Authors: Schieb, Heinke; Weidlich, Sebastian; Schlechtingen, Georg; Linning, Philipp; Jennings, Gary; Gruner, Margit; Wiltfang, Jens; Klafki, Hans-Wolfgang; Knoelker, Hans-Joachim; Chemistry - A European Journal; (2010); 10.1002/chem.201002878
Covalent coupling of β‐secretase inhibitors to a raftophilic lipid anchor via a suitable spacer by using solid‐phase peptide synthesis leads to tripartite structures displaying substantially improved inhibition of cellular secretion of the β‐amyloid peptide (Aβ). Herein, we describe a series of novel tripartite structures, their full characterization by NMR spectroscopy and mass spectrometry, and the analysis of their biological activity in cell‐based assays. The tripartite structure concept is applicable to different pharmacophores, and the potency in terms of β‐secretase inhibition can be optimized by adjusting the spacer length to achieve an optimal distance of the inhibitor from the lipid bilayer. A tripartite structure containing a transition‐state mimic inhibitor was found to be less potent on Aβ generation from Swedish‐mutant amyloid precursor protein (APP) than from the wild‐type protein. Moreover, our observations suggest that specific variants of Aβ are generated from wild‐type APP but not from Swedish‐mutant APP and are resistant to β‐secretase inhibition. Efficient inhibition of Aβ secretion by tripartite structures in the absence of appreciable neurotoxicity was confirmed in a primary neuronal cell culture, thus further supporting the concept.
Cpdart0129