The FK506-binding protein 51 (FKBP51, encoded by the FKBP5 gene) is an established risk factor for stress-related psychiatric disorders such as major depression. Drug discovery for FKBP51 has been hampered by the inability to pharmacologically differentiate against the structurally similar but functional opposing homolog FKBP52, and all known FKBP ligands are unselective. Here, we report the discovery of the potent and highly selective inhibitors of FKBP51, SAFit1 and SAFit2. This new class of ligands achieves selectivity for FKBP51 by an induced-fit mechanism that is much less favorable for FKBP52. By using these ligands, we demonstrate that selective inhibition of FKBP51 enhances neurite elongation in neuronal cultures and improves neuroendocrine feedback and stress-coping behavior in mice. Our findings provide the structural and functional basis for the development of mechanistically new antidepressants.

The development of addition reactions wherein the product is the simple sum of the reactants plus anything else (only needed catalytically) constitutes an important goal for enhanced synthetic efficiency. The C−H bond of terminal alkynes (the donor alkynes) can be added to either terminal alkynes (self-coupling) or activated internal alkynes (cross-coupling) (the acceptor alkynes) in the presence of a catalytic amount of palladium acetate and an electron rich sterically encumbered ligand, tris(2,6-dimethoxyphenyl)phosphine. The activated internal alkynes for cross-coupling (the acceptor alkyne) include alkynes bearing an ester, sulfone, and ketone. Self-coupling is completely overwhelmed by cross-coupling, even at 1:1 ratios of donor and acceptor alkynes. The reaction exhibits extraordinary chemoselectivity with free carboxaldehydes, alcohols, ketones (saturated and conjugated), esters (saturated and conjugated), sulfones (saturated and conjugated), malonates, and silyl ethers all proving to be compatible. A 1:2 donor/acceptor alkyne adduct can also be optimized. Ethyl propiolate fails as an acceptor but its C-silylated analogue serves with the proper choice of silyl substituent. The products of the latter serve as useful precursors to β-keto esters. An iterative sequence is readily performed and led to a novel conformationally rigid retinoid analogue. The mechanism of this mild method for construction of conjugated enynes, versatile building blocks, is discussed.

Selective inhibition of exclusively transcription‐regulating PTEFb/CDK9 is a promising new approach in cancer therapy. Starting from lead compound BAY‐958, lead optimization efforts strictly focusing on kinase selectivity, physicochemical and DMPK properties finally led to the identification of the orally available clinical candidate atuveciclib (BAY 1143572). Structurally characterized by an unusual benzyl sulfoximine group, BAY 1143572 exhibited the best overall profile in vitro and in vivo, including high efficacy and good tolerability in xenograft models in mice and rats. BAY 1143572 is the first potent and highly selective PTEFb/CDK9 inhibitor to enter clinical trials for the treatment of cancer.

Anxiety-related psychiatric disorders represent one of the largest health burdens worldwide. Single nucleotide polymorphisms of the FK506 binding protein 51 (FKBP51) gene have been repeatedly associated with anxiety-related disorders and stress sensitivity. Given the intimate relationship of stress and anxiety, we hypothesized that amygdala FKBP51 may mediate anxiety-related behaviors. Mimicking the stress effect by specifically overexpressing FKBP51 in the basolateral amygdala (BLA) or central amygdala resulted in increased anxiety-related behavior, respectively. In contrast, application of a highly selective FKBP51 point mutant antagonist, following FKBP51 mut BLA-overexpression, reduced the anxiogenic phenotype. We subsequently tested a novel FKBP51 antagonist, SAFit2, in wild-type mice via BLA microinjections, which reduced anxiety-related behavior. Remarkably, the same effect was observed following peripheral administration of SAFit2. To our knowledge, this is the first in vivo study using a specific FKBP51 antagonist, thereby unraveling the role of FKBP51 and its potential as a novel drug target for the improved treatment of anxiety-related disorders.

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