Identification of chemical inhibitors to human tissue transglutaminase by screening existing drug libraries

Human tissue transglutaminase (TGM2) is a calcium-dependent crosslinking enzyme involved in the posttranslational modification of intra- and extracellular proteins and implicated in several neurodegenerative diseases. To find specific inhibitors to TGM2, two structurally diverse chemical libraries (LOPAC and Prestwick) were screened. We found that ZM39923, a Janus kinase inhibitor, and its metabolite ZM449829 were the most potent inhibitors with IC(50) of 10 and 5 nM, respectively. In addition, two other inhibitors, including tyrphostin 47 and vitamin K(3), were found to have an IC(50) in the micromolar range. These agents used in part a thiol-dependent mechanism to inhibit TGM2, consistent with the activation of TGM2 by reduction of an intramolecular disulfide bond. These inhibitors were tested in a polyglutamine-expressing Drosophila model of neurodegeneration and found to improve survival. The TGM2 inhibitors we discovered may serve as valuable lead compounds for the development of orally active TGM2 inhibitors to treat human diseases.     

Cinnamoyl shikonin

The title compound, 1-(5,8-di­hydro-1,4-di­hydroxy-5,8-dioxo-2-naphthyl)-4-methyl­pent-3-en-1-yl cinnamate, C₂₅H₂₂O₆, crystallizes in space group P2₁. The phenyl ring of the cinnamate is anti to the carbonyl group of the same moiety [C—C—C—C = −175.6 (2)°] and is nearly parallel to the naphthyl ring system. Two six-membered rings formed by intramolecular hydrogen bonds, with O—H⃛O distances of 2.587 (2) and 2.589 (2) Å, occur on either side of the fused ring system, creating a tetracyclic pyrene-shaped system. The phenyl ring forms an intermolecular stack with the benzo­quinone ring, as a result of aromatic π–π interactions.     

Design,synthesis, and evaluation of gluten peptide analogs as selective inhibitors of human tissue transglutaminase

Recent studies have implicated a crucial role for tissue transglutaminase (TG2) in the pathogenesis of Celiac Sprue, a disorder of the small intestine triggered in genetically susceptible individuals by dietary exposure to gluten. Proteolytically stable peptide inhibitors of human TG2 were designed containing acivicin or alternatively 6-diazo-5-oxo-norleucine (DON) as warheads. In biochemical and cell-based assays, the best of these inhibitors, Ac-PQP-(DON)-LPF-NH(2), was considerably more potent and selective than other TG2 inhibitors reported to date. Selective pharmacological inhibition of extracellular TG2 should be useful in exploring the mechanistic implications of TG2-catalyzed modification of dietary gluten, a phenomenon of considerable relevance in Celiac Sprue.     

Site-specific protein propargylation using tissue transglutaminase

Transglutaminases (TGases) catalyse the transamidation of glutamine residues with primary amines. Herein we report the first FRET-based activity assay for the direct detection of the ligation (transamidation) reaction mediated by tissue TGase (TG2). This novel assay was then used in a microtiter plate-based screen of a library of 18 potential amine substrates. From this screen it was discovered that propargyl amine serves as an excellent substrate for TG2. Subsequently, propargyl amine and 2-azidoethyl amine were validated independently as TG2 substrates with K(M) values of 44 ± 4 μM, and 0.99 ± 0.06 mM, respectively. In a proof-of-principle protein labelling experiment, the protein casein was selectively functionalized with propargyl amine using TG2 and subsequently fluorescently labelled through a dipolar cycloaddition reaction with an azido-fluorescein conjugate. This application demonstrates the strong potential of using TG2 for site-specific protein modification through a combination of enzymatic and bioorthogonal chemistry.     

取代肉桂酰甘氨酸酯的合成

在N-甲基吡咯烷酮(NMP)促进下,取代肉桂酸(1a^1g)与二氯亚砜(SOCl2)在20℃酰氯化反应0.5 h,再加入甘氨酸乙酯盐酸盐,在40℃下酰胺化反应4 h,n(取代肉桂酸)/n(SOCl2)/n(甘氨酸乙酯盐酸盐)=1.0/1.2/1.4,合成了一系列取代肉桂酰甘氨酸乙酯(2a^2g),其结构经1H NMR、13C NMR、IR和MS(EI)确证。并探讨了NMP促进取代肉桂酰甘氨酸乙酯反应可能的机理。     

Fluorescent probes of tissue transglutaminase reveal its association with arterial stiffening

Tissue transglutaminase (TG2) catalyzes the crosslinking of proteins. TG2 has been implicated in fibrosis and vascular calcification, both of which lead to a common feature of aging known as arterial stiffness. In order to probe the role of TG2 in arterial rigidification, we have prepared a fluorescent irreversible inhibitor as a probe for TG2 activity (RhodB-PGG-K(Acr)-LPF-OH). This probe was synthesized on solid support, characterized kinetically (k(inact) = 0.68 min?1, K(I) = 79 μM), and then used to stain the aorta from rats used as a model of isolated systolic hypertension (ISH). Interestingly, TG2 activity was thus shown to increase over 4 weeks of the hypertension model, corresponding with the previously observed increase in arterial stiffness. These results clearly suggest an association between TG2 and the phenomenon of arterial rigidification.     

Chemistry and biology of dihydroisoxazole derivatives: selective inhibitors of human transglutaminase 2

3-halo-4,5-dihydroisoxazoles are attractive warheads for the selective inhibition of nucleophilic active sites in biological systems. A series of 3-bromo-4,5-dihydroisoxazole compounds were prepared and tested for their ability to irreversibly inhibit human transglutaminase 2 (TG2), an enzyme that plays an important role in the pathogenesis of diverse disorders including Celiac Sprue and certain types of cancers. Several compounds showed high specificity for human TG2 (k(inh)/K(I) > 2000 min(-1)M(-1)) but essentially no reactivity (k < 1 min(-1)M(-1)) toward physiological thiols such as glutathione. The pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic properties of a prototype dihydroisoxazole inhibitor, 1b, were evaluated; in mice the compound showed good oral bioavailability, short serum half-life and efficient TG2 inhibition in small intestinal tissue, and low toxicity. It also showed excellent synergism with N,N'-bis(2-chloroethyl)-N-nitrosourea (BCNU, carmustine) against refractory glioblastoma tumors in mice. A fluorescent dihydroisoxazole inhibitor 5 facilitated microscopic visualization of TG2 endocytosis from the extracellular surface of HCT-116 cells. Together, these findings demonstrate the promise of dihydroisoxazole compounds as probes for the biology of TG2 and its role in human disease.     

超声辐射合成桂皮酰基硫脲嘧啶衍生物

n′-(二取代嘧啶基)-n-桂皮酰基硫脲;超声辐射;相转移催化;合成     

A molecular warhead and its target: tissue transglutaminase and Celiac Sprue

The substitution of a glutamine residue with 6-diazo-5-oxo-norleucine (DON) transforms an immunodominant gluten peptide into a potent inhibitor of tissue transglutaminase. DON-modified peptides could be useful for the study and therapy of celiac sprue.     

Synthesis and Mechanistic Study of Isoquinolinones from Cinnamoyl Azides

A series of isoquinolinones have been synthesized by one‐pot Curtius rearrangement and cyclization of the corresponding cinnamoyl azides using Hg(OAc)₂ as the catalyst under refluxing o‐dichlorobenzene. This is the first time that the intermediate carbamoylisoquinolinone 4 in the synthesis of isoquinolinones has been reported. The nature of the substituent on the aromatic ring was found to be crucial to obtaining high yields of isoquinolinone. The mechanism of the reaction was also discussed.     

Synthesis and Anti-Inflammatory Activity of 1-Methylhydantoin Cinnamoyl Imides

In this study, 1-methylhydantoin cinnamic imides were synthesized from 1-methylhydantoin and trans-cinnamic acid, and their anti-inflammatory activity was investigated. The anti-inflammatory activity in vitro was evaluated by measuring the contents of NO, TNF-α and IL-1β in the supernatant of RAW264.7 cells stimulated by LPS. The cytotoxicity of 1-methylhydantoin cinnamoyl imides on RAW264.7 cells was detected using the CCK-8 method. The results showed that compounds 2 and 4 can significantly inhibit the release of NO and reduce the secretion of TNF-α and IL-1β. Compound 3 inhibited the production of TNF-α. The inhibition rate of COX was evaluated in vitro. The in vivo anti-inflammatory activities of the five compounds were evaluated by establishing an animal model of xylene ear swelling. The results showed that 1-methylhydantoin cinnamic imides could alleviate xylene-induced ear edema in mice in a dose-dependent manner. Among them, the effect of compound 5 was the most significant. Under the action of high dosage, its ear swelling inhibition rate was as high as 52.08%.     

Self-assembly of tissue transglutaminase into amyloid-like fibrils using physiological concentration of Ca2+

Tissue transglutaminase (tTG or TG2) is a member of the transglutaminase family that catalyzes calcium dependent formation of isopeptide bonds. It has been shown that the expression of TG2 is elevated in neurodegenerative diseases such as Parkinson's, Huntington's, and Alzheimer's. We have investigated the self-assembly of TG2 in vitro. First, using software, hot spots, which are prone for aggregation, were identified in domain 2 of the enzyme. Next we expressed and purified recombinant TG2 and its truncated version that contains only the catalytic domain, and examined their amyloidogenic behavior in various conditions including different temperatures and pHs, in the presence of metal ions and Guanosine triphosphate (GTP). To analyze various stages leading to TG2 fibrillation, we employed various techniques including Thioflavin T (ThT) binding assay, Congo-Red, birefringence, Circular Dichroism (CD), 8-anilino-1-naphthalene sulfonic acid (ANS) binding, Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM) and Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM). Our results indicated that using low concentrations of Ca(2+), TG2 self-assembled into amyloid-like fibrils; this self-assembly occurred at the physiological temperature (37 °C) and at a higher temperature (57 °C). The truncated version of TG2 (domain 2) also forms amyloid-like fibrils only in the presence of Ca(2+). Because amyloid formation has occurred with domain 2 alone where no enzymatic activity was shown, self-cross-linking by the enzyme was ruled out as a mechanism of amyloid induction. The self-assembly of TG2 was not significant with magnesium and zinc ions, indicating specificity of the self-assembly for calcium ions. The calcium role in self-assembly of TG2 into amyloid may be extended to other proteins with similar biophysical properties to produce novel biomaterials.     

Cinnamoyl Pluronic F127 as a Stimuli-Sensitive Amphiphile

Cinnamoyl Pluronic F127 (CP F127) was prepared by reacting cinnamoyl chloride and Pluronic F127. On the ¹H NMR spectrum of CP F127, 1.2 moiety of cinnamoyl group was found to be attached to one molecule of CP F127. Using pyrene as a fluorescence probe, it was found that not only Pluronic F127 but also CP F127 could be readily assembled into micelles, and the critical micelle concentration was around 0.015 mg/ml and 0.03 mg/ml, respectively. Pluronic F127 in aqueous solution (2% w/v) could form no particles in 10–20°C, but particles (ca. 30 nm in diameter) were detected on a dynamic light scattering machine in 25–40°C possibly due to the thermal micellization. However, CP F127 was assembled into particles (ca. 230 nm) even in the lower temperature range, possibly because of the intermolecular hydrophobic interaction of the cinnamoyl group. The particle size of CP F127 strongly depended on the medium temperature and UV irradiation time. CP F127 was a good emulsifier for the preparation of O/W emulsions. The oil droplet size markedly increased upon UV irradiation (254 nm, 6 W), possibly because of the photo-dimerization of cinnamoyl group, but it was little affected by the temperature change (10–40°C).     

Cinnamoyl Alginate Microspheres: Effect of UV-Treatment on Release of FITC-Dextran

Cinnamoyl alginate microspheres were prepared using the water droplets of W/O emulsions as a template. Cinnamoyl alginates having variable content of the cinnamoyl group were prepared by a condensation reaction. The photo-dimerization degree of the cinnamoyl group increased as the molar ratio of pyranose unit/cinnamoyl group increased from 1:0.043 to 1:0.18. The air/water interfacial activity of cinnamoyl alginate also increased with increasing the molar ratio. Aqueous solution of cinnamoyl alginate was dispersed in mineral oil to obtain W/O emulsion. UV light (254 nm, 6 W) was irradiated to the emulsion to dimerize the cinnamoyl groups, and CaCl₂ was added to the emulsion to cross-link the cinnamoyl alginate. The surface of UV-treated microspheres was rougher than that of UV-untreated microspheres, possibly due to the photo-dimerization-induced tension on the alginate chains. The release degrees for 24 hours of fluorescein isothiocyanate-dextran (FITC-dextran; MW 4000) from UV-treated microspheres were markedly higher than those from UV-untreated ones. This is possibly due to the intramolecular dimerization of cinnamoyl group. The UV irradiation-induced percentage increase in the maximum release degree was greater as the content of cinnamoyl group was higher.     

基于UDP-半乳糖变异酶靶标的肉桂酰氨基酸衍生物的合成及生物活性

为改善前期发现的UDP-半乳糖变异酶(UGM)抑制剂迷迭香酸的稳定性,通过生物电子等排策略,引入稳定性较好的酰胺键来重新构建该化合物。本文设计合成了8个新的肉桂酰氨基酸衍生物,并进行酶水平和菌株水平的活性评价。酶活性测定结果表明,化合物5a～5h对UGM具有不同程度的抑制活性,其中化合物5e、5g和5h表现出显著的抑制活性,K_d值均达到了微摩尔级,与目前文献报道的最好抑制剂活性相当。化合物5e对UGM的亲和力比母体化合物迷迭香酸提高了17倍,K_d分别为4±2μmol/L(KpUGM)和38±5μmol/L(MtUGM)。5e和5h体外对牛型结核分枝杆菌的MIC分别为50和100μg/mL。结果表明,目标化合物对UGM具有较强的抑制作用,值得进一步的结构修饰,其也可为开发具有较好前景的抗结核候选药物提供参考。     

Cinnamoyl shell‐modified poly(amidoamine) dendrimers

Poly(amidoamine)(PAMAM) dendrimers with a cinnamoyl shell were prepared by reacting full generation PAMAM dendrimers (G=3.0) with 2‐chloroethanol and cinnamoyl chloride, which resulted in densely packed polymerizable unsaturated groups on the periphery. The cinnamoyl shell of the dendrimers dimerized when irradiated under a UV light by using 5‐nitroacenaphthylene as an initiator in dilute dimethylformamide (DMF). FTIR, ¹H NMR, UV‐Vis, SEC, and a viscosity test certified that the photocycloaddition of the cinnamoyl shell of the dendrimers took place within the molecules with the disappearance of double bond signals in the FTIR. ¹H NMR spectra as well as the intrinsic viscosity and polydispersity value of the products both before and after irradiation showed no difference. It was further found that the cinnamoyl shell‐modified dendrimers possessed fluorescence property, and the fluorescence intensity became stronger when the shell was photocyclized under UV‐ irradiation. © 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Polym Sci A: Polym Chem 38: 4147–4153, 2000     

Gemini型表面活性剂疏水链中肉桂酸基团的光致二聚反应

采用紫外光谱、 红外光谱和质谱研究了Gemini型表面活性剂N,N'-二对丁氧基肉桂酰胺基胱氨酸钠(SDBCC)溶液的光化学反应过程和产物, 分析了SDBCC浓度对分子疏水链中肉桂酸基团光化学反应产物分布和光致二聚产率的影响. 结果表明, 在不同浓度下, SDBCC分子疏水链中的肉桂酸基团的光化学反应过程均以光致二聚反应为主, 且为分子内光致二聚产物. 但聚集体形成前后在光照过程中肉桂酸基团的光致二聚反应产率随SDBCC浓度的变化趋势不同, 聚集体形成前光致二聚反应产率随浓度的增加而增大, 聚集体形成后光致二聚反应产率随浓度的增大而减小. 综合光化学反应过程、 拓扑条件和聚集体结构进一步分析了胶束和囊泡的存在对SDBCC分子疏水链中肉桂酸基团光致二聚反应的影响.     

Synthesis of 2-pyridones as tissue factor VIIa inhibitors

2-Pyridones were prepared from 2,6-dibromopyridine via a multi-step synthesis. A variety of chemical transformations, including regioselective nucleophilic addition and selective nitrogen alkylation, afforded the penultimate intermediate 9. A combination of two-dimensional NMR techniques to unequivocally assign the structure of 9 is described. Compound 9 was then used in a Suzuki coupling and further derivatized to afford the targeted tissue Factor VIIa inhibitors. These compounds were tested in several serine protease enzyme assays with biological activity reported.     

Tissue transglutaminase inhibition

Khosla and coworkers report the synthesis of peptidic dihydroisoxazole derivatives, the in vitro evaluation of these novel compounds as inhibitors of recombinant human tissue transglutaminase (TG2), and their oral bioavailability and efficacy for the synergistic treatment of glioblastoma tumors.     

Decreased efficiency of trypsinization of cells following photodynamic therapy: evaluation of a role for tissue transglutaminase

Identifying the cellular responses to photodynamic therapy (PDT) is important if the mechanisms of cellular damage are to be fully understood. The relationship between sensitizer, fluence rate and the removal of cells by trypsinization was studied using the RIF-1 cell line. Following treatment of RIF-1 cells with pyridinium zinc (II) phthalocyanine (PPC), or polyhaematoporphyrin at 10 mW cm-2 (3 J cm-2), there was a significant number of cells that were not removed by trypsin incubation compared to controls. Decreasing the fluence rate from 10 to 2.5 mW cm-2 resulted in a two-fold increase in the number of cells attached to the substratum when PPC used as sensitizer; however, with 5,10,15,20 meso-tetra(hydroxyphenyl) chlorine (m-THPC) there was no resistance to trypsinization following treatment at either fluence rate. The results indicate that resistance of cells to trypsinization following PDT is likely to be both sensitizer and fluence rate dependent. Increased activity of the enzyme tissue-transglutaminase (tTGase) was observed following PPC-PDT, but not following m-THPC-PDT. Similar results were obtained using HT29 human colonic carcinoma and ECV304 human umbilical vein endothelial cell lines. Hamster fibrosarcoma cell (Met B) clones transfected with human tTGase also exhibited resistance to trypsinization following PPC-mediated photosensitization; however, a similar degree of resistance was observed in PDT-treated control Met B cells suggesting that tTGase activity alone was not involved in this process.