Nina Hanke

Cushing's syndrome: development of highly potent and selective CYP11B1 inhibitors of the (pyridylmethyl)pyridine type.

Potent and selective CYP11B1 inhibitors could be promising therapeutics for the treatment of Cushings syndrome. Optimization of Ref 1 (5-((1H-imidazol-1-yl)methyl)-2-phenylpyridine) led to compound 44 (5-((5-methylpyridin-3-yl)methyl)-2-phenylpyridine) with a 50-fold improved IC50 value of 2 nM toward human CYP11B1 and an enhanced inhibition of the rat enzyme (IC50 = 2440 nM) compared to Ref 1 (IC50 > 10000 nM). Furthermore, selectivities over CYP11B2, CYP17, and CYP19 were observed, as well as satisfying metabolic stability not only in human and rat plasma but also in liver S9 fraction. Investigation of cytotoxicity and inhibition of hepatic CYP2A6 and CYP3A4 showed that 44 fulfills first safety criteria and can be considered for further in vivo evaluation in rats.

Potent 11β-hydroxylase inhibitors with inverse metabolic stability in human plasma and hepatic S9 fractions to promote wound healing.

Topical application of CYP11B1 inhibitors to reduce cutaneous cortisol is a novel strategy to promote healing of chronic wounds. Pyridyl substituted arylsulfonyltetrahydroquinolines were designed and synthesized resulting in a strong inhibitor 34 (IC50 = 5 nM). It showed no inhibition of CYP17 and CYP19 and no mutagenic effects. It exhibited inverse metabolic stability in plasma (t1/2 ≫ 150 min), which is similar to wound fluid in composition, and in liver S9 fractions (t1/2 = 16 min).

Design, synthesis, and structure-activity relationships of azolylmethylpyrroloquinolines as nonsteroidal aromatase inhibitors.

A small library of both [2,3-h] and [3,2-f] novel pyrroloquinolines equipped with an azolylmethyl group was designed and synthesized as nonsteroidal CYP19 aromatase inhibitors. The results showed that azolylmethyl derivatives 11, 13, 14, 21, and 22 exhibited an inhibitory potency on aromatase comparable to that of letrozole chosen as a reference compound. When assayed on CYP11B1 (steroid-11β-hydroxylase) and CYP17 (17α-hydroxy/17,20-lyase), compound 22 was found to be the best and most selective CYP19 inhibitor of them all. In a panel of nine human cancer cell lines, all compounds were either slightly cytotoxic or not at all. Docking simulations were carried out to inspect crucial enzyme/inhibitor interactions such as hydrophobic interactions, hydrogen bonding, and heme iron coordination. This study, along with the prediction of the pharmacokinetics of compounds 11, 13, 14, 21, and 22, demonstrates that the pyrroloquinoline scaffold represents a starting point for the development of new pyrroloquinoline-based aromatase inhibitors.

Gene regulation mediating fiber-type transformation in skeletal muscle cells is partly glucose- and ChREBP-dependent.

Adaptations in the oxidative capacity of skeletal muscle cells can occur under several physiological or pathological conditions. We investigated the effect of increasing extracellular glucose concentration on the expression of markers of energy metabolism in primary skeletal muscle cells and the C2C12 muscle cell line. Growth of myotubes in 25mM glucose (high glucose, HG) compared with 5.55mM led to increases in the expression and activity of glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPDH), a marker of glycolytic energy metabolism, while oxidative markers peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ coactivator 1α and citrate synthase decreased. HG induced metabolic adaptations as are seen during a slow-to-fast fiber transformation. Furthermore, HG increased fast myosin heavy chain (MHC) IId/x but did not change slow MHCI/β expression. Protein phosphatase 2A (PP2A) was shown to mediate the effects of HG on GAPDH and MHCIId/x. Carbohydrate response element-binding protein (ChREBP), a glucose-dependent transcription factor downstream of PP2A, partially mediated the effects of glucose on metabolic markers. The glucose-induced increase in PP2A activity was associated with an increase in p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase activity, which presumably mediates the increase in MHCIId/x promoter activity. Liver X receptor, another possible mediator of glucose effects, induced only an incomplete metabolic shift, mainly increasing the expression of the glycolytic marker. Taken together, HG induces a partial slow-to-fast transformation comprising metabolic enzymes together with an increased expression of MHCIId/x. This work demonstrates a functional role for ChREBP in determining the metabolic type of muscle fibers and highlights the importance of glucose as a signaling molecule in muscle.

Inhibition of aldosterone synthase (CYP11B2) by torasemide prevents atrial fibrosis and atrial fibrillation in mice

Loop diuretics are used for fluid control in patients with heart failure. Furosemide and torasemide may exert differential effects on myocardial fibrosis. Here, we studied the effects of torasemide and furosemide on atrial fibrosis and remodeling during atrial fibrillation. In primary neonatal cardiac fibroblasts, torasemide (50μM, 24h) but not furosemide (50μM, 24h) reduced the expression of connective tissue growth factor (CTGF; 65±6%) and the pro-fibrotic miR-21 (44±23%), as well as the expression of lysyl oxidase (LOX; 57±8%), a regulator of collagen crosslinking. Mineralocorticoid receptor (MR) expression and activity were not altered. Torasemide but not furosemide inhibited human aldosterone synthase (CYP11B2) activity in transfected lung fibroblasts (V79MZ cells) by 75±1.8%. The selective CYP11B2 inhibitor SL242 mimicked the torasemide effects. Mice with cardiac overexpression of Rac1 GTPase (RacET), which develop atrial fibrosis and spontaneous AF with aging, were treated long-term (8months) with torasemide (10mg/kg/day), furosemide (40mg/kg/day) or vehicle. Treatment with torasemide but not furosemide prevented atrial fibrosis in RacET as well as the up-regulation of CTGF, LOX, and miR-2, whereas MR expression and activity remained unaffected. These effects correlated with a reduced prevalence of atrial fibrillation (33% RacET+Tora vs. 80% RacET). Torasemide but not furosemide inhibits CYP11B2 activity and reduces the expression of CTGF, LOX, and miR-21. These effects are associated with prevention of atrial fibrosis and a reduced prevalence of atrial fibrillation in mice.

Passive mechanical forces upregulate the fast myosin heavy chain IId/x via integrin and p38 MAP-Kinase activation in a primary muscle cell culture.

We have studied the mechanism by which a previously described primary muscle culture growing on microcarriers predominantly expresses fast myosin heavy chain (MHC) IId/x. We have measured MHC IId/x mRNA and protein levels, mRNA of MHC I and markers of muscle metabolism, insulin-like growth factor (IGF)-1 and mechano-growth factor (MGF) transcripts, indicators of the activation of the Akt-mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) axis, the p38-, ERK1/2-, and JNK-mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAP) kinase pathways, and of protein phosphatase PP2A, and we have assessed the involvement of integrin. By placing the culture flasks on a rotary shaker, we induce a continuous motion of the culture medium in which the carrier-myotube aggregates are suspended. This motion exerts passive forces on the myotubes that are decisive for the predominance of MHC II expression. These forces act via integrin, which transduces the mechanical signal into activation of PP2A and of p38 MAP-Kinase. The latter presumably is directly responsible for a drastic upregulation of MHC IId/x, whereas MHC I and metabolic markers remain unaffected. At the same time, despite an elevated level of IGF-1 transcription under passive forces, the IGF-1 receptor-Akt-mTOR axis is switched off as evident from the lack of an effect of inhibition of the IGF-1 receptor and from the PP2A-mediated low degree of phosphorylation of Akt and 4E-BP1. Similarly, the ERK1/2- and JNK-MAP kinase pathways are repressed. We conclude that passive stretch exerted on the myotubes by the rotary fluid motion induces a rather selective upregulation of fast MHC II, which goes along with a mild muscle hypertrophy as judged from the amount of protein per cell and is caused by p38 MAP kinase activity elevated via integrin sensing. The direct link between passive stretch and MHC II expression constitutes a novel mechanism, which is expected to become effective physiologically under passive stretch and eccentric contractions of skeletal muscles.

Identification of 4-(4-nitro-2-phenethoxyphenyl)pyridine as a promising new lead for discovering inhibitors of both human and rat 11β-Hydroxylase.

The inhibition of 11β-hydroxylase is a promising strategy for the treatment of Cushings syndrome, in particular for the recurrent and subclinical cases. To achieve proof of concept in rats, efforts were paid to identify novel lead compounds inhibiting both human and rat CYP11B1. Modifications on a potent promiscuous inhibitor of hCYP11B1, hCYP11B2 and hCYP19 (compound IV) that exhibited moderate rCYP11B1 inhibition led to compound 8 as a new promising lead compound. Significant improvements compared to starting point IV were achieved regarding inhibitory potency against both human and rat CYP11B1 (IC50 values of 2 and 163 nM, respectively) as well as selectivity over hCYP19 (IC50 = 1900 nM). Accordingly, compound 8 was around 7- and 28-fold more potent than metyrapone regarding the inhibition of human and rat CYP11B1 and exhibited a comparable selectivity over hCYP11B2 (SF of 3.5 vs 4.9). With further optimizations on this new lead compound 8, drug candidates with satisfying profiles are expected to be discovered.

Metabolic stability optimization and metabolite identification of 2,5-thiophene amide 17β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 2 inhibitors.

17β-HSD2 is a promising new target for the treatment of osteoporosis. In this paper, a rational strategy to overcome the metabolic liability in the 2,5-thiophene amide class of 17β-HSD2 inhibitors is described, and the biological activity of the new inhibitors. Applying different strategies, as lowering the cLogP or modifying the structures of the molecules, compounds 27, 31 and 35 with strongly improved metabolic stability were obtained. For understanding biotransformation in the 2,5-thiophene amide class the main metabolic pathways of three properly selected compounds were elucidated.

Inhibition of 17β-HSD1: SAR of bicyclic substituted hydroxyphenylmethanones and discovery of new potent inhibitors with thioether linker.

Estradiol is the most potent estrogen in humans. It is known to be involved in the development and proliferation of estrogen dependent diseases such as breast cancer and endometriosis. The last step of its biosynthesis is catalyzed by 17β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 1 (17β- HSD1) which consequently is a promising target for the treatment of these diseases. Recently, we reported on bicyclic substituted hydroxyphenylmethanones as potent inhibitors of 17β-HSD1. The present study focuses on rational structural modifications in this compound class with the aim of gaining more insight into its structure-activity relationship (SAR). (4-Hydroxyphenyl)-(5-(3-hydroxyphenylsulfanyl)-thiophen-2-yl)methanone (25) was discovered as a member of a novel potent class of human 17β-HSD1 inhibitors. Computational methods were used to elucidate its interactions with the target protein. The compound showed activity also towards the murine 17β-HSD1 enzyme and thus is a starting point for the design of compounds suitable for evaluation in an animal disease model.

The Most Recently Discovered Carbonic Anhydrase, CA XV, Is Expressed in the Thick Ascending Limb of Henle and in the Collecting Ducts of Mouse Kidney

Background Carbonic anhydrases (CAs) are key enzymes for physiological pH regulation, including the process of urine acidification. Previous studies have identified seven cytosolic or membrane-bound CA isozymes in the kidney. Recently, we showed by in situ hybridization that the mRNA for the most novel CA isozyme, CA XV, is present in the renal cortex. CA XV is a unique isozyme among mammalian CAs, because it has become a pseudogene in primates even though expressed in several other species. Methodology/Principal Findings In the present study, we raised a polyclonal antibody against recombinant mouse CA XV that was produced in a baculovirus/insect cell expression system, and the antibody was used for immunohistochemical analysis in different mouse tissues. Positive immunoreactions were found only in the kidney, where the enzyme showed a very limited distribution pattern. Parallel immunostaining experiments with several other anti-CA sera indicated that CA XV is mainly expressed in the thick ascending limb of Henle and collecting ducts, and the reactions were most prominent in the cortex and outer medulla. Conclusion/Significance Although other studies have proposed a role for CA XV in cell proliferation, its tightly limited distribution may point to a specialized function in the regulation of acid-base homeostasis.