GW501516

GW501516 is subtype-selective small-molecule agonist of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor δ (PPARδ) with Ki value of 1.1nM [1].

GW501516 is discovered by combinatorial chemistry and structure-based drug design to use as an ideal chemical tool to study the function of the ubiquitously expressed PPARδ. In the cell-based transfection assay, it induces expression of a GAL4-responsive reporter gene with EC50 value of 1.2nM. GW501516 shows more than 1000-fold selective for PPARδ over other subtypes. PPARδ is expressed in many tissues that contribute to cholesterol flux, and is a RXR of partner. As an agonist of PPARδ, GW501516 is found to increase the expression of ABCA1 as well as the apoA1-specific cholesterol efflux. In primate model of human metabolic disease, GW501516 increases the level of HDLc and lowers the fasting triglycerides. GW501516 also produces fewer, yet larger, LDL and VLDL particles results in a less atherogenic lipid composition. Furthermore, GW501516 partially corrects the hyperinsulinemia in primates without adverse effects on glycemic control [1, 2].

References:
[1] Wei ZL, Kozikowski AP. A short and efficient synthesis of the pharmacological research tool GW501516 for the peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor delta. J Org Chem. 2003 Nov 14;68(23):9116-8.
[2] Oliver WR Jr, Shenk JL, Snaith MR, Russell CS, Plunket KD, Bodkin NL, Lewis MC, Winegar DA, Sznaidman ML, Lambert MH, Xu HE, Sternbach DD, Kliewer SA, Hansen BC, Willson TM. A selective peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor delta agonist promotes reverse cholesterol transport. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 2001 Apr 24;98(9):5306-11.

Apoptotic effect of the selective PPARbeta/delta agonist GW501516 in invasive bladder cancer cells.[Pubmed:27638828]

Tumour Biol. 2016 Nov;37(11):14789-14802.

GW501516 is a selective and high-affinity synthetic agonist of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor beta/delta (PPARbeta/delta). This molecule promoted the inhibition of proliferation and apoptosis in few cancer cell lines, but its anticancer action has never been investigated in bladder tumor cells. Thus, this study was undertaken to determine whether GW501516 had antiproliferative and/or apoptotic effects on RT4 and T24 urothelial cancer cells and to explore the molecular mechanisms involved. Our results indicated that, in RT4 cells (derived from a low-grade papillary tumor), GW501516 did not induce cell death. On the other hand, in T24 cells (derived from an undifferentiated high-grade carcinoma), this PPARbeta/delta agonist induced cytotoxic effects including cell morphological changes, a decrease of cell viability, a G2/M cell cycle arrest, and the cell death as evidenced by the increase of the sub-G1 cell population. Furthermore, GW501516 triggered T24 cell apoptosis in a caspase-dependent manner including both extrinsic and intrinsic apoptotic pathways through Bid cleavage. In addition, the drug led to an increase of the Bax/Bcl-2 ratio, a mitochondrial dysfunction associated with the dissipation of DeltaPsim, and the release of cytochrome c from the mitochondria to the cytosol. GW501516 induced also ROS generation which was not responsible for T24 cell death since NAC did not rescue cells upon PPARbeta/delta agonist exposure. For the first time, our data highlight the capacity of GW501516 to induce apoptosis in invasive bladder cancer cells. This molecule could be relevant as a therapeutic drug for high-grade urothelial cancers.

A metabolomic study of the PPARdelta agonist GW501516 for enhancing running endurance in Kunming mice.[Pubmed:25943561]

Sci Rep. 2015 May 6;5:9884.

Exercise can increase peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-delta (PPARdelta) expression in skeletal muscle. PPARdelta regulates muscle metabolism and reprograms muscle fibre types to enhance running endurance. This study utilized metabolomic profiling to examine the effects of GW501516, a PPARdelta agonist, on running endurance in mice. While training alone increased the exhaustive running performance, GW501516 treatment enhanced running endurance and the proportion of succinate dehydrogenase (SDH)-positive muscle fibres in both trained and untrained mice. Furthermore, increased levels of intermediate metabolites and key enzymes in fatty acid oxidation pathways were observed following training and/or treatment. Training alone increased serum inositol, glucogenic amino acids, and branch chain amino acids. However, GW501516 increased serum galactose and beta-hydroxybutyrate, independent of training. Additionally, GW501516 alone raised serum unsaturated fatty acid levels, especially polyunsaturated fatty acids, but levels increased even more when combined with training. These findings suggest that mechanisms behind enhanced running capacity are not identical for GW501516 and training. Training increases energy availability by promoting catabolism of proteins, and gluconeogenesis, whereas GW501516 enhances specific consumption of fatty acids and reducing glucose utilization.

A selective peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor delta agonist promotes reverse cholesterol transport.[Pubmed:11309497]

Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 2001 Apr 24;98(9):5306-11.

The peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors (PPARs) are dietary lipid sensors that regulate fatty acid and carbohydrate metabolism. The hypolipidemic effects of the fibrate drugs and the antidiabetic effects of the glitazone drugs in humans are due to activation of the alpha (NR1C1) and gamma (NR1C3) subtypes, respectively. By contrast, the therapeutic potential of the delta (NR1C2) subtype is unknown, due in part to the lack of selective ligands. We have used combinatorial chemistry and structure-based drug design to develop a potent and subtype-selective PPARdelta agonist, GW501516. In macrophages, fibroblasts, and intestinal cells, GW501516 increases expression of the reverse cholesterol transporter ATP-binding cassette A1 and induces apolipoprotein A1-specific cholesterol efflux. When dosed to insulin-resistant middle-aged obese rhesus monkeys, GW501516 causes a dramatic dose-dependent rise in serum high density lipoprotein cholesterol while lowering the levels of small-dense low density lipoprotein, fasting triglycerides, and fasting insulin. Our results suggest that PPARdelta agonists may be effective drugs to increase reverse cholesterol transport and decrease cardiovascular disease associated with the metabolic syndrome X.