Bill Key

The discovery of a pyrrolopyrimidine class of LIM-kinase 2 (LIMK2) inhibitors is reported. These LIMK2 inhibitors show good potency in enzymatic and cellular assays and good selectivity against ROCK. After topical dosing to the eye in a steroid induced mouse model of ocular hypertension, the compounds reduce intraocular pressure to baseline levels. The compounds also increase outflow facility in a pig eye perfusion assay. These results suggest LIMK2 may be an effective target for treating… Show more

The discovery of a pyrrolopyrimidine class of LIM-kinase 2 (LIMK2) inhibitors is reported. These LIMK2 inhibitors show good potency in enzymatic and cellular assays and good selectivity against ROCK. After topical dosing to the eye in a steroid induced mouse model of ocular hypertension, the compounds reduce intraocular pressure to baseline levels. The compounds also increase outflow facility in a pig eye perfusion assay. These results suggest LIMK2 may be an effective target for treating ocular hypertension and associated glaucoma.
Show less

Glycosylphosphatidylinositol-anchored HDL-binding protein (GPIHBP1) binds both LPL and chylomicrons, suggesting that GPIHBP1 is a platform for LPL-dependent processing of triglyceride (TG)-rich lipoproteins. Here, we investigated whether GPIHBP1 affects LPL activity in the absence and presence of LPL inhibitors angiopoietin-like (ANGPTL)3 and ANGPTL4. Like heparin, GPIHBP1 stabilized but did not activate LPL. ANGPTL4 potently inhibited nonstabilized LPL as well as heparin-stabilized LPL but not… Show more

Glycosylphosphatidylinositol-anchored HDL-binding protein (GPIHBP1) binds both LPL and chylomicrons, suggesting that GPIHBP1 is a platform for LPL-dependent processing of triglyceride (TG)-rich lipoproteins. Here, we investigated whether GPIHBP1 affects LPL activity in the absence and presence of LPL inhibitors angiopoietin-like (ANGPTL)3 and ANGPTL4. Like heparin, GPIHBP1 stabilized but did not activate LPL. ANGPTL4 potently inhibited nonstabilized LPL as well as heparin-stabilized LPL but not GPIHBP1-stabilized LPL. Like ANGPTL4, ANGPTL3 inhibited nonstabilized LPL but not GPIHBP1-stabilized LPL. ANGPTL3 also inhibited heparin-stabilized LPL but with less potency than nonstabilized LPL. Consistent with these in vitro findings, fasting serum TGs of Angptl4−/−/Gpihbp1−/− mice were lower than those of Gpihbp1−/− mice and approached those of wild-type littermates. In contrast, serum TGs of Angptl3−/−/Gpihbp1−/− mice were only slightly lower than those of Gpihbp1−/− mice. Treating Gpihbp1−/− mice with ANGPTL4- or ANGPTL3-neutralizing antibodies recapitulated the double knockout phenotypes. These data suggest that GPIHBP1 functions as an LPL stabilizer. Moreover, therapeutic agents that prevent LPL inhibition by ANGPTL4 or, to a lesser extent, ANGPTL3, may benefit individuals with hyperlipidemia caused by gene mutations associated with decreased LPL stability. Show less

We used gene knockout mice to explore the role of Angiopoietin-like-4 (Angptl4) in lipid metabolism as well as to generate anti-Angptl4 mAbs with pharmacological activity. Angptl4 −/− mice had lower triglyceride (TG) levels resulting both from increased very low-density lipoprotein (VLDL) clearance and decreased VLDL production and had modestly lower cholesterol levels. Also, both Angptl4 −/− suckling mice and adult mice fed a high-fat diet showed reduced viability associated with… Show more

We used gene knockout mice to explore the role of Angiopoietin-like-4 (Angptl4) in lipid metabolism as well as to generate anti-Angptl4 mAbs with pharmacological activity. Angptl4 −/− mice had lower triglyceride (TG) levels resulting both from increased very low-density lipoprotein (VLDL) clearance and decreased VLDL production and had modestly lower cholesterol levels. Also, both Angptl4 −/− suckling mice and adult mice fed a high-fat diet showed reduced viability associated with lipogranulomatous lesions of the intestines and their draining lymphatics and mesenteric lymph nodes. Treating C57BL/6J, ApoE −/−, LDLr −/−, and db/db mice with the anti-Angptl4 mAb 14D12 recapitulated the lipid and histopathologic phenotypes noted in Angptl4 −/− mice. This demonstrates that the knockout phenotype reflects not only the physiologic function of the Angptl4 gene but also predicts the pharmacologic consequences of Angptl4 protein inhibition with a neutralizing antibody in relevant models of human disease. Show less

The availability of both the mouse and human genome sequences
allows for the systematic discovery of human gene function
through the use of the mouse as a model system. To accelerate the
genetic determination of gene function, we have developed a
sequence-tagged gene-trap library of >270,000 mouse embryonic
stem cell clones representing mutations in
60% of mammalian
genes. Through the generation and phenotypic analysis of knockout
mice from this resource, we are… Show more

The availability of both the mouse and human genome sequences
allows for the systematic discovery of human gene function
through the use of the mouse as a model system. To accelerate the
genetic determination of gene function, we have developed a
sequence-tagged gene-trap library of >270,000 mouse embryonic
stem cell clones representing mutations in
60% of mammalian
genes. Through the generation and phenotypic analysis of knockout
mice from this resource, we are undertaking a functional screen
to identify genes regulating physiological parameters such as
blood pressure. As part of this screen, mice deficient for the Wnk1
kinase gene were generated and analyzed. Genetic studies in
humans have shown that large intronic deletions in WNK1 lead to
its overexpression and are responsible for pseudohypoaldosteronism
type II, an autosomal dominant disorder characterized by
hypertension, increased renal salt reabsorption, and impaired K

and H
excretion. Consistent with the human genetic studies,
Wnk1 heterozygous mice displayed a significant decrease in blood
pressure. Mice homozygous for the Wnk1 mutation died during
embryonic development before day 13 of gestation. These results
demonstrate that Wnk1 is a regulator of blood pressure critical for
development and illustrate the utility of a functional screen driven
by a sequence-based mutagenesis approach. Show less