Intracellular protein aggregation causes proteotoxic stress, underlying highly debilitating neurodegenerative disorders in parallel with decreased proteasome activity. Nevertheless, under such stress conditions, the expression of proteasome subunits is upregulated by Nuclear Factor Erythroid 2-related factor 1 (NRF1), a transcription factor that is encoded by NFE2L1. Activating the NRF1 pathway could accordingly delay the onset of neurodegenerative and other disorders with impaired cell proteostasis. Here, we present a series of small-molecule compounds based on bis(phenylmethylen)cycloalkanones and their heterocyclic analogues, identified via targeted library screening, that can induce NRF1-dependent downstream events, such as proteasome synthesis, heat shock response, and autophagy, in both model cell lines and Caenorhabditis elegans strains. These compounds increase proteasome activity and decrease the size and number of protein aggregates without causing any cellular stress or inhibiting the ubiquitin-proteasome system (UPS). Therefore, our compounds represent a new promising therapeutic approach for various protein conformational diseases, including the most debilitating neurodegenerative diseases.

• MeSH
• aktivace transkripce účinky léků   MeSH
• autofagie účinky léků   MeSH
• Caenorhabditis elegans * účinky léků   metabolismus   MeSH
• faktor 1 související s NF-E2 metabolismus   genetika   MeSH
• knihovny malých molekul farmakologie   MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• patologická konformace proteinů metabolismus   farmakoterapie   MeSH
• proteasomový endopeptidasový komplex * metabolismus   MeSH
• proteinové agregáty * účinky léků   MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Check Tag
• lidé MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH

Production of small RNAs by ribonuclease III Dicer is a key step in microRNA and RNA interference pathways, which employ Dicer-produced small RNAs as sequence-specific silencing guides. Further studies and manipulations of microRNA and RNA interference pathways would benefit from identification of small-molecule modulators. Here, we report a study of a fluorescence-based in vitro Dicer cleavage assay, which was adapted for high-throughput screening. The kinetic assay can be performed under single-turnover conditions (35 nM substrate and 70 nM Dicer) in a small volume (5 µL), which makes it suitable for high-throughput screening in a 1536-well format. As a proof of principle, a small library of bioactive compounds was analyzed, demonstrating potential of the assay.

• MeSH
• buněčné linie MeSH
• fluorescenční spektrometrie metody   MeSH
• knihovny malých molekul MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• objevování léků MeSH
• reprodukovatelnost výsledků MeSH
• ribonukleasa III antagonisté a inhibitory   genetika   metabolismus   MeSH
• rychlé screeningové testy * MeSH
• substrátová specifita MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Check Tag
• lidé MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• práce podpořená grantem MeSH

Ebola hemorrhagic fever is a deadly disease caused by infection with one of the Ebola virus species. Although a significant progress has recently been made in understanding of Ebola virus biology and pathogenesis, development of effective anti-Ebola treatments has not been very productive, compared to other areas of antiviral research (e.g., HIV and HCV infections). No approved vaccine or medicine is available for Ebola but several are currently under development. This review summarises attempts in identification, evaluation, and development of small-molecule candidates for treatment of Ebola viral disease, including the most promising experimental drugs brincidofovir (CMX001), BCX4430, and favipiravir (T-705).

• MeSH
• antivirové látky chemická syntéza   terapeutické užití   MeSH
• epidemický výskyt choroby MeSH
• hemoragická horečka Ebola farmakoterapie   epidemiologie   MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• rychlé screeningové testy MeSH
• Check Tag
• lidé MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• práce podpořená grantem MeSH
• přehledy MeSH
• Geografické názvy
• západní Afrika MeSH

The goal of this study was to develop novel radioprotective agents targeting the intrinsic apoptotic pathway and thus decreasing the radiation-induced damage. For that purpose, we designed, synthesized and analyzed ten new compounds based on the 1-(4-(2-hydroxyethyl)piperazin-1-yl)-3-phenoxypropan-2-ol leading structure. The cytotoxicity of the newly synthesized substances was tested in vitro on cell lines derived from different progenitor cells by WST-1 proliferation assay. MTT test was utilized to assess half-maximal inhibitory concentrations and maximum tolerated concentrations of novel compounds in A-549 cells. Screening for radioprotective properties was performed using flow-cytometry in MOLT-4 cells exposed to 60Co ionizing gamma radiation. Selected candidates underwent in vivo testing in C57Bl/6 J mice having a positive impact on their immunological status. In summary, we report here promising compounds with radioprotective effect in vivo.

• MeSH
• apoptóza účinky léků   MeSH
• knihovny malých molekul chemická syntéza   chemie   farmakologie   MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• molekulární struktura MeSH
• myši inbrední C57BL MeSH
• myši MeSH
• nádorové buněčné linie MeSH
• proliferace buněk účinky léků   MeSH
• propanoly chemická syntéza   chemie   farmakologie   MeSH
• radioprotektivní látky chemická syntéza   chemie   farmakologie   MeSH
• simulace molekulového dockingu MeSH
• vztah mezi dávkou a účinkem léčiva MeSH
• vztahy mezi strukturou a aktivitou MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Check Tag
• lidé MeSH
• myši MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH

Ve skríningu karcinomu děložního hrdla (KDH) se celosvětově uplatňují molekulárně genetické metody. Také v České republice už zaujaly své místo hlavně při stratifikaci pacientek s nejasným výsledkem gynekologické cytologie. Nejčastěji využívaným testem je skríningové vyšetření vysoce rizikových typů lidských papilomavirů (HPV). V článku jsou popsány jednotlivé skupiny HPV testů, které mohou být využity ve skríningu KDH, a diskutována kritéria, která musí tyto testy splňovat. V klinické praxi je již také využíváno testu metylačního umlčení tumorsupresorových genů, který dokáže na základě epigenetických charakteristik cervikálního stěru rozlišit pacientky s vysokým krátkodobým rizikem progrese cervikální léze do karcinomu. V článku jsou diskutovány i nové metody a přístupy, které v budoucnu mohou být u pacientek využity pro zpřesnění míry rizika vzniku karcinomu děložního hrdla. Sem patří například stanovení expresních profilů mikroRNA molekul, analýza genomu HPV pomocí sekvenování nové generace, která umožní zařazení virů do subtypů, variant a subvariant, testování integrace viru do genomu buňky nebo metylační analýza virových genů.

Molecular genetic methods are being applied worldwide in the screening of cervical carcinoma and they have already taken place in the Czech Republic, mainly in the stratification of patients with unclear results of a gynecological cytological smear. Molecular tests for human papillomaviruses (HPV) have proven to be an invaluable diagnostic tool in cervical carcinoma screening. A short description of a distinct group of HPV tests which are intended for cervical cancer screening purposes is given in the article, as well as a validation criteria which such HPV tests should fulfill. The analysis of methylation-mediated silencing of tumor-suppressor genes has already been used in clinical practice, particularly to distinguish patients with a high short-term risk of progression of a cervical lesion to carcinoma using epigenetic markers of a cervical smear. The article also discusses new methods and approaches that can be used in the future for gynecological patients to define their real risk of developing cervical carcinoma. A determination of the expression profiles of microRNA molecules seems to be a very promising biomarker, as well as a deeper analysis of the HPV genome by means of next-generation sequencing that allows for the classification of viruses into unique subtypes, variants, and subvariants. Other discussed stratification approaches include analyses of virus integration into the genome of the cell and methylation of viral genes.

• Klíčová slova
• Next Generation Sequencing (NGS), HPV test,
• MeSH
• diagnostické techniky molekulární klasifikace   MeSH
• diagnostické techniky porodnicko-gynekologické klasifikace   MeSH
• DNA testy na papilomavirus MeSH
• genotypizační techniky MeSH
• infekce papilomavirem * diagnóza   komplikace   MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• metylace MeSH
• mikro RNA MeSH
• nádory děložního čípku * diagnóza   patologie   prevence a kontrola   virologie   MeSH
• Papillomaviridae klasifikace   patogenita   MeSH
• plošný screening MeSH
• sekvenční analýza MeSH
• Check Tag
• lidé MeSH
• ženské pohlaví MeSH
• Publikační typ
• přehledy MeSH

The purpose of this study was to identify new small molecules that possess activity on human toll-like receptor 4 associated with the myeloid differentiation protein 2 (hTLR4/MD2). Following current rational drug design principles, we firstly performed a ligand and structure based virtual screening of more than 130 000 compounds to discover until now unknown class of hTLR4/MD2 modulators that could be used as novel type of immunologic adjuvants. The core of the in silico study was molecular docking of flexible ligands in a partially flexible hTLR4/MD2 receptor model using a peta-flops-scale supercomputer. The most promising substances resulting from this study, related to anthracene-succimide hybrids, were synthesized and tested. The best prepared candidate exhibited 80% of Monophosphoryl Lipid A in vitro agonistic activity in cell lines expressing hTLR4/MD2.

• MeSH
• buněčné linie MeSH
• knihovny malých molekul chemická syntéza   chemie   farmakologie   MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• ligandy MeSH
• molekulární struktura MeSH
• počítačová simulace * MeSH
• preklinické hodnocení léčiv MeSH
• racionální návrh léčiv * MeSH
• simulace molekulového dockingu MeSH
• toll-like receptor 4 antagonisté a inhibitory   MeSH
• vztah mezi dávkou a účinkem léčiva MeSH
• vztahy mezi strukturou a aktivitou MeSH
• Check Tag
• lidé MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH

Fibroblast activation protein (FAP) has been extensively studied as a cancer biomarker for decades. Recently, small-molecule FAP inhibitors have been widely adopted as a targeting moiety of experimental theranostic radiotracers. Here we present a fast qPCR-based analytical method allowing FAP inhibition screening in a high-throughput regime. To identify clinically relevant compounds that might interfere with FAP-targeted approaches, we focused on a library of FDA-approved drugs. Using the DNA-linked Inhibitor Antibody Assay (DIANA), we tested a library of 2667 compounds within just a few hours and identified numerous FDA-approved drugs as novel FAP inhibitors. Among these, prodrugs of cephalosporin antibiotics and reverse transcriptase inhibitors, along with one elastase inhibitor, were the most potent FAP inhibitors in our dataset. In addition, by employing FAP DIANA in the quantification mode, we were able to determine FAP concentrations in human plasma samples. Together, our work expands the repertoire of FAP inhibitors, analyzes the potential interference of co-administered drugs with FAP-targeting strategies, and presents a sensitive and low-consumption ELISA alternative for FAP quantification with a detection limit of 50 pg/ml.

• MeSH
• cefalosporiny chemie   farmakologie   MeSH
• endopeptidasy * metabolismus   MeSH
• knihovny malých molekul farmakologie   chemie   MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• membránové proteiny * antagonisté a inhibitory   metabolismus   MeSH
• molekulární struktura MeSH
• rychlé screeningové testy * MeSH
• schvalování léčiv MeSH
• serinové endopeptidasy * metabolismus   MeSH
• Úřad Spojených států pro potraviny a léky MeSH
• vztah mezi dávkou a účinkem léčiva MeSH
• vztahy mezi strukturou a aktivitou MeSH
• želatinasy * antagonisté a inhibitory   metabolismus   MeSH
• Check Tag
• lidé MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• Geografické názvy
• Spojené státy americké MeSH

Several therapeutic monoclonal antibodies approved by the FDA are available against the PD-1/PD-L1 (programmed death 1/programmed death ligand 1) immune checkpoint axis, which has been an unprecedented success in cancer treatment. However, existing therapeutics against PD-L1, including small molecule inhibitors, have certain drawbacks such as high cost and drug resistance that challenge the currently available anti-PD-L1 therapy. Therefore, this study presents the screening of 32,552 compounds from the Natural Product Atlas database against PD-L1, including three steps of structure-based virtual screening followed by binding free energy to refine the ideal conformation of potent PD-L1 inhibitors. Subsequently, five natural compounds, i.e., Neoenactin B1, Actinofuranone I, Cosmosporin, Ganocapenoid A, and 3-[3-hydroxy-4-(3-methylbut-2-enyl)phenyl]-5-(4-hydroxybenzyl)-4-methyldihydrofuran-2(3H)-one, were collected based on the ADMET (absorption, distribution, metabolism, excretion, and toxicity) profiling and binding free energy (>-60 kcal/mol) for further computational investigation in comparison to co-crystallized ligand, i.e., JQT inhibitor. Based on interaction mapping, explicit 100 ns molecular dynamics simulation, and end-point binding free energy calculations, the selected natural compounds were marked for substantial stability with PD-L1 via intermolecular interactions (hydrogen and hydrophobic) with essential residues in comparison to the JQT inhibitor. Collectively, the calculated results advocate the selected natural compounds as the putative potent inhibitors of PD-L1 and, therefore, can be considered for further development of PD-L1 immune checkpoint inhibitors in cancer immunotherapy.

• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH

AIM: To study the coincidence of celiac disease, we tested its serological markers in patients with various liver diseases. METHODS: Large-scale screening of serum antibodies against tissue transglutaminase (tTG), and deamidated gliadin using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and serum antibodies against endomysium using immunohistochemistry, in patients with various liver diseases (n = 962) and patients who underwent liver transplantation (OLTx, n = 523) was performed. The expression of tTG in liver tissue samples of patients simultaneously suffering from celiac disease and from various liver diseases using immunohistochemistry was carried out. The final diagnosis of celiac disease was confirmed by histological analysis of small-intestinal biopsy. RESULTS: We found that 29 of 962 patients (3%) with liver diseases and 5 of 523 patients (0.8%) who underwent OLTx were seropositive for IgA and IgG anti-tTG antibodies. However, celiac disease was biopsy-diagnosed in 16 patients: 4 with autoimmune hepatitis type I, 3 with Wilson's disease, 3 with celiac hepatitis, 2 with primary sclerosing cholangitis, 1 with primary biliary cirrhosis, 1 with Budd-Chiari syndrome, 1 with toxic hepatitis, and 1 with non-alcoholic steatohepatitis. Unexpectedly, the highest prevalence of celiac disease was found in patients with Wilson's disease (9.7%), with which it is only rarely associated. On the other hand, no OLTx patients were diagnosed with celiac disease in our study. A pilot study of the expression of tTG in liver tissue using immunohistochemistry documented the overexpression of this molecule in endothelial cells and periportal hepatocytes of patients simultaneously suffering from celiac disease and toxic hepatitis, primary sclerosing cholangitis or autoimmune hepatitis type I. CONCLUSION: We suggest that screening for celiac disease may be beneficial not only in patients with associated liver diseases, but also in patients with Wilson's disease.

• MeSH
• autoprotilátky krev   MeSH
• biopsie MeSH
• celiakie krev   diagnóza   epidemiologie   imunologie   MeSH
• dospělí MeSH
• gliadin imunologie   MeSH
• imunoglobulin A krev   MeSH
• imunoglobulin G krev   MeSH
• imunohistochemie MeSH
• játra enzymologie   MeSH
• lidé středního věku MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• mladiství MeSH
• mladý dospělý MeSH
• nemoci jater diagnóza   epidemiologie   chirurgie   MeSH
• plošný screening * metody   MeSH
• prediktivní hodnota testů MeSH
• prevalence MeSH
• senioři MeSH
• transglutaminasy imunologie   MeSH
• transplantace jater MeSH
• Check Tag
• dospělí MeSH
• lidé středního věku MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• mladiství MeSH
• mladý dospělý MeSH
• mužské pohlaví MeSH
• senioři MeSH
• ženské pohlaví MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• práce podpořená grantem MeSH
• Geografické názvy
• Česká republika MeSH

FOXO transcription factors are critical regulators of cell homeostasis and steer cell death, differentiation and longevity in mammalian cells. By combined pharmacophore-modeling-based in silico and fluorescence polarization-based screening we identified small molecules that physically interact with the DNA-binding domain (DBD) of FOXO3 and modulate the FOXO3 transcriptional program in human cells. The mode of interaction between compounds and the FOXO3-DBD was assessed via NMR spectroscopy and docking studies. We demonstrate that compounds S9 and its oxalate salt S9OX interfere with FOXO3 target promoter binding, gene transcription and modulate the physiologic program activated by FOXO3 in cancer cells. These small molecules prove the druggability of the FOXO-DBD and provide a structural basis for modulating these important homeostasis regulators in normal and malignant cells.

• MeSH
• DNA chemie   genetika   metabolismus   MeSH
• genetická transkripce účinky léků   MeSH
• genový knockdown MeSH
• HEK293 buňky MeSH
• knihovny malých molekul chemie   metabolismus   farmakologie   MeSH
• konformace nukleové kyseliny MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• magnetická rezonanční spektroskopie MeSH
• molekulární modely MeSH
• nádorové buněčné linie MeSH
• promotorové oblasti (genetika) genetika   MeSH
• protein FOXO3 chemie   genetika   metabolismus   MeSH
• proteinové domény MeSH
• simulace molekulového dockingu MeSH
• stanovení celkové genové exprese metody   MeSH
• vazba proteinů MeSH
• vazebná místa genetika   MeSH
• Check Tag
• lidé MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• práce podpořená grantem MeSH