Low molecular weight antagonists of the myelin-associated glycoprotein: synthesis, docking, and biological evaluation

J Med Chem. 2010 Feb 25;53(4):1597-615. doi: 10.1021/jm901517k.

Abstract

The injured adult mammalian central nervous system is an inhibitory environment for axon regeneration due to specific inhibitors, among them the myelin-associated glycoprotein (MAG), a member of the Siglec family (sialic-acid binding immunoglobulin-like lectin). In earlier studies, we identified the lead structure 5, which shows a 250-fold improved in vitro affinity for MAG compared to the tetrasaccharide binding epitope of GQ1balpha (1), the best physiological MAG ligand described so far. By modifying the 2- and 5-position, the affinity of 5 could be further improved to the nanomolar range (-->19a). Docking studies to a homology model of MAG allowed the rationalization of the experimental binding properties. Finally, pharmacokinetic parameters (stability in the cerebrospinal fluid, logD and permeation through the BBB) indicate the drug-like properties of the high-affinity antagonist 19a.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy
  • Mice
  • Models, Molecular*
  • Molecular Weight
  • Myelin-Associated Glycoprotein / antagonists & inhibitors*
  • Myelin-Associated Glycoprotein / chemistry
  • N-Acetylneuraminic Acid / analogs & derivatives
  • N-Acetylneuraminic Acid / chemical synthesis
  • N-Acetylneuraminic Acid / chemistry
  • N-Acetylneuraminic Acid / pharmacokinetics
  • Protein Binding
  • Recombinant Proteins / antagonists & inhibitors
  • Recombinant Proteins / chemistry
  • Sialic Acids / chemical synthesis*
  • Sialic Acids / chemistry
  • Sialic Acids / pharmacokinetics
  • Structure-Activity Relationship
  • Surface Plasmon Resonance
  • Thermodynamics

Substances

  • ((2,3-difluorobenzyl) 5-fluoroacetamido-9-(4-chlorobenzamido)-3,5,9-trideoxy-d-glycerogalacto-2-nonulopyranosid)onic acid
  • Myelin-Associated Glycoprotein
  • Recombinant Proteins
  • Sialic Acids
  • N-Acetylneuraminic Acid