Insulin elicits a spectrum of biological responses by binding to its cell surface receptor. In a screen for small molecules that activate the human insulin receptor tyrosine kinase, a nonpeptidyl fungal metabolite (L-783,281) was identified that acted as an insulin mimetic in several biochemical and cellular assays. The compound was selective for insulin receptor versus insulin-like growth factor I (IGFI) receptor and other receptor tyrosine kinases. Oral administration of L-783,281 to two mouse models of diabetes resulted in significant lowering in blood glucose levels. These results demonstrate the feasibility of discovering novel insulin receptor activators that may lead to new therapies for diabetes.

Guggulipid is an extract of the guggul tree Commiphora mukul and has been widely used to treat hyperlipidemia in humans. The plant sterol guggulsterone (GS) is the active agent in this extract. Recent studies have shown that GS can act as an antagonist ligand for farnesoid X receptor (FXR) and decrease expression of bile acid-activated genes. Here we show that GS, although an FXR antagonist in coactivator association assays, enhances FXR agonist-induced transcription of bile salt export pump (BSEP), a major hepatic bile acid transporter. In HepG2 cells, in the presence of an FXR agonist such as chenodeoxycholate or GW4064, GS enhanced endogenous BSEP expression with a maximum induction of 400 -500% that induced by an FXR agonist alone. This enhancement was also readily observed in FXR-dependent BSEP promoter activation using a luciferase reporter construct. In addition, GS alone slightly increased BSEP promoter activation in the absence of an FXR agonist. Consistent with the results in HepG2, guggulipid treatment in Fisher rats increased BSEP mRNA. Interestingly, in these animals expression of the orphan nuclear receptor SHP (small heterodimer partner), a known FXR target, was also significantly increased, whereas expression of other FXR targets including cholesterol 7␣-hydroxylase (Cyp 7a1), sterol 12␣-hydroxylase (Cyp 8b1), and the intestinal bile acidbinding protein (I-BABP), remained unchanged. Thus, we propose that GS is a selective bile acid receptor modulator that regulates expression of a subset of FXR targets. Guggulipid treatment in rats lowered serum triglyceride and raised serum high density lipoprotein levels. Taken together, these data suggest that guggulsterone defines a novel class of FXR ligands characterized by antagonist activities in coactivator association assays but with the ability to enhance the action of agonists on BSEP expression in vivo.Guggulipid is an extract of the guggul tree Commiphora mukul and has been widely used to treat hyperlipidemia in humans (1, 2). Numerous clinical trials demonstrate that guggulipid effectively lowers serum low density lipoprotein cholesterol and triglyceride levels and increases high density lipoprotein cholesterol levels (3, 4). The plant guggulsterones E and Z (stereoisomers) in guggulipid were identified as active ingredients for lipid-lowering (5).Recent studies have shown that guggulsterone (GS) 1 is an antagonist ligand for the farnesoid X receptor (FXR) and inhibited expression of FXR agonist-induced genes (6, 7). It has also been demonstrated that the hepatic lipid-lowering effect of GS was mediated through FXR using FXR knockout mice (6).FXR is a nuclear receptor for bile acids and controls expression of critical genes in bile acid and cholesterol homeostasis (8 -11). It has been shown that FXR inhibits expression of cholesterol 7␣-hydroxylase (Cyp 7a1) (12-15), sterol 12␣-hydroxylase (16), the Na ϩ /taurocholate co-transporting polypeptide (17) and apolipoprotein A-I (18), and activates expression of intestinal bile acid-binding protein (I-BA...

The human multidrug resistance gene MDR3 encodes a P-glycoprotein that belongs to the ATP-binding cassette transporter family (ABCB4). MDR3 is a critical trans-locator for phospholipids across canalicular membranes of hepatocytes, evidenced by the fact that human MDR3 deficiencies result in progressive familial intrahepatic cholestasis type III. It has been reported previously that MDR3 expression is modulated by hormones, cellular stress, and xenobiotics. Here we show that the MDR3 gene is trans-activated by the farnesoid X receptor (FXR) via a direct binding of FXR/retinoid X receptor ␣ heterodimers to a highly conserved inverted repeat element (a FXR response element) at the distal promoter (؊1970 to ؊1958). In FXR trans-activation assays, both the endogenous FXR agonist chenodeoxycholate and the synthetic agonist GW4064 activated the MDR3 promoter. Deletion or mutation of this inverted repeat element abolished FXR-mediated MDR3 promoter activation. Consistent with these data, MDR3 mRNA was significantly induced by both chenodeoxycholate and GW4064 in primary human hepatocytes in time-and dose-dependent fashions.In conclusion, we demonstrate that MDR3 expression is directly up-regulated by FXR. These results, together with the previous report that the bile salt export pump is a direct FXR target, suggest that FXR coordinately controls secretion of bile salts and phospholipids. Results of this study further support the notion that FXR is a master regulator of lipid metabolism.ATP-binding cassette (ABC) 1 transporters constitute a large family of proteins, and many have been shown to be involved in lipid transport. MDR3 (ABCB4), a P-glycoprotein, is predominantly expressed in the liver (1) and is the critical trans-locator for phospholipids across canalicular membranes of hepatocytes (2). The MDR3 function is essential for the liver as evidenced by the fact that MDR3 deficiencies in humans result in progressive familial intrahepatic cholestasis type III (3,4). A number of factors, such as hormones, cellular stress, and xenobiotics have been shown to modulate MDR3 expression (5-7). However, the underlying molecular mechanisms for MDR3 gene regulation are unclear. In this study, we demonstrate that the bile acid receptor FXR directly regulates expression of MDR3.FXR is a nuclear receptor for bile acids and regulates expression of a number of genes in which products are critically important for bile acid and cholesterol homeostasis (8 -11). FXR functions as a heterodimer with the 9-cis-retinoic acid receptor (RXR␣) (12, 13), and the FXR/RXR␣ heterodimer activates gene transcription via binding to a specific DNA sequence comprised of two inverted hexamer repeats separated by one nucleotide (IR-1) in the target promoter. To date, there is only one reported case in which FXR down-regulates apolipoprotein A-I expression via a FXR monomer or homodimer binding to an .Previous studies (15, 16) have shown that agonist-bound FXR directly regulates expression of the bile salt export pump (BSEP), an ABC transporter (ABCB11) ...

Recent studies have demonstrated that the pregnane X receptor (PXR) is a key regulator of cytochromes P450 3A (e.g. CYP3A4 in human) gene expression. As a result, activation of PXR may lead to CYP3A4 protein over-expression. Because induction of CYP3A4 could result in clinically important drug drug interactions, there has been a great interest in reducing the possibility of PXR activation by drug candidates in drug-discovery programmes. In order to provide structural insight for attenuating drug candidate-mediated PXR activation, we used a docking approach to study the structure activity relationship for PXR activators. Based on our docking models, it is proposed that introducing polar groups to the end of an activator should reduce its human PXR (hPXR) activity via destabilizing interactions in the hydrophobic areas of the PXR ligand-binding pocket. A number of analogues that incorporate these structural features then were designed and synthesized, and they exhibited significantly lower hPXR activation in a transactivation assay and decreased CYP3A4 induction in a human hepatocytes-based assay. In addition, an example in which attenuating hPXR activation was achieved by sterically destabilizing the helices 11 and 12 of the receptor is presented.

Auranofin and the new gold derivative MH05 showed encouraging in vivo activity against multiresistant clinical isolates of S. pneumoniae and S. aureus. The clinical management of auranofin, alone or in combination with other antibiotics, deserves further exploration before use in patients presenting therapeutic failure caused by infections with multiresistant Gram-positive pathogens. Decades of clinical use mean that this compound is safe to use and may accelerate its evaluation in humans.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSEFM19G11 up-regulates mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR)/hypoxia inducible factor-1α (HIF-1α) and PI3K/Akt pathways, which are involved in endothelial function. We evaluated the effects of FM19G11 on defective endothelial vasodilatation in arteries from rats and humans and investigated the mechanisms involved. EXPERIMENTAL APPROACHEffects of chronic in vivo administration of FM19G11 on aortic endothelial vasodilatation were evaluated together with ex vivo treatment in aortic and mesenteric arteries from control and insulin-resistant rats (IRR). Its effects on vasodilator responses of penile arteries (HPRAs) and corpus cavernosum (HCC) from men with vasculogenic erectile dysfunction (ED) (model of human endothelial dysfunction) were also evaluated. Vascular expression of phosphorylated-endothelial NOS (p-eNOS), phosphorylated-Akt (p-Akt) and HIF-1α was determined by immunodetection and cGMP by ELISA. KEY RESULTSChronic administration of FM19G11 reversed the impaired endothelial vasodilatation in IRR. Ex vivo treatment with FM19G11 also significantly improved endothelium-dependent vasodilatation in aorta and mesenteric arteries from IRR. These effects were accompanied by the restoration of p-eNOS and cGMP levels in IRR aorta and were prevented by either NOS or PI3K inhibition. p-Akt and p-eNOS contents were increased by FM19G11 in aortic endothelium of IRR. FM19G11-induced restoration of endothelial vasodilatation was unaffected by mTOR/HIF-1α inhibitors. FM19G11 also restored endothelial vasodilatation in HPRA and HCC from ED patients. CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONSStimulation of the PI3K/Akt/eNOS pathway by FM19G11 alleviates impaired NO-mediated endothelial vasodilatation in rat and human arteries independently of mTOR/HIF-1α activation. This pharmacological strategy could be beneficial for managing pathological conditions associated with endothelial dysfunction, such as ED. AbbreviationsCR, control rats; ED, erectile dysfunction; eNOS, endothelial NOS; HCC, human corpus cavernosum; HIF-1α, hypoxia inducible factor-1α; HPRA, human penile resistance arteries; IRR, insulin-resistant rats; L-NAME, N G -nitro-L-arginine methyl ester; mTOR, mammalian target of rapamycin; p-eNOS, phosphorylated eNOS; p-Akt, phosphorylated-Akt; SNP, sodium nitroprusside IntroductionEndothelial dysfunction is a key process in the pathogenesis of cardiovascular disease. It precedes the disease's clinical manifestations and predicts future cardiovascular events (Green et al., 2011). Situations increasing the risk of cardiovascular disease, such as diabetes, hypertension and ageing, are clearly associated with the presence of endothelial dysfunction. Therapeutic strategies targeted at preserving or restoring endothelial function are key to the prevention of cardiovascular disease. NO participates in many functions of the endothelium and is a key mediator of endotheliumdependent vasodilatation. In fact, the main risk factors for cardiovascular disease in humans all share the characteristic of defective NO-mediated vas...

Mutant ras oncogenes are associated with various human tumors such as pancreas, colon, lung, thyroid, bladder and several types of leukemia. Prenylation of Ras proteins plays a major role in cell proliferation of both normal and cancerous cells. Normal and oncogenic Ras proteins are posttranslationally modified by a farnesyl group that promotes membrane binding. Inhibitors of farnesyl protein transferase (FPTase), the enzyme that catalyzes the prenylation of Ras proteins, inhibit growth of tumor cells. In an effort to identify structurally diverse and unique inhibitors of FPTase, a program devoted to screening of natural products was initiated. This effort led to the identification of 10 different families of compounds, all of which selectively inhibit FPTase with a variety of mechanisms that are reviewed in this manuscript. These compounds originated from the fermentations of a number of microorganisms, either actinomycetes or fungi, isolated from different substrates collected in tropical and temperate areas. A chemotaxonomic discussion on the distribution of each compound among single or different types of microorganisms, either phylogenetically related or unrelated species, is included.

In this study we evaluated a mono-tetrahydrofuranic subgroup of natural acetogenins that had shown in previous enzyme inhibition studies different potency trends compared with the bis-tetrahydrofuranic acetogenin subgroup. The compounds were tested against colon, breast, lung, liver, and ovarian tumor cell lines. A drug-resistant ovarian cell line was also included in the panel. In general the compounds were more potent than doxorubicin. The goal was to determine how well the mitochondrial complex I inhibition correlates with the in vitro antitumor potency of these natural mono-tetrahydrofuranic acetogenins and of some derivatives. The results indicate that both the reduction of the terminal gamma-lactone after its translactonization and the introduction of an hydroxylimine group in the alkyl chain, near the mono-tetrahydrofuranic moiety, increased the antitumor activity, even against the doxorubicin-resistant cell line.