Identification of small molecule regulators of the nuclear receptor HNF4α based on naphthofuran scaffolds
摘要:
Nuclear receptors are ligand-activated transcription factors involved in all major physiological functions of complex organisms. In this respect, they are often described as drugable targets for a number of pathological states including hypercholesterolemia and atherosclerosis. HNF4 alpha (NR2A1) is a recently 'deorphanized' nuclear receptor which is bound in vivo by linoleic acid, although this natural ligand does not seem to promote transcriptional activation. In mouse, HNF4 alpha is a major regulator of liver development and hepatic lipid metabolism and mutations in human have been linked to diabetes. Here, we have used a yeast one-hybrid system to identify small molecule activators of HNF4 alpha in a library of synthetic compounds and found one hit bearing a methoxy group branched on a nitronaphthofuran backbone. A collection of molecules deriving from the discovered hit was generated and tested for activity toward HNF4 alpha in yeast one-hybrid system. It was found that both the nitro group and a complete naphthofuran backbone were required for full activity of the compounds. Furthermore, adding a hydroxy group at position 7 of the minimal backbone led to the most active compound of the collection. Accordingly, a direct interaction of the hydroxylated compound with the ligand binding domain of HNF4 alpha was detected by NMR and thermal denaturation assays. When used in mammalian cell culture systems, these compounds proved to be highly toxic, except when methylated on the furan ring. One such compound was able to modulate HNF4 alpha-driven transcription in transfected HepG2C3A cells. These data indicate that HNF4 alpha activity can be modulated by small molecules and suggest new routes for targeting the receptor in humans. (C) 2009 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
轴向手性阻转异构化合物广泛用于不对称催化和药物化学中,对合成的有效方法有很高的要求。这尤其适用于衍生自五元芳族环的阻转异构体,因为它们在联芳基轴之间旋转的较低阻挡层限制了它们的不对称合成。我们在这里报告了一种手性Rh Jas Cp络合物的对映选择性CH功能化方法,用于合成可从三个不同的五元环杂环中获得的联芳基阻转异构体类型。