Identification of Human Alanine-Glyoxylate Aminotransferase Ligands as Pharmacological Chaperones for Variants Associated with Primary Hyperoxaluria Type 1

J Med Chem. 2022 Jul 28;65(14):9718-9734. doi: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.2c00142. Epub 2022 Jul 13.

Abstract

Primary hyperoxaluria type I (PH1) is a rare kidney disease due to the deficit of alanine:glyoxylate aminotransferase (AGT), a pyridoxal-5'-phosphate-dependent enzyme responsible for liver glyoxylate detoxification, which in turn prevents oxalate formation and precipitation as kidney stones. Many PH1-associated missense mutations cause AGT misfolding. Therefore, the use of pharmacological chaperones (PCs), small molecules that promote correct folding, represents a useful therapeutic option. To identify ligands acting as PCs for AGT, we first performed a small screening of commercially available compounds. We tested each molecule by a dual approach aimed at defining the inhibition potency on purified proteins and the chaperone activity in cells expressing a misfolded variant associated with PH1. We then performed a chemical optimization campaign and tested the resulting synthetic molecules using the same approach. Overall, the results allowed us to identify a promising hit compound for AGT and draw conclusions about the requirements for optimal PC activity.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Humans
  • Hyperoxaluria, Primary* / drug therapy
  • Ligands
  • Mutation
  • Protein Folding
  • Transaminases / metabolism

Substances

  • Ligands
  • Transaminases
  • Alanine-glyoxylate transaminase

Supplementary concepts

  • Primary hyperoxaluria type 1