Synthesis and Evaluation of Arylamides with Hydrophobic Side Chains for Insulin Aggregation Inhibition.

Insulin, a peptide hormone, forms fibrils under aberrant physiological conditions leading to a reduction in its biological activity. To ameliorate insulin aggregation, we have synthesized a small library of oligopyridylamide foldamers decorated with different combination of hydrophobic side chains. Screening of these compounds for insulin aggregation inhibition using a Thioflavin-T assay resulted in the identification of a few hit molecules. The best hit molecule, BPAD2 inhibited insulin aggregation with an IC50 value of 0.9 µM. Mechanistic analyses suggested that BPAD2 inhibited secondary nucleation and elongation processes during aggregation. The hit molecules worked in a mechanistically distinct manner, thereby underlining the importance of structure-activity relationship studies in obtaining a molecular understanding of protein aggregation.

High-Throughput Screening for Insulin Secretion Modulators.

The application of forward chemical genetics to insulin secretion in high-throughput has been uncommon because of high costs and technical challenges. However, with the advancement of secreted luciferase tools, it has become feasible for small laboratories to screen large numbers of compounds for effects on insulin secretion. The purpose of this chapter is to outline the methods involved in high-throughput screening for small molecules that chronically impact pancreatic beta cell function. Attention is given to specific points in the protocol that help to improve the dynamic range and reduce variability in the assay. Using this approach in 384-well format, at least 48 and as many as 144 plates can theoretically be processed per week. This protocol serves as a guideline and can be modified as required for alternate stimulation paradigms and improved upon as new technologies become available.

Timbe (Acaciella angustissima) Pods Extracts Reduce the Levels of Glucose, Insulin and Improved Physiological Parameters, Hypolipidemic Effect, Oxidative Stress and Renal Damage in Streptozotocin-Induced Diabetic Rats.

In Mexico one in 14 deaths are caused by diabetes mellitus (DM) or by the macro and microvascular disorders derived from it. A continuous hyperglycemic state is characteristic of DM, resulting from a sustained state of insulin resistance and/or a dysfunction of ß-pancreatic cells. Acaciella angustissima is a little studied species showing a significant antioxidant activity that can be used as treatment of this disease or preventive against the complications. The objective of this study was to explore the effect of oral administration of A. angustissima methanol extract on physiological parameters of streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats. The results indicated a significant reduction in blood glucose levels, an increase in serum insulin concentration, a decrease in lipid levels and an improvement in the parameters of kidney damage by applying a concentration of 100 mg/Kg B.W. However, glucose uptake activity was not observed in the adipocyte assay. Moreover, the extract of A. angustissima displayed potential for the complementary treatment of diabetes and its complications likely due to the presence of bioactive compounds such as protocatechuic acid. This study demonstrated that methanol extract of Acacciella angustissima has an antidiabetic effect by reducing the levels of glucose, insulin and improved physiological parameters, hypolipidemic effect, oxidative stress and renal damage in diabetic rats.

Controlled intramolecular antagonism as a regulator of insulin receptor maximal activity.

In the treatment of insulin-dependent diabetes the risk of a fatal insulin overdose is a persistent fear to most patients. In order to potentially reduce the risk of overdose, we report the design, synthesis, and biochemical characterization of a set of insulin analogs designed to be fractionally reduced in maximal agonism at the insulin receptor isoforms. These analogs consist of native insulin that is site-specifically conjugated to a peptide-based insulin receptor antagonist. The structural refinement of the antagonist once conjugated to insulin provided a set of partial agonists exhibiting between 25 and 70% of the maximal agonism of native insulin at the two insulin receptor isoforms, with only slight differences in inherent potency. These rationally-designed partial agonists provide an approach to interrogate whether control of maximal activity can provide glycemic control with reduced hypoglycemic risk.

Tyrosine- and tryptophan-coated gold nanoparticles inhibit amyloid aggregation of insulin.

Here, we have strategically synthesized stable gold (AuNPs(Tyr), AuNPs(Trp)) and silver (AgNPs(Tyr)) nanoparticles which are surface functionalized with either tyrosine or tryptophan residues and have examined their potential to inhibit amyloid aggregation of insulin. Inhibition of both spontaneous and seed-induced aggregation of insulin was observed in the presence of AuNPs(Tyr), AgNPs(Tyr), and AuNPs(Trp) nanoparticles. These nanoparticles also triggered the disassembly of insulin amyloid fibrils. Surface functionalization of amino acids appears to be important for the inhibition effect since isolated tryptophan and tyrosine molecules did not prevent insulin aggregation. Bioinformatics analysis predicts involvement of tyrosine in H-bonding interactions mediated by its C=O, -NH2, and aromatic moiety. These results offer significant opportunities for developing nanoparticle-based therapeutics against diseases related to protein aggregation.

Screening and biological evaluation of myricetin as a multiple target inhibitor insulin, epidermal growth factor, and androgen receptor; in silico and in vitro.

Myricetin is a naturally omnipresent benzo-α-pyrone flavonoids derivative; has potent anticancer activity. Receptor tyrosine kinases family provides the decisive role in cancer initiation and progression. These receptors have recently caught the attention of the researchers as an attractive target to combat cancer, owing to the evidences endorsed their over-expression on cancer cells. This study is a concerted effort to explore the potent and specific multi-targeted inhibitor against RTKs and AR\ER employing molecular docking approach. IR, IGF1R, EGFR, VEGFR1, VEGFR2, and AR\ER were chosen as a protein and natural compounds as a ligand. Molecular docking procedure followed by using Maestro 9.6 (Schrödinger Inc). All natural compounds were docked with the X-ray crystal structures of selected proteins by employing grid-based ligand docking with energetics Maestro 9.6. IBS natural compounds docked with each selected protein molecules by using GLIDE high throughput virtual screening. On the basis of Gscore, we selected 20 compounds from IBS (50,000 compounds) along with 68 anticancer compounds from published literature for GLIDE extra precision molecular docking. Calculated docking free energy yielded the excellent dock score for the myricetin when docked with proteins EGFR, IR, and AR\ER. Protein-ligand interactions profile highlighted that the lipophilic, hydrogen bonding and π-π stacking interactions play a central role in protein-ligand interactions at the active site. The results of MTT assay reveal that the myricetin inhibit the viability and proliferation of cancer cells in a dose-dependent manner. Treatment with the myricetin led to down-regulation of mRNA expression of EGFR, IR, mTOR, and Bcl-2. Although, further in vitro and in vivo experimental studies are required for the experimental validation of our findings.

Design and synthesis of new potassium channel activators derived from the ring opening of diazoxide: study of their vasodilatory effect, stimulation of elastin synthesis and inhibitory effect on insulin release.

Benzenesulfonylureas and benzenesulfonylthioureas, as well as benzenecarbonylureas and benzenecarbonylthioureas, were prepared and evaluated as myorelaxants on 30mMKCl-precontracted rat aortic rings. The most active compounds were further examined as stimulators of elastin synthesis by vascular smooth muscle cells and as inhibitors of insulin release from pancreaticß-cells. The drugs were also characterized for their effects on glycaemia in rats. Benzenesulfonylureas and benzenesulfonylthioureas did not display any myorelaxant activity on precontracted rat aortic rings. Such an effect could be attributed to their ionization at physiological pH. By contrast, almost all benzenecarbonylureas and benzenecarbonylthioureas displayed a myorelaxant activity, in particular the benzenecarbonylureas with an oxybenzyl group linked to the ortho position of the phenyl ring. The vasodilatory activity of the most active compounds was reduced when measured in the presence of 80mMKCl or in the presence of 30mM KCl and 10µM glibenclamide. Such results suggested the involvement, at least in part, of KATP channels. Preservation of a vasodilatory activity in rat aortic rings without endothelium indicated that the site of action of such molecules was located on the vascular smooth muscle cells and not on the endothelial cells. Some of the most active compounds also stimulated elastin synthesis by vascular smooth muscle cells. Lastly, most of the active vasorelaxant drugs, except 15k and 15t at high concentrations, did not exhibit marked inhibitory effects on the insulin releasing process and on glycaemia, suggesting a relative tissue selectivity of some of these compounds for the vascular smooth muscle.

Negative regulation of glucose metabolism in human myotubes by supraphysiological doses of 17ß-estradiol or testosterone.

OBJECTIVE: Exposure of skeletal muscle to high levels of testosterone or estrogen induces insulin resistance, but evidence regarding the direct role of either sex hormone on metabolism is limited. Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate the direct effect of acute sex hormone exposure on glucose metabolism in skeletal muscle. MATERIALS/METHODS: Differentiated human skeletal myotubes were exposed to either 17ß-estradiol or testosterone and metabolic characteristics were assessed. Glucose incorporation into glycogen, glucose oxidation, palmitate oxidation, and phosphorylation of key signaling proteins were determined. RESULTS: Treatment of myotubes with either 17ß-estradiol or testosterone decreased glucose incorporation into glycogen. Exposure of myotubes to 17ß-estradiol reduced glucose oxidation under basal and insulin-stimulated conditions. However, testosterone treatment enhanced basal palmitate oxidation and prevented insulin action on glucose and palmitate oxidation. Acute stimulation of myotubes with testosterone reduced phosphorylation of S6K1 and p38 MAPK. Exposure of myotubes to either 17ß-estradiol or testosterone augmented phosphorylation GSK3ß(Ser9) and PKCδ(Thr505), two negative regulators of glycogen synthesis. Treatment of myotubes with a PKC specific inhibitor (GFX) restored the effect of either sex hormone on glycogen synthesis. PKCδ silencing restored glucose incorporation into glycogen to baseline in response to 17ß-estradiol, but not testosterone treatment. CONCLUSION: An acute exposure to supraphysiological doses of either 17ß-estradiol or testosterone regulates glucose metabolism, possibly via PKC signaling pathways. Furthermore, testosterone treatment elicits additional alterations in serine/threonine kinase signaling, including the ribosomal protein S6K1 and p38 MAPK.

An efficient combinatorial synthesis of allocolchicine analogues via a triple cascade reaction and their evaluation as inhibitors of insulin aggregation.

A controlled cascade: A divergent, diastereoselective and efficient one-pot synthesis of allocolchicinoids via a cascade Suzuki-Michael addition-Carbocyclization sequence is described. The utility of the compounds as possible inhibitors of insulin aggregation is also presented.

[Comparative structural and functional characteristics of different forms of Saccharomyces cerevisiae red pigment and its synthetic analogue].

Structural and functional characteristics of the yeast red pigment (product of polymerization of N1-(beta-D-ribofuranosyl)-5-aminoimadazole), isolated from adel 1 mutant cells of Saccharomyces cerevisiae, its deribosylated derivatives (obtained by acid hydrolysis) and its synthetic pigment analogue (product of polymerization of N1-methyl-5-aminoimadazole in vitro) has been obtained. Products of in vitro polymerization were identified using mass spectrometry. The ability of these pigments to inhibit amyloid formation using insulin fibrils was compared. The entire compounds studied were able to interact with amyloids and inhibit their growth. Electron and atomic force microscopy revealed a common feature inherent in the insulin fibrils formed in presence of these compounds--they were merged into conglomerates that were more stable and resistant to the effects of ultrasound in comparison with insulin aggregates grown without pigments. We speculate that all these compounds can cause coalescence of fibrils, partially block their loose ends and, thereby, inhibit the attachment of new monomers to growing fibrils.

Molecular determinants of Grb14-mediated inhibition of insulin signaling.

Grb14 belongs to the Grb7 family of molecular adapters and was identified as an inhibitor of insulin signaling. Grb14 binds to activated insulin receptors (IR) and inhibits their catalytic activity. To gain more insight into the Grb14 molecular mechanism of action, we generated various mutants and studied the Grb14-IR interaction using coimmunoprecipitation and bioluminescence resonance energy transfer (BRET) experiments. Biological activity was further analyzed using the Xenopus oocyte model and a functional complementation assay measuring cellular proliferation rate in Grb14 knockout mouse embryonic fibroblasts. These studies identified two important interaction sites, Grb14 L404-IR L1038 and Grb14 R385-IR K1168, involving the IR alphaC-helix and activation loop, respectively. Interestingly, the former involves residues that are likely to be crucial for the specificity of IR binding with regard to other members of the Grb7 family. In addition, mutation of the Grb14-S370 residue suggested that its phosphorylation status controlled the biological activity of the protein. We further demonstrated that insulin-induced Grb14-PDK1 interaction is required in addition to Grb14-IR binding to mediate maximal inhibition of insulin signaling. This study provides important insights into the molecular determinants of Grb14 action by demonstrating that Grb14 regulates insulin action at two levels, through IR binding and by interfering with downstream pathways. Indeed, a precise knowledge of the molecular mechanism of insulin signaling inhibition by Grb14 is a prerequisite for the development of insulin-sensitizing molecules to treat pathophysiological states such as obesity or type 2 diabetes.

A novel high-affinity peptide antagonist to the insulin receptor.

In this publication we describe a peptide insulin receptor antagonist, S661, which is a single chain peptide of 43 amino acids. The affinity of S661 for the insulin receptor is comparable to that of insulin and the selectivity for the insulin receptor versus the IGF-1 receptor is higher than that of insulin itself. S661 is also an antagonist of the insulin receptor of other species such as pig and rat, and it also has considerable affinity for hybrid insulin/IGF-1 receptors. S661 completely inhibits insulin action, both in cellular assays and in vivo in rats. A biosynthetic version called S961 which is identical to S661 except for being a C-terminal acid seems to have properties indistinguishable from those of S661. These antagonists provide a useful research tool for unraveling biochemical mechanisms involving the insulin receptor and could form the basis for treatment of hypoglycemic conditions.

In vitro phosphorylation of insulin receptor substrate 1 by protein kinase C-zeta: functional analysis and identification of novel phosphorylation sites.

Protein kinase C-zeta (PKC-zeta) participates both in downstream insulin signaling and in the negative feedback control of insulin action. Here we used an in vitro approach to identify PKC-zeta phosphorylation sites within insulin receptor substrate 1 (IRS-1) and to characterize the functional implications. A recombinant IRS-1 fragment (rIRS-1(449)(-)(664)) containing major tyrosine motifs for interaction with phosphatidylinositol (PI) 3-kinase strongly associated to the p85alpha subunit of PI 3-kinase after Tyr phosphorylation by the insulin receptor. Phosphorylation of rIRS-1(449)(-)(664) by PKC-zeta induced a prominent inhibition of this process with a mixture of classical PKC isoforms being less effective. Both PKC-zeta and the classical isoforms phosphorylated rIRS-1(449)(-)(664) on Ser(612). However, modification of this residue did not reduce the affinity of p85alpha binding to pTyr-containing peptides (amino acids 605-615 of rat IRS-1), as determined by surface plasmon resonance. rIRS-1(449)(-)(664) was then phosphorylated by PKC-zeta using [(32)P]ATP and subjected to tryptic phosphopeptide mapping based on two-dimensional HPLC coupled to mass spectrometry. Ser(498) and Ser(570) were identified as novel phosphoserine sites targeted by PKC-zeta. Both sites were additionally confirmed by phosphopeptide mapping of the corresponding Ser --> Ala mutants of rIRS-1(449)(-)(664). Ser(570) was specifically targeted by PKC-zeta, as shown by immunoblotting with a phosphospecific antiserum against Ser(570) of IRS-1. Binding of p85alpha to the S570A mutant was less susceptible to inhibition by PKC-zeta, when compared to the S612A mutant. In conclusion, our in vitro data demonstrate a strong inhibitory action of PKC-zeta at the level of IRS-1/PI 3-kinase interaction involving multiple serine phosphorylation sites. Whereas Ser(612) appears not to participate in the negative control of insulin signaling, Ser(570) may at least partly contribute to this process.

Arylcyanoguanidines as activators of Kir6.2/SUR1K ATP channels and inhibitors of insulin release.

Phenylcyanoguanidines substituted with lipophilic electron-withdrawing functional groups, e.g. N-cyano-N'-[3,5-bis-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl]-N' '-(cyclopentyl)guanidine (10) and N-cyano-N'-(3,5-dichlorophenyl)-N' '-(3-methylbutyl)guanidine (12) were synthesized and investigated for their ability to inhibit insulin release from beta cells, to repolarize beta cell membrane potential, and to relax precontracted rat aorta rings. Structural modifications gave compounds, which selectively inhibit insulin release from betaTC6 cells (e.g. compound 10: IC(50) = 5.45 +/- 1.9 microM) and which repolarize betaTC3 beta cells (10: IC(50) = 4.7 +/- 0.5 microM) without relaxation of precontracted aorta rings (10: IC(50) > 300 microM). Inhibition of insulin release from rat islets was observed in the same concentration level as for betaTC6 cells (10: IC(50) = 1.24 +/- 0.1 microM, 12: IC(50) = 3.8 +/- 0.4 microM). Compound 10 (10 microM) inhibits calcium outflow and insulin release from perifused rat pancreatic islets. The mechanisms of action of 10 and 12 were further investigated. The compounds depolarize mitochondrial membrane from smooth muscle cells and beta cell and stimulate glucose utilization and mitochondrial respiration in isolated liver cells. Furthermore, 10 was studied in a patch clamp experiment and was found to activate Kir6.2/SUR1 and inhibit Kir6.2/SUR2B type of K(ATP) channels. These studies indicate that the observed effects of the compounds on beta cells result from activation of K(ATP) channels of the cell membrane in combination with a depolarization of mitochondrial membranes. It also highlights that small structural changes can dramatically shift the efficacy of the cyanoguanidine type of selective activators of Kir6.2/SUR2 potassium channels.

Neurotensin negatively modulates Akt activity in neurotensin receptor-1-transfected AV12 cells.

Neurotensin (NT) regulates a variety of biological processes primarily through interaction with neurotensin receptor-1 (NTR1), a heterotrimeric G-protein-coupled receptor (GPCR). Stimulation of NTR1 has been linked to activation of multiple signaling transduction pathways via specific coupling to G(q), G(i/o), or G(s), in various cell systems. However, the function of NT/NTR1 in the regulation of the Akt pathway remains unknown. Here, we report that activation of NTR1 by NT inhibits Akt activity as determined by the dephosphorylation of Akt at both Ser473 and Thr308 in AV12 cells constitutively expressing human NTR1 (NTR1/AV12). The inactivation of Akt by NT was rapid and dose-dependent. This effect of NT was completely blocked by the specific NTR1 antagonist, (S)-(+)-[1-(7-chloro-4-quinolinyl)-5-(2,6-dimethoxyphenyl)pyrazol-3-yl)-carbonylamino] cyclohexylacetic acid (SR 48527), but unaffected by the less active enantiomer ((R)-(-)-[1-(7-chloro-4-quinolinyl)-5-(2,6-dimethoxyphenyl)pyrazol-3-yl)-carbonylamino] cyclohexylacetic acid (SR 49711)), indicating the stereospecificity of NTR1 in the negative regulation of Akt. In addition, NT prevented insulin- and epidermal growth factor (EGF)-mediated Akt activation. Our results provide insight into the role of NT in the modulation of Akt signaling and the potential physiological significance of Akt regulation by NT.

Effect on insulin release of compounds structurally related to the potassium-channel opener 7-chloro-3-isopropylamino-4H-1,2,4-benzothiadiazine 1,1-dioxide (BPDZ 73): introduction of heteroatoms on the 3-alkylamino side chain of the benzothiadiazine 1,1-dioxide ring.

7-Chloro-3-pyridyl(alkyl)amino-4H-1,2,4-benzothiadiazine 1,1-dioxides and 3-alkylamino-7-chloro-4H-1,2,4-benzothiadiazine 1,1-dioxides containing one or more heteroatoms on the side chain in the 3 position have been synthesized in an attempt to discover new potent KATP-channel openers. The compounds were tested as putative pancreatic B-cells KATP channel openers by measuring their inhibitory activity on the insulin releasing process. The influence on the biological activity of the nature of the side chain in the 3 position is discussed.

4H-1,2,4-Pyridothiadiazine 1,1-dioxides and 2,3-dihydro-4H-1,2, 4-pyridothiadiazine 1,1-dioxides chemically related to diazoxide and cyclothiazide as powerful positive allosteric modulators of (R/S)-2-amino-3-(3-hydroxy-5-methylisoxazol-4-yl)propionic acid receptors: design, synthesis, pharmacology, and structure-activity relationships.

A series of 4H-1,2,4-pyridothiadiazine 1,1-dioxides and 2, 3-dihydro-4H-1,2,4-pyridothiadiazine 1,1-dioxides bearing various alkyl and aryl substituents on the 2-, 3-, and 4-positions was synthesized and tested as possible positive allosteric modulators of the (R/S)-2-amino-3-(3-hydroxy-5-methylisoxazol-4-yl)propionic acid (AMPA) receptors. Many compounds were found to be more potent than the reference compounds diazoxide and aniracetam as potentiators of the AMPA current in rat cortex mRNA-injected Xenopus oocytes. The most active compound, 4-ethyl-2,3-dihydro-4H-pyrido[3,2-e]-1,2, 4-thiadiazine 1,1-dioxide (31b), revealed an in vitro activity on Xenopus oocytes not far from that of cyclothiazide, the most potent allosteric modulator of AMPA receptors reported to date. Moreover, 31b, but not cyclothiazide, was found to potentiate the duration and the amplitude of the excitatory postsynaptic field potentials induced by electric stimulation in rat hippocampal slices. Such an effect could indicate, for 31b, but not for cyclothiazide, a possible interaction with postsynaptic AMPA receptor binding sites located on hippocampal CA1 neurons. Structure-activity relationships indicated that the structural requirements responsible for a biological activity on AMPA receptors are different from those responsible for an inhibitory activity on the insulin releasing process (putative ATP-sensitive K+-channel openers). For instance, 31b and other related dihydropyridothiadiazines were found to be ineffective as inhibitors of insulin release from rat pancreatic B-cells, in contrast to diazoxide and known pyridothiadiazines reported as ATP-sensitive K+-channel openers. Conversely, the pyridothiadiazines active on B-cells were found to be ineffective as potentiators of the AMPA currents in Xenopus oocytes. Thus, 31b appeared to be more specific than diazoxide as an AMPA receptor modulator. This compound may be considered as a new pharmacological tool, different from diazoxide and cyclothiazide, for studying AMPA receptors. Moreover, 31b can also constitute a new therapeutic agent for the treatment of cognitive disorders.