A screen of repurposed drugs identifies AMHR2/MISR2 agonists as potential contraceptives

We identified the anti-Mullerian hormone (also known as Miillerian inhibiting substance or MIS) as an inhibitory hormone that induces long-term contraception in mammals. The type II receptor to this hormone, AMHR2 (also known as MISR2), represents a promising druggable target for the modulation of female reproduction with a mechanism of action distinct from steroidal contraceptives. We designed an in vitro platform to screen and validate small molecules that can activate MISR2 signaling and suppress ovarian folliculogenesis. Using a bone morphogenesis protein (BMP)-response element luciferase reporter cell-based assay, we screened 5,440 compounds from a repurposed drug library. Positive hits in this screen were tested for specificity and potency in luciferase dose-response assays, and biological activity was tested in ex vivo Mullerian duct regression bioassays. Selected candidates were further evaluated in ex vivo follicle/ovary culture assays and in vivo in mice and rats. Here, we report that SP600125, CYC-116, gandotinib, and ruxolitinib can specifically inhibit primordial follicle activation and repress folliculogenesis by stimulating the MISR2 pathway.