Rational design of a structural framework with potential use to develop chemical reagents that target and modulate multiple facets of Alzheimer's disease

J Am Chem Soc. 2014 Jan 8;136(1):299-310. doi: 10.1021/ja409801p. Epub 2013 Dec 27.

Abstract

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is characterized by multiple, intertwined pathological features, including amyloid-β (Aβ) aggregation, metal ion dyshomeostasis, and oxidative stress. We report a novel compound (ML) prototype of a rationally designed molecule obtained by integrating structural elements for Aβ aggregation control, metal chelation, reactive oxygen species (ROS) regulation, and antioxidant activity within a single molecule. Chemical, biochemical, ion mobility mass spectrometric, and NMR studies indicate that the compound ML targets metal-free and metal-bound Aβ (metal-Aβ) species, suppresses Aβ aggregation in vitro, and diminishes toxicity induced by Aβ and metal-treated Aβ in living cells. Comparison of ML to its structural moieties (i.e., 4-(dimethylamino)phenol (DAP) and (8-aminoquinolin-2-yl)methanol (1)) for reactivity with Aβ and metal-Aβ suggests the synergy of incorporating structural components for both metal chelation and Aβ interaction. Moreover, ML is water-soluble and potentially brain permeable, as well as regulates the formation and presence of free radicals. Overall, we demonstrate that a rational structure-based design strategy can generate a small molecule that can target and modulate multiple factors, providing a new tool to uncover and address AD complexity.

Publication types

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

MeSH terms

  • Alzheimer Disease / drug therapy*
  • Antioxidants / chemistry
  • Antioxidants / pharmacology
  • Binding Sites / drug effects
  • Chelating Agents / chemistry
  • Chelating Agents / pharmacology
  • Copper / chemistry
  • Drug Delivery Systems*
  • Drug Design*
  • Ligands
  • Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy
  • Mass Spectrometry
  • Molecular Structure
  • Reactive Oxygen Species
  • Zinc / chemistry

Substances

  • Antioxidants
  • Chelating Agents
  • Ligands
  • Reactive Oxygen Species
  • Copper
  • Zinc