Synthesis and Biochemical Evaluation of Noncyclic Nucleotide Exchange Proteins Directly Activated by cAMP 1 (EPAC1) Regulators

J Med Chem. 2020 May 28;63(10):5159-5184. doi: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.9b02094. Epub 2020 May 11.

Abstract

Exchange proteins directly activated by cAMP (EPAC) play a central role in various biological functions, and activation of the EPAC1 protein has shown potential benefits for the treatment of various human diseases. Herein, we report the synthesis and biochemical evaluation of a series of noncyclic nucleotide EPAC1 activators. Several potent EPAC1 binders were identified including 25g, 25q, 25n, 25u, 25e, and 25f, which promote EPAC1 guanine nucleotide exchange factor activity in vitro. These agonists can also activate EPAC1 protein in cells, where they exhibit excellent selectivity toward EPAC over protein kinase A and G protein-coupled receptors. Moreover, 25e, 25f, 25n, and 25u exhibited improved selectivity toward activation of EPAC1 over EPAC2 in cells. Of these, 25u was found to robustly inhibit IL-6-activated signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) and subsequent induction of the pro-inflammatory vascular cell adhesion molecule 1 (VCAM1) cell-adhesion protein. These novel EPAC1 activators may therefore act as useful pharmacological tools for elucidation of EPAC function and promising drug leads for the treatment of relevant human diseases.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Cyclic AMP / agonists
  • Cyclic AMP / metabolism*
  • Drug Evaluation, Preclinical / methods
  • Guanine Nucleotide Exchange Factors / agonists
  • Guanine Nucleotide Exchange Factors / metabolism*
  • HEK293 Cells
  • Human Umbilical Vein Endothelial Cells / drug effects
  • Human Umbilical Vein Endothelial Cells / metabolism*
  • Humans
  • Nucleotides / chemical synthesis
  • Nucleotides / chemistry
  • Nucleotides / pharmacology
  • Protein Binding / physiology

Substances

  • Guanine Nucleotide Exchange Factors
  • Nucleotides
  • RAPGEF3 protein, human
  • Cyclic AMP