LCAT is intimately involved in HDL maturation and is a key component of the reverse cholesterol transport (RCT) pathway which removes excess cholesterol molecules from the peripheral tissues to the liver for excretion. Patients with loss-of-function LCAT mutations exhibit low levels of HDL cholesterol and corneal opacity. Here we report the 2.65 Å crystal structure of the human LCAT protein. Crystallization required enzymatic removal of N-linked glycans and complex formation with a Fab fragment from a tool antibody. The crystal structure reveals that LCAT has an α/β hydrolase core with two additional subdomains that play important roles in LCAT function. Subdomain 1 contains the region of LCAT shown to be required for interfacial activation, while subdomain 2 contains the lid and amino acids that shape the substrate binding pocket. Mapping the naturally occurring mutations onto the structure provides insight into how they may affect LCAT enzymatic activity.

Lecithin-cholesterol acyltransferase (LCAT) is a key enzyme in the esterification of cholesterol and its subsequent incorporation into the core of high density lipoprotein (HDL) particles. It is also involved in reverse cholesterol transport (RCT), the mechanism by which cholesterol is removed from peripheral cells and transported to the liver for excretion. These processes are involved in the development of atherosclerosis and coronary heart disease (CHD) and may have therapeutic implications. This work describes the use of baculovirus as a transducing vector to express LCAT in mammalian cells, expression of the recombinant protein as a high-mannose glycoform suitable for deglycosylation by Endo H and its purification to homogeneity and characterization. The importance of producing underglycosylated forms of secreted glycoproteins to obtain high-resolution crystal structures is discussed. (C) 2015 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

In this Letter, we report the continued optimization of the N-acyl-2-aminobenzimidazole series, focusing in particular on the N-alkyl substituent and 5-position of the benzimidazole based on the binding mode and the early SAR. These efforts led to the discovery of 16, a highly potent, selective, and orally bioavailable inhibitor of IRAK-4.

Fatty acid amide hydrolase (FAAH), an amidase-signature family member, is an integral membrane enzyme that degrades lipid amides including the endogenous cannabinoid anandamide and the sleep-inducing molecule oleamide. Both genetic knock out and pharmacological administration of FAAH inhibitors in rodent models result in analgesic, anxiolytic, and antiinflammatory phenotypes. Targeting FAAH activity, therefore, presents a promising new therapeutic strategy for the treatment of pain and other neurological-related or inflammatory disorders. Nearly all FAAH inhibitors known to date attain their binding potency through a reversible or irreversible covalent modification of the nucleophile Ser241 in the unusual Ser-Ser-Lys catalytic triad. Here, we report the discovery and mechanism of action of a series of ketobenzimidazoles as unique and potent noncovalent FAAH inhibitors. Compound 2, a representative of these ketobenzimidazoles, was designed from a series of ureas that were identified from high-throughput screening. While urea compound 1 is characterized as an irreversible covalent inhibitor, the cocrystal structure of FAAH complexed with compound 2 reveals that these ketobenzimidazoles, though containing a carbonyl moiety, do not covalently modify Ser241. These inhibitors achieve potent inhibition of FAAH activity primarily from shape complementarity to the active site and through numerous hydrophobic interactions. These noncovalent compounds exhibit excellent selectivity and good pharmacokinetic properties. The discovery of this distinctive class of inhibitors opens a new avenue for modulating FAAH activity through nonmechanism-based inhibition.

A novel series of (E)-1-((2-(1-methyl-1H-imidazol-5-yl) quinolin-4-yl) methylene) thiosemicarbazides was discovered as potent inhibitors of IKKβ. In this Letter we document our efforts at further optimization of this series, culminating in 2 with submicromolar potency in a HWB assay and efficacy in a CIA mouse model.

A novel series of (E)-1-((2-(1-methyl-1H-imidazol-5-yl) quinolin-4-yl) methylene) thiosemicarbazides was discovered as potent inhibitors of IKKβ. In this Letter we document our early efforts at optimization of the quinoline core, the imidazole and the semithiocarbazone moiety. Most potency gains came from substitution around the 6- and 7-positions of the quinoline ring. Replacement of the semithiocarbazone with a semicarbazone decreased potency but led to some measurable exposure.

The discovery and optimization of a series of potent PPARdelta full agonists with partial agonistic activity against PPARgamma is described.

Novel 4,4-disubstituted cyclohexylbenzamide inhibitors of 11β-HSD1 were optimized to account for liabilities relating to in vitro pharmacokinetics, cytotoxicity and protein-related shifts in potency. A representative compound showing favorable in vivo pharmacokinetics was found to be an efficacious inhibitor of 11β-HSD1 in a rat pharmacodynamic model (ED50 = 10 mg/kg).

The nuclear hormone receptor peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ (PPARγ; NR1C3) plays a central role in adipogenesis and is the molecular target of the thiazolidinedione class of antidiabetic drugs. To overcome the well-known shortcomings of thiazolidinediones, we have identified INT131 (formerly T131 and AMG131) as a potent selective ligand for PPARγ that is structurally and pharmacologically distinct from glitazone agonists. In vitro biochemical and cell-based functional assays showed that INT131 mediates a distinct pattern of coregulator recruitment to PPARγ. In adipocytes, INT131 showed minimal stimulation of adipocyte differentiation and partially activated PPARγ target genes involved in adipogenesis and, at the same time, showed more agonistic activity on another set of target genes that may influence insulin sensitivity directly. These unique properties of INT131 may provide a mechanistic basis for its distinct pharmacological profile. In vivo, increases in glucose tolerance were observed in Zucker (fa/fa) rats following a 14-day oral treatment with INT131. Although the maximal efficacies of INT131 and rosiglitazone were similar with respect to improvements in glucose tolerance, INT131 had less effect on heart and lung weights, weight gain, hemodilution, and plasma volume. Thus, INT131 appears to selectively modulate PPARγ responses in an in vivo preclinical model, showing antidiabetic efficacy while exhibiting an improved hemodynamic and cardiovascular adverse effect profile compared to the full agonist rosiglitazone. X-ray crystallography revealed that INT131 interacts with PPARγ through a distinct binding mode, forming primarily hydrophobic contacts with the ligand-binding pocket without direct hydrogen-bonding interactions to key residues in helix 12 that are characteristic of full agonists. Mutagenesis studies on Tyr473 in helix 12 demonstrated this residue as essential for rosiglitazone-induced receptor activation, but nonessential for INT131 function in vitro, providing one possible molecular determinant for INT131's distinct pharmacology. INT131 is currently being evaluated in a clinical setting as a therapeutic agent for the treatment of type 2 diabetes.

Proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 (PCSK9) regulates serum LDL cholesterol (LDL-C) by interacting with the LDL receptor (LDLR) and is an attractive therapeutic target for LDL-C lowering. We have generated a neutralizing anti-PCSK9 antibody, mAb1, that binds to an epitope on PCSK9 adjacent to the region required for LDLR interaction. In vitro, mAb1 inhibits PCSK9 binding to the LDLR and attenuates PCSK9-mediated reduction in LDLR protein levels, thereby increasing LDL uptake. A combination of mAb1 with a statin increases LDLR levels in HepG2 cells more than either treatment alone. In wild-type mice, mAb1 increases hepatic LDLR protein levels ≈2-fold and lowers total serum cholesterol by up to 36%: this effect is not observed in LDLR−/− mice. In cynomolgus monkeys, a single injection of mAb1 reduces serum LDL-C by 80%, and a significant decrease is maintained for 10 days. We conclude that anti-PCSK9 antibodies may be effective therapeutics for treating hypercholesterolemia.

11 beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 1 (11 beta-HSD1) catalyzes the NADPH dependent interconversion of inactive cortisone to active cortisol. Excess 11 beta-HSD1 or cortisol leads to insulin resistance and metabolic syndrome in animal models and in humans. Inhibiting 11 beta-HSD1 activity signifies a promising therapeutic strategy in the treatment of Type 2 diabetes and related diseases. Herein, we report two highly potent and selective small molecule inhibitors of human 11 beta-HSD1. While compound 1, a sulfonamide, functions as a simple substrate competitive inhibitor, compound 2, a triazole, shows the kinetic pro. le of a mixed inhibitor. Co-crystal structures reveal that both compounds occupy the 11 beta-HSD1 catalytic site, but present distinct molecular interactions with the protein. Strikingly, compound 2 interacts much closer to the cofactor NADP+ and likely modifies its binding. Together, the structural and kinetic analyses demonstrate two distinctive molecular inhibition mechanisms, providing valuable information for future inhibitor design. (C) 2008 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Proprotein convertase subtilisin kexin type 9 (PCSK9) has been shown to be involved in the regulation of extracellular levels of the low-density lipoprotien receptor (LDLR). Although PCSK9 is a subtilase, it has not been shown to degrade the LDLR, and its LDLR-lowering mechanism remains uncertain. Here we report the crystal structure of human PCSK9 at 2.3 A resolution. PCSK9 has subtilisin-like pro- and catalytic domains, and the stable interaction between these domains prevents access to PCSK9's catalytic site. The C-terminal domain of PCSK9 has a novel protein fold and may mediate protein-protein interactions. The structure of PCSK9 provides insight into its biochemical characteristics and biological function.

Interleukin-1 (IL-1) receptor-associated kinase-4 (IRAK-4) is a serine/threonine kinase that plays an essential role in signal transduction by Toll/IL-1 receptors (TIRs). Here, we report the crystal structures of the phosphorylated human IRAK-4 kinase domain in complex with a potent inhibitor and with staurosporine to 2.0 and 2.2 A, respectively. The structures reveal that IRAK-4 has a unique tyrosine gatekeeper residue that interacts with the conserved glutamate from helix alphaC. Consequently, helix alphaC is "pulled in" to maintain the active orientation, and the usual pre-existing hydrophobic back pocket of the ATP-binding site is abolished. The peptide substrate-binding site is more open when compared with other protein kinases due to a marked movement of helix alphaG. The pattern of phosphate ligand interactions in the activation loop bears a close resemblance to that of a tyrosine kinase. Our results provide insights into IRAK-4 function and the design of selective inhibitors.

Members of the nuclear receptor (NR) superfamily of transcription factors modulate gene transcription in response to small lipophilic molecules1. Transcriptional activity is regulated by ligands binding to the carboxy-terminal ligand-binding domains (LBDs) of cognate NRs. A subgroup of NRs referred to as ‘orphan receptors’ lack identified ligands, however, raising issues about the function of their LBDs2. Here we report the crystal structure of the LBD of the orphan receptor Nurr1 at 2.2 Å resolution. The Nurr1 LBD adopts a canonical protein fold resembling that of agonist-bound, transcriptionally active LBDs in NRs3, but the structure has two distinctive features. First, the Nurr1 LBD contains no cavity as a result of the tight packing of side chains from several bulky hydrophobic residues in the region normally occupied by ligands. Second, Nurr1 lacks a ‘classical’ binding site for coactivators. Despite these differences, the Nurr1 LBD can be regulated in mammalian cells. Notably, transcriptional activity is correlated with the Nurr1 LBD adopting a more stable conformation. Our findings highlight a unique structural class of NRs and define a model for ligand-independent NR function.

The lanthanide thiolate complexes [LnL2(µ-SBut)]2[L = N(SiMe3)2; Ln = Eu, Gd, Y] have been prepared by reaction of [LnL2Cl(THF)]2(Ln = Eu, Gd; THF = tetrahydrofuran) or LnL2(THF)2(Ln = Y) with LiSBut; the crystal structure of [GdL2(µ-SBut)]2 is reported.