Crown Ethers as Transthyretin Amyloidogenesis Inhibitors

J Med Chem. 2019 Feb 28;62(4):2076-2082. doi: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.8b01700. Epub 2019 Feb 8.

Abstract

Transthyretin (TTR) is a tetrameric protein found in human serum and associated with amyloid diseases. Because the tetramer dissociation and misfolding of the monomer precede amyloid fibril formation, development of a small molecule that binds to TTR and stabilizes the TTR tetramer is an efficient strategy for the treatment of amyloidosis. Here, we report our discovery of the anti-TTR amyloidogenesis activities of crown ethers. X-ray crystallographic analysis, binding assay, and chemical cross-linking assay showed that 4'-carboxybenzo-18C6 (4) stabilized the TTR tetramer by binding to the allosteric sites on the molecular surface of the TTR tetramer. In addition, 4 synergistically increased the stabilization activity of diflunisal, one of the most potent TTR amyloidogenesis inhibitors. These experimental evidences establish that 4 is a valuable template compound as an allosteric inhibitor of TTR amyloidogenesis.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Allosteric Site
  • Amyloidogenic Proteins / chemistry
  • Amyloidogenic Proteins / metabolism*
  • Crown Ethers / metabolism*
  • Crystallography, X-Ray
  • Diflunisal / metabolism
  • Drug Discovery
  • Humans
  • Prealbumin / chemistry
  • Prealbumin / metabolism*
  • Protein Binding
  • Protein Multimerization / drug effects*

Substances

  • Amyloidogenic Proteins
  • Crown Ethers
  • Prealbumin
  • Diflunisal