Development of Potent MALT1 Inhibitors Featuring a Novel "2-Thioxo-2,3-dihydrothiazolo[4,5-]pyrimidin-7(6)-one" Scaffold for the Treatment of B Cell Lymphoma.

Mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue lymphoma translocation protein 1 (MALT1) has emerged as a novel and promising therapeutic target for the treatment of lymphomas and autoimmune diseases. Herein, we reported a new class of MALT1 inhibitors featuring a novel "2-thioxo-2,3-dihydrothiazolo[4,5-]pyrimidin-7(6)-one" scaffold developed by structure-based drug design. Structure-activity relationship studies finally led to the discovery of MALT1 inhibitor , which covalently and potently inhibited MALT1 protease with the IC value of 1.

Glyburide Regulates UCP1 Expression in Adipocytes Independent of K Channel Blockade.

Identification of safe and effective compounds to increase or activate UCP1 expression in brown or white adipocytes remains a potent therapeutic strategy to combat obesity. Here we reported that, glyburide, one of the FDA-approved drugs currently used to treat type 2 diabetes, can significantly enhance UCP1 expression in both brown and white adipocytes. Glyburide-fed mice exhibited a clear resistance to high-fat diet-induced obesity, reduced blood triglyceride level, and increased UCP1 expression in brown adipose tissue.

MRG15 orchestrates rhythmic epigenomic remodelling and controls hepatic lipid metabolism.

The rhythmic regulation of transcriptional processes is intimately linked to lipid homeostasis, to anticipate daily changes in energy access. The Rev-erbα-HDAC3 complex was previously discovered to execute the rhythmic repression of lipid genes; however, the epigenetic switch that turns on these genes is less clear. Here, we show that genomic recruitment of MRG15, which is encoded by the mortality factor on chromosome 4 (MORF4)-related gene on chromosome 15, displays a significant diurnal rhythm and activates lipid genes in the mouse liver.

Type 2 Diabetes Variants in the SLC16A11 Coding Region Are Not Loss-of-Function Mutations.

This Matters Arising Response paper addresses the Hoch et al. (2019) Matters Arising paper published concurrently in this issue of Cell Reports. The genetic study in humans revealed a strong association of DNA variants in the SLC16A11 coding region with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM).

Identification of a rhodanine derivative BML-260 as a potent stimulator of UCP1 expression.

Identification of proper agents to increase or activate UCP1 cells in adipose tissues remains a potent therapeutic strategy to combat obesity. Screening systems for UCP1 activators have been previously established and allow for unbiased discovery of effective compound(s). A previously established -2A-GFP reporter system was applied to a chemical library containing 33 phosphatase inhibitors.

Gain-of-Function Mutations of SLC16A11 Contribute to the Pathogenesis of Type 2 Diabetes.

DNA variants in the SLC16A11 coding region were identified to be strongly associated with type 2 diabetes (T2DM) in a Mexican population. Previous studies suggested that these variants disrupt SLC16A11 function and therefore proposed to revive SLC16A11 levels or activity to achieve therapeutic benefit. However, with knockout mouse models, here we show that Slc16a11 depletion has no significant metabolic defects.

Screening of FDA-approved drugs identifies sutent as a modulator of UCP1 expression in brown adipose tissue.

Background: The pharmacological activation of thermogenesis in brown adipose tissue has long been considered promising strategies to treat obesity. However, identification of safe and effective agents remains a challenge. In this study, we addressed this challenge by developing a cellular system with a fluorescence readout, and applied in a high-throughput manner to screen for FDA-approved drugs that may activate endogenous UCP1 expression in adipocytes.

Genetic and Chemical Screenings Identify HDAC3 as a Key Regulator in Hepatic Differentiation of Human Pluripotent Stem Cells.

Hepatocyte-like cells (HLCs) derived from human pluripotent stem cells (hPSCs) offer a promising cell resource for disease modeling and transplantation. However, differentiated HLCs exhibit an immature phenotype and comprise a heterogeneous population. Thus, a better understanding of HLC differentiation will improve the likelihood of future application.