Monoacylglycerol lipase (MAGL) inhibition provides a potential treatment approach to neuroinflammation through modulation of both the endocannabinoid pathway and arachidonoyl signaling in the central ...nervous system (CNS). Herein we report the discovery of compound 15 (PF-06795071), a potent and selective covalent MAGL inhibitor, featuring a novel trifluoromethyl glycol leaving group that confers significant physicochemical property improvements as compared with earlier inhibitor series with more lipophilic leaving groups. The design strategy focused on identifying an optimized leaving group that delivers MAGL potency, serine hydrolase selectivity, and CNS exposure while simultaneously reducing log D, improving solubility, and minimizing chemical lability. Compound 15 achieves excellent CNS exposure, extended 2-AG elevation effect in vivo, and decreased brain inflammatory markers in response to an inflammatory challenge.
Monoacylglycerol lipase (MAGL) is the main enzyme responsible for degradation of the endocannabinoid 2-arachidonoylglycerol (2-AG) in the CNS. MAGL catalyzes the conversion of 2-AG to arachidonic ...acid (AA), a precursor to the proinflammatory eicosannoids such as prostaglandins. Herein we describe highly efficient MAGL inhibitors, identified through a parallel medicinal chemistry approach that highlighted the improved efficiency of azetidine and piperidine-derived carbamates. The discovery and optimization of 3-substituted azetidine carbamate irreversible inhibitors of MAGL were aided by the generation of inhibitor-bound MAGL crystal structures. Compound 6, a highly efficient and selective MAGL inhibitor against recombinant enzyme and in a cellular context, was tested in vivo and shown to elevate central 2-AG levels at a 10 mg/kg dose.
The role of the hybrid domain in integrin affinity regulation is unknown, as is whether the kinetics of ligand binding is modulated by integrin affinity state. Here, we compare cell surface and ...soluble integrin αVβ₆ truncation mutants for ligand-binding affinity, kinetics, and thermodynamics. Removal of the integrin transmembrane/cytoplasmic domains or lower legs has little effect on αVβ₆ affinity, in contrast to β₁ integrins. In integrin opening, rearrangement at the interface between the βI and hybrid domains is linked to remodeling at the ligand-binding site at the opposite end of the βI domain, which greatly increases in affinity in the open conformation. The larger size of the βI-hybrid interface in the closed state suggests that the hybrid domain stabilizes closing. In agreement, deletion of the hybrid domain raised affinity by 50-fold. Surface plasmon resonance and isothermal titration calorimetry gave similar results and the latter revealed tradeoffs between enthalpy and entropy not apparent from affinity. At extremely high affinity reached in Mn2+ with hybrid domain truncation, αVβ₆ on-rate for both pro-TGF-β1 and fibronectin declined. The results suggest that the open conformation of αVβ₆ has lower on-rate than the closed conformation, correlate with constriction of the ligand-binding pocket in open αVβ₆ structures, and suggest that the extended-closed conformation is kinetically selected for ligand binding. Subsequent transition to the extended-open conformation is stabilized by its much higher affinity for ligand and would also be stabilized by force exerted across ligand-bound integrins by the actin cytoskeleton.
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The α7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptor is a calcium permeable, ligand-gated ion channel that modulates synaptic transmission in the hippocampus, thalamus, and cerebral cortex. Previously disclosed ...work described PNU-120596 that acts as a powerful positive allosteric modulator of the α7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptor. The initial structure-activity relationships around PNU-120596 were gleaned from screening a large thiazole library. Independent systematic examination of the aryl and heteroaryl groups resulted in compounds with enhanced potency and improved physico-chemical properties culminating in the identification of 16 (PHA-758454). In the presence of acetylcholine, 16 enhanced evoked currents in rat hippocampal neurons. In a rat model of impaired sensory gating, treatment with 16 led to a reversal of the gating deficit in a dose-dependent manner. These results demonstrate that aryl heteroaryl ureas, like compound 16, may be useful tools for continued exploration of the unique biology of the α7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptor.
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GEOZS, IJS, IMTLJ, KILJ, KISLJ, NLZOH, NUK, OILJ, PNG, SAZU, SBCE, SBJE, UILJ, UL, UM, UPCLJ, UPUK, ZAGLJ, ZRSKP
In recent years, the first generation of β-secretase (BACE1) inhibitors advanced into clinical development for the treatment of Alzheimer’s disease (AD). However, the alignment of drug-like ...properties and selectivity remains a major challenge. Herein, we describe the discovery of a novel class of potent, low clearance, CNS penetrant BACE1 inhibitors represented by thioamidine 5. Further profiling suggested that a high fraction of the metabolism (>95%) was due to CYP2D6, increasing the potential risk for victim-based drug–drug interactions (DDI) and variable exposure in the clinic due to the polymorphic nature of this enzyme. To guide future design, we solved crystal structures of CYP2D6 complexes with substrate 5 and its corresponding metabolic product pyrazole 6, which provided insight into the binding mode and movements between substrate/inhibitor complexes. Guided by the BACE1 and CYP2D6 crystal structures, we designed and synthesized analogues with reduced risk for DDI, central efficacy, and improved hERG therapeutic margins.
The role of the hybrid domain in integrin affinity regulation is unknown, as is whether the kinetics of ligand binding is modulated by integrin affinity state. Here, we compare cell surface and ...soluble integrin α
β
truncation mutants for ligand-binding affinity, kinetics, and thermodynamics. Removal of the integrin transmembrane/cytoplasmic domains or lower legs has little effect on α
β
affinity, in contrast to β
integrins. In integrin opening, rearrangement at the interface between the βI and hybrid domains is linked to remodeling at the ligand-binding site at the opposite end of the βI domain, which greatly increases in affinity in the open conformation. The larger size of the βI-hybrid interface in the closed state suggests that the hybrid domain stabilizes closing. In agreement, deletion of the hybrid domain raised affinity by 50-fold. Surface plasmon resonance and isothermal titration calorimetry gave similar results and the latter revealed tradeoffs between enthalpy and entropy not apparent from affinity. At extremely high affinity reached in Mn
with hybrid domain truncation, α
β
on-rate for both pro-TGF-β1 and fibronectin declined. The results suggest that the open conformation of α
β
has lower on-rate than the closed conformation, correlate with constriction of the ligand-binding pocket in open α
β
structures, and suggest that the extended-closed conformation is kinetically selected for ligand binding. Subsequent transition to the extended-open conformation is stabilized by its much higher affinity for ligand and would also be stabilized by force exerted across ligand-bound integrins by the actin cytoskeleton.
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BFBNIB, NMLJ, NUK, PNG, SAZU, UL, UM, UPUK
A library of benzamides was tested for α7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (nAChR) agonist activity using a chimeric receptor in a functional, cell-based, high-throughput assay. From this library, ...quinuclidine benzamides were found to have α7 nAChR agonist activity. The SAR diverged from the activity of this compound class verses the 5-HT3 receptor, a structural homologue of the α7 nAChR. PNU-282987, the most potent compound from this series, was also shown to open native α7 nAChRs in cultured rat neurons and to reverse an amphetamine-induced gating deficit in rats.
A major challenge in the development of β-site amyloid precursor protein cleaving enzyme 1 (BACE1) inhibitors for the treatment of Alzheimer’s disease is the alignment of potency, drug-like ...properties, and selectivity over related aspartyl proteases such as Cathepsin D (CatD) and BACE2. The potential liabilities of inhibiting BACE2 chronically have only recently begun to emerge as BACE2 impacts the processing of the premelanosome protein (PMEL17) and disrupts melanosome morphology resulting in a depigmentation phenotype. Herein, we describe the identification of clinical candidate PF-06751979 (64), which displays excellent brain penetration, potent in vivo efficacy, and broad selectivity over related aspartyl proteases including BACE2. Chronic dosing of 64 for up to 9 months in dog did not reveal any observation of hair coat color (pigmentation) changes and suggests a key differentiator over current BACE1 inhibitors that are nonselective against BACE2 in later stage clinical development.
A novel α7 nAChR agonist, 4-(5-methyloxazolo4,5-bpyridin-2-yl)-1,4-diazabicyclo3.2.2nonane (24, CP-810,123), has been identified as a potential treatment for cognitive deficits associated with ...psychiatric or neurological conditions including schizophrenia and Alzheimer’s disease. Compound 24 is a potent and selective compound with excellent pharmaceutical properties. In rodent, the compound displays high oral bioavailability and excellent brain penetration affording high levels of receptor occupancy and in vivo efficacy in auditory sensory gating and novel object recognition. The structural diversity of this compound and its preclinical in vitro and in vivo package support the hypothesis that α7 nAChR agonists may have potential as a pharmacotherapy for the treatment of cognitive deficits in schizophrenia.
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