Identification of α-Synuclein Proaggregator: Rapid Synthesis and Streamlining RT-QuIC Assays in Parkinson’s Disease
Fumito Takada, Takahito Kasahara, Kentaro Otake, Takamitsu Maru, Masanori Miwa, Kei Muto, Minoru Sasaki, Yoshihiko Hirozane, Masato Yoshikawa*, and Junichiro Yamaguchi*
ACS Med. Chem. Lett. 2022, ASAP
DOI: 10.1021/acsmedchemlett.2c00138

We report the discovery of two compounds, TKD150 and TKD152, that promote the aggregation of α-synuclein (aSN) using a real-time quaking-induced conversion (RT-QuIC) assay to detect abnormal aSN. By utilizing a Pd-catalyzed C–H arylation of benzoxazole with iodoarenes and implementing a planar conformation to the design, we successfully identified TKD150 and TKD152 as proaggregators for aSN. In comparison to a previously reported proaggregator, PA86, the two identified compounds were able to promote aggregation of aSN at twice the rate. Application of TKD150 and TKD152 to the RT-QuIC assay will shorten the inherent lag time and may allow wider use of this assay in clinical settings for the diagnosis of α-synucleinopathy-related diseases.