Masahiro Hiratochi

Sergliflozin, a Novel Selective Inhibitor of Low-Affinity Sodium Glucose Cotransporter (SGLT2), Validates the Critical Role of SGLT2 in Renal Glucose Reabsorption and Modulates Plasma Glucose Level

The low-affinity sodium glucose cotransporter (SGLT2), which is expressed specifically in the kidney, plays a major role in renal glucose reabsorption in the proximal tubule. We have discovered sergliflozin, a prodrug of a novel selective SGLT2 inhibitor, based on benzylphenol glucoside. In structure, it belongs to a new category of SGLT2 inhibitors and its skeleton differs from that of phlorizin, a nonselective SGLT inhibitor. We investigated its pharmacological properties and potencies in vitro and in vivo. By examining a Chinese hamster ovary-K1 cell line stably expressing either human SGLT2 or human high-affinity sodium glucose cotransporter (SGLT1), we found sergliflozin-A (active form) to be a highly selective and potent inhibitor of human SGLT2. At pharmacological doses, sergliflozin, sergliflozin-A, and its aglycon had no effects on facilitative glucose transporter 1 activity, which was inhibited by phloretin (the aglycon of phlorizin). The transport maximum for glucose in the kidney was reduced by sergliflozin-A in normal rats. As a result of this effect, orally administered sergliflozin increased urinary glucose excretion in mice, rats, and dogs in a dose-dependent manner. In an oral glucose tolerance test in diabetic rats, sergliflozin exhibited glucose-lowering effects independently of insulin secretion. Any glucose excretion induced by sergliflozin did not affect normoglycemia or electrolyte balance. These data indicate that selective inhibition of SGLT2 increases urinary glucose excretion by inhibiting renal glucose reabsorption. As a representative of a new category of antidiabetic drugs, sergliflozin may provide a new and unique approach to the treatment of diabetes mellitus.

The Delta intracellular domain mediates TGF-β/Activin signaling through binding to Smads and has an important bi-directional function in the Notch–Delta signaling pathway

Delta is a major transmembrane ligand for Notch receptor that mediates numerous cell fate decisions. The Notch signaling pathway has long been thought to be mono-directional, because ligands for Notch were generally believed to be unable to transmit signals into the cells expressing them. However, we showed here that Notch also supplies signals to neighboring mouse neural stem cells (NSCs). To investigate the Notch–Delta signaling pathway in a bi-directional manner, we analyzed functional roles of the intracellular domain of mouse Delta like protein 1 (Dll1IC). In developing mouse NSCs, Dll1IC, which is released from cell membrane by proteolysis, is present in the nucleus. Furthermore, we screened for transcription factors that bind to Dll1IC and demonstrated that Dll1IC binds specifically to transcription factors involved in TGF-β/Activin signaling—Smad2, Smad3 and Smad4—and enhances Smad-dependent transcription. In addition, the results of the present study indicated that over-expression of Dll1IC in embryonic carcinoma P19 cells induced neurons, and this induction was blocked by SB431542, which is a specific inhibitor of TGF-β/Activin signaling. These observations strongly suggested that Dll1IC mediates TGF-β/Activin signaling through binding to Smads and plays an important role for bi-directional Notch–Delta signaling pathway.Delta is a major transmembrane ligand for Notch receptor that mediates numerous cell fate decisions. The Notch signaling pathway has long been thought to be mono-directional, because ligands for Notch were generally believed to be unable to transmit signals into the cells expressing them. However, we showed here that Notch also supplies signals to neighboring mouse neural stem cells (NSCs). To investigate the Notch-Delta signaling pathway in a bi-directional manner, we analyzed functional roles of the intracellular domain of mouse Delta like protein 1 (Dll1IC). In developing mouse NSCs, Dll1IC, which is released from cell membrane by proteolysis, is present in the nucleus. Furthermore, we screened for transcription factors that bind to Dll1IC and demonstrated that Dll1IC binds specifically to transcription factors involved in TGF-β /Activin signaling-Smad2, Smad3 and Smad4-and enhances Smad-dependent transcription. In addition, the results of the present study indicated that over-expression of Dll1IC in embryonic carcinoma P19 cells induced neurons, and this induction was blocked by SB431542, which is a specific inhibitor of TGF-β /Activin signaling. These observations strongly suggested that Dll1IC mediates TGF-β /Activin signaling through binding to Smads and plays an important role for bi-directional Notch-Delta signaling pathway.

Identification of Adenine and Benzimidazole Nucleosides as Potent Human Concentrative Nucleoside Transporter 2 Inhibitors: Potential Treatment for Hyperuricemia and Gout

To test the hypothesis that inhibitors of human concentrative nucleoside transporter 2 (hCNT2) suppress increases in serum urate levels derived from dietary purines, we previously identified adenosine derivative 1 as a potent hCNT2 inhibitor (IC50 = 0.64 μM), but further study was hampered due to its poor solubility. Here we describe the results of subsequent research to identify more soluble and more potent hCNT2 inhibitors, leading to the discovery of the benzimidazole nucleoside 22, which is the most potent hCNT2 inhibitor (IC50 = 0.062 μM) reported to date. Compound 22 significantly suppressed the increase in plasma uric acid levels after oral administration of purine nucleosides in rats. Because compound 22 was poorly absorbed orally in rats (F = 0.51%), its pharmacologic action was mostly limited to the gastrointestinal tract. These findings suggest that inhibition of hCNT2 in the gastrointestinal tract can be a promising approach for the treatment of hyperuricemia.

Identification of 8-Aminoadenosine Derivatives as a New Class of Human Concentrative Nucleoside Transporter 2 Inhibitors

Purine-rich foods have long been suspected as a major cause of hyperuricemia. We hypothesized that inhibition of human concentrative nucleoside transporter 2 (hCNT2) would suppress increases in serum urate levels derived from dietary purines. To test this hypothesis, the development of potent hCNT2 inhibitors was required. By modifying adenosine, an hCNT2 substrate, we successfully identified 8-aminoadenosine derivatives as a new class of hCNT2 inhibitors. Compound 12 moderately inhibited hCNT2 (IC50 = 52 ± 3.8 μM), and subsequent structure-activity relationship studies led to the discovery of compound 48 (IC50 = 0.64 ± 0.19 μM). Here we describe significant findings about structural requirements of 8-aminoadenosine derivatives for exhibiting potent hCNT2 inhibitory activity.

Duration of drug action of dopamine D2 agonists in mice with 6-hydroxydopamine-induced lesions.

Although 6-hydroxydopamine-induced (6-OHDA-induced) rats are a well-known Parkinson’s disease model, the effects of dopamine D2 agonists in mice with 6-OHDA-induced lesions are not completely understood. We produced mice with 6-OHDA-induced lesions and measured their total locomotion counts following administration of several dopamine D2 agonists (pramipexole, ropinirole, cabergoline, rotigotine, apomorphine, talipexole, and quinelorane). Cabergoline showed the longest duration of drug action, which was in agreement with its long-lived anti-Parkinson effects in rats and humans. In contrast, pramipexole and ropinirole had notably short durations of drug action. We demonstrated that mice with 6-OHDA-induced lesions accompanied with significant lesions in the striatum may be reasonable models to predict the action duration of anti-Parkinson drug candidates in humans.