Imaging of adeno-associated viral capsids for purposes of gene editing using CEST NMR/MRI.

Purpose: Gene therapy using adeno-associated virus (AAV) vector-mediated gene delivery has undergone substantial growth in recent years with promising results in both preclinical and clinical studies, as well as emerging regulatory approval. However, the inability to quantify the efficacy of gene therapy from cellular delivery of gene-editing technology to specific functional outcomes is an obstacle for efficient development of gene therapy treatments. Building on prior works that used the CEST reporter gene lysine rich protein, we hypothesized that AAV viral capsids may generate endogenous CEST contrast from an abundance of surface lysine residues.

Perturbation-Based Proteomic Correlation Profiling as a Target Deconvolution Methodology.

Molecular target identification of small molecules, so-called target deconvolution, is a major obstacle to phenotype-based drug discovery. Here, we developed an approach called perturbation-based proteomic correlation profiling (PPCP) utilizing the correlation between protein quantity and binding activity of compounds under cellular perturbation by gene silencing and successfully identified lanosterol synthase as a molecular target of TGF-β pathway inhibitor. This PPCP concept was extended to the use of a cell line panel and provides a new option for target deconvolution.

Design, synthesis, and pharmacological evaluation of a novel series of hormone sensitive lipase inhibitor.

HSL inhibition is a promising approach to the treatment of dyslipidemia. As a result of re-optimization of lead compound 2, we identified novel compound 25a exhibiting potent inhibitory activity against HSL enzyme and cell with high selectivity for cholinesterases (AChE and BuChE). Reflecting its potent in vitro activity, compound 25a exhibited antilipolytic effect in rats at 1mg/kg p.

Identification of a novel hormone sensitive lipase inhibitor with a reduced potential of reactive metabolites formation.

Hormone sensitive lipase (HSL) has emerged as an attractive target for the treatment of dyslipidemia. We previously reported compound 1 as a potent and orally active HSL inhibitor. Although an attractive profile was demonstrated, subsequent studies revealed that compound 1 has a bioactivation liability.

Identification of a novel boronic acid as a potent, selective, and orally active hormone sensitive lipase inhibitor.

Hormone sensitive lipase (HSL) is an attractive therapeutic target of dyslipidemia. We designed and synthesized several compounds as reversible HSL inhibitors with a focus on hydrophobic interactions, which was thought to be effective upon the HSL inhibitory activity. In these efforts, we identified boronated compound 12 showing a potent HSL inhibitory activity with an IC50 value of 7nM and a high selectivity against cholinesterases.