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.
(-)-DHMEQ, the eutomer of DHMEQ , is a newly developed NF-kB inhibitor, inhibits nuclear factor kB activation with IC50 value of 20 ug/mL, the activity is stronger than (+)-DHMEQ.
CBL0137(CBL-0137) activates p53 and inhibits NF-kB with EC50s of 0.37 μM and 0.47 μM in the cell-based p53 and NF-kB reporter assays, respectively. It also inhibits histone chaperone FACT (facilitates chromatin transcription complex).
CBL0137 is a FACT inhibitor that functionally inactivates the facilitates chromatin transcription complex (FACT), driving the effects on p53 and NF-κB and promoting cancer cell death.
TAK-243 (MLN7243) is a first-in-class, selective ubiquitin activating enzyme, UAE (UBA1) inhibitor (IC50=1 nM), which blocks ubiquitin conjugation, disrupting monoubiquitin signaling as well as global protein ubiquitination.
DMAPT (Dimethylamino Parthenolide), a water soluble analogue of Parthenolide (PTL), is an oral active NF-κB inhibitor, with a LD50 of 1.7 μM for cell population in AML cells. Has potential anti-cancer and anti-metastatic effect.
