AbstractThe ligand‐sensing transcription factor retinoid X receptor (RXR) is the universal heterodimer partner of nuclear receptors and involved in multiple physiological processes. Its pharmacological modulation holds therapeutic potential in cancer and neurodegeneration but many available RXR ligands lack specificity. The sesquiterpenoid valerenic acid has been identified as RXR agonist with unprecedented subtype and homodimer preference. Here, we identified simplified mimetics of the complex natural product by rational design and virtual screening that exhibited similar activity profiles on RXR and informed about structural elements contributing to the favorable activity.
摘要配体感应转录因子视黄醇 X 受体(RXR)是核受体的通用异二聚体伙伴,参与多种生理过程。对其进行药理调节具有治疗癌症和神经变性的潜力,但现有的许多 RXR 配体都缺乏特异性。倍半萜类缬草烯酸已被确认为 RXR 激动剂,具有前所未有的亚型和同源二聚体偏好性。在这里,我们通过合理设计和虚拟筛选,发现了这种复杂天然产物的简化模拟物,它们在 RXR 上表现出相似的活性特征,并揭示了促成这种良好活性的结构要素。