PERK (IC50 = 5 nM)

ISRIB-treated cells are resistant to eIF2α phosphorylation. ISRIB is PERK-branch specific but does not impair PERK phosphorylation. ISRIB impairs adaptation to ER stress. [1]

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ISRIB substantially reduced the translational effects elicited by stress and eIF2α phosphorylation. ISRIB prevents formation of stress granules exclusively triggered by eIF2α phosphorylation. ISRIB triggers rapid disassembly of stress granules and restores translation.[2]

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ISRIB blocks production of endogenous ATF4, whereas XBP1 mRNA splicing and XBP1s production persisted. By blocking signaling through the PERK branch of the UPR, ISRIB prevents cells from re-establishing ER homeostasis and reduces the viability of cells that are experiencing ER-stress.[1]

eIF2α+/S51A (Eif2s1+/S51A) heterozygote mice display enhanced memory, while induction of the eIF2α kinase PKR in brain pyramidal cells impairs memory (Costa-Mattioli et al., 2007; Jiang et al., 2010). Based on these observations, we wondered whether treatment of mice with ISRIB would affect memory. ISRIB showed favorable properties in pharmacokinetic profiling experiments indicating sufficient bioavailability for in vivo studies. ISRIB displayed a half-life in plasma of 8 hr (Figure 6A) and readily crossed the blood-brain barrier, quickly equilibrating with the central nervous system (Figure 6B). After a single intraperitoneal injection, we detected ISRIB in the brain of mice at concentrations several fold higher than its IC50 (24 hr after injection, the ISRIB concentration in the brain was approximately 60 nM). To explore ISRIB's effects on memory, we injected mice intraperitoneally with ISRIB and tested hippocampus-dependent spatial learning. To this end, we trained mice in a Morris water maze, in which animals learn to associate visual cues with the location of a submerged hidden platform. Because we were looking for memory enhancement, we used a weak training protocol. As shown in Figure 6C, ISRIB-treated mice reached the hidden platform significantly faster (escape latency after 5 days of training = 16.4 ± 4.8 s) compared to vehicle treated controls (68.1 ± 20 s, p<0.05). The difference was already pronounced by days 3 and 4. In agreement with these results, ISRIB-treated mice significantly preferred the target quadrant in a ‘probe test’ conducted at the end of the training sessions, in which the platform was removed from the pool (p<0.05; Figure 6D) and showed increased crossing of the platform location (p<0.05; Figure 6E).[1]

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ISRIB exhibits positive characteristics in pharmacokinetic profiling experiments and good in vivo bioavailability. By improving spatial and fear-related learning, ISRIB (0.25 mg/kg i.p.) improves long-term memory in mice.[1]

In 96-well plates, U2OS cells expressing the ATF4-dGFP-IRES-Cherry reporter are placed. For an 8-hour treatment, the cells are then exposed to 100 nM Thapsigargin and 10 M of the cherry-picked compounds. An automated microscope is used to visualize stained cells after Hoechst 33,258 staining. The INCell Developer Toolbox Software, version 1.9, is used to collect data and analyze images. Compounds that prevent the ATF4-dGFP reporter from being induced, do not prevent the buildup of mCherry downstream of the IRES, and are deemed non-toxic based on cell number measured by counting nuclei are purchased again for additional testing.

On 96-well plates, U2OS cells are plated and given the night to recover. The level of eIF2α phosphorylation is measured after treatments with 2 µg/ml tunicamycin, 100 nM thapsigargin, 100 nM ISRIB in either the presence or absence of 100 nM ISRIB, or just ISRIB.

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Alpha screen for phospho-S51 eIF2α[1]
U2OS cells were plated on 96-well plates and left to recover overnight. Cells were treated with either with 2 µg/ml tunicamycin or 100 nM thapsigargin in the presence or absence of 100 nM ISRIB or with ISRIB alone for the indicated and the level of eIF2α phosphorylation was determined using the AlphaScreen SureFire eIF2α(p-Ser51) Assay kit following the manufacturer’s recommendations. Plates were read in an Envision Xcite Multilabel Reader using the standard Alpha Screen settings.

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HEK293T cells were treated with or without 1 μg/ml of tunicamycin, tunicamycin and ISRIB (200 nM), or ISRIB for 1 hr. Cycloheximide (CHX) (100 μg/ml) was added for 2 min, cells were washed with ice cold PBS (with 100 μg/ml of CHX) and lysed in 20 mM Tris pH = 7.4 (RT), 200 mM NaCl, 15 mM MgCl, 1 mM DTT, 8% glycerol, 100 μg/ml CHX, 1% Triton and protease inhibitors. A syringe (25G5/8) was used to triturate cells, the lysate was clarified at 12,000 rpm for 10 min and half of the lysate was used for RNA extraction and the other half was digested with RNase I. The amount of RNase I and time of incubation was optimized for each sample based on the collapse of polyribosomes to the monosome peak as analyzed by analytical polyribosome gradients. The reaction was quenched with SUPERaseIn and the digested lysate was then loaded on an 800 μl sucrose cushion (1.7 g of sucrose was dissolved in 3.9 ml of lysis buffer without Triton) and centrifuged in a TLA100.2 rotor at 70,000 rpm for 4 hr. The pellet was resuspended in 10 mM Tris pH = 7 (RT), and RNA was extracted (phenol/chloroform).[2]

Morris water maze[1]
Mice were trained in a water pool of 100 cm diameter with a hidden platform of 10 cm diameter. Mice were handled daily for 3 days before the experiment, and the training protocol consisted of one swimming trial per day. Each mouse swam until it found the hidden platform or 120 s, when it was gently guided to the platform and stayed there for 10 s before being returned to the cage. Immediately after the swimming trial the mice were injected intraperitoneally with ISRIB (0.25 mg/kg in saline, 1% DMSO). For the probe test, the platform was removed and each mouse was allowed to swim for 60 s, while its swimming trajectory was monitored with a video tracking system.

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Contextual fear conditioning[1]
Mice were trained with a protocol that consisted of a 2-min period of context exploration, followed by a single foot shock of 0.35 mA for 1 s. Mice received a single injection of ISRIB (2.5 mg/kg in 50% DMSO, 50% PEG 400, IP) immediately after training and were returned to their home cage. One and 24 hr after training, the mice were tested for contextual fear memory by placing the animals in the conditioning context for a 4-min period. The incidence of freezing was scored in 5-s intervals as either ‘freezing’ or ‘not freezing’. Percent of freezing indicates the number of intervals in which freezing was observed divided by total number of 5-s intervals. Statistical analyses were done by Student’s t tests and one-way ANOVA followed by between-group comparisons using Tukey’s posthoc test.

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Cannulation and auditory fear conditioning[1]
Male Sprague Dawley rats (275–350 g) were used for cannulation as described in Migues et al., 2010 (Migues et al., 2010). ISRIB (0.05 mg/ml, 0.5 μl) was infused bilaterally into the amygdala immediately after auditory fear conditioning training. The infusion was performed with a microinjector (28 gauge) connected to a Hamilton syringe with plastic tubing at a rate of 0.25 μl/min. To allow for the solution containing ISRIB to diffuse from the tip of the cannula into the tissue, the microinjector stayed in the cannula for one additional minute. Training protocol for auditory fear conditioning consisted of a 2-min period of context A exploration, followed by one pairing of a tone (5000 Hz, 75 dB, 30 s) with a co-terminating foot shock (0.75 mA, 1 s). Rats were returned to their home cage 1 min after the shock. Test for auditory fear memory consisted of a 2 min acclimatizing period to the context B (pre-CS), followed by tone presentation (CS) (2800 Hz, 85 dB, 30 s). Freezing time was measured and percent of freezing was calculated. At the end of the experiment, cannula placement was checked by examining 50 μm brain sections stained with formal-thionin under a light microscope.

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Mice: Female CD-1 mice that are 6-7 weeks old are given medication via the intra-peritoneal (ip) route. Groups of three mice/compound/route of administration receive a single dose of 5 mg/kg of animals. DMSO is used to dissolve ISRIB, which is then diluted 1:1 in super-refined PEG 400. Following dosing, blood (80 μL) is drawn from the saphenous vein in EDTA-containing collection tubes at intervals of 20 minutes, 1 hour, 3 hours, 8 hours, and 24 hours. Plasma is then prepared for analysis. Time-of-flight mass spectroscopy is used to find substances.

ISRIB showed favorable properties in pharmacokinetic profiling experiments indicating sufficient bioavailability for in vivo studies. ISRIB displayed a half-life in plasma of 8 hr (Figure 6A) and readily crossed the blood-brain barrier, quickly equilibrating with the central nervous system (Figure 6B). After a single intraperitoneal injection, we detected ISRIB in the brain of mice at concentrations several fold higher than its IC50 (24 hr after injection, the ISRIB concentration in the brain was approximately 60 nM).[1]

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Pharmacokinetics of ISRIB[1]
Intra-peritoneal (ip) route of administration was performed on 6–7 wk old female CD-1 mice. Animals received a single, 5 mg/kg dose in groups of three mice/compound/route of administration. ISRIB was dissolved in DMSO then diluted 1:1 in Super-Refined PEG 400. Blood (80 μl) was collected from the saphenous vein at intervals post-dosing (20 min, 1 hr, 3 hr, 8 hr, 24 hr) in EDTA containing collection tubes (Sarstadt CB300) and plasma was prepared for analysis. Compounds were detected by time-of-flight mass spectroscopy.
Intra-peritoneal (ip) route of administration was performed at a single dose of 2.5 mg/kg in groups of three for each time-point (2, 6, 24 and 36 hr). Brain tissue samples were individually homogenized with a Tissue Tearor. Approximately 300 mg of tissue was placed in 5-ml polypropylene tube, and four volumes of water were then added to mix. The speed scale of Tissue Tearor was set at 3 for 2 min. After homogenization, the supernatant was analyzed by LC-MS/MS to determine their brain concentration. Plasma samples were collected prior to extraction of brain samples.

[1]. Pharmacological brake-release of mRNA translation enhances cognitive memory. Elife. 2013 May 28;2:e00498.

[2]. The small molecule ISRIB reverses the effects of eIF2α phosphorylation on translation and stressgranule assembly. Elife. 2015 Feb 26:4:e05033.

Phosphorylation of the α-subunit of initiation factor 2 (eIF2) controls protein synthesis by a conserved mechanism. In metazoa, distinct stress conditions activate different eIF2α kinases (PERK, PKR, GCN2, and HRI) that converge on phosphorylating a unique serine in eIF2α. This collection of signaling pathways is termed the 'integrated stress response' (ISR). eIF2α phosphorylation diminishes protein synthesis, while allowing preferential translation of some mRNAs. Starting with a cell-based screen for inhibitors of PERK signaling, we identified a small molecule, named ISRIB, that potently (IC50 = 5 nM) reverses the effects of eIF2α phosphorylation. ISRIB reduces the viability of cells subjected to PERK-activation by chronic endoplasmic reticulum stress. eIF2α phosphorylation is implicated in memory consolidation. Remarkably, ISRIB-treated mice display significant enhancement in spatial and fear-associated learning. Thus, memory consolidation is inherently limited by the ISR, and ISRIB releases this brake. As such, ISRIB promises to contribute to our understanding and treatment of cognitive disorders. DOI:http://dx.doi.org/10.7554/eLife.00498.001.[1]

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Previously, we identified ISRIB as a potent inhibitor of the integrated stress response (ISR) and showed that ISRIB makes cells resistant to the effects of eIF2α phosphorylation and enhances long-term memory in rodents (Sidrauski et al., 2013). Here, we show by genome-wide in vivo ribosome profiling that translation of a restricted subset of mRNAs is induced upon ISR activation. ISRIB substantially reversed the translational effects elicited by phosphorylation of eIF2α and induced no major changes in translation or mRNA levels in unstressed cells. eIF2α phosphorylation-induced stress granule (SG) formation was blocked by ISRIB. Strikingly, ISRIB addition to stressed cells with pre-formed SGs induced their rapid disassembly, liberating mRNAs into the actively translating pool. Restoration of mRNA translation and modulation of SG dynamics may be an effective treatment of neurodegenerative diseases characterized by eIF2α phosphorylation, SG formation, and cognitive loss.[2]

C22H24CL2N2O4

451.344

450.111

C, 58.55; H, 5.36; Cl, 15.71; N, 6.21; O, 14.18

1597403-47-8

ISRIB;548470-11-7

1011240

White to off-white solid powder

1.3±0.1 g/cm3

719.0±60.0 °C at 760 mmHg

388.6±32.9 °C

0.0±2.3 mmHg at 25°C

1.603

4.49

2

4

8

30

493

0

ClC1C([H])=C([H])C(=C([H])C=1[H])OC([H])([H])C(N([H])C1([H])C([H])([H])C([H])([H])C([H])(C([H])([H])C1([H])[H])N([H])C(C([H])([H])OC1C([H])=C([H])C(=C([H])C=1[H])Cl)=O)=O

HJGMCDHQPXTGAV-UHFFFAOYSA-N

InChI=1S/C22H24Cl2N2O4/c23-15-1-9-19(10-2-15)29-13-21(27)25-17-5-7-18(8-6-17)26-22(28)14-30-20-11-3-16(24)4-12-20/h1-4,9-12,17-18H,5-8,13-14H2,(H,25,27)(H,26,28)

2-(4-chlorophenoxy)-N-[4-[[2-(4-chlorophenoxy)acetyl]amino]cyclohexyl]acetamide

ISRIB; 1597403-47-8; trans-ISRIB; 548470-11-7; ISRIB (trans-isomer); 1597403-48-9; N,N'-(cis-Cyclohexane-1,4-diyl)bis(2-(4-chlorophenoxy)acetamide); ISRIB trans-isomer; trans-ISRIB

2934.99.9001

Powder      -20°C    3 years

                     4°C     2 years

In solvent   -80°C    6 months

                  -20°C    1 month

Room temperature (This product is stable at ambient temperature for a few days during ordinary shipping and time spent in Customs)

Solubility in Formulation 1: 0.83 mg/mL (1.84 mM) in 50% PEG300 +50% Saline (add these co-solvents sequentially from left to right, and one by one), suspension solution; with sonication (<60°C).
Preparation of saline: Dissolve 0.9 g of sodium chloride in 100 mL ddH₂ O to obtain a clear solution.

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 (Please use freshly prepared in vivo formulations for optimal results.)