Small molecules play a pivotal role in Endocrinology Research. These are low molecular weight compounds that have a significant impact on the endocrine system, hormones, and their receptors. Here are some key aspects of how small molecules are involved in this field:
Hormone Mimetics and Inhibitors: Small molecules are used to develop synthetic compounds that mimic the actions of hormones or inhibit their effects. For example, drugs like metformin for diabetes management and selective estrogen receptor modulators (SERMs) for breast cancer treatment are used to either mimic or block hormonal activity.
Receptor Modulation: Small molecules can bind to hormone receptors and modulate their activity. This is crucial in developing drugs that target specific hormone receptors, like the use of small molecule agonists and antagonists to regulate thyroid hormone receptors.
Metabolism Regulation: Endocrinology research often focuses on metabolism and how hormones like insulin regulate it. Small molecules are employed to understand and develop drugs targeting enzymes involved in metabolism, such as glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) agonists for diabetes treatment.
Steroid Hormone Production: Small molecules may be utilized to influence the production of steroid hormones in the adrenal glands or gonads. This is essential for conditions like Cushing's syndrome or polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS).
Hormone Assays: In laboratory research, small molecules are used as tracers or markers in hormone assays. For instance, small molecule fluorophores can be attached to antibodies to detect hormone levels in blood samples.
Drug Development: Endocrinology research relies on small molecules as potential drug candidates. Researchers design and test small molecules for their effectiveness in modulating hormonal pathways, with the goal of developing new therapies for endocrine disorders. In summary, small molecules are indispensable tools in Endocrinology Research, enabling scientists to better understand the endocrine system's intricacies and develop novel treatments for a wide range of hormonal disorders and conditions. Their versatility and specificity make them valuable assets in advancing our knowledge of endocrinology and improving patient care.
Exicorilant (CORT 125281) is a selective and oral active glucocorticoid receptor (GR) antagonist, with a Ki value of 7 nM. Exicorilant (CORT 125281) has potential to overcome adiposity, glucose intolerance and dyslipidaemia.
ML401 is an antagonist of the EBI2 receptor with an IC50 of 1.03 nM. ML401 displays activity in a chemotaxis assay (IC50=6.24 nM). ML401 shows good stability and no toxicity.
ML221 is a potent apelin (APJ) functional antagonist, inhibiting apelin-13-mediated activation of APJ, with IC50s of 0.70 μM in the cAMP assay, and 1.75 μM in the β-arrestin assay, and EC80 of 10 nM in both assays.
Apararenone (MT-3995) is a novel non-steroidal mineralocorticoid receptor antagonists under development for the treatment of diabetic nephropathies and non-alcoholic steatohepatitis.
ML 145 is a selective GPR35/CXCR8 antagonist with an IC50/EC50 of 20.1 nM, but not for the related GPR55 orphan receptor. GPR35 is expressed by various cells of the immune system and it may has potential as a therapeutic target in inflammatory disease.
H3B-5942 is a selective, irreversible and orally active estrogen receptor covalent antagonist, inactivates both wild-type and mutant ERα by targeting Cys530, with Kis of 1 nM and 0.41 nM, respectively.
D4-abiraterone is a major metabolite of abiraterone. D4-abiraterone is an inhibitor of CYP17A1, 3b-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (3βHSD) and steroid-5a-reductase (SRD5A) and also an antagonist of androgen receptor.
Azilsartan medoxomil monopotassium is an orally administered angiotensin II receptor type 1 antagonist with IC50 of 0.62 nM, which used in the treatment of adults with essential hypertension.
Elagolix is a highly potent, selective, orally-active, short-duration, non-peptide antagonist of the gonadotropin-releasing hormone receptor (GnRHR) (KD = 54 pM).
L 888607 Racemate is a selective prostaglandin D2 receptor subtype 1 (DP1) antagonist, with Kis of 132 nM and 17 nM for DP1 and thromboxane A2 receptor (TP), respectively.
Fulvestrant R enantiomer (ICI 182780 R enantiomer; ZD 9238 R enantiomer; ZM 182780 R enantiomer) is the less active R enantiomer of Fulvestrant. Fulvestrant is a potent estrogen receptor antagonist with an IC50 of 9.4 nM.
AM211 is a potent, selective and orally bioavailable prostaglandin D2 (PGD2) receptor type 2 (DP2) antagonist, with IC50s of 4.9 nM, 7.8 nM, 4.9 nM, 10.4 nM for human, mouse, guinea pig, and rat DP2, respectively.
AZD9496 maleate is a potent and selective estrogen receptor (ERα) antagonist with IC50 of 0.28 nM. AZD9496 maleate is an orally bioavailable selective oestrogen receptor degrader (SERD).
ML 193 is a selective GPR55 antagonist (IC50 = 221 nM). Exhibits >27-, >145- and >145-fold selectivity for GPR55 over CB1, GPR35 and CB2, respectively. Inhibits ERK signaling in vitro.
