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The discovery of 12β-methyl-17-epi-18-nor-bile acids as potent and selective TGR5 agonists

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Recent discoveries have demonstrated that the physiological function of bile acids extends to the regulation of diverse signaling processes through interactions with nuclear and G protein-coupled receptors, most notably the Farnesoid-X nuclear receptor (FXR) and the G protein-coupled bile acid receptor 1 (GPBAR1, also known as TGR5). Targeting such signaling pathways pharmacologically, i.e. with bile acid-derived therapeutics, presents great potential for the treatment of various metabolic, inflammatory immune, liver, and neurodegenerative diseases. Here we report the discovery of two potent and selective TGR5 agonists (NZP196 and 917). These compounds are the taurine conjugates of 6α-ethyl-substituted 12β-methyl-18-nor-bile acids with the side chain being located on the α-face of the steroid scaffold. The compounds emerged from a screening effort of a diverse library of 12β-methyl-18-nor-bile acids that were synthesized from 12β-methyl-18-nor-chenodeoxycholic acid and its C17-epimer. Upon testing for FXR activity, both compounds were found to be inactive, thus revealing selectivity for TGR5.

History

Preferred citation

Luxenburger, A., Harris, L. D., Ure, E. M., Jiao, W., Woolhouse, A. D., Cameron, S. A., Weymouth-Wilson, A., Furneaux, R. H., Pitman, J. L. & Hinkley, S. F. R. (2023). The discovery of 12β-methyl-17-epi-18-nor-bile acids as potent and selective TGR5 agonists. European Journal of Medicinal Chemistry, 250, 115143-115143. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ejmech.2023.115143

Journal title

European Journal of Medicinal Chemistry

Volume

250

Publication date

2023-03-15

Pagination

115143-115143

Publisher

Elsevier BV

Publication status

Accepted

Online publication date

2023-01-25

ISSN

0223-5234

eISSN

1768-3254

Article number

115143

Language

en