Identification and validation of a selective small molecule inhibitor targeting the diacylglycerol acyltransferase 2 activity

Biol Pharm Bull. 2013;36(7):1167-73. doi: 10.1248/bpb.b13-00152. Epub 2013 Apr 12.

Abstract

Diacylglycerol acyltransferase 2 (DGAT2) is one of two distinct DGAT enzymes that catalyze the last step in triacylglycerol (TG) synthesis. Findings from previous studies suggest that inhibition of DGAT2 is a promising strategy for the treatment of hepatic steatosis and insulin resistance. Here, we identified compound 122 as a potent and selective inhibitor of human DGAT2, which appeared to act competitively against oleoyl-CoA in vitro. The selective inhibition of DGAT2 was also confirmed by the reductions in enzymatic activity and de novo TG synthesis in DGAT2-overexpressing HEK293 cells and hepatic cells HepG2. Compound 122, as a newly identified inhibitor of DGAT2, will be useful for the research on DGAT2-related lipid metabolism as well as the development of therapeutic drug for several metabolic diseases.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Diacylglycerol O-Acyltransferase / antagonists & inhibitors*
  • Diacylglycerol O-Acyltransferase / genetics
  • Enzyme Inhibitors / chemistry
  • Enzyme Inhibitors / pharmacology*
  • HEK293 Cells
  • High-Throughput Screening Assays
  • Humans
  • Molecular Structure
  • Sf9 Cells
  • Small Molecule Libraries / chemistry
  • Small Molecule Libraries / pharmacology*
  • Spodoptera
  • Structure-Activity Relationship
  • Transfection

Substances

  • Enzyme Inhibitors
  • Small Molecule Libraries
  • DGAT1 protein, human
  • DGAT2 protein, human
  • Diacylglycerol O-Acyltransferase