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  • The psoriasis drug monomethylfumarate is a potent nicotinic acid receptor agonist.

The psoriasis drug monomethylfumarate is a potent nicotinic acid receptor agonist.

Biochemical and biophysical research communications (2008-08-30)
Hua Tang, Jenny Ying-Lin Lu, Xiaomu Zheng, Yuhua Yang, Jeff D Reagan
ABSTRACT

Nicotinic acid has been used for several decades to treat dyslipidemia. In mice, the lipid-lowing effect of nicotinic acid is mediated by the Gi coupled receptor PUMA-G. In humans, high (GPR109A) and low (GPR109B) affinity nicotinic acid receptors have been characterized. Here we identify monomethylfumarate as a GPR109A agonist. Monomethylfumarate is the active metabolite of the psoriasis drug Fumaderm. We show that monomethylfumarate activates GPR109A in a calcium based aequorin assay, cAMP assay and demonstrate competitive binding with nicotinic acid. We show that GPR109A is highly expressed in neutrophils and epidermal keratinocytes, and that its expression is increased in human psoriatic lesions. Our findings provide evidence that GPR109A is a target for the drug Fumaderm and suggest that niacin should be investigated to treat psoriasis in addition to its role in treating lipid disorders.

MATERIALS
Product Number
Brand
Product Description

Sigma-Aldrich
Mesaconic acid, 99%
Pricing and availability is not currently available.
Sigma-Aldrich
Citraconic acid, 98%
Pricing and availability is not currently available.