Dual leucine zipper kinase (DLK), expressed primarily in neuronal cells, is a regulator of neuronal degeneration in response to cellular stress from chronic disease or neuronal injury. This makes it an attractive target for the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, and neuronal injury, such as chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy. Here, we describe the discovery of a potent, selective, brain-penetrant DLK inhibitor, KAI-11101 (). Throughout the program's progression, medicinal chemistry challenges such as potency, hERG inhibition, CNS penetration, CYP3A time-dependent inhibition, and kinase selectivity were overcome through the implementation of cutting-edge tools. KAI-11101 displayed an excellent safety profile and showed neuroprotective properties in an axon fragmentation assay as well as dose-dependent activity in a mouse PD model.
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http://dx.doi.org/10.1021/acs.jmedchem.4c02074 | DOI Listing |
Adv Sci (Weinh)
January 2025
Key Laboratory of Mental Disorders, The Second Hospital of Shandong University, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong, 250012, China.
Major depressive disorder (MDD) is usually considered associate with immune inflammation and synaptic injury within specific brain regions. However, the molecular mechanisms underlying the neural deterioration resulting in depression remain unclear. Here, it is found that miR-204-5p is markedly downregulated in the ventromedial prefrontal cortex (vmPFC) in a chronic unpredictable mild stress (CUMS) induce rat model of depression.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFJ Neurochem
January 2025
State Key Laboratory of Oral Diseases & National Center for Stomatology & National Clinical Research Center for Oral Diseases, West China Hospital of Stomatology, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China.
Severe trauma frequently leads to nerve damage. Peripheral nerves possess a degree of regenerative ability, and actively promoting their recovery can help restore the sensory and functional capacities of tissues. The neuropeptide calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) is believed to regulate the repair of injured peripheral nerves, with neuronal transient receptor potential vanilloid type 1 (TRPV1) potentially serving as a crucial upstream factor.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFMedicine (Baltimore)
January 2025
Opthalmology, Chongqing Hechuan District People's Hospital, Chongqing, China.
Background: Bushen-Huoxue-Mingmu-Formula (MMF) has achieved definite clinical efficacy. However, its mechanism is still unclear.
Objective: Investigating the molecular mechanism of MMF to protect retinal ganglion cells (RGCs).
Cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury (CIRI) constitutes a significant etiology of exacerbated cerebral tissue damage subsequent to intravenous thrombolysis and endovascular mechanical thrombectomy in patients diagnosed with acute ischemic stroke. The treatment of CIRI has been extensively investigated through a multitude of clinical studies. Acupuncture has been demonstrated to be effective in treating CIRI.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFAdv Sci (Weinh)
January 2025
Wenzhou Institute, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, 325001, China.
Protein self-assembly allows for the formation of diverse supramolecular materials from relatively simple building blocks. In this study, a single-component self-assembling hydrogel is developed using the recombinant protein CsgA, and its successful application for spinal cord injury repair is demonstrated. Gelation is achieved by the physical entanglement of CsgA nanofibrils, resulting in a self-supporting hydrogel at low concentrations (≥5 mg mL).
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