SUMO1 degrader induces ER stress and ROS accumulation through deSUMOylation of TCF4 and inhibition of its transcription of StarD7 in colon cancer.

Small molecule degraders of small ubiquitin-related modifier 1 (SUMO1) induce SUMO1 degradation in colon cancer cells and inhibits the cancer cell growth; however, it is unclear how SUMO1 degradation leads to the anticancer activity of the degraders. Genome-wide CRISPR-Cas9 knockout screen has identified StAR-related lipid transfer domain containing 7 (StarD7) as a critical gene for the degrader's anticancer activity. Here, we show that both StarD7 mRNA and protein are overexpressed in human colon cancer and its knockout significantly reduces colon cancer cell growth and xenograft progression. The treatment with the SUMO1 degrader lead compound HB007 reduces StarD7 mRNA and protein levels and increases endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress and reactive oxygen species (ROS) production in colon cancer cells and three-dimensional (3D) organoids. The study further provides a novel mechanism of the compound anticancer activity that SUMO1 degrader-induced decrease of StarD7 occur through degradation of SUMO1, deSUMOylation and degradation of T cell-specific transcription 4 (TCF4) and thereby inhibition of its transcription of StarD7 in colon cancer cells, 3D organoids and patient-derived xenografts (PDX).

Ubiquitination and degradation of SUMO1 by small-molecule degraders extends survival of mice with patient-derived tumors.

Discovery of small-molecule degraders that activate ubiquitin ligase­mediated ubiquitination and degradation of targeted oncoproteins in cancer cells has been an elusive therapeutic strategy. Here, we report a cancer cell­based drug screen of the NCI drug-like compounds library that enabled identification of small-molecule degraders of the small ubiquitin-related modifier 1 (SUMO1). Structure-activity relationship studies of analogs of the hit compound CPD1 led to identification of a lead compound HB007 with improved properties and anticancer potency in vitro and in vivo. A genome-scale CRISPR-Cas9 knockout screen identified the substrate receptor F-box protein 42 (FBXO42) of cullin 1 (CUL1) E3 ubiquitin ligase as required for HB007 activity. Using HB007 pull-down proteomics assays, we pinpointed HB007's binding protein as the cytoplasmic activation/proliferation-associated protein 1 (CAPRIN1). Biolayer interferometry and compound competitive immunoblot assays confirmed the selectivity of HB007's binding to CAPRIN1. When bound to CAPRIN1, HB007 induced the interaction of CAPRIN1 with FBXO42. FBXO42 then recruited SUMO1 to the CAPRIN1-CUL1-FBXO42 ubiquitin ligase complex, where SUMO1 was ubiquitinated in several of human cancer cells. HB007 selectively degraded SUMO1 in patient tumor­derived xenografts implanted into mice. Systemic administration of HB007 inhibited the progression of patient-derived brain, breast, colon, and lung cancers in mice and increased survival of the animals. This cancer cell­based screening approach enabled discovery of a small-molecule degrader of SUMO1 and may be useful for identifying other small-molecule degraders of oncoproteins.

Cognitive impairment in Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS): A systematic review.

BACKGROUND: Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) is a common functional gastrointestinal disorder which is characterized by altered bowel habits. A growing number of studies investigate the association between IBS and cognitive impairments. Current studies report conflicting results regarding cognitive impairment in IBS patients. We therefore conducted the first systematic review to examine the association between IBS and cognitive impairment and identify the types of cognitive domain involved. STUDY DESIGN: Eight databases (MEDLINE, CINAHL, EMBASE, Cochrane Library, PsycINFO, ScienceDirect, China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), and Chinese Biomedical Literature Database (CBM)) were searched from the inception date up till 15 February 2018. Observational studies published in English or Chinese were independently appraised, and data was extracted, by two reviewers using the Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) Critical Appraisal Checklist for Analytical Cross-Sectional Studies. The findings were synthesized using a narrative approach. RESULTS: Twelve studies met the inclusion criteria. Our findings suggested that IBS patients exhibited attentional bias towards GI sensation words and emotionally negative words. There was insufficient evidence of evidences to show that IBS patients had cognitive deficits in memory, intelligence, executive functions and general cognitive functions. A number of limitations were identified, including small sample, limited cognitive domain inclusion, lack of study details, and management of confounding variables. CONCLUSION: There is evidence of attentional bias in individuals with IBS; the evidence on cognitive impairment was either inconclusive or insufficient in other cognitive domains. Further studies are needed to confirm prevalence rates and examine potential mechanisms.

Synthesis, SAR, and series evolution of novel oxadiazole-containing 5-lipoxygenase activating protein inhibitors: discovery of 2-[4-(3-{(r)-1-[4-(2-amino-pyrimidin-5-yl)-phenyl]-1-cyclopropyl-ethyl}-[1,2,4]oxadiazol-5-yl)-pyrazol-1-yl]-N,N-dimethyl-acetamide (BI 665915).

The synthesis, structure-activity relationship (SAR), and evolution of a novel series of oxadiazole-containing 5-lipoxygenase-activating protein (FLAP) inhibitors are described. The use of structure-guided drug design techniques provided compounds that demonstrated excellent FLAP binding potency (IC50 < 10 nM) and potent inhibition of LTB4 synthesis in human whole blood (IC50 < 100 nM). Optimization of binding and functional potencies, as well as physicochemical properties resulted in the identification of compound 69 (BI 665915) that demonstrated an excellent cross-species drug metabolism and pharmacokinetics (DMPK) profile and was predicted to have low human clearance. In addition, 69 was predicted to have a low risk for potential drug-drug interactions due to its cytochrome P450 3A4 profile. In a murine ex vivo whole blood study, 69 demonstrated a linear dose-exposure relationship and a dose-dependent inhibition of LTB4 production.

Benzimidazolone as potent chymase inhibitor: modulation of reactive metabolite formation in the hydrophobic (P1) region.

A new class of chymase inhibitor featuring a benzimidazolone core with an acid side chain and a P(1) hydrophobic moiety is described. Incubation of the lead compound with GSH resulted in the formation of a GSH conjugate on the benzothiophene P(1) moiety. Replacement of the benzothiophene with different heterocyclic systems such as indoles and benzoisothiazole is feasible. Among the P(1) replacements, benzoisothiazole prevents the formation of GSH conjugate and an in silico analysis of oxidative potentials agreed with the experimental outcome.

Substituted pyrazoles as novel sEH antagonist: investigation of key binding interactions within the catalytic domain.

A novel series of pyrazole sEH inhibitors is reported. Lead optimization efforts to replace the aniline core are also described. In particular, 2-pyridine, 3-pyridine and pyridazine analogs are potent sEH inhibitors with favorable CYP3A4 inhibitory and microsomal stability profiles.

Itk inhibitors: a patent review.

UNLABELLED: Importance of field: IL-2 inducible T-cell kinase (Itk) is a non-receptor tyrosine kinase of the Tec family. It plays an important role in T cell signaling and the production of various pro-inflammatory cytokines such as IL-2, IL-4, IL-5, IL-10 and IL-13. Inhibition of Itk has been a target for the treatment of diseases related to inflammation disorders such as psoriasis and allergic asthma. Rich resources on the structural information for Itk made discovery of novel selective Itk inhibitors blossom in the past decade. AREAS COVERED IN THIS REVIEW: In this report, distinct structural classes of specific Itk inhibitors are summarized and their in vitro/in vivo properties are discussed. WHAT THE READER WILL GAIN: A summary of 21 patents including 16 different chemical structure classes of Itk inhibitors. The in vivo efficacies of some of the inhibitors in animal models are also discussed. TAKE HOME MESSAGE: Although some of the inhibitors show efficacy in different animal models, which implies potential for therapeutic use in human, there is not yet a chemical entity reported in clinical trials. The prospects for Itk inhibitors will rely on the quality of the compound and the validity of the target in patients within the selected therapeutic area.

2-Aminobenzimidazoles as potent ITK antagonists: trans-stilbene-like moieties targeting the kinase specificity pocket.

Based on the information from molecular modeling and X-ray crystal structures, the kinase specificity pocket of ITK could be occupied upon extension of the right-hand-side of the 2-benzimidazole core of the inhibitors. 2-Aminobenzimidazoles with a trans-stilbene-like extension were designed and synthesized as novel ITK antagonists. Significant improvement on binding affinity and cellular activity were obtained through the trans-stilbene-like antagonists. Several compounds showed inhibitory activity in an IL-2 functional assay.

Discovery, SAR and X-ray structure of 1H-benzimidazole-5-carboxylic acid cyclohexyl-methyl-amides as inhibitors of inducible T-cell kinase (Itk).

A series of novel potent benzimidazole based inhibitors of interleukin-2 T-cell kinase (Itk) were prepared. In this report, we discuss the structure-activity relationship (SAR), selectivity, and cell-based activity for the series. We also discuss the SAR associated with an X-ray structure of one of the small-molecule inhibitors bound to ITK.

A delicate balance of energetics. Subtleties associated with alpha-ketol-based bridge migration to afford 9-keto-10beta-p-methoxybenzyloxytaxanes.

The feasibility of the title reaction has been pursued for the purpose of advancing a concise total synthesis of Taxol. Of the two closely related series examined, the first featured an exo-methylene group at C4. The second consisted of an alpha-epoxide at that site. Strikingly, the olefinic construct proved inert to attempted alpha-ketol rearrangement. In contrast, the oxiranyl derivative isomerized smoothly. The reaction sequence associated with arrival at taxane 18 is short (15 steps from a D-camphor derivative) and notably efficient. The thermodynamic issues that are raised by this investigation have been clarified by an assessment of molecular mechanics-derived (MM3) steric energy calculations.