Abstract
Background: The main pathogenic event of prion disorders has been identified in the deposition of the disease-associated prion protein (PrPSc), which is accompanied by metal dyshomeostasis. Results: The multitarget-directed ligand 1, designed by combining a heteroaromatic prion recognition motif to an 8-hydroxyquinoline metal chelator, has been developed as a potential antiprion disease-modifying agent. Importantly, 1 was found to effectively clear PrPSc from scrapie-infected cells, and, at the same time, inhibit metal-induced prion aggregation and reactive oxygen species generation. 1 was also characterized in terms of pharmacokinetic properties in a preliminary in vitro investigation. Conclusion: Compound 1 has emerged as a suitable lead candidate against prion diseases and as a good starting point for a further optimization process.
Financial & competing interests disclosure
This research was financially supported by the University of Bologna and SISSA. The authors have no other relevant affiliations or financial involvement with any organization or entity with a financial interest in or financial conflict with the subject matter or materials discussed in the manuscript apart from those disclosed.
No writing assistance was utilized in the production of this manuscript.