Chemical inhibitors destabilize HuR binding to the AU-rich element of TNF-α mRNA

Hu protein R (HuR) binds to the AU-rich element (ARE) in the 3′UTR to stabilize TNF-α mRNA. Here, we identified chemical inhibitors of the interaction between HuR and the ARE of TNF-α mRNA using RNA electrophoretic mobility gel shift assay (EMSA) and filter binding assay. Of 179 chemicals screened, we identified three with a half-maximal inhibitory concentration (IC₅₀) below 10 μM. The IC₅₀ of quercetin, b-40, and b-41 were 1.4, 0.38, and 6.21 μM, respectively, for binding of HuR protein to TNF-α mRNA. Quercetin and b-40 did not inhibit binding of tristetraprolin to the ARE of TNF-α mRNA. When LPS-treated RAW264.7 cells were treated with quercetin and b-40, we observed decreased stability of TNF-α mRNA and decreased levels of secreted TNF-α. From these results, we could find inhibitors for the TNF-α mRNA stability, which might be used advantageously for both the study for post-transcriptional regulation and the discovery of new anti-inflammation drugs.