Issue 19, 2014

P7C3 and an unbiased approach to drug discovery for neurodegenerative diseases

Abstract

A novel neuroprotective small molecule was discovered using a target-agnostic in vivo screen in living mice. This aminopropyl carbazole, named P7C3, is orally bioavailable, crosses the blood–brain barrier, and is non-toxic at doses several fold higher than the efficacious dose. The potency and drug-like properties of P7C3 were optimized through a medicinal chemistry campaign, providing analogues for detailed examination. Improved versions, such as (−)-P7C3-S243 and P7C3-A20, displayed neuroprotective properties in rodent models of Parkinson's disease, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, traumatic brain injury and age-related cognitive decline. Derivatives appended with immobilizing moieties may reveal the protein targets of the P7C3 class of neuroprotective compounds. Our results indicate that unbiased, in vivo screens might provide starting points for the development of treatments for neurodegenerative diseases as well as tools to study the biology underlying these disorders.

Graphical abstract: P7C3 and an unbiased approach to drug discovery for neurodegenerative diseases

Article information

Article type
Review Article
Submitted
06 Dec 2013
First published
11 Feb 2014

Chem. Soc. Rev., 2014,43, 6716-6726

Author version available

P7C3 and an unbiased approach to drug discovery for neurodegenerative diseases

A. A. Pieper, S. L. McKnight and J. M. Ready, Chem. Soc. Rev., 2014, 43, 6716 DOI: 10.1039/C3CS60448A

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