Profiling withanolide A for therapeutic targets in neurodegenerative diseases
摘要:
To identify new potential therapeutic targets for neurodegenerative diseases, we initiated activity-based protein profiling studies with withanolide A (WitA), a known neuritogenic constituent of Withania somnifera root with unknown mechanism of action. Molecular probes were designed and synthesized, and led to the discovery of the glucocorticoid receptor (GR) as potential target. Molecular modeling calculations using the VirtualToxLab predicted a weak binding affinity of WitA for GR. Neurite outgrowth experiments in human neuroblastoma SH-SY5Y cells further supported a glucocorticoid-dependent mechanism, finding that WitA was able to reverse the outgrowth inhibition mediated by dexamethasone (Dex). However, further GR binding and transactivation assays found no direct interference of WitA. Further molecular modeling analysis suggested that WitA, although forming several contacts with residues in the GR binding pocket, is lacking key stabilizing interactions as observed for Dex. Taken together, the data suggest that WitA-dependent induction of neurite outgrowth is not through a direct effect on GR, but might be mediated through a closely related pathway. Further experiments should evaluate a possible role of GR modulators and/or related signaling pathways such as ERK, Akt, NF-kappa B, TR alpha, or Hsp90 as potential targets in the WitA-mediated neuromodulatory effects.
Withanolide A: synthesis and structural requirements for neurite outgrowth
作者:Raphael Liffert、Johannes Hoecker、Chandan K. Jana、Tom M. Woods、Patrick Burch、Henning J. Jessen、Markus Neuburger、Karl Gademann
DOI:10.1039/c3sc50653c
日期:——
The exploration of different routes leading to the stereoselective synthesis of the neuritogenic steroid withanolide A is reported in full detail. Notable features of the synthesis include a Corey–Seebach homologation, a vinylogous aldol reaction, a singlet oxygen Schenck-ene reaction, and finally, a late-stage Wharton transposition. Semi-synthetic elaboration of the natural product resulted in 15