Evaluation of GlcNAc-Configured Glycomimetics as Pharmacological Chaperones of NAGLU for the Treatment of Mucopolysaccharidosis IIIB
Authors:
Open Access
- 16 February 2026
- journal article
- research article
- Published by MDPI AG in Biomolecules
- Vol. 16 (2) , 313
Abstract
The interaction of a set of four N-acetyl-glucosamine (GlcNAc) glycomimetics with human N-acetyl-glucosaminidase (NAGLU), the genetically defective enzyme in patients suffering from mucopolysaccharidosis (MPS) IIIB, also known as Sanfilippo B syndrome, was investigated to identify potential pharmacological chaperones. Glycomimetic–NAGLU binding was initially studied by molecular docking simulations and a thermal shift assay. The effects of the glycomimetics on NAGLU activity enhancement were studied in fibroblast cells from seven MPS IIIB patients. A significant increase in NAGLU activity in four cell lines in the presence of glycomimetic MK 8719, a molecule tested in a Phase 1 study in healthy volunteers to treat Alzheimer’s disease, was demonstrated. Furthermore, MK 8719 prevented the increase in glycosaminoglycan (GAG) levels in four MPS IIIB fibroblast cells, suggesting that this molecule may be worth investigating further as a pharmacological chaperone for MPS IIIB. These results represent an important contribution towards the development of a specific therapy for MPS IIIB.Keywords
Funding Information
- Institute for the Study of Inborn Errors of Metabolism at Pontificia Universidad Javeriana (120289301011ZZ)
- Pontificia Universidad Javeria
- Sanfilippo Children's Foundation
- Fundacja Sanfilippo
- Sanfilippo Initiative (2022I_Bleriot-IIIB-PCT)
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