Discovery of Novel 15-Lipoxygenase Activators To Shift the Human Arachidonic Acid Metabolic Network toward Inflammation Resolution

J Med Chem. 2016 May 12;59(9):4202-9. doi: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.5b01011. Epub 2015 Aug 20.

Abstract

For disease network intervention, up-regulating enzyme activities is equally as important as down-regulating activities. However, the design of enzyme activators presents a challenging route for drug discovery. Previous studies have suggested that activating 15-lipoxygenase (15-LOX) is a promising strategy to intervene the arachidonic acid (AA) metabolite network and control inflammation. To prove this concept, we used a computational approach to discover a previously unknown allosteric site on 15-LOX. Both allosteric inhibitors and novel activators were discovered using this site. The influence of activating 15-LOX on the AA metabolite network was then investigated experimentally. The activator was found to increase levels of 15-LOX products and reduce production of pro-inflammatory mediators in human whole blood assays. These results demonstrate the promising therapeutic value of enzyme activators and aid in further development of activators of other proteins.

Publication types

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

MeSH terms

  • Allosteric Site
  • Arachidonate 15-Lipoxygenase / drug effects*
  • Arachidonic Acid / metabolism*
  • Cell-Free System
  • Cyclooxygenase Inhibitors / pharmacology
  • Drug Discovery
  • Humans
  • Inflammation / drug therapy*
  • Lipoxygenase Inhibitors / pharmacology*
  • Lipoxygenase Inhibitors / therapeutic use

Substances

  • Cyclooxygenase Inhibitors
  • Lipoxygenase Inhibitors
  • Arachidonic Acid
  • Arachidonate 15-Lipoxygenase