Acyl Glucuronide Metabolites of 6-Chloro-5-[4-(1-hydroxycyclobutyl)phenyl]-1 H-indole-3-carboxylic Acid (PF-06409577) and Related Indole-3-carboxylic Acid Derivatives are Direct Activators of Adenosine Monophosphate-Activated Protein Kinase (AMPK)

J Med Chem. 2018 Aug 23;61(16):7273-7288. doi: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.8b00807. Epub 2018 Aug 2.

Abstract

Studies on indole-3-carboxylic acid derivatives as direct activators of human adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase (AMPK) α1β1γ1 isoform have culminated in the identification of PF-06409577 (1), PF-06885249 (2), and PF-06679142 (3) as potential clinical candidates. Compounds 1-3 are primarily cleared in animals and humans via glucuronidation. Herein, we describe the biosynthetic preparation, purification, and structural characterization of the glucuronide conjugates of 1-3. Spectral characterization of the purified glucuronides M1, M2, and M3 indicated that they were acyl glucuronide derivatives. In vitro pharmacological evaluation revealed that all three acyl glucuronides retained selective activation of β1-containing AMPK isoforms. Inhibition of de novo lipogenesis with representative parent carboxylic acids and their respective acyl glucuronide conjugates in human hepatocytes demonstrated their propensity to activate cellular AMPK. Cocrystallization of the AMPK α1β1γ1 isoform with 1-3 and M1-M3 provided molecular insights into the structural basis for AMPK activation by the glucuronide conjugates.

Publication types

  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • AMP-Activated Protein Kinases / chemistry
  • AMP-Activated Protein Kinases / metabolism*
  • Animals
  • Cells, Cultured
  • Crystallization / methods
  • Enzyme Activation / drug effects
  • Glucuronides / chemistry
  • Glucuronides / metabolism
  • Glucuronides / pharmacokinetics
  • Hepatocytes / drug effects
  • Hepatocytes / metabolism
  • Humans
  • Indoles / chemistry*
  • Indoles / metabolism*
  • Indoles / pharmacology
  • Lipogenesis / drug effects*
  • Macaca fascicularis
  • Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy
  • Male
  • Microsomes, Liver / drug effects
  • Microsomes, Liver / metabolism
  • Rats, Wistar
  • Uridine Diphosphate Glucuronic Acid / pharmacology

Substances

  • Glucuronides
  • Indoles
  • PF-6409577
  • Uridine Diphosphate Glucuronic Acid
  • indole-3-carboxylic acid
  • PRKAB1 protein, human
  • AMP-Activated Protein Kinases