S29434, a quinone reductase 2 inhibitor: main biochemical and cellular characterization

JA Boutin, F Bouillaud, E Janda, I Gacsalyi… - Molecular …, 2019 - ASPET
JA Boutin, F Bouillaud, E Janda, I Gacsalyi, G Guillaumet, EC Hirsch, DA Kane, F Nepveu…
Molecular Pharmacology, 2019ASPET
Quinone reductase 2 (QR2, EC 1.10. 5.1) is an enzyme with a feature that has attracted
attention for several decades: in standard conditions, instead of recognizing NAD (P) H as
an electron donor, it recognizes putative metabolites of NADH, such as N-methyl-and N-
ribosyl-dihydronicotinamide. QR2 has been particularly associated with reactive oxygen
species and memory, strongly suggesting a link among QR2 (as a possible key element in
pro-oxidation), autophagy, and neurodegeneration. In molecular and cellular pharmacology …
Quinone reductase 2 (QR2, E.C. 1.10.5.1) is an enzyme with a feature that has attracted attention for several decades: in standard conditions, instead of recognizing NAD(P)H as an electron donor, it recognizes putative metabolites of NADH, such as N-methyl- and N-ribosyl-dihydronicotinamide. QR2 has been particularly associated with reactive oxygen species and memory, strongly suggesting a link among QR2 (as a possible key element in pro-oxidation), autophagy, and neurodegeneration. In molecular and cellular pharmacology, understanding physiopathological associations can be difficult because of a lack of specific and powerful tools. Here, we present a thorough description of the potent, nanomolar inhibitor [2-(2-methoxy-5H-1,4b,9-triaza(indeno[2,1-a]inden-10-yl)ethyl]-2-furamide (S29434 or NMDPEF; IC50 = 5–16 nM) of QR2 at different organizational levels. We provide full detailed syntheses, describe its cocrystallization with and behavior at QR2 on a millisecond timeline, show that it penetrates cell membranes and inhibits QR2-mediated reactive oxygen species (ROS) production within the 100 nM range, and describe its actions in several in vivo models and lack of actions in various ROS-producing systems. The inhibitor is fairly stable in vivo, penetrates cells, specifically inhibits QR2, and shows activities that suggest a key role for this enzyme in different pathologic conditions, including neurodegenerative diseases.
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