Discovery of γ-secretase modulators with a novel activity profile by text-based virtual screening

ACS Chem Biol. 2012 Sep 21;7(9):1488-95. doi: 10.1021/cb3001952. Epub 2012 Jul 2.

Abstract

We present an integrated approach to identify and optimize a novel class of γ-secretase modulators (GSMs) with a unique pharmacological profile. Our strategy included (i) virtual screening through application of a recently developed protocol (PhAST), (ii) synthetic chemistry to discover structure-activity relationships, and (iii) detailed in vitro pharmacological characterization. GSMs are promising agents for treatment or prevention of Alzheimer's disease. They modulate the γ-secretase product spectrum (i.e., amyloid-β (Aβ) peptides of different length) and induce a shift from toxic Aβ42 to shorter Aβ species such as Aβ38 with no or minimal effect on the overall rate of γ-secretase cleavage. We describe the identification of a series of 4-hydroxypyridin-2-one derivatives, which display a novel type of γ-secretase modulation with equipotent inhibition of Aβ42 and Aβ38 peptide species.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Alzheimer Disease / drug therapy
  • Alzheimer Disease / enzymology*
  • Amino Acid Sequence
  • Amyloid Precursor Protein Secretases / chemistry
  • Amyloid Precursor Protein Secretases / metabolism*
  • Amyloid beta-Peptides / antagonists & inhibitors*
  • Amyloid beta-Peptides / chemistry
  • Amyloid beta-Peptides / metabolism
  • Animals
  • CHO Cells
  • Cricetinae
  • Drug Design
  • Humans
  • Molecular Sequence Data
  • Pyridines / chemistry*
  • Pyridines / pharmacology*
  • Pyridones
  • Structure-Activity Relationship

Substances

  • Amyloid beta-Peptides
  • Pyridines
  • Pyridones
  • 4-pyridone
  • Amyloid Precursor Protein Secretases