Discovery, molecular and pharmacological characterization of GSA-10, a novel small-molecule positive modulator of Smoothened

Mol Pharmacol. 2013 May;83(5):1020-9. doi: 10.1124/mol.112.084590. Epub 2013 Feb 28.

Abstract

Activation of the Smoothened (Smo) receptor mediates Hedgehog (Hh) signaling. Hh inhibitors are in clinical trials for cancer, and small-molecule Smo agonists may have therapeutic interests in regenerative medicine. Here, we have generated and validated a pharmacophoric model for Smo agonists and used this model for the virtual screening of a library of commercially available compounds. Among the 20 top-scoring ligands, we have identified and characterized a novel quinolinecarboxamide derivative, propyl 4-(1-hexyl-4-hydroxy-2-oxo-1,2-dihydroquinoline-3-carboxamido) benzoate, (GSA-10), as a Smo agonist. GSA-10 fits to the agonist pharmacophoric model with two hydrogen bond acceptor groups and four hydrophobic regions. Using pharmacological, biochemical, and molecular approaches, we provide compelling evidence that GSA-10 acts at Smo to promote the differentiation of multipotent mesenchymal progenitor cells into osteoblasts. However, this molecule does not display the hallmarks of reference Smo agonists. Remarkably, GSA-10 does not recognize the classic bodipy-cyclopamine binding site. Its effect on cell differentiation is inhibited by Smo antagonists, such as MRT-83, SANT-1, LDE225, and M25 in the nanomolar range, by GDC-0449 in the micromolar range, but not by cyclopamine and CUR61414. Thus, GSA-10 allows the pharmacological characterization of a novel Smo active site, which is notably not targeted to the primary cilium and strongly potentiated by forskolin and cholera toxin. GSA-10 belongs to a new class of Smo agonists and will be helpful for dissecting Hh mechanism of action, with important implications in physiology and in therapy.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Benzoates / pharmacology
  • Binding Sites / drug effects
  • Bone Morphogenetic Protein Receptors / metabolism
  • Cell Differentiation / drug effects
  • Cell Line
  • Cyclic AMP / metabolism
  • Cyclohexylamines / pharmacology
  • HEK293 Cells
  • Hedgehog Proteins / metabolism
  • Humans
  • Ligands
  • Quinolines / pharmacology*
  • Receptors, G-Protein-Coupled / agonists*
  • Receptors, G-Protein-Coupled / antagonists & inhibitors
  • Receptors, G-Protein-Coupled / metabolism*
  • Small Molecule Libraries
  • Smoothened Receptor
  • Thiophenes / pharmacology
  • Transcription Factors / metabolism
  • Wnt Proteins / metabolism
  • Zinc Finger Protein GLI1

Substances

  • 2-quinolinecarboxamide
  • Benzoates
  • Cyclohexylamines
  • GLI1 protein, human
  • Hedgehog Proteins
  • Ligands
  • Quinolines
  • Receptors, G-Protein-Coupled
  • SAG compound
  • SMO protein, human
  • Small Molecule Libraries
  • Smoothened Receptor
  • Thiophenes
  • Transcription Factors
  • Wnt Proteins
  • Zinc Finger Protein GLI1
  • Cyclic AMP
  • Bone Morphogenetic Protein Receptors