Discovery of an Unexpected Similarity in Ligand Binding Between BRD4 and PPARγ

Author(s):  
Lina Humbeck ◽  
Jette Pretzel ◽  
Saskia Spitzer ◽  
Oliver Koch

Knowledge about interrelationships between different proteins is crucial in fundamental research for the elucidation of protein networks and pathways. Furthermore, it is especially critical in chemical biology to identify further key regulators of a disease and to take advantage of polypharmacology effects. A comprehensive scaffold-based analysis uncovered an unexpected relationship between bromodomain-containing protein 4 (BRD4) and peroxisome-proliferator activated receptor gamma (PPARγ). They are both important drug targets for cancer therapy and many more important diseases. Both proteins share binding site similarities near a common hydrophobic subpocket which should allow the design of a polypharmacology-based ligand targeting both proteins. Such a dual-BRD4-PPARγ-modulator could show synergistic effects with a higher efficacy or delayed resistance development in, for example, cancer therapy. Thereon, a complex structure of sulfasalazine was obtained that involves two bromodomains and could be a potential starting point for the design of a bivalent BRD4 inhibitor.

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lina Humbeck ◽  
Jette Pretzel ◽  
Saskia Spitzer ◽  
Oliver Koch

Knowledge about interrelationships between different proteins is crucial in fundamental research for the elucidation of protein networks and pathways. Furthermore, it is especially critical in chemical biology to identify further key regulators of a disease and to take advantage of polypharmacology effects. A comprehensive scaffold-based analysis uncovered an unexpected relationship between bromodomain-containing protein 4 (BRD4) and peroxisome-proliferator activated receptor gamma (PPARγ). They are both important drug targets for cancer therapy and many more important diseases. Both proteins share binding site similarities near a common hydrophobic subpocket which should allow the design of a polypharmacology-based ligand targeting both proteins. Such a dual-BRD4-PPARγ-modulator could show synergistic effects with a higher efficacy or delayed resistance development in, for example, cancer therapy. Thereon, a complex structure of sulfasalazine was obtained that involves two bromodomains and could be a potential starting point for the design of a bivalent BRD4 inhibitor.


PPAR Research ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 2021 ◽  
pp. 1-12
Author(s):  
Jilong Hu ◽  
Zhinan Zheng ◽  
Jia Lei ◽  
Yuxin Cao ◽  
Qiyun Li ◽  
...  

Enhancer of zeste homolog 2 (EZH2) is abnormally highly expressed in pancreatic cancer (PC). However, it is not ideal to treat PC by inhibiting EZH2. This study reported that the combined use of pan-peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR) agonist could significantly improve the anti-PC effect of EZH2 inhibitor. In vitro, PC cell lines PANC-1 and AsPC-1 were cultured, and MTT and flow cytometry were performed to observe the effects of pan-PPAR agonist bezafibrate and EZH2 selective inhibitor GSK126 on cell viability and apoptosis. In vivo, CDXs of PANC-1 and AsPC-1 were established to observe the effects of bezafibrate and GSK126 on bearing tumors. Western blotting was performed to detect the protein expressions of H3K27me3, β-catenin, p-β-catenin, cyclin D1, c-Myc, and cleaved caspase 3 in vitro and in vivo. The results showed that bezafibrate significantly improved the effects of GSK126 on proliferation inhibition and apoptosis promotion in vitro and the growth suppression of CDX tumors in vivo. It also significantly enhanced the effects of GSK126 on upregulating the expression level of p-β-catenin and that of cleaved caspase 3 in vitro and in vivo. In parallel, downregulation of the expression levels of H3K27me3, β-catenin, cyclin D1, and c-Myc was also observed in vitro or in vivo. These results suggest that the combination of bezafibrate and GSK126 has synergistic effects on PC, and the molecular mechanism may be related to the enhanced inhibition of the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway. We believe that targeting the EZH2-PPAR axis is a potential therapeutic pathway for PC.


2001 ◽  
Vol 193 (7) ◽  
pp. 827-838 ◽  
Author(s):  
Pierre Desreumaux ◽  
Laurent Dubuquoy ◽  
Sophie Nutten ◽  
Michel Peuchmaur ◽  
Walter Englaro ◽  
...  

The peroxisome proliferator–activated receptor γ (PPARγ) is highly expressed in the colon mucosa and its activation has been reported to protect against colitis. We studied the involvement of PPARγ and its heterodimeric partner, the retinoid X receptor (RXR) in intestinal inflammatory responses. PPARγ1/− and RXRα1/− mice both displayed a significantly enhanced susceptibility to 2,4,6-trinitrobenzene sulfonic acid (TNBS)-induced colitis compared with their wild-type littermates. A role for the RXR/PPARγ heterodimer in the protection against colon inflammation was explored by the use of selective RXR and PPARγ agonists. TNBS-induced colitis was significantly reduced by the administration of both PPARγ and RXR agonists. This beneficial effect was reflected by increased survival rates, an improvement of macroscopic and histologic scores, a decrease in tumor necrosis factor α and interleukin 1β mRNA levels, a diminished myeloperoxidase concentration, and reduction of nuclear factor κB DNA binding activity, c-Jun NH2-terminal kinase, and p38 activities in the colon. When coadministered, a significant synergistic effect of PPARγ and RXR ligands was observed. In combination, these data demonstrate that activation of the RXR/PPARγ heterodimer protects against colon inflammation and suggest that combination therapy with both RXR and PPARγ ligands might hold promise in the clinic due to their synergistic effects.


Marine Drugs ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 16 (7) ◽  
pp. 238 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jing-Ru Weng ◽  
Chang-Fang Chiu ◽  
Jing-Lan Hu ◽  
Chia-Hsien Feng ◽  
Chiung-Yao Huang ◽  
...  

The peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ (PPARγ) is a nuclear receptor that plays a key role in regulating cellular metabolism, and is a therapeutic target for cancer therapy. To search for potential PPARγ activators, a compound library comprising 11 marine compounds was examined. Among them, a sterol, 3β,11-dihydroxy-9,11-secogorgost-5-en-9-one (compound 1), showed the highest PPARγ activity with an IC50 value of 8.3 μM for inhibiting human breast adenocarcinoma cell (MCF-7) growth. Western blotting experiments showed that compound 1 induces caspase activation and PARP cleavage. In addition, compound 1 modulated the expression of various PPARγ-regulated downstream biomarkers including cyclin D1, cyclin-dependent kinase (CDK)6, B-cell lymphoma 2 (Bcl-2), p38, and extracellular-signal-regulated kinase (ERK). Moreover, compound 1 increased reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation, upregulated the phosphorylation and expression of H2AX, and induced autophagy. Interestingly, pre-treatment with the autophagy inhibitor 3-methyladenine rescued cells from compound 1-induced growth inhibition, which indicates that the cytotoxic effect of compound 1 is, in part, attributable to its ability to induce autophagy. In conclusion, these findings suggest the translational potential of compound 1 in breast cancer therapy.


Author(s):  
IDA MUSFIROH ◽  
GINNA MEGAWATI ◽  
DEWI MARHENI DIAH HERAWATI ◽  
AGUS RUSDIN

Objective: The aim of this work was to study the pharmacophore model of omega-3 derivatives with the PPAR-γ receptor using LigandScout 4.4.3 to investigate the important chemical interactions of complex structure. Methods: The methods consisted of structure preparation of nine chemical compounds derived from omega-3 fatty acids, database preparation, creating 3D Pharmacophore modelling, validation pharmacophore, and screening test compounds. Results: The result of the research showed that the omega-3 derivatives docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), when eicosapentaenoic acid (HPA), and docosapentaenoic acid (DPA) have the best pharmacophore fit values of 36.59; 36.56; and 36.56, respectively. According to the results of the pharmacophore study, the carbonyl and hydroxyl of the carboxylate functional groups become the active functional groups that exhibit hydrogen bonding interactions. While the alkyl chain (Ethyl and methyl groups) was the portion that can be modified to increase its activity. Conclusion: Omega-3 derivatives could be used as a lead drug for the powerful PPAR-γ receptor in the prevention and treatment of obesity.


2014 ◽  
Vol 42 (4) ◽  
pp. 1052-1055 ◽  
Author(s):  
Joost Schalkwijk ◽  
Patrick Jansen

VNNs (vanins) are pantetheinases that hydrolyse pantetheine to pantothenic acid and cysteamine. Studies with Vnn1-knockout mice have indicated a role of VNN-1 in inflammation and stress responses. VNN-1 is highly expressed in liver and is under transcriptional control of PPAR (peroxisome-proliferator-activated receptor)-α and nutritional status, suggesting a role in energy metabolism. Recently, the specific substrates and inhibitors of VNNs were obtained as tools to study VNN biology and to investigate whether VNNs are potential drug targets. Oral administration of RR6, a pantothenone with nanomolar anti-VNN potency, completely inhibited plasma VNN activity in rats and showed favourable pharmacokinetics. Prolonged RR6 administration caused alterations of hepatic and plasma lipid concentrations upon fasting. VNN inhibitors were found to protect pantothenamides (pantetheine analogues with antibiotic activity) against breakdown by plasma VNN, thereby preserving their antibiotic activity. Combination of pantothenamides with a VNN inhibitor showed a strong activity against Staphylococcus aureus and Staphylococcus pneumoniae when assayed in the presence of 10% serum. Recent studies have reported plasma stable pantothenamides that were active against the malaria parasite Plasmodium falciparum. We conclude that VNN inhibitors and pantothenate derivatives that target enzymes in the CoA (coenzyme A) biosynthetic pathway may have potential use as novel drugs in infection, inflammation and metabolism.


PPAR Research ◽  
2008 ◽  
Vol 2008 ◽  
pp. 1-14 ◽  
Author(s):  
Min-Chul Cho ◽  
Kyoung Lee ◽  
Sang-Gi Paik ◽  
Do-Young Yoon

Overweight and obesity lead to an increased risk for metabolic disorders such as impaired glucose regulation/insulin resistance, dyslipidemia, and hypertension. Several molecular drug targets with potential to prevent or treat metabolic disorders have been revealed. Interestingly, the activation of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR), which belongs to the nuclear receptor superfamily, has many beneficial clinical effects. PPAR directly modulates gene expression by binding to a specific ligand. All PPAR subtypes (α,γ,andσ) are involved in glucose metabolism, lipid metabolism, and energy balance. PPAR agonists play an important role in therapeutic aspects of metabolic disorders. However, undesired effects of the existing PPAR agonists have been reported. A great deal of recent research has focused on the discovery of new PPAR modulators with more beneficial effects and more safety without producing undesired side effects. Herein, we briefly review the roles of PPAR in metabolic disorders, the effects of PPAR modulators in metabolic disorders, and the technologies with which to discover new PPAR modulators.


Biomolecules ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (12) ◽  
pp. 1764
Author(s):  
Dahae Lee ◽  
Hee Jae Kwak ◽  
Byoung Ha Kim ◽  
Seung Hyun Kim ◽  
Dong-Wook Kim ◽  
...  

Hispidulin is abundant in Arrabidaea chica, Crossostephium chinense, and Grindelia argentina, among others. p-Synephrine is the main phytochemical constituent of Citrus aurantium. It has been used in combination with various other phytochemicals to determine synergistic effects in studies involving human participants. However, there have been no reports comparing the anti-adipogenic effects of the combination of hispidulin and p-synephrine. The current study explores the anti-adipogenic effects of hispidulin alone and in combination with p-synephrine in a murine preadipocyte cell line, 3T3-L1. Co-treatment resulted in a greater inhibition of the formation of red-labeled lipid droplets than the hispidulin or p-synephrine-alone treatments. Co-treatment with hispidulin and p-synephrine also significantly inhibited adipogenic marker proteins, including Akt, mitogen-activated protein kinases, peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma, CCAAT/enhancer-binding protein alpha, glucocorticoid receptor, and CCAAT/enhancer-binding protein β. Although further studies are required to assess the effects of each drug on pharmacokinetic parameters, a combination treatment with hispidulin and p-synephrine may be a potential alternative strategy for developing novel anti-obesity drugs.


2015 ◽  
Vol 18 (2) ◽  
pp. 12-19 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alexander Dmitrievich Egorov ◽  
Dmitry Nikolaevich Penkov ◽  
Vsevolod Arsen'evich Tkachuk

The main components of metabolic syndrome include insulin resistance, hypertriglyceridemia and arterial hypertension. Obesity is the cause of metabolic syndrome, mainly as a consequence of the endocrine function of adipose tissue. The volume of adipose tissue depends on the size of individual adipocytes and on their number. The number of adipocytes increases as a result of enhanced adipocyte differentiation. The transcriptional cascade that regulates this differentiation has been well studied. The major adipogenic transcription factor peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma is a ligand-activated nuclear receptor with essential roles in adipogenesis. Its ligands are used to treat metabolic syndrome and type 2 diabetes mellitus. . The present article describes the basic molecular and cellular mechanisms of adipogenesis and discusses the impact of insulin, glucocorticoids, cyclic adenosine monophosphate-activating agents, nuclear receptors and transcription factors on the process of adipogenesis. New regulatory regions of the genome that are capable of binding multiple transcription factors are described, and the most promising drug targets for the treatment of metabolic syndrome and obesity, including the homeodomain proteins Pbx1 and Prep1, are discussed..


2018 ◽  
Vol 2018 ◽  
pp. 1-10
Author(s):  
Jueun Lee ◽  
Jinbong Park ◽  
Hyewon Park ◽  
Dong-Hyun Youn ◽  
Jaehoon Lee ◽  
...  

Obesity has become a major health threat in developed countries. However, current medications for obesity are limited because of their adverse effects. Interest in natural products for the treatment of obesity is thus rapidly growing. Korean medicine is characterized by the wide use of herbal formulas. However, the combination rule of herbal formulas in Korean medicine lacks experimental evidence. According to Shennong’s Classic of Materia Medica, the earliest book of herbal medicine, Bupleuri Radix (BR) and Scutellariae Radix (SR) possess the Sangsoo relationship, which means they have synergistic features when used together. Therefore these two are frequently used together in prescriptions such as Sosiho-Tang. In this study, we used the network pharmacological method to predict the interaction between these two herbs and then investigated the effects of BR, SR, and their combination on obesity in 3T3-L1 adipocytes. BR, SR, and BR-SR mixture significantly decreased lipid accumulation and the expressions of two major adipogenic factors, peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-gamma (PPARγ) and CCAAT/enhancer-binding protein-alpha (C/EBPα), and their downstream genes, Adipoq, aP2, and Lipin1 in 3T3-L1 cells. In addition, the BR-SR mixture had synergistic effects compared with BR or SR on inhibition of adipogenic-gene expressions. BR and SR also inhibited the protein expressions of PPARγ and C/EBPα. Furthermore, the two extracts successfully activated AMP-activated protein kinase alpha (AMPK α), the key regulator of energy metabolism. When compared to those of BR or SR, the BR-SR mixture showed higher inhibition rates of PPARγ and C/EBPα, along with higher activation rate of AMPK. These results indicate a new potential antiobese pharmacotherapy and also provide scientific evidence supporting the usage of herbal combinations instead of mixtures in Korean medicine.


Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document