Target Fishing Reveals a Novel Mechanism of 1,2,4-Oxadiazole Derivatives Targeting Rpn6, a Subunit of 26S Proteasome

J Med Chem. 2022 Mar 24;65(6):5029-5043. doi: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.1c02210. Epub 2022 Mar 6.

Abstract

1,2,4-Oxadiazole derivatives, a class of Nrf2-ARE activators, exert an extensive therapeutic effect on inflammation, cancer, neurodegeneration, and microbial infection. Among these analogues, DDO-7263 is the most potent Nrf2 activator and used as the core structure for bioactive probes to explore the precise mechanism. In this work, we obtained compound 7, a mimic of DDO-7263, and biotin-labeled and fluorescein-based probes, which exhibited homologous biological activities to DDO-7263, including activating Nrf2 and its downstream target genes, anti-oxidative stress, and anti-inflammatory effects. Affinity chromatography and mass analysis techniques revealed Rpn6 as the potential target protein regulating the Nrf2 signaling pathway. In vitro affinity experiments further confirmed that DDO-7263 upregulated Nrf2 through binding to Rpn6 to block the assembly of 26S proteasome and the subsequent degradation of ubiquitinated Nrf2. These results indicated that Rpn6 is a promising candidate target to activate the Nrf2 pathway for protecting cells and tissues from oxidative, electrophilic, and exogenous microbial stimulation.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • NF-E2-Related Factor 2* / metabolism
  • Oxadiazoles* / chemistry
  • Oxadiazoles* / pharmacology
  • Oxidative Stress
  • Proteasome Endopeptidase Complex / metabolism

Substances

  • ATP dependent 26S protease
  • NF-E2-Related Factor 2
  • Oxadiazoles
  • Proteasome Endopeptidase Complex