NLRX1 is established as an essential, CypD-independent regulator of mitochondrial permeability transition and provide brain-penetrant chemical tools to interrogate this biology.
The mitochondrial permeability transition pore (mPTP) opening is a phenomenon in which the inner mitochondrial membrane abruptly becomes permeable when matrix calcium reaches a critical threshold. Despite 5 decades of intensive research, no protein has been universally accepted as essential for mPTP opening, limiting mechanistic understanding and raising questions about the validity of mPTP-targeted strategies to mitigate cardiac ischemia-reperfusion (I/R) injury. Here, we discuss convergent findings from two independent laboratories identifying the innate immune receptor NLRX1 as an unexpected, essential requirement for mPTP activity. NLRX1 is the only NOD-like receptor (NLR) that is targeted to the mitochondrion. NLRX1 deficiency abolishes (1) calcium-induced mPTP opening, (2) cyclosporine A sensitivity of the pore, and (3) mitochondrial calcium release following cardiac I/R. To test whether loss of mPTP function aligns with loss of NLRX1 across evolution, we performed forward and reciprocal bioinformatic (Blastp) searches and found that species reported to lack an mPTP (e.g., Artemia franciscana and Drosophila melanogaster) also lack NLRX1, further supporting a mandatory role for NLRX1 in mPTP occurrence. Notably, NLRX1-deficient hearts can exhibit increased, rather than decreased, I/R injury at specific ischemia durations. This mirrors reports that deletion of established mPTP regulators (e.g., Ppif) may also worsen injury under defined conditions, consistent with context-dependent, potentially protective roles for transient mPTP activity (e.g., mitochondrial calcium release, PI3K/Akt signaling). In summary, we propose that NLRX1 is the only currently identified protein that is strictly required for mPTP opening, and that indiscriminate inhibition of the mPTP is unlikely to represent a universally effective cardioprotective strategy against I/R injury.
Kielen R. Zuurbier, C. Zuurbier· Basic Research in Cardiology· 0 citations
Cellular senescence is characterized by the accumulation of reactive oxygen species (ROS), and the selective elimination of excessive ROS remains a key therapeutic challenge. Through antioxidant screening, we identified the pyrazole-based small molecule KB3409 as a potent regulator that reduces ROS levels in senescent fibroblasts. To elucidate its mechanism of action, we performed target identification and found that KB3409 directly binds to valosin-containing protein (VCP) and reticulocalbin-2 (RCN2). Functionally, KB3409 acts as an allosteric activator of VCP, enhancing its ATPase activity and promoting autophagic flux. This activation facilitates the selective clearance of dysfunctional mitochondria, thereby improving mitochondrial quality control and limiting ROS generation at its source. Concurrently, KB3409 modulates RCN2-dependent Ca2+ homeostasis, alleviating mitochondrial Ca2+ overload and suppressing the opening of the mitochondrial permeability transition pore (mPTP). This coordinated regulation preserves mitochondrial structural integrity and sustains oxidative phosphorylation efficiency. Collectively, these findings identified the novel mechanism in which KB3409 restores mitochondrial function, reduces ROS levels, and functionally reverses cellular senescence phenotypes.
Yoo Jin Lee, Jee hee Yoon, Hyunwoong Lim et al.· Antioxidants· 0 citations
The transient receptor potential vanilloid 2 (TRPV2) channel is a Ca2+-permeable non-selective cation channel widely expressed in immune cells, cardiomyocytes, neurons, and various cancers. It participates in diverse physiological and pathological processes, including neuronal differentiation, mechanosensation, immune responses, and oncogenesis. Despite its broad significance, the mechanisms governing TRPV2 activation and its therapeutic potential remain incompletely understood. Recent high-resolution cryo-EM studies have revealed its tetrameric architecture and gating-associated conformational changes. Functional studies have identified several chemical agonists, such as 2-APB and CBD, but their lack of specificity highlights the need for endogenous modulators. Key discoveries include ROS-mediated sensitization via methionine oxidation, pH-dependent gating by weak acids, and cholesterol binding that stabilizes distinct channel states. Furthermore, dynamic post-translational modifications (PTMs), including phosphorylation, ubiquitination, and S-palmitoylation, precisely control the TRPV2 lifecycle, from biosynthesis and membrane trafficking to gating and degradation. These PTMs precisely control the entire TRPV2 lifecycle, from biosynthesis and membrane trafficking to gating, complex assembly, and degradation, thereby tuning TRPV2 sensitivity and function. This review synthesizes the structural basis and intricate endogenous regulatory network of TRPV2, emphasizing its evolution from a simple thermosensor to a complex integrator of cellular signals. Understanding these mechanisms is pivotal for developing novel, precise therapeutic strategies targeting TRPV2 in neurological, cardiovascular, and immune diseases.
Shaobin Yang, Meiqi Li, Rong Su et al.· Biochemical Pharmacology· 0 citations
These findings identify the PGAM5/VDAC1 axis as a key mechanism linking ponatinib stress to coordinated failure of MQC in the heart and targeting PGAM5-dependent VDAC1 oligomerization may represent a potential strategy for limiting ponatinib-associated cardiotoxicity.
Hydrogen sulfide (H2S) is an endogenous gasotransmitter with therapeutic potential for stroke. Our previous work identified that ADT-OH, an H2S donor with mitochondrial uncoupling activity, protects against stroke by activating the SQR-UCP2-AMPK pathway. Here, we launched a medicinal chemistry campaign based on hit compound ADT-OH to design and synthesize 30 novel derivatives, among which compound 16 displayed more potent mitochondrial uncoupling activity than ADT-OH, effectively reducing the mitochondrial membrane potential at a low concentration of 1 μM. In mouse models of ischemic and hemorrhagic stroke, compound 16 significantly alleviated brain injury and improved functional outcomes. Notably, these therapeutic effects were completely abolished in microglia/macrophage-specific SQR deletion (Cx3cr1Cre: Sqrfl/fl) mice, confirming that the biological function of compound 16 is mediated by a strictly SQR-dependent mechanism. Proteomic analysis further validated these findings. Overall, compound 16 represents a promising lead compound for stroke therapy based on a novel mechanism, warranting further development.
Peng Song, Yuan Li, Xiaohan Song et al.· Journal of Medicinal Chemist...· 0 citations
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE
The NLRP3 inflammasome is an attractive therapeutic target for multiple inflammatory conditions. Although inhibitors have been developed, their chemical diversity is limited, and their properties are not ideal for brain penetrance, which is desirable for treating neuroinflammatory disorders.
EXPERIMENTAL APPROACH
We applied our chemoproteomics platform to survey our electrophilic fragment collection to identify inhibitors of NLRP3. We focused our attention on compounds that bind Cys463, as this residue was identified as an allosteric sensor of NLRP3 function.
KEY RESULTS
A novel inhibitor series was identified bearing a butynamide electrophile and a unique spirocyclic lactam core. Compounds from this series displayed mid-nanomolar potency and were found to inhibit IL-1β secretion in a Cys463-dependent manner. Cryo-EM structures revealed that ligand binding to Cys463 stabilizes an inactive conformation, thereby preventing structural rearrangements required for inflammasome activation. These compounds displayed attractive pharmacokinetic properties and, notably, Kp,uu values >0.5, suggesting the potential to address neuroinflammatory disorders. Administration of a representative compound to humanized mice resulted in clear NLRP3 Cys463 target-engagement and profound suppression of LPS- and ATP-induced IL-1β secretion, demonstrating clear proof-of-concept in vivo.
CONCLUSION AND IMPLICATIONS
Chemoproteomics-based ligand discovery is intrinsically function-agnostic and has the potential to identify novel pockets on even well-characterized protein targets. Here, optimization of ligands targeting Cys463 of NLRP3 within a previously uncharacterized allosteric pocket led to a unique and potent inhibitor series with attractive physicochemical and pharmacokinetic properties for the potential treatment of diseases involving aberrant innate immune activation in both central and peripheral tissues.
Donald C. Rogness, E. Sievert, Vincent F Vartabedian et al.· British Journal of Pharmacol...· 0 citations
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