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A small-molecule lycorine derivative reveals Na+/K+-ATPase α3 as an anti-obesity target

Li, L.; Zhou, Y.; Zhang, H.; Chen, D.; Chen, Z.; Li, Y.; Tian, C.; Zhang, C.; Li, C.; Chang, B.; Zeng, R.; Li, J.; Song, X.; Chen, Y.; Hao, X.

2022-08-26 physiology
10.1101/2022.08.24.505199 bioRxiv
Show abstract

Obesity remains a severe global public health challenge, with contemporary therapeutic approaches primarily focusing on appetite suppression. Here, we discovered HLY72, a lycorine-derived small molecule that potently counteracts obesity in mice at doses without affecting food intake, by promoting sympathetic activation-mediated lipolysis and thermogenesis in adipose tissues. Mass spectrometry identified Na+/K+-ATPase (NKA) 3, the brain-specific isoform, as HLY72s target. Only blood-brain barrier-permeable NKA inhibitors reproduce HLY72s anti-obesity effects, and resistance to HLY72 treatment occurs specifically in NKA 3 (not 1) knockin mice harboring a HLY72-binding mutation. Similar to the chemical inhibition by HLY72, genetic inhibition of NKA 3 also effectively protects mice from diet-induced obesity. These findings point NKA 3 as a potent anti-obesity drug target and highlight HLY72s potential in treating and preventing obesity independent of appetite control.

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