Bioorganic & medicinal chemistry
-
Amyloid beta (Abeta), a key molecule in the pathogenesis of Alzheimer's disease (AD), is derived from the amyloid precursor protein (APP) by sequential proteolysis via beta- and gamma-secretases. Because of their role in generation of Abeta, these enzymes have emerged as important therapeutic targets for AD. In the case of gamma-secretase, progress has been made towards designing potent inhibitors with suitable pharmacological profiles. ⋯ Furthermore, we reported a approximately 5-fold difference in the selective inhibition of APP versus Notch processing via gamma-secretase following treatment with SB225002. Herein we describe the synthesis and optimization of SB225002. By determination of the structure-activity relationship (SAR), we derived small molecules that inhibit Abeta40 production with IC(50) values in the sub-micromolar range in a cell-based assay and also validated the potential of CXCR2 as a new target for therapeutic intervention in AD.
-
A series of 4-(3-aryloxyaryl)quinolines with alcohol substituents on the terminal aryl ring was prepared as potential LXR agonists, in which an alcohol group replaced an amide in previously reported amide analogs. High affinity LXR ligands with excellent agonist potency and efficacy in a functional model of LXR activity were identified, demonstrating that alcohols can substitute for amides while retaining LXR activity. The most potent compound was 5b which had an IC(50)=3.3 nM for LXRbeta binding and EC(50)=12 nM (122% efficacy relative to T0901317) in an ABCA1 mRNA induction assay in J774 mouse cells.