Issue 11, 2018

Novel tricyclic glycal-based TRIB1 inducers that reprogram LDL metabolism in hepatic cells

Abstract

Increased expression of the Tribbles pseudokinase 1 gene (TRIB1) is associated with lower plasma levels of LDL cholesterol and triglycerides, higher levels of HDL cholesterol and decreased risk of coronary artery disease and myocardial infarction. We identified a class of tricyclic glycal core-based compounds that upregulate TRIB1 expression in human HepG2 cells and phenocopy the effects of genetic TRIB1 overexpression as they inhibit expression of triglyceride synthesis genes and ApoB secretion in cells. In addition to predicted effects related to downregulation of VLDL assembly and secretion these compounds also have unexpected effects as they upregulate expression of LDLR and stimulate LDL uptake. This activity profile is unique and favorably differs from profiles produced by statins or other lipoprotein targeting therapies. BRD8518, the initial lead compound from the tricyclic glycal class, exhibited stereochemically dependent activity and the potency far exceeding previously described benzofuran BRD0418. Gene expression profiling of cells treated with BRD8518 demonstrated the anticipated changes in lipid metabolic genes and revealed a broad stimulation of early response genes. Consistently, we found that BRD8518 activity is MEK1/2 dependent and the treatment of HepG2 cells with BRD8518 stimulates ERK1/2 phosphorylation. In agreement with down-regulation of genes controlling triglyceride synthesis and assembly of lipoprotein particles, the mass spectrometry analysis of cell extracts showed reduced rate of incorporation of stable isotope labeled glycerol into triglycerides in BRD8518 treated cells. Furthermore, we describe medicinal chemistry efforts that led to identification of BRD8518 analogs with enhanced potency and pharmacokinetic properties suitable for in vivo studies.

Graphical abstract: Novel tricyclic glycal-based TRIB1 inducers that reprogram LDL metabolism in hepatic cells

Article information

Article type
Research Article
Submitted
11 Jun 2018
Accepted
08 Sep 2018
First published
14 Sep 2018

Med. Chem. Commun., 2018,9, 1831-1842

Novel tricyclic glycal-based TRIB1 inducers that reprogram LDL metabolism in hepatic cells

M. M. Nagiec, J. R. Duvall, A. P. Skepner, E. A. Howe, J. Bastien, E. Comer, J. Marie, S. E. Johnston, J. Negri, M. Eichhorn, J. Vantourout, C. Clish, K. Musunuru, M. Foley, J. R. Perez and M. A. J. Palmer, Med. Chem. Commun., 2018, 9, 1831 DOI: 10.1039/C8MD00297E

To request permission to reproduce material from this article, please go to the Copyright Clearance Center request page.

If you are an author contributing to an RSC publication, you do not need to request permission provided correct acknowledgement is given.

If you are the author of this article, you do not need to request permission to reproduce figures and diagrams provided correct acknowledgement is given. If you want to reproduce the whole article in a third-party publication (excluding your thesis/dissertation for which permission is not required) please go to the Copyright Clearance Center request page.

Read more about how to correctly acknowledge RSC content.

Spotlight

Advertisements