Project description:Inhibition of AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) is increasingly being explored for its therapeutic potential in some diseases, including certain types of cancers. However, AMPK-inhibitory tool compounds have largely been limited to compound C/dorsomorphin and SBI-0206965, both of which display numerous off-target effects and blocking AMPK-independent metabolic processes. Here we describe molecular insights and cellular actions/utility of a recently identified potent AMPK inhibitor BAY-3827. Sequence analysis of highly/lowly-inhibited kinases by BAY-3827, based on in vitro kinase selectivity profiling, predicted key conserved residues involved in the compound-inhibitory effect. A co-crystal structure of the AMPK kinase domain (KD)-BAY-3827 complex resolved at 2.5 Å in comparison with previously reported KD-inhibitor structures, revealed an overlapping binding site in the ATP-binding pocket and common αC helix-out conformations. We identified distinct features of BAY-3827-bound structure which involve a disulfide bridge between αD helix Cys106 and activation loop residue Cys174. This may help to stabilize AMPK conformation upon BAY-3827 binding, where the position of activation loop Asn162 leads the DFG motif Phe158 to adopt a conformation facing the C-terminal kinase lobe displacing His137, leading to a broken regulatory spine and an inactive kinase state. BAY-3827 at 2.5-5 μM, but not structurally resembling inactive BAY-974, fully blocked AMPK activator (MK-8722)-mediated phosphorylation of ACC1 and inhibition of lipogenesis in hepatocytes. Unbiased transcriptome analysis in MK-8722-treated wild-type and AMPK-null hepatocytes revealed that >30% of MK-8722-stimulated AMPK-dependent genes could be downregulated by 5 μM BAY-3827. Based on its greater selectivity and potency substantiated by comprehensive molecular/cellular investigations. BAY-3827 is a powerful tool to delineate AMPK functions.
Project description:To investigate the functions of AMPK activation on maturation of hiPSC derived cardiomyocytes, we treated 3D hiPSC derived cardiomyocytes with AMPK activator EX229 at 10 µM for 7 days. Transcriptomic analyse was performed to identify molecular actions of AMPK activation.
Project description:The epigenome is often deregulated in cancer and treatment with inhibitors of bromodomain and extra-terminal proteins, the readers of epigenetic acetylation marks, represents a novel therapeutic approach. Here, we have characterized the anti-tumour activity of the novel bromodomain and extra-terminal (BET) inhibitor BAY 1238097 in preclinical lymphoma mod- els. BAY 1238097 showed anti-proliferative activity in a large panel of lym- phoma-derived cell lines, with a median 50% inhibitory concentration between 70 and 208 nmol/l. The compound showed strong anti-tumour efficacy in vivo as a single agent in two diffuse large B cell lymphoma mod- els. Gene expression profiling showed BAY 1238097 targeted the NFKB/ TLR/JAK/STAT signalling pathways, MYC and E2F1-regulated genes, cell cycle regulation and chromatin structure. The gene expression profiling sig- natures also highly overlapped with the signatures obtained with other BET Bromodomain inhibitors and partially overlapped with HDAC-inhibitors, mTOR inhibitors and demethylating agents. Notably, BAY 1238097 presented in vitro synergism with EZH2, mTOR and BTK inhibitors. In conclusion, the BET inhibitor BAY 1238097 presented promising anti-lym- phoma preclinical activity in vitro and in vivo, mediated by the interference with biological processes driving the lymphoma cells. Our data also indicate the use of combination schemes targeting EZH2, mTOR and BTK along- side BET bromodomains.
Project description:Glucocorticoids play central roles in the regulation of energy metabolism by shifting it toward catabolism, while AMPK is the master regulator of energy homeostasis, sensing energy depletion and stimulating pathways of increasing fuel uptake and saving on peripheral supplies. We showed here that AMPK regulates glucocorticoid actions on carbohydrate metabolism by targeting the glucocorticoid receptor (GR) and modifying transcription of glucocorticoid-responsive genes in a tissue- and promoter-specific fashion. Activation of AMPK in rats reversed glucocorticoid-induced hepatic steatosis and suppressed glucocorticoid-mediated stimulation of glucose metabolism. Transcriptomic analysis in the liver suggested marked overlaps between the AMPK and glucocorticoid signaling pathways directed mostly from AMPK to glucocorticoid actions. AMPK accomplishes this by phosphorylating serine 211 of the human GR indirectly through phosphorylation and consequent activation of p38 MAPK and by altering attraction of transcriptional coregulators to DNA-bound GR. In human peripheral mononuclear cells, AMPK mRNA expression positively correlated with that of glucocorticoid-responsive GILZ, which correlated also positively with the body mass index of subjects. These results indicate that the AMPK-mediated energy control system modulates glucocorticoid action at target tissues. Since increased action of glucocorticoids is associated with development of metabolic disorders, activation of AMPK could be a promising target for developing pharmacologic interventions to these pathologies. We tested the hypothesis by treateing rats with the synthetic glucocorticoid dexamethasone and the AMPK activator 5-aminoimidazole-4-carboxamide-1-β-d-ribonucleoside (AICAR).
Project description:To investigate the mechanisms by which Glut1 inactivation synergized with TNFa to induce cell death, LLC cells were either pretreated or left untreated for 200nM BAY-876 for 24 hours, followed by treatment with 20ng/ml TNF or left untreated for 32 hours.To compare the expression of glucose transporters in tumor and tumor-reactive immune T cells, we analyzed the expression levels ofperformed RNAseq on adoptively transferred adoptively transferred OT-I T cells and LLC-OVA cells, respectively.
Project description:The continued emergence of SARS-CoV-2 variants and persistent inflammatory complications of COVID-19 highlight the urgent need for therapeutics with both antiviral and anti-inflammatory properties. Despite intensive global efforts, no approved antiviral therapy with these dual functions has yet been developed, representing a significant gap in current COVID-19 treatment strategies. In this study, we identify BAY 11-7082 (BAY) as a dual–action compound that inhibits SARS-CoV-2 replication and the production of virus-induced proinflammatory cytokines and chemokines, including IL-6, IL-8, CXCL1, and CXCL2. BAY predominantly exerts its antiviral activity at the post-entry stage of the viral life cycle. Mechanistically, BAY potentially interacts with SARS-CoV-2 NSP14 and inhibits virus-induced phosphorylation and degradation of IκBα, suppressing NF-κB activation through the IKK-IκBα signaling axis. Furthermore, BAY exhibits potent antiviral activity against multiple SARS-CoV-2 variants of concern (VOCs). Collectively, these findings support the potential of BAY as a dual-action therapeutic candidate, combining antiviral and anti-inflammatory effects, against SARS-CoV-2 and its emerging variants.
Project description:Glucocorticoids play central roles in the regulation of energy metabolism by shifting it toward catabolism, while AMPK is the master regulator of energy homeostasis, sensing energy depletion and stimulating pathways of increasing fuel uptake and saving on peripheral supplies. We showed here that AMPK regulates glucocorticoid actions on carbohydrate metabolism by targeting the glucocorticoid receptor (GR) and modifying transcription of glucocorticoid-responsive genes in a tissue- and promoter-specific fashion. Activation of AMPK in rats reversed glucocorticoid-induced hepatic steatosis and suppressed glucocorticoid-mediated stimulation of glucose metabolism. Transcriptomic analysis in the liver suggested marked overlaps between the AMPK and glucocorticoid signaling pathways directed mostly from AMPK to glucocorticoid actions. AMPK accomplishes this by phosphorylating serine 211 of the human GR indirectly through phosphorylation and consequent activation of p38 MAPK and by altering attraction of transcriptional coregulators to DNA-bound GR. In human peripheral mononuclear cells, AMPK mRNA expression positively correlated with that of glucocorticoid-responsive GILZ, which correlated also positively with the body mass index of subjects. These results indicate that the AMPK-mediated energy control system modulates glucocorticoid action at target tissues. Since increased action of glucocorticoids is associated with development of metabolic disorders, activation of AMPK could be a promising target for developing pharmacologic interventions to these pathologies.
Project description:The continued emergence of SARS-CoV-2 variants and persistent inflammatory complications of COVID-19 highlight the urgent need for therapeutics with both antiviral and anti-inflammatory properties. Despite intensive global efforts, no approved antiviral therapy with these dual functions has yet been developed, representing a significant gap in current COVID-19 treatment strategies. In this study, we identify BAY 11-7082 (BAY) as a dual–action compound that inhibits SARS-CoV-2 replication and the production of virus-induced proinflammatory cytokines and chemokines, including IL-6, IL-8, CXCL1, and CXCL2. BAY predominantly exerts its antiviral activity at the post-entry stage of the viral life cycle. Mechanistically, BAY potentially interacts with SARS-CoV-2 NSP14 and inhibits virus-induced phosphorylation and degradation of IκBα, suppressing NF-κB activation through the IKK-IκBα signaling axis. Furthermore, BAY exhibits potent antiviral activity against multiple SARS-CoV-2 variants of concern (VOCs). Collectively, these findings support the potential of BAY as a dual-action therapeutic candidate, combining antiviral and anti-inflammatory effects, against SARS-CoV-2 and its emerging variants.
Project description:To characterize the downstream gene expression response following ATR inhibition, we performed RNA-Seq after treatment of CLB-BAR and CLB-GE neuroblastoma cells with 50 nM of the ATR inhibitor BAY 1895344 for 24h and 48h