The TGF-β superfamily comprises pleiotropic cytokines that regulate SMAD and non-SMAD signaling. TGF-β-SMAD signal transduction is known to be involved in tissue fibrosis, including renal fibrosis. Here, we found that 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D 3 -bound [1,25(OH) 2 D 3 -bound] vitamin D receptor (VDR) specifically inhibits TGF-β-SMAD signal transduction through direct interaction with SMAD3. In mouse models of tissue fibrosis, 1,25(OH) 2 D 3 treatment prevented renal fibrosis through the suppression of TGF-β-SMAD signal transduction. Based on the structure of the VDR-ligand complex, we generated 2 synthetic ligands. These ligands selectively inhibited TGF-β-SMAD signal transduction without activating VDR-mediated transcription and significantly attenuated renal fibrosis in mice. These results indicate that 1,25(OH) 2 D 3 -dependent suppression of TGF-β-SMAD signal transduction is independent of VDR-mediated transcriptional activity. In addition, these ligands did not cause hypercalcemia resulting from stimulation of the transcriptional activity of the VDR. Thus, our study provides a new strategy for generating chemical compounds that specifically inhibit TGF-β-SMAD signal transduction. Since TGF-β-SMAD signal transduction is reportedly involved in several disorders, our results will aid in the development of new drugs that do not cause detectable adverse effects, such as hypercalcemia.

19‐Nor‐vitamin D A‐ring synthons were obtained from linear olefins by means of ring‐closing olefin metathesis followed by palladium‐catalyzed isomerization of the endocyclic olefin product to an exocyclic olefin.

Binding of a series of novel 1α,25-dihydroxyvitamin D(3) (1,25-VD(3)) derivatives, having a nitrogen-linked substituent at the 2α- or 2β-position of the A-ring (2-N-substituted compounds), with the vitamin D receptor (VDR) was investigated by means of computational docking studies. Selected compounds were synthesized by coupling A-ring synthons and/or with CD-ring-bearing bromomethylene under Trost's conditions. The 2α- and 2β-stereoisomers of the A-ring synthons were synthesized from l-serine () as a single chiral source by installing vinyl and propargyl groups at opposite ends of the molecule. The activity of the obtained compounds was evaluated by means of a luciferase-based VDR transcriptional activity assay in NIH3T3 cells. Relatively small substituents incorporating a hydrogen-bonding donor, i.e., NHAc and NHMs, were effective for eliciting VDR transcriptional activity, and 2β-NHMs-1,25-VD(3) () showed the highest activity, being more potent than 1,25-VD(3). Derivatives with bulky substituents were inactive. These new insights into the structure-activity relationships of 1,25-VD(3) derivatives may be helpful in separating the various biological activities of 1,25-VD(3) and in generating novel therapeutic drug candidates.