Synthesis and SAR of <i>b</i>-Annulated 1,4-Dihydropyridines Define Cardiomyogenic Compounds as Novel Inhibitors of TGFβ Signaling
作者:Dennis Schade、Marion Lanier、Erik Willems、Karl Okolotowicz、Paul Bushway、Christine Wahlquist、Cynthia Gilley、Mark Mercola、John R. Cashman
DOI:10.1021/jm301144g
日期:2012.11.26
A medium-throughput murine embryonic stem cell (mESC)-based high-content screening of 17000 small molecules for cardiogenesis led to the identification of a b-annulated 1,4-dihydropyridine (1,4-DHP) that inhibited transforming growth factor beta (TGF beta)/Smad signaling by clearing the type II TGF beta receptor from the cell surface. Because this is an unprecedented mechanism of action, we explored the series' structure-activity relationship (SAR) based on TGF beta inhibition, and evaluated SAR aspects for cell-surface clearance of TGF beta receptor II (TGFBR2) and for biological activity in mESCs. We determined a pharmacophore and generated 1,4-DHPs with IC(50)s for TGF beta inhibition in the nanomolar range (e.g., compound. 28, 170 nM). Stereochemical consequences of a chiral center at the 4-position was evaluated, revealing 10- to 15-fold more potent TGF beta inhibition for the (+)- than the (-) enantiomer. This stereopreference was not observed for the low level inhibition against Activin A signaling and was reversed for effects on calcium handling in HL-1 cells.