Cancerous cells have an acutely increased demand for energy, leading to increased levels of human glucose transporter 1 (hGLUT1). This up-regulation suggests hGLUT1 as a target for therapeutic inhibitors addressing a multitude of cancer types. Here, we present three inhibitor-bound, inward-open structures of WT-hGLUT1 crystallized with three different inhibitors: cytochalasin B, a nine-membered bicyclic ring fused to a 14-membered macrocycle, which has been described extensively in the literature of hGLUTs, and two previously undescribed Phe amide-derived inhibitors. Despite very different chemical backbones, all three compounds bind in the central cavity of the inward-open state of hGLUT1, and all binding sites overlap the glucose-binding site. The inhibitory action of the compounds was determined for hGLUT family members, hGLUT1-4, using cell-based assays, and compared with homology models for these hGLUT members. This comparison uncovered a probable basis for the observed differences in inhibition between family members. We pinpoint regions of the hGLUT proteins that can be targeted to achieve isoform selectivity, and show that these same regions are used for inhibitors with very distinct structural backbones. The inhibitor cocomplex structures of hGLUT1 provide an important structural insight for the design of more selective inhibitors for hGLUTs and hGLUT1 in particular.X-ray structure | glucose facilitator | human MFS transporter | cytochalasin B | GLUT inhibitor
Despite the long‐known fact that the facilitative glucose transporter GLUT1 is one of the key players safeguarding the increase in glucose consumption of many tumor entities even under conditions of normal oxygen supply (known as the Warburg effect), only few endeavors have been undertaken to find a GLUT1‐selective small‐molecule inhibitor. Because other transporters of the GLUT1 family are involved in crucial processes, these transporters should not be addressed by such an inhibitor. A high‐throughput screen against a library of ∼3 million compounds was performed to find a small molecule with this challenging potency and selectivity profile. The N‐(1H‐pyrazol‐4‐yl)quinoline‐4‐carboxamides were identified as an excellent starting point for further compound optimization. After extensive structure–activity relationship explorations, single‐digit nanomolar inhibitors with a selectivity factor of >100 against GLUT2, GLUT3, and GLUT4 were obtained. The most promising compound, BAY‐876 [N 4‐[1‐(4‐cyanobenzyl)‐5‐methyl‐3‐(trifluoromethyl)‐1H‐pyrazol‐4‐yl]‐7‐fluoroquinoline‐2,4‐dicarboxamide], showed good metabolic stability in vitro and high oral bioavailability in vivo.
The lactate transporter /monocarboxylate transporter 1 (MCT1) plays a central role in tumor cell energy homeostasis. In a cell-based screen, we identified a novel class of MCT1 inhibitors, including BAY-8002, which potently suppress bidirectional lactate transport. We investigated the antiproliferative activity of BAY-8002 in a panel of 246 cancer cell lines and show that hematopoietic tumor cells, in particular diffuse large B-cell lymphoma cell lines, and subsets of solid tumor models are particularly sensitive to MCT1 inhibition. Associated markers of sensitivity were, among others, lack of MCT4 expression, low pleckstrin homology like domain family A member 2, and high pellino E3 ubiquitin protein ligase 1 expression. The antitumor effect of MCT1 inhibition was less pronounced on tumor xenografts, with tumor stasis being the maximal response. BAY-8002 significantly increased intratumor lactate levels and transiently modulated pyruvate levels. In order to address potential acquired resistance mechanisms to MCT1 inhibition, we generated MCT1 inhibitor-resistant cell lines and show that resistance can occur by upregulation of MCT4 even in the presence of sufficient oxygen, as well as by shifting energy generation toward oxidative phosphorylation. These findings provide insight into novel aspects of tumor response to MCT1 modulation and offer further rationale for patient selection in the clinical development of MCT1 inhibitors..
Thromboembolic diseases such as myocardial infarction, stroke, transient ischemic attacks, and pulmonary embolism are major causes of morbidity and mortality worldwide. Glycoprotein IIb/IIIa (GPIIb/IIIa) is the key receptor involved in platelet aggregation and is a validated target for therapeutic approaches and diagnostic imaging. The aim of this study was to develop and characterize a specific small-molecule tracer for PET imaging that binds with high affinity to GPIIb/IIIa receptors and has suitable pharmacokinetic properties to overcome limitations of previous approaches. Methods: Binding of 18 F-GP1 to GPIIb/IIIa receptors was investigated in competition binding assays and autoradiography using a fresh cardiac thrombus from an explanted human heart. The clot-to-blood ratio for 18 F-GP1 was investigated by an in vitro blood flow model. Biodistribution and thrombus detection was investigated in cynomolgus monkeys after insertion of a roughened catheter into either the vena cava or the aorta. Results: 18 F-GP1 is an 18 F-labeled small molecule for PET imaging of thrombi. The half maximal inhibitory concentration of 18 F-GP1 to GPIIb/IIIa was 20 nM. 18 F-GP1 bound to thrombi with a mean clot-to-blood ratio of 95. Binding was specific and can be displaced by excess nonradioactive derivative. Binding was not affected by anticoagulants such as aspirin or heparin. 18 F-GP1 showed rapid blood clearance and a low background after intravenous injection in cynomolgus monkeys. Small arterial, venous thrombi, thrombotic depositions on damaged endothelial surface, and small cerebral emboli were detected in vivo by PET imaging. Conclusions: 18 F-GP1 binds specifically with high affinity to the GPIIb/IIIa receptor involved in platelet aggregation. Because of its favorable preclinical characteristics, 18 F-GP1 is currently being investigated in a human clinical study.
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