Recent advances in the discovery of small molecules targeting exchange proteins directly activated by cAMP (EPAC)

J Med Chem. 2014 May 8;57(9):3651-65. doi: 10.1021/jm401425e. Epub 2013 Nov 27.

Abstract

3',5'-Cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) is a pivotal second messenger that regulates numerous biological processes under physiological and pathological conditions, including cancer, diabetes, heart failure, inflammation, and neurological disorders. In the past, all effects of cAMP were initially believed to be mediated by protein kinase A (PKA) and cyclic nucleotide-regulated ion channels. Since the discovery of exchange proteins directly activated by cyclic adenosine 5'-monophosphate (EPACs) in 1998, accumulating evidence has demonstrated that the net cellular effects of cAMP are also regulated by EPAC. The pursuit of the biological functions of EPAC has benefited from the development and applications of a growing number of pharmacological probes targeting EPACs. In this review, we seek to provide a concise update on recent advances in the development of chemical entities including various membrane-permeable analogues of cAMP and newly discovered EPAC-specific ligands from high throughput assays and hit-to-lead optimizations.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Crystallography, X-Ray
  • Drug Discovery*
  • Guanine Nucleotide Exchange Factors / chemistry
  • Guanine Nucleotide Exchange Factors / drug effects*
  • Guanine Nucleotide Exchange Factors / metabolism
  • Models, Molecular
  • Signal Transduction
  • Small Molecule Libraries / chemistry
  • Small Molecule Libraries / pharmacology*
  • Structure-Activity Relationship

Substances

  • Guanine Nucleotide Exchange Factors
  • RAPGEF3 protein, human
  • Small Molecule Libraries