Chemical Proteomics Reveals Off-Targets of the Anandamide Reuptake Inhibitor WOBE437

ACS Chem Biol. 2022 May 20;17(5):1174-1183. doi: 10.1021/acschembio.2c00122. Epub 2022 Apr 28.

Abstract

Anandamide or N-arachidonoylethanolamine (AEA) is a signaling lipid that modulates neurotransmitter release via activation of the type 1 cannabinoid receptor (CB1R) in the brain. Termination of anandamide signaling is thought to be mediated via a facilitated cellular reuptake process that utilizes a purported transporter protein. Recently, WOBE437 has been reported as a novel, natural product-based inhibitor of AEA reuptake that is active in cellular and in vivo models. To profile its target interaction landscape, we synthesized pac-WOBE, a photoactivatable probe derivative of WOBE437, and performed chemical proteomics in mouse neuroblastoma Neuro-2a cells. Surprisingly WOBE437, unlike the widely used selective inhibitor of AEA uptake OMDM-1, was found to increase AEA uptake in Neuro-2a cells. In line with this, WOBE437 reduced the cellular levels of AEA and related N-acylethanolamines (NAEs). Using pac-WOBE, we identified saccharopine dehydrogenase-like oxidoreductase (SCCPDH), vesicle amine transport 1 (VAT1), and ferrochelatase (FECH) as WOBE437-interacting proteins in Neuro-2a cells. Further genetic studies indicated that SCCPDH and VAT1 were not responsible for the WOBE437-induced reduction in NAE levels. Regardless of the precise mechanism of action of WOB437 in AEA transport, we have identified SSCPHD, VAT1, and FECH as unprecedented off-targets of this molecule which should be taken into account when interpreting its cellular and in vivo effects.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Arachidonic Acids* / metabolism
  • Arachidonic Acids* / pharmacology
  • Endocannabinoids
  • Mice
  • Polyunsaturated Alkamides / pharmacology
  • Proteomics*

Substances

  • Arachidonic Acids
  • Endocannabinoids
  • Polyunsaturated Alkamides
  • anandamide