Discovery of a novel class of diacylglycerol acyltransferase 2 inhibitors with a 1H-pyrrolo[2,3-b]pyridine core

Biol Pharm Bull. 2014;37(10):1655-60. doi: 10.1248/bpb.b14-00447. Epub 2014 Aug 7.

Abstract

Diacylglycerol acyltransferase 2 (DGAT2), which catalyzes the final step in triacylglycerol (TG) synthesis, is a key enzyme associated with hepatic steatosis and insulin resistance. Here, using an in vitro screen of 20000 molecules, we identified a class of compounds with a substituted 1H-pyrrolo[2,3-b]pyridine core which proved to be potent and selective inhibitors of human DGAT2. Of these compounds, H2-003 and -005 exhibited a considerable reduction in TG biosynthesis in HepG2 hepatic cells and 3T3-L1 preadipose cells. These compounds exert DGAT2-specific-inhibitory activity, which was further confirmed in DGAT2- or DGAT1-overexpressing HEK293 cells. In addition, these compounds almost completely abolished lipid droplet formation in 3T3-L1 cells when co-treated with a DGAT1 inhibitor, which was not attained using either a DGAT2 or DGAT1 inhibitor alone. Collectively, we identified two DGAT2 inhibitors, H2-003 and -005. These compounds will aid in DGAT2-related lipid metabolism research as well as in therapeutic development for the treatment of metabolic diseases associated with excessive TG.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • 3T3-L1 Cells
  • Acetates / chemistry*
  • Acetates / pharmacology*
  • Animals
  • Diacylglycerol O-Acyltransferase / antagonists & inhibitors*
  • Diacylglycerol O-Acyltransferase / metabolism
  • Drug Discovery / methods*
  • HEK293 Cells
  • Hep G2 Cells
  • Humans
  • Mice
  • Pyridines / chemistry*
  • Pyridines / pharmacology*

Substances

  • 1H-pyrrolo(2,3-b)pyridine-3-acetic acid
  • Acetates
  • Pyridines
  • DGAT2 protein, mouse
  • Diacylglycerol O-Acyltransferase