title: Non-Naturally Occurring Small Molecule Microtubule-Stabilizing Agents: A Potential Tactic for CNS-Directed Therapies.
abstract: Several independent studies indicate that microtubule (MT)-stabilizing agents hold considerable promise as candidate therapeutics for a wide spectrum of conditions of the central nervous system (CNS), from brain tumors to spinal cord injury, as well as a number of neurodegenerative diseases, including Alzheimer's disease, frontotemporal lobar degeneration, Parkinson's disease, and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. Although the identification and development of candidate compounds for CNS-directed MT-stabilizing therapies has been a challenge in drug discovery for many years, a growing number of molecules have now been identified that exhibit both MT-stabilizing activity and brain penetration. In this Viewpoint, we will highlight the potential utility of MT-active triazolopyrimidines, phenylpyrimidines, and related classes of non-naturally occurring small molecules that exhibit favorable druglike properties, including brain penetration and oral bioavailability. The mode of action of these small molecules has not as yet been fully elucidated at the molecular level. However, based on all available data, compounds from these classes appear to act on MTs in a potentially unique manner. Further characterization of these molecules may have important ramifications for drug discovery, especially in the area of CNS diseases.
authors.affiliation: Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of California, San Diego , 9500 Gilman Drive, La Jolla, California 92093, United States.
authors.forename: Carlo
authors.identifier: 0000-0002-2718-3850
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Ballatore
authors.affiliation: Center for Neurodegenerative Disease Research, Institute on Aging, University of Pennsylvania , 3600 Spruce Street, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19104-6323, United States.
authors.forename: Kurt R
authors.initials: KR
authors.lastname: Brunden
authors.affiliation: Center for Neurodegenerative Disease Research, Institute on Aging, University of Pennsylvania , 3600 Spruce Street, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19104-6323, United States.
authors.forename: John Q
authors.initials: JQ
authors.lastname: Trojanowski
authors.affiliation: Center for Neurodegenerative Disease Research, Institute on Aging, University of Pennsylvania , 3600 Spruce Street, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19104-6323, United States.
authors.forename: Virginia M-Y
authors.initials: VM
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemistry, School of Arts and Sciences, University of Pennsylvania , 231 South 34th Street, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19104-6323, United States.
authors.forename: Amos B
authors.identifier: 0000-0002-1712-8567
authors.initials: AB
authors.lastname: Smith
mesh_terms: D000544:Alzheimer Disease / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000378:metabolism; D000818:Animals; D001688:Biological Products / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000378:metabolism*; D002490:Central Nervous System / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D016503:Drug Delivery Systems / Q000639:trends; D006801:Humans; D008870:Microtubules / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism*; D019636:Neurodegenerative Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D001688:Biological Products
keywords: Alzheimer’s disease; Microtubule; brain tumor; neurodegenerative disease; phenylpyrimidine; small molecule microtubule-stabilizing agents; traumatic brain injury; triazolopyrimidine