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bioRxiv · 10.1101/2024.06.18.599491

Gliflozins, sucrose and flavonoids are allosteric activators of lecithin:cholesterol acyltransferase

Niemelä, A.·Giorgi, L.·Nouri, S.·Yurttas, B.·Rauniyar, K.·Jeltsch, M.·Koivuniemi, A.
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Abstract

Lecithin:cholesterol acyltransferase (LCAT) serves as a pivotal enzyme in preserving cholesterol homeostasis via reverse cholesterol transport, a process closely associated with the onset of atherosclerosis. Impaired LCAT function can lead to severe LCAT deficiency disorders for which no pharmacological treatment exists. LCAT-based therapies, such as small molecule positive allosteric modulators (PAMs), against LCAT deficiencies and atherosclerosis hold promise, although their efficacy against atherosclerosis remains challenging. Herein we utilized a quantitative in silico metric to predict the activity of novel PAMs and tested their potencies with in vitro enzymatic assays. As predicted, sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 (SGLT2) inhibitors (gliflozins), sucrose and flavonoids activate LCAT. This has intriguing implications for the mechanism of action of gliflozins, which are commonly used in the treatment of type 2 diabetes, and for the endogenous activation of LCAT. Our results underscore the potential of molecular dynamics simulations in rational drug design.

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Niemelä, A., Giorgi, L., Nouri, S., Yurttas, B., Rauniyar, K., Jeltsch, M., Koivuniemi, A.. 2024-06-18. Gliflozins, sucrose and flavonoids are allosteric activators of lecithin:cholesterol acyltransferase. https://doi.org/10.1101/2024.06.18.599491

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