In Vivo Half-Life Extension of BMP1/TLL Metalloproteinase Inhibitors Using Small-Molecule Human Serum Albumin Binders.

Reducing the required frequence of drug dosing can improve the adherence of patients to chronic treatments. Hence, drugs with longer in vivo half-lives are highly desirable. One of the most promising approaches to extend the in vivo half-life of drugs is conjugation to human serum albumin (HSA). In this work, we describe the use of AlbuBinder 1, a small-molecule noncovalent HSA binder, to extend the in vivo half-life and pharmacology of small-molecule BMP1/TLL inhibitors in humanized mice (HSA KI/KI). A series of conjugates of AlbuBinder 1 with BMP1/TLL inhibitors were prepared. In particular, conjugate c showed good solubility and a half-life extension of >20-fold versus the parent molecule in the HSA KI/KI mice, reaching half-lives of >48 h with maintained maximal inhibition of plasma BMP1/TLL. The same conjugate showed a half-life of only 3 h in the wild-type mice, suggesting that the half-life extension was principally due to specific interactions with HSA. It is envisioned that conjugation to AlbuBinder 1 should be applicable to a wide range of small molecule or peptide drugs with short half-lives. In this context, AlbuBinders represent a viable alternative to existing half-life extension technologies.

Discovery of renin inhibitors containing a simple aspartate binding moiety that imparts reduced P450 inhibition.

Discovery of potent renin inhibitors which contain a simplified alkylamino Asp-binding group and exhibit improved selectivity for renin over Cyp3A4 is described. Structure-function results in this series are rationalized based on analysis of selected compounds bound to renin, and the contribution of each molecular feature leading to the reduced P450 inhibition is quantified.

In vitro, antithrombotic and bleeding time studies of BMS-654457, a small-molecule, reversible and direct inhibitor of factor XIa.

BMS-654457 ((+) 3'-(6-carbamimidoyl-4-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,4-tetrahydro-quinolin-2-yl)-4-carbamoyl-5'-(3-methyl-butyrylamino)-biphenyl-2-carboxylic acid) is a small-molecule factor XIa (FXIa) inhibitor. We evaluated the in vitro properties of BMS-654457 and its in vivo activities in rabbit models of electrolytic-induced carotid arterial thrombosis and cuticle bleeding time (BT). Kinetic studies conducted in vitro with a chromogenic substrate demonstrated that BMS-654457 is a reversible and competitive inhibitor for FXIa. BMS-654457 increased activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT) without changing prothrombin time. It was equipotent in prolonging the plasma aPTT in human and rabbit, and less potent in rat and dog. It did not alter platelet aggregation to ADP, arachidonic acid and collagen. In vivo, BMS-654457 or vehicle was given IV prior to initiation of thrombosis or cuticle transection. Preservation of integrated carotid blood flow over 90 min (iCBF, % control) was used as a marker of antithrombotic efficacy. BMS-654457 at 0.37 mg/kg + 0.27 mg/kg/h produced almost 90 % preservation of iCBF compared to its vehicle (87 ± 10 and 16 ± 3 %, respectively, n = 6 per group) and increased BT by 1.2 ± 0.04-fold (P < 0.05). At a higher dose (1.1 mg/kg + 0.8 mg/kg/h), BMS-654457 increased BT by 1.33 ± 0.08-fold. This compares favorably to equivalent antithrombotic doses of reference anticoagulants (warfarin and dabigatran) and antiplatelet agents (clopidogrel and prasugrel) which produced four- to six-fold BT increases in the same model. In summary, BMS-654457 was effective in the prevention of arterial thrombosis in rabbits with limited effects on BT. This study supports inhibition of FXIa, with a small-molecule, reversible and direct inhibitor as a promising antithrombotic therapy with a wide therapeutic window.

Cardioprotection Resulting from Glucagon-Like Peptide-1 Administration Involves Shifting Metabolic Substrate Utilization to Increase Energy Efficiency in the Rat Heart.

Previous studies have shown that glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) provides cardiovascular benefits independent of its role on peripheral glycemic control. However, the precise mechanism(s) by which GLP-1 treatment renders cardioprotection during myocardial ischemia remain unresolved. Here we examined the role for GLP-1 treatment on glucose and fatty acid metabolism in normal and ischemic rat hearts following a 30 min ischemia and 24 h reperfusion injury, and in isolated cardiomyocytes (CM). Relative carbohydrate and fat oxidation levels were measured in both normal and ischemic hearts using a 1-13C glucose clamp coupled with NMR-based isotopomer analysis, as well as in adult rat CMs by monitoring pH and O2 consumption in the presence of glucose or palmitate. In normal heart, GLP-1 increased glucose uptake (↑64%, p<0.05) without affecting glycogen levels. In ischemic hearts, GLP-1 induced metabolic substrate switching by increasing the ratio of carbohydrate versus fat oxidation (↑14%, p<0.01) in the LV area not at risk, without affecting cAMP levels. Interestingly, no substrate switching occurred in the LV area at risk, despite an increase in cAMP (↑106%, p<0.05) and lactate (↑121%, p<0.01) levels. Furthermore, in isolated CMs GLP-1 treatment increased glucose utilization (↑14%, p<0.05) and decreased fatty acid oxidation (↓15%, p<0.05) consistent with in vivo finding. Our results show that this benefit may derive from distinct and complementary roles of GLP-1 treatment on metabolism in myocardial sub-regions in response to this injury. In particular, a switch to anaerobic glycolysis in the ischemic area provides a compensatory substrate switch to overcome the energetic deficit in this region in the face of reduced tissue oxygenation, whereas a switch to more energetically favorable carbohydrate oxidation in more highly oxygenated remote regions supports maintaining cardiac contractility in a complementary manner.

Tetrahydroquinoline derivatives as potent and selective factor XIa inhibitors.

Antithrombotic agents that are inhibitors of factor XIa (FXIa) have the potential to demonstrate robust efficacy with a low bleeding risk profile. Herein, we describe a series of tetrahydroquinoline (THQ) derivatives as FXIa inhibitors. Compound 1 was identified as a potent and selective tool compound for proof of concept studies. It exhibited excellent antithrombotic efficacy in rabbit thrombosis models and did not prolong bleeding times. This demonstrates proof of concept for the FXIa mechanism in animal models with a reversible, small molecule inhibitor.

Discovery of 1-(1,3,5-triazin-2-yl)piperidine-4-carboxamides as inhibitors of soluble epoxide hydrolase.

1-(1,3,5-Triazin-yl)piperidine-4-carboxamide inhibitors of soluble epoxide hydrolase were identified from high through-put screening using encoded library technology. The triazine heterocycle proved to be a critical functional group, essential for high potency and P450 selectivity. Phenyl group substitution was important for reducing clearance, and establishing good oral exposure. Based on this lead optimization work, 1-[4-methyl-6-(methylamino)-1,3,5-triazin-2-yl]-N-{[[4-bromo-2-(trifluoromethoxy)]-phenyl]methyl}-4-piperidinecarboxamide (27) was identified as a useful tool compound for in vivo investigation. Robust effects on a serum biomarker, 9, 10-epoxyoctadec-12(Z)-enoic acid (the epoxide derived from linoleic acid) were observed, which provided evidence of robust in vivo target engagement and the suitability of 27 as a tool compound for study in various disease models.

Chronic inhibition of 11 ß -hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 1 activity decreases hypertension, insulin resistance, and hypertriglyceridemia in metabolic syndrome.

Metabolic syndrome is a constellation of risk factors including hypertension, dyslipidemia, insulin resistance, and obesity that promote the development of cardiovascular disease. Metabolic syndrome has been associated with changes in the secretion or metabolism of glucocorticoids, which have important functions in adipose, liver, kidney, and vasculature. Tissue concentrations of the active glucocorticoid cortisol are controlled by the conversion of cortisone to cortisol by 11 ß -hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 1 (11 ß -HSD1). Because of the various cardiovascular and metabolic activities of glucocorticoids, we tested the hypothesis that 11 ß -HSD1 is a common mechanism in the hypertension, dyslipidemia, and insulin resistance in metabolic syndrome. In obese and lean SHR/NDmcr-cp (SHR-cp), cardiovascular, metabolic, and renal functions were measured before and during four weeks of administration of vehicle or compound 11 (10 mg/kg/d), a selective inhibitor of 11 ß -HSD1. Compound 11 significantly decreased 11 ß -HSD1 activity in adipose tissue and liver of SHR-cp. In obese SHR-cp, compound 11 significantly decreased mean arterial pressure, glucose intolerance, insulin resistance, hypertriglyceridemia, and plasma renin activity with no effect on heart rate, body weight gain, or microalbuminuria. These results suggest that 11 ß -HSD1 activity in liver and adipose tissue is a common mediator of hypertension, hypertriglyceridemia, glucose intolerance, and insulin resistance in metabolic syndrome.

NADPH oxidase-dependent and -independent mechanisms of reported inhibitors of reactive oxygen generation.

NADPH oxidase isoform-2 (NOX2) generates reactive oxygen species (ROS) that contribute to neurodegenerative and cardiovascular pathologies. However, validation of NOX2 as a pharmacotherapeutic target has been hampered by a lack of mechanistically-defined inhibitors. Using cellular and biochemical assays, we explored previously reported inhibitors of ROS production (perhexiline, suramin, VAS2870 and two Shionogi patent compounds) as direct NOX2 inhibitors. All but suramin, which presumably lacks cell penetrance, inhibit cellular ROS production. However, only perhexiline and suramin inhibit biochemical NOX2 activity. Indeed, our data suggest that NOX2 inhibition by perhexiline may contribute significantly to its demonstrated cardioprotective effects. Inhibition of protein kinase CßII explains the cellular activity of the Shionogi compounds, whereas VAS2870 inhibits by an as-yet unidentified mechanism unrelated to direct NOX2 function or subunit assembly. These data delineate the mechanisms of action of these compounds and highlight their strengths and limitations for use in future target validation studies.

Albiglutide, a long lasting glucagon-like peptide-1 analog, protects the rat heart against ischemia/reperfusion injury: evidence for improving cardiac metabolic efficiency.

BACKGROUND: The cardioprotective effects of glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) and analogs have been previously reported. We tested the hypothesis that albiglutide, a novel long half-life analog of GLP-1, may protect the heart against I/R injury by increasing carbohydrate utilization and improving cardiac energetic efficiency. METHODS/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS: Sprague-Dawley rats were treated with albiglutide and subjected to 30 min myocardial ischemia followed by 24 h reperfusion. Left ventricle infarct size, hemodynamics, function and energetics were determined. In addition, cardiac glucose disposal, carbohydrate metabolism and metabolic gene expression were assessed. Albiglutide significantly reduced infarct size and concomitantly improved post-ischemic hemodynamics, cardiac function and energetic parameters. Albiglutide markedly increased both in vivo and ex vivo cardiac glucose uptake while reducing lactate efflux. Analysis of metabolic substrate utilization directly in the heart showed that albiglutide increased the relative carbohydrate versus fat oxidation which in part was due to an increase in both glucose and lactate oxidation. Metabolic gene expression analysis indicated upregulation of key glucose metabolism genes in the non-ischemic myocardium by albiglutide. CONCLUSION/SIGNIFICANCE: Albiglutide reduced myocardial infarct size and improved cardiac function and energetics following myocardial I/R injury. The observed benefits were associated with enhanced myocardial glucose uptake and a shift toward a more energetically favorable substrate metabolism by increasing both glucose and lactate oxidation. These findings suggest that albiglutide may have direct therapeutic potential for improving cardiac energetics and function.

Discovery of potent, selective sulfonylfuran urea endothelial lipase inhibitors.

Endothelial lipase (EL) activity has been implicated in HDL catabolism, vascular inflammation, and atherogenesis, and inhibitors are therefore expected to be useful for the treatment of cardiovascular disease. Sulfonylfuran urea 1 was identified in a high-throughput screening campaign as a potent and non-selective EL inhibitor. A lead optimization effort was undertaken to improve potency and selectivity, and modifications leading to improved LPL selectivity were identified. Radiolabeling studies were undertaken to establish the mechanism of action for these inhibitors, which were ultimately demonstrated to be irreversible inhibitors.

Comparison of non-digitalis binding properties of digoxin-specific Fabs using direct binding methods.

Digibind and DigiFab are commercial formulations of polyclonal, ovine, digoxin-specific Fabs in clinical use for treatment of digoxin intoxication. Of interest for extending its use to other clinical indications, Digibind has also been reported to neutralize the effect of endogenous digoxin-like molecules, including ouabain, that are linked to clinical disorders ranging from preeclampsia to congestive heart failure. Although Digibind and DigiFab are equivalent in their digoxin-binding activity, the antigens used to produce these Fabs are different. We therefore explored, using native (3)H-digoxin and (3)H-ouabain in four different types of solution-phase binding methods, whether they might exhibit different profiles with respect to ouabain and other digoxin-like factors. Consistent with previous results, both Fab preparations bound digoxin with the same affinities and capacities. However, (3)H-ouabain was found to bind with high affinity only to Fab sub-populations present in both products. Interestingly, this sub-population was twice as large for Digibind compared to DigiFab. Competition experiments also showed differences in specificity within Fab sub-populations. Therefore, the equivalence in digoxin-binding activity of the two Fab preparations does not extend to ouabain-binding capacity and Fab specificity, with implications for clinical differentiation between the preparations in treatment of disorders related to control of non-digoxin cardenolides. The existence of a small but perhaps clinically relevant sub-population of antibodies was detected using specific radioligands. This sub-population could not have been detected nor quantified using standard cross-reactivity in an ELISA assay.

Targeting enzyme inhibitors in drug discovery.

Drugs that function as enzyme inhibitors constitute a significant portion of the orally bioavailable therapeutic agents that are in clinical use today. Likewise, much of drug discovery and development efforts at present are focused on identifying and optimizing drug candidates that act through inhibition of specific enzyme targets. The attractiveness of enzymes as targets for drug discovery stems from the high levels of disease association (target validation) and druggability (target tractability) that typically characterize this class of proteins. In this expert opinion the authors describe the existing practices and future directions in drug discovery enzymology, with emphasis on how a detailed understanding of the catalytic mechanism of specific targets can be used to identify and optimize small-molecule compounds that interact with conformationally distinct forms of the enzyme, thus resulting in high potency, high selectivity inhibitors.

Expression, purification, and characterization of human and rat acetyl coenzyme A carboxylase (ACC) isozymes.

Acetyl coenzyme A (acetyl-CoA) carboxylase isozyme 1 (ACC1) and acetyl-CoA carboxylase isozyme 2 (ACC2) are critical for de novo fatty acid synthesis and for the regulation of beta-oxidation. Emerging evidence indicates that one or both isozymes might be therapeutic targets for the treatment of obesity, type 2 diabetes, and dyslipidemia. One of the major obstacles in the field is the lack of readily-available source of recombinant human ACC enzymes to support systematic drug discovery efforts. Here, we describe an efficient and optimal protocol for expressing and isolating recombinant mammalian ACCs with high yield and purity. The resultant human ACC2, human ACC1, and rat ACC2 possess high specific activities, are properly biotinylated, and exhibit kinetic parameters very similar to the native ACC enzymes. We believe that the current study paves a road to a systematic approach for drug design revolving around the ACC inhibition mechanism.

Mutagenesis and mechanism-based inhibition of Streptococcus pyogenes Glu-tRNAGln amidotransferase implicate a serine-based glutaminase site.

The absence of Gln-tRNA synthetase in certain bacteria necessitates an alternate pathway for the production of Gln-tRNA(Gln): misacylated Glu-tRNA(Gln) is transamidated by a Gln-dependent amidotransferase (Glu-AdT) via catalysis of Gln hydrolysis, ATP hydrolysis, activation of Glu-tRNA(Gln), and aminolysis of activated tRNA by Gln-derived NH(3). As observed for other Gln-coupled amidotransferases, substrate binding, Gln hydrolysis, and transamidation by Glu-AdT are tightly coordinated [Horiuchi, K. Y., Harpel, M. R., Shen, L., Luo, Y., Rogers, K. C., and Copeland, R. A. (2001) Biochemistry 40, 6450-6457]. However, Glu-AdT does not employ an active-site Cys nucleophile for Gln hydrolysis, as is common in all other glutaminases: some Glu-AdT lack Cys, but all contain a conserved Ser (Ser176 in the A subunit of Streptococcus pyogenes Glu-AdT) within a sequence signature motif of Ser-based amidases. Our current results with S. pyogenes Glu-AdT support this characterization of Glu-AdT as a Ser-based glutaminase. Slow-onset (approximately 50 M(-1) s(-1)), tight-binding (t(1/2) > 2.5 h for complex dissociation), Gln-competitive inhibition of the Glu-tRNA(Gln)/ATP-independent glutaminase activity of Glu-AdT by gamma-Glu boronic acid is consistent with engagement of a Ser nucleophile in the glutaminase active site. Conversion to rapidly reversible, yet still potent (K(i) = 73 nM) and Gln-competitive, inhibition under full transamidation conditions mirrors the coupling between Gln hydrolysis and aminolysis reactions during productive transamidation. Site-directed replacement of Ser176 by Ala abolishes glutaminase and Gln-dependent transamidase activities of Glu-AdT (>300-fold), but retains a wild-type level of NH(3)-dependent transamidation activity. These results demonstrate the essentiality of Ser176 for Gln hydrolysis, provide additional support for coordinated coupling of Gln hydrolysis and transamidase transition states during catalysis, and validate glutaminase-directed inhibition of Glu-AdT as a route for antimicrobial chemotherapy.

Multifaceted roles of Lys166 of ribulose-bisphosphate carboxylase/oxygenase as discerned by product analysis and chemical rescue of site-directed mutants.

Ab initio calculations [King, W. A., et al. (1998) Biochemistry 37, 15414-15422] of an active-site mimic of D-ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase/oxygenase suggest that active-site Lys166 plays a role in carboxylation in addition to its functions in the initial deprotonation and final protonation steps. To test this postulate, the turnover of 1-(3)H-labeled D-ribulose 1,5-bisphosphate (RuBP) by impaired position-166 mutants was characterized. Although these mutants catalyze slow enolization of RuBP, most of the RuBP-enediol undergoes beta-elimination of phosphate to form 2,3-pentodiulose 5-phosphate, signifying deficiencies in normal carboxylation and oxygenation. Much of the remaining RuBP-enediol is carboxylated but forms pyruvate, rather than 3-phospho-D-glycerate, due to incapacity in protonation of the terminal aci-acid intermediate. As a further test of the postulate, the effects of subtle perturbation of the Lys166 side chain on the carboxylation/oxygenation partitioning ratio (tau) were determined. To eliminate a chemically reactive site, Cys58 was replaced by a seryl residue without any loss of activity. The virtually inactive K166C-C58S double mutant was chemically rescued by aminoethylation or aminopropylation to reinsert a lysyl-like side chain at position 166. Relative to the wild-type value, tau for the aminoethylated enzyme was increased by approximately 30%, and tau for the aminopropylated enzyme was decreased by approximately 80%. Thus, two lines of experimentation support the theoretically based conclusion for the importance of Lys166 in the reaction of RuBP-enediol with gaseous substrates.