Antipsychotic drugs regulate hedgehog signaling by modulation of 7-dehydrocholesterol reductase levels

Mol Pharmacol. 2010 Sep;78(3):486-96. doi: 10.1124/mol.110.066431. Epub 2010 Jun 17.

Abstract

Recently we identified GANT61, a small-molecule antagonist of Gli transcription factors, which are the final effectors of the mammalian Hedgehog (HH) signaling pathway. Here we describe a diamine substructure of GANT61 that carries the biological activity and show that this part of the molecule is structurally related to trans-1,4-bis(2-chlorobenzaminomethyl)cyclohexane dihydrochloride (AY9944), an inhibitor of the enzymatic activity and transcriptional inducer of 7-dehydrocholesterol-reductase (Dhcr7, EC 1.3.1.21). Treatment of cells with the GANT61 diamine, AY9944, or overexpression of DHCR7 results in the attenuation of Smoothened-dependent and -independent HH signaling. Whereas GANT61 function is independent of Dhcr7, AY9944 does require up-regulation of endogenous Dhcr7. In line with these findings, Dhcr7-modulating antipsychotic (clozapine, chlorpromazine, haloperidol) and antidepressant (imipramine) drugs regulate HH signaling in vitro and in vivo. Modulation of HH signaling may represent a hitherto undiscovered biological (side) effect of therapeutics used to treat schizophrenia and depression.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Antipsychotic Agents / pharmacology
  • Dehydrocholesterols
  • Male
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred C57BL
  • NIH 3T3 Cells
  • Oxidoreductases / genetics
  • Oxidoreductases / metabolism
  • Oxidoreductases / pharmacology
  • Oxidoreductases Acting on CH-CH Group Donors
  • Receptors, G-Protein-Coupled
  • Signal Transduction / drug effects*
  • Signal Transduction / genetics
  • Signal Transduction / physiology*
  • Smoothened Receptor
  • Transcription Factors / genetics
  • Transcription Factors / metabolism
  • Transcription Factors / pharmacology
  • Transcription, Genetic / drug effects
  • Up-Regulation / drug effects
  • Zinc Finger Protein GLI1
  • trans-1,4-Bis(2-chlorobenzaminomethyl)cyclohexane Dihydrochloride / pharmacology

Substances

  • Antipsychotic Agents
  • Dehydrocholesterols
  • GLI1 protein, human
  • Receptors, G-Protein-Coupled
  • SMO protein, human
  • Smoothened Receptor
  • Transcription Factors
  • Zinc Finger Protein GLI1
  • trans-1,4-Bis(2-chlorobenzaminomethyl)cyclohexane Dihydrochloride
  • 7-dehydrocholesterol
  • Oxidoreductases
  • Oxidoreductases Acting on CH-CH Group Donors
  • 7-dehydrocholesterol reductase