORAI1 function. DS-2741a bound to human-ORAI1 with high affinity and without cross-reactivity to rodent Orai1. DS-2741a demonstrated suppression of CRAC-mediated human and mouse T-cell activation and mast cell degranulation in human ORAI1 knock-in mice. Furthermore, DS-2741a ameliorated house dust mite antigen-induced dermatitis in the human ORAI1 knock-in mouse. Taken together, DS-2741a inhibited T-cell and mast cell functions, thus improving skin inflammation in animal models of atopic dermatitis and reinforcing the need for investigation of DS-2741a for the treatment of allergic diseases in a clinical setting.

Design, synthesis, and pharmacological evaluation of a novel series of hormone sensitive lipase inhibitor.

HSL inhibition is a promising approach to the treatment of dyslipidemia. As a result of re-optimization of lead compound 2, we identified novel compound 25a exhibiting potent inhibitory activity against HSL enzyme and cell with high selectivity for cholinesterases (AChE and BuChE). Reflecting its potent in vitro activity, compound 25a exhibited antilipolytic effect in rats at 1mg/kg p.o., which indicated that this novel compound is the most potent orally active HSL inhibitor. Moreover, compound 25a did not show bioactivation liability.

Difference in Mechanism-Based Inhibition of Cytochrome P450 3A4 and 3A5 by a Series of Fluoroquinolone Antibacterial Agents.

A series of fluoroquinolone antibacterial compounds were found to be irreversible (compounds 1-5) and quasi-irreversible (compounds 6-9) inhibitors of CYP3A4. The purpose of this study was to evaluate their mechanism-based inhibition (MBI) potency against CYP3A5. Compounds 1-5 were also irreversible inhibitors of CYP3A5, whereas compounds 6-9 showed neither irreversible nor quasi-irreversible inhibition of CYP3A5. Compounds 6 and 8 did not form a metabolite-intermediate complex with the heme of CYP3A5 during incubation. The structural analysis of the metabolites after incubation of compounds 1 and 6 with CYP3A5 revealed that their metabolites were identical to those produced by CYP3A4, including the precursors of which are speculated to account for the MBI of CYP3A4. The homology modeling of CYP3A5 suggests that four residues around the nitroso intermediate of compound 6 in the substrate-binding pocket of CYP3A4 correspond with the bulkier residues in CYP3A5-especially Phe210 in CYP3A5-which might contribute to the steric hindrance with the nitroso intermediate of compound 6. The substrate-binding pocket structure of CYP3A5 might prevent the nitroso intermediate from coordinate binding with the heme, thereby preventing quasi-irreversible inhibition. Our study may provide new insights into the observable differences between the inhibition of CYP3A4 and CYP3A5.

Analysis of Mechanism-Based Inhibition of CYP 3A4 by a Series of Fluoroquinolone Antibacterial Agents.

A series of fluoroquinolone compounds (compounds 1-9), which contain a common quinolone scaffold, inactivated the metabolic activity of CYP3A. The purpose of this study was to identify mechanism-based inhibition (MBI) among these fluoroquinolone compounds by metabolite profiling to elucidate the association of the substructure and MBI potential. Reversibility of MBI after incubation with potassium ferricyanide differed among the test compounds. Representative quasi-irreversible inhibitors form a metabolite-intermediate (MI) complex with the heme of CYP3A4 according to absorption analysis. Metabolite profiling identified the cyclopropane ring-opened metabolites from representative irreversible inhibitors, suggesting irreversible binding of the carbon-centered radical species with CYP3A4. On the other hand, the oxime form of representative quasi-irreversible inhibitors was identified, suggesting generation of a nitroso intermediate that could form the MI complex. Metabolites of compound 10 with a methyl group at the carbon atom at the root of the amine moiety of compound 8 include the oxime form, but compound 10 did not show quasi-irreversible inhibition. The docking study with CYP3A4 suggested that a methyl moiety introduced at the carbon atom at the root of the primary amine disrupts formation of the MI complex between the heme and the nitroso intermediate because of steric hindrance. This study identified substructures of fluoroquinolone compounds associated with the MBI mechanism; introduction of substituted groups inducing steric hindrance with the heme of P450 can prevent formation of an MI complex. Our series of experiments may be broadly applicable to prevention of MBI at the drug discovery stage.

Optimization of 3-aryl-3-ethoxypropanoic acids and discovery of the potent GPR40 agonist DS-1558.

GPR40 agonists stimulate insulin secretion only under the presence of high glucose concentration. Based on this mechanism, GPR40 agonists are believed to be promising novel insulin secretagogues with low risk of hypoglycemia. The optimizations of 3-aryl-3-ethoxypropanoic acids were performed to improve in vitro activity. We discovered compound 29r (DS-1558), (3S)-3-ethoxy-3-(4-{[(1R)-4-(trifluoromethyl)-2,3-dihydro-1H-inden-1-yl]oxy}phenyl)propanoic acid, which was confirmed to have an enhancing effect on glucose-dependent insulin secretion after intravenous glucose injection in SD rats.

Morphologic characteristics of the placental basal plate in in vitro fertilization pregnancies: a possible association with the amount of bleeding in delivery.

The aim of the present study was to investigate the relationship between assisted reproductive technology procedures, the morphology of the basal plate of placentas, and amount of bleeding in deliveries. Fifty-five whole placentas (fresh-embryo transfer in the in vitro fertilization cycle [n = 6], frozen-thawed embryo transfer in the natural cycle [n = 13] or in the hormonal cycle [n = 10], and age-matched spontaneously conceived pregnancies [n = 26]) were retrospectively enrolled and histologically analyzed. The whole placentas were stored in our pathological division among 512 singleton pregnancies with vaginal deliveries (34-41 weeks of gestation) at Hamamatsu University Hospital. The morphology of the placental basal plate was examined using Azan staining. A total of 20 digital images (each 0.53 mm(2)) of microscopic fields were analyzed per placenta to measure the mean values of the vertical maximum thickness of Rohr and Nitabuch fibrinoid layers and % loss of decidua. The thickness of Rohr fibrinoid layer and % loss of decidua were significantly higher in the frozen-thawed embryo transfer in the hormonal cycle group than in the frozen-thawed embryo transfer in the natural cycle and spontaneously conceived pregnancy groups (each P < .01). The z scores for both the thickness of Rohr fibrinoid layer and % loss of decidua positively correlated with those for the amount of bleeding in deliveries (P < .05 each). Assisted reproductive technology procedures changed the morphology of the placental basal plate, suggesting a possible association with an increase in the amount of bleeding in deliveries.

Synthesis and biological evaluation of novel chiral diazepine derivatives as bombesin receptor subtype-3 (BRS-3) agonists incorporating an antedrug approach.

Novel compounds based on the lead BRS-3 agonists from our HTS compounds 2a and 2b have been synthesized with the focus on obtaining peripheral BRS-3 agonists. To identify potent anti-obesity compounds without adverse effects on the central nerve system, a labile carboxylic ester with an antedrug functionality was introduced onto the terminal position. Through the extensive synthetic exploration and the pharmacokinetic studies of oral administration in mice, the phenol ester 17c was selected due to the most suitable pharmacological profile. In the evaluation of food intake suppression in B6 mice, 17c showed significant in vivo efficacy and no clear adverse effect on heart rate and blood pressure change in dog iv infusion. Our study paved the way for development of anti-diabetes and obesity drugs with a safer profile.

Synthesis and SAR studies of benzyl ether derivatives as potent orally active S1P1 agonists.

We report herein the synthesis and structure-activity relationships (SAR) of a series of benzyl ether compounds as an S1P1 receptor modulator. From our SAR studies, the installation of substituents onto the central benzene ring of 2a was revealed to potently influence the S1P1 and S1P3 agonistic activities, in particular, an ethyl group on the 2-position afforded satisfactory S1P1/S1P3 selectivity. These changes of the S1P1 and S1P3 agonistic activities caused by the alteration of substituents on the 2-position were reasonably explained by a docking study using an S1P1 X-ray crystal structure and S1P3 homology modeling. We found that compounds 2b and 2e had a potent in vivo immunosuppressive efficacy along with acceptable S1P1/S1P3 selectivity, and confirmed that these compounds had less in vivo bradycardia risk through the evaluation of heart rate change after oral administration of the compounds (30 mg/kg, p.o.) in rats.

Alpha-amylase inhibitor, CS-1036 binds to serum amylase in a concentration-dependent and saturable manner.

(2R,3R,4R)-4-hydroxy-2-(hydroxymethyl)pyrrolidin-3-yl 4-O-(6-deoxy-ß-D-glucopyranosyl)-α-D-glucopyranoside (CS-1036), which is an α-amylase inhibitor, exhibited biphasic and sustained elimination with a long t1/2 (18.4-30.0 hours) in rats and monkeys, but exhibited a short t1/2 (3.7-7.9 hours) in humans. To clarify the species differences in the t1/2, the plasma protein binding of CS-1036 was evaluated by ultrafiltration. A concentration-dependent and saturable plasma protein binding of CS-1036 was observed in rats and monkeys with the dissociation rate constant (KD) of 8.95 and 27.2 nM, and maximal binding capacity (Bmax) of 52.8 and 22.1 nM, respectively. By the assessments of the recombinant amylase and immunoprecipitation, the major binding protein of CS-1036 in rats was identified as salivary amylase (KD 5.64 nM). CS-1036 also showed concentration-dependent and saturable binding to human salivary and pancreatic amylase, with similar binding affinity in rats. However, the protein binding of CS-1036 was constant in human plasma (≤10.2%) due to the lower serum amylase level compared with rats and monkeys. From the calculation of the unbound fraction (fu) in plasma based on in vitro KD and Bmax, the dose-dependent increase in fu after oral administration is speculated to lead to a dose-dependent increase in total body clearance and a high area under the curve/dose at lower doses, such as 0.3 mg/kg in rats.

Attenuation of fibroblast growth factor signaling by poly-N-acetyllactosamine type glycans.

Fibroblast growth factors (FGFs) and their receptors are expressed in a variety of mammalian tissues, playing a role in development and cell proliferation. While analyzing human sperm motility, we found that sperm treated with endo-ß-galactosidase (EBG), which specifically hydrolyzes poly-N-acetyllactosamine type glycans (polyLacs), enhanced motility. Mass spectrometry analysis revealed that sperm-associated polyLacs are heavily fucosylated, consistent with Lewis Y antigen. Immunohistochemistry of epididymis using an anti-Lewis Y antibody before and after EBG treatment suggested that polyLacs carrying the Lewis Y epitope are synthesized in epididymal epithelia and secreted to seminal fluid. EBG-treated sperm elevated cAMP levels and calcium influx, indicating activation of fibroblast growth factor signaling. Seminal fluid polyLacs bound to FGFs in vitro, and impaired FGF-mediated signaling in HEK293T cells.

Discovery of CS-2100, a potent, orally active and S1P3-sparing S1P1 agonist.

S1P(3)-sparing S1P(1) agonists have attracted attention as a suppressant of autoimmunity with reduced side effects. Our synthetic efforts and extensive SAR studies led to the discovery of 10b named CS-2100 with the EC(50) value of 4.0 nM for human S1P(1) and over 5000-fold selectivity against S1P(3). The in vivo immunosuppressive efficacy was evaluated in rats on host versus graft reaction and the ID(50) value was determined at 0.407mg/kg. The docking studies of CS-2100 with the homology model of S1P(1) and S1P(3) showed that the ethyl group on the thiophene ring of CS-2100 was sterically hindered by Phe263 in S1P(3), not in the case of Leu276 in S1P(1). This observation gives an explanation for the excellent S1P(3)-sparing characteristic of CS-2100.