2 research outputs found
β‑Glucocerebrosidase Modulators Promote Dimerization of β‑Glucocerebrosidase and Reveal an Allosteric Binding Site
β-Glucocerebrosidase
(GCase) mutations cause Gaucher’s
disease and are a high risk factor in Parkinson’s disease.
The implementation of a small molecule modulator is a strategy to
restore proper folding and lysosome delivery of degradation-prone
mutant GCase. Here, we present a potent quinazoline modulator, <b>JZ-4109</b>, which stabilizes wild-type and N370S mutant GCase
and increases GCase abundance in patient-derived fibroblast cells.
We then developed a covalent modification strategy using a lysine
targeted inactivator (<b>JZ-5029</b>) for <i>in vitro</i> mechanistic studies. By using native top-down mass spectrometry,
we located two potentially covalently modified lysines. We obtained
the first crystal structure, at 2.2 Ă… resolution, of a GCase
with a noniminosugar modulator covalently bound, and were able to
identify the exact lysine residue modified (Lys346) and reveal an
allosteric binding site. GCase dimerization was induced by our modulator
binding, which was observed by native mass spectrometry, its crystal
structure, and size exclusion chromatography with a multiangle light
scattering detector. Finally, the dimer form was confirmed by negative
staining transmission electron microscopy studies. Our newly discovered
allosteric site and observed GCase dimerization provide a new mechanistic
insight into GCase and its noniminosugar modulators and facilitate
the rational design of novel GCase modulators for Gaucher’s
disease and Parkinson’s disease
Pharmacokinetic Benefits of 3,4-Dimethoxy Substitution of a Phenyl Ring and Design of Isosteres Yielding Orally Available Cathepsin K Inhibitors
Rational structure-based design has yielded highly potent
inhibitors
of cathepsin K (Cat K) with excellent physical properties, selectivity
profiles, and pharmacokinetics. Compounds with a 3,4-(CH<sub>3</sub>O)<sub>2</sub>Ph motif, such as <b>31</b>, were found to have
excellent metabolic stability and absorption profiles. Through metabolite
identification studies, a reactive metabolite risk was identified
with this motif. Subsequent structure-based design of isoteres culminated
in the discovery of an optimized and balanced inhibitor (indazole, <b>38</b>)