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High-throughput screening identifies small molecule inhibitors of thioesterase superfamily member 1: Implications for the management of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease

Thioesterase superfamily member 1 (Them1; synonyms Acyl-CoA thioesterase 11 (Acot11) and steroidogenic acute regulatory protein-related lipid transfer (START) domain 14 (StarD14) is a long chain acyl-CoA thioesterase comprising two N-terminal hot-dog fold enzymatic domains linked to a C-terminal lipid-sensing START domain, which allosterically modulates enzymatic activity. Them1 is highly expressed in thermogenic adipose tissue, where it functions to suppress energy expenditure by limiting rates of fatty acid oxidation. Its expression is also induced markedly in liver in response to high fat feedings, where it suppresses fatty acid oxidation and promotes hepatic glucose production. Mice lacking the gene (Them1-/-) are protected against diet-induced non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), suggesting Them1 as a therapeutic target. The current study was designed to develop small molecule inhibitors of Them1 and to establish their activities in vitro and in cell culture. High-throughput screening combined with counter screening assays were leveraged to identify two lead allosteric inhibitors that selectively inhibited Them1 by binding the START domain. In primary mouse brown adipocytes, these inhibitors promoted fatty acid oxidation, as evidence by increased rates of oxygen consumption. In primary mouse hepatocytes, they similarly promoted fatty acid oxidation, but also reduced glucose production. Optimized Them1 inhibitors could provide an attractive modality for the pharmacologic management of NAFLD and obesity-associated metabolic disorders.