1
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Huang Y, Liu W, Zhao C, Shi X, Zhao Q, Jia J, Wang A. Targeting cyclin-dependent kinases: From pocket specificity to drug selectivity. Eur J Med Chem 2024; 275:116547. [PMID: 38852339 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2024.116547] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2024] [Revised: 05/28/2024] [Accepted: 05/28/2024] [Indexed: 06/11/2024]
Abstract
The development of selective modulators of cyclin-dependent kinases (CDKs), a kinase family with numerous members and functional variations, is a significant preclinical challenge. Recent advancements in crystallography have revealed subtle differences in the highly conserved CDK pockets. Exploiting these differences has proven to be an effective strategy for achieving excellent drug selectivity. While previous reports briefly discussed the structural features that lead to selectivity in individual CDK members, attaining inhibitor selectivity requires consideration of not only the specific structures of the target CDK but also the features of off-target members. In this review, we summarize the structure-activity relationships (SARs) that influence selectivity in CDK drug development and analyze the pocket features that lead to selectivity using molecular-protein binding models. In addition, in recent years, novel CDK modulators have been developed, providing more avenues for achieving selectivity. These cases were also included. We hope that these efforts will assist in the development of novel CDK drugs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yaoguang Huang
- School of Traditional Chinese Materia Medica, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, Shenyang, 110016, People's Republic of China
| | - Wenwu Liu
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Tsinghua University, Haidian Dist., Beijing, 100084, People's Republic of China
| | - Changhao Zhao
- Department of Pharmacy, General Hospital of Northern Theater Command, Shenyang, 110840, People's Republic of China
| | - Xiaoyu Shi
- School of Traditional Chinese Materia Medica, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, Shenyang, 110016, People's Republic of China
| | - Qingchun Zhao
- School of Traditional Chinese Materia Medica, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, Shenyang, 110016, People's Republic of China; Department of Pharmacy, General Hospital of Northern Theater Command, Shenyang, 110840, People's Republic of China.
| | - Jingming Jia
- School of Traditional Chinese Materia Medica, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, Shenyang, 110016, People's Republic of China.
| | - Anhua Wang
- School of Traditional Chinese Materia Medica, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, Shenyang, 110016, People's Republic of China.
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2
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Zeng Y, Ren X, Jin P, Fan Z, Liu M, Zhang Y, Li L, Zhuo M, Wang J, Li Z, Wu M. Inhibitors and PROTACs of CDK2: challenges and opportunities. Expert Opin Drug Discov 2024:1-24. [PMID: 38994606 DOI: 10.1080/17460441.2024.2376655] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/28/2024] [Accepted: 07/02/2024] [Indexed: 07/13/2024]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Abundant evidence suggests that the overexpression of CDK2-cyclin A/E complex disrupts normal cell cycle regulation, leading to uncontrolled proliferation of cancer cells. Thus, CDK2 has become a promising therapeutic target for cancer treatment. In recent years, insights into the structures of the CDK2 catalytic site and allosteric pockets have provided notable opportunities for developing more effective clinical candidates of CDK2 inhibitors. AREA COVERED This article reviews the latest CDK2 inhibitors that have entered clinical trials and discusses the design and discovery of the most promising new preclinical CDK2 inhibitors in recent years. Additionally, it summarizes the development of allosteric CDK2 inhibitors and CDK2-targeting PROTACs. The review encompasses strategies for inhibitor and PROTAC design, structure-activity relationships, as well as in vitro and in vivo biological assessments. EXPERT OPINION Despite considerable effort, no CDK2 inhibitor has yet received FDA approval for marketing due to poor selectivity and observed toxicity in clinical settings. Future research must prioritize the optimization of the selectivity, potency, and pharmacokinetics of CDK2 inhibitors and PROTACs. Moreover, exploring combination therapies incorporating CDK2 inhibitors with other targeted agents, or the design of multi-target inhibitors, presents significant promise for advancing cancer treatment strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yangjie Zeng
- Medical College, Guizhou University, Guiyang, China
| | - Xiaodong Ren
- Medical College, Guizhou University, Guiyang, China
| | - Pengyao Jin
- Medical College, Guizhou University, Guiyang, China
| | - Zhida Fan
- Medical College, Guizhou University, Guiyang, China
| | | | - Yali Zhang
- Medical College, Guizhou University, Guiyang, China
| | - Linzhao Li
- Medical College, Guizhou University, Guiyang, China
| | - Ming Zhuo
- Medical College, Guizhou University, Guiyang, China
| | - Jubo Wang
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, School of Pharmacy, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Zhiyu Li
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, School of Pharmacy, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Min Wu
- Department of Neurosurgery, Guizhou Provincial People's Hospital, Guiyang, China
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3
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Alboreggia G, Udompholkul P, Baggio C, Muzzarelli K, Assar Z, Pellecchia M. Histidine-Covalent Stapled Alpha-Helical Peptides Targeting hMcl-1. J Med Chem 2024; 67:8172-8185. [PMID: 38695666 PMCID: PMC11129181 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.4c00277] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2024] [Revised: 03/28/2024] [Accepted: 04/24/2024] [Indexed: 05/24/2024]
Abstract
Several novel and effective cysteine targeting (Cys) covalent drugs are in clinical use. However, the target area containing a druggable Cys residue is limited. Therefore, methods for creating covalent drugs that target different residues are being looked for; examples of such ligands include those that target the residues lysine (Lys) and tyrosine (Tyr). Though the histidine (His) side chain is more frequently found in protein binding locations and has higher desirable nucleophilicity, surprisingly limited research has been done to specifically target this residue, and there are not many examples of His-targeting ligands that have been rationally designed. In the current work, we created novel stapled peptides that are intended to target hMcl-1 His 252 covalently. We describe the in vitro (biochemical, NMR, and X-ray) and cellular design and characterization of such agents. Our findings further suggest that the use of electrophiles to specifically target His residues is warranted.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giulia Alboreggia
- Division
of Biomedical Sciences, School of Medicine, University of California Riverside, 900 University Avenue, Riverside, California 92521, United States
| | - Parima Udompholkul
- Division
of Biomedical Sciences, School of Medicine, University of California Riverside, 900 University Avenue, Riverside, California 92521, United States
| | - Carlo Baggio
- Division
of Biomedical Sciences, School of Medicine, University of California Riverside, 900 University Avenue, Riverside, California 92521, United States
| | - Kendall Muzzarelli
- Cayman
Chemical Co., 1180 E. Ellsworth road, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48108, United States
| | - Zahra Assar
- Cayman
Chemical Co., 1180 E. Ellsworth road, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48108, United States
| | - Maurizio Pellecchia
- Division
of Biomedical Sciences, School of Medicine, University of California Riverside, 900 University Avenue, Riverside, California 92521, United States
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4
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Tang G, Wang W, Zhu C, Huang H, Chen P, Wang X, Xu M, Sun J, Zhang CJ, Xiao Q, Gao L, Zhang ZM, Yao SQ. Global Reactivity Profiling of the Catalytic Lysine in Human Kinome for Covalent Inhibitor Development. Angew Chem Int Ed Engl 2024; 63:e202316394. [PMID: 38248139 DOI: 10.1002/anie.202316394] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/30/2023] [Revised: 01/21/2024] [Accepted: 01/21/2024] [Indexed: 01/23/2024]
Abstract
Advances in targeted covalent inhibitors (TCIs) have been made by using lysine-reactive chemistries. Few aminophiles possessing balanced reactivity/stability for the development of cell-active TCIs are however available. We report herein lysine-reactive activity-based probes (ABPs; 2-14) based on the chemistry of aryl fluorosulfates (ArOSO2 F) capable of global reactivity profiling of the catalytic lysine in human kinome from mammalian cells. We concurrently developed reversible covalent ABPs (15/16) by installing salicylaldehydes (SA) onto a promiscuous kinase-binding scaffold. The stability and amine reactivity of these probes exhibited a broad range of tunability. X-ray crystallography and mass spectrometry (MS) confirmed the successful covalent engagement between ArOSO2 F on 9 and the catalytic lysine of SRC kinase. Chemoproteomic studies enabled the profiling of >300 endogenous kinases, thus providing a global landscape of ligandable catalytic lysines of the kinome. By further introducing these aminophiles into VX-680 (a noncovalent inhibitor of AURKA kinase), we generated novel lysine-reactive TCIs that exhibited excellent in vitro potency and reasonable cellular activities with prolonged residence time. Our work serves as a general guide for the development of lysine-reactive ArOSO2 F-based TCIs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guanghui Tang
- Department of Chemistry, National University of Singapore, Singapore, 117543, Singapore
| | - Wei Wang
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences (Shenzhen), Sun Yat-sen University, Shenzhen, 518107, China
| | - Chengjun Zhu
- School of Pharmacy, Jinan University, 601 Huangpu Avenue West, Guangzhou, 510632, China
| | - Huisi Huang
- School of Pharmacy, Jinan University, 601 Huangpu Avenue West, Guangzhou, 510632, China
| | - Peng Chen
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences (Shenzhen), Sun Yat-sen University, Shenzhen, 518107, China
| | - Xuan Wang
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences (Shenzhen), Sun Yat-sen University, Shenzhen, 518107, China
| | - Manyi Xu
- State Key Laboratory of Bioactive Substance and Function of Natural Medicines, Institute of Materia Medica, Chi-nese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, 100050, China
| | - Jie Sun
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences (Shenzhen), Sun Yat-sen University, Shenzhen, 518107, China
| | - Chong-Jing Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Bioactive Substance and Function of Natural Medicines, Institute of Materia Medica, Chi-nese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, 100050, China
| | - Qicai Xiao
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences (Shenzhen), Sun Yat-sen University, Shenzhen, 518107, China
| | - Liqian Gao
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences (Shenzhen), Sun Yat-sen University, Shenzhen, 518107, China
| | - Zhi-Min Zhang
- School of Pharmacy, Jinan University, 601 Huangpu Avenue West, Guangzhou, 510632, China
| | - Shao Q Yao
- Department of Chemistry, National University of Singapore, Singapore, 117543, Singapore
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5
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Jiang X, Zhang X, Cai X, Li N, Zheng H, Tang M, Zhu J, Su K, Zhang R, Ye N, Peng J, Zhao M, Wu W, Yang J, Ye H. NU6300 covalently reacts with cysteine-191 of gasdermin D to block its cleavage and palmitoylation. SCIENCE ADVANCES 2024; 10:eadi9284. [PMID: 38324683 PMCID: PMC10849585 DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.adi9284] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/26/2023] [Accepted: 01/08/2024] [Indexed: 02/09/2024]
Abstract
Gasdermin D (GSDMD) serves as a vital mediator of inflammasome-driven pyroptosis. In our study, we have identified NU6300 as a specific GSDMD inhibitor that covalently interacts with cysteine-191 of GSDMD, effectively blocking its cleavage while not affecting earlier steps such as ASC oligomerization and caspase-1 processing in AIM2- and NLRC4-mediated inflammation. On the contrary, NU6300 robustly inhibits these earlier steps in NLRP3 inflammasome, confirming a unique feedback inhibition effect in the NLRP3-GSDMD pathway upon GSDMD targeting. Our study reveals a previously undefined mechanism of GSDMD inhibitors: NU6300 impairs the palmitoylation of both full-length and N-terminal GSDMD, impeding the membrane localization and oligomerization of N-terminal GSDMD. In vivo studies further demonstrate the efficacy of NU6300 in ameliorating dextran sodium sulfate-induced colitis and improving survival in lipopolysaccharide-induced sepsis. Overall, these findings highlight the potential of NU6300 as a promising lead compound for the treatment of inflammatory diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xueqin Jiang
- Department of Biotherapy, Cancer Center and State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China
| | - Xinlu Zhang
- Department of Biotherapy, Cancer Center and State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China
| | - Xiaoying Cai
- Department of Biotherapy, Cancer Center and State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China
| | - Na Li
- Department of Biotherapy, Cancer Center and State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China
| | - Hongyu Zheng
- School of Pharmacy, Chengdu Medical College, Chengdu 610500, China
| | - Minghai Tang
- Department of Biotherapy, Cancer Center and State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China
| | - Jiangli Zhu
- Department of Urology, Cancer Center and State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China
| | - Kaiyue Su
- Department of Biotherapy, Cancer Center and State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China
| | - Ruijia Zhang
- Department of Biotherapy, Cancer Center and State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China
| | - Neng Ye
- Department of Biotherapy, Cancer Center and State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China
| | - Jing Peng
- Department of Biotherapy, Cancer Center and State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China
| | - Min Zhao
- Laboratory of Metabolomics and Drug-induced Liver Injury, Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Frontiers Science Center for Disease-related Molecular Network, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China
| | - Wenshuang Wu
- Division of Thyroid Surgery, Department of General Surgery and Laboratory of Thyroid and Parathyroid Disease, Frontiers Science Center for Disease-related Molecular Network, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China
| | - Jianhong Yang
- Department of Biotherapy, Cancer Center and State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China
| | - Haoyu Ye
- Department of Biotherapy, Cancer Center and State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China
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6
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Xiao YC, Chen FE. The vinyl sulfone motif as a structural unit for novel drug design and discovery. Expert Opin Drug Discov 2024; 19:239-251. [PMID: 37978948 DOI: 10.1080/17460441.2023.2284201] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/01/2023] [Accepted: 11/13/2023] [Indexed: 11/19/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Vinyl sulfones are a special sulfur-containing structural unit that have attracted considerable attention, owing to their important role in serving as key structural motifs of various biologically active compounds as well as serving as versatile building blocks for organic transformations. The synthetic strategy of vinyl sulfone derivatives has been substantially upgraded over the past 30 years, and the wide application of this functional group in drug design and discovery has been promoted. AREA COVERED In this review, the authors review the application of vinyl sulfones in drug discovery and select optimized compounds which might have significant impact or potential inspiration for drug design. EXPERT OPINION Vinyl sulfones have been reported to target various macromolecular targets via non-covalent or covalent interactions, including multiple kinases, tubulin, cysteine protease, transcription factor, and so on. Thus, it has been significantly applied as a privileged scaffold in the design of anticancer, anti-infective, anti-inflammatory, and neuroprotective agents. However, much work remains to be done to improve the drug-like properties, such as chemical and metabolic stability, ADME, and toxicity. Besides, the chemical space of vinyl sulfones needs to be expanded, including but not limited to the design of constrained endocyclic and exocyclic vinyl sulfones.
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Affiliation(s)
- You-Cai Xiao
- Key Laboratory of Drug-Targeting and Drug Delivery System of the Ministry of Education and Sichuan Research Center for Drug Precision Industrial Technology, West China School of Pharmacy, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Fen-Er Chen
- Key Laboratory of Drug-Targeting and Drug Delivery System of the Ministry of Education and Sichuan Research Center for Drug Precision Industrial Technology, West China School of Pharmacy, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
- Engineering Center of Catalysis and Synthesis for Chiral Molecules, Department of Chemistry, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
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7
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Prucha GR, Henry S, Hollander K, Carter ZJ, Spasov KA, Jorgensen WL, Anderson KS. Covalent and noncovalent strategies for targeting Lys102 in HIV-1 reverse transcriptase. Eur J Med Chem 2023; 262:115894. [PMID: 37883896 PMCID: PMC10872499 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2023.115894] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/24/2023] [Revised: 10/18/2023] [Accepted: 10/19/2023] [Indexed: 10/28/2023]
Abstract
Reverse transcriptase (RT) is one of three key proteins responsible for the replication cycle of HIV-1 in the host. Several classes of inhibitors have been developed to target the enzyme, with non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors forming first-line treatment. Previously, covalent RT inhibitors have been identified and found to bind irreversibly to commonly mutated residues such as Y181C. In this work we aim to circumvent the issue of NNRTI resistance through targeting K102, which has not yet been identified to confer drug resistance. As reported here, 34 compounds were synthesized and characterized biochemically and structurally with wild-type (WT) HIV-1 RT. Two of these inhibitors demonstrate covalent inhibition as evidenced by protein crystallography, enzyme kinetics, mass spectrometry, and antiviral potency in HIV-1 infected human T-cell assays.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giavana R Prucha
- Department of Pharmacology, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, 06520-8066, USA
| | - Sean Henry
- Department of Chemistry, Yale University, New Haven, CT, 06520-8107, USA
| | - Klarissa Hollander
- Department of Molecular Biophysics and Biochemistry, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, 06520-8066, USA
| | - Zachary J Carter
- Department of Chemistry, Yale University, New Haven, CT, 06520-8107, USA
| | - Krasimir A Spasov
- Department of Pharmacology, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, 06520-8066, USA
| | | | - Karen S Anderson
- Department of Pharmacology, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, 06520-8066, USA; Department of Molecular Biophysics and Biochemistry, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, 06520-8066, USA.
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8
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Kawano M, Murakawa S, Higashiguchi K, Matsuda K, Tamura T, Hamachi I. Lysine-Reactive N-Acyl- N-aryl Sulfonamide Warheads: Improved Reaction Properties and Application in the Covalent Inhibition of an Ibrutinib-Resistant BTK Mutant. J Am Chem Soc 2023; 145:26202-26212. [PMID: 37987622 DOI: 10.1021/jacs.3c08740] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2023]
Abstract
The covalent inhibition of a target protein has gained widespread attention in the field of drug discovery. Most of the current covalent drugs utilize the high reactivity of cysteines toward modest electrophiles. However, there is a growing need for warheads that can target lysine residues to expand the range of covalently druggable proteins and to deal with emerging proteins with mutations resistant to cysteine-targeted covalent drugs. We have recently developed an N-acyl-N-alkyl sulfonamide (NASA) as a lysine-targeted electrophile. Despite its successful application, this NASA warhead suffered from instability in physiological environments, such as serum-containing medium, because of its high intrinsic reactivity. In this study, we sought to modify the structure of the NASA warhead and found that N-acyl-N-aryl sulfonamides (ArNASAs) are promising electrophiles for use in a lysine-targeted covalent inhibition strategy. We prepared a focused library of ArNASA derivatives with diverse structures and reactivity and identified several warhead candidates with suppressed hydrolysis-mediated inactivation and reduced nonspecific reactions with off-target proteins, without sacrificing the reactivity toward the target. These reaction properties enabled the improved covalent inhibition of intracellular heat shock protein 90 (HSP90) in the presence of serum and the development of the first irreversible inhibitor for ibrutinib-resistant Bruton's tyrosine kinase (BTK) bearing the C481S mutation. This study clearly demonstrated the use of a set of ArNASA warheads to create highly potent covalent drugs and highlighted the importance of enriching the current arsenal of lysine-reactive warheads.
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Affiliation(s)
- Masaharu Kawano
- Department of Synthetic Chemistry and Biological Chemistry, Graduate School of Engineering, Kyoto University, Katsura, Nishikyo-ku, Kyoto 615-8510, Japan
| | - Syunsuke Murakawa
- Department of Synthetic Chemistry and Biological Chemistry, Graduate School of Engineering, Kyoto University, Katsura, Nishikyo-ku, Kyoto 615-8510, Japan
| | - Kenji Higashiguchi
- Department of Synthetic Chemistry and Biological Chemistry, Graduate School of Engineering, Kyoto University, Katsura, Nishikyo-ku, Kyoto 615-8510, Japan
| | - Kenji Matsuda
- Department of Synthetic Chemistry and Biological Chemistry, Graduate School of Engineering, Kyoto University, Katsura, Nishikyo-ku, Kyoto 615-8510, Japan
- Fukui Institute for Fundamental Chemistry, Kyoto University, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto 606-8103, Japan
| | - Tomonori Tamura
- Department of Synthetic Chemistry and Biological Chemistry, Graduate School of Engineering, Kyoto University, Katsura, Nishikyo-ku, Kyoto 615-8510, Japan
| | - Itaru Hamachi
- Department of Synthetic Chemistry and Biological Chemistry, Graduate School of Engineering, Kyoto University, Katsura, Nishikyo-ku, Kyoto 615-8510, Japan
- ERATO (Exploratory Research for Advanced Technology, JST), Sanbancho, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo 102-0075, Japan
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9
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Tang G, Wang W, Wang X, Ding K, Ngan SC, Chen JY, Sze SK, Gao L, Yuan P, Lu X, Yao SQ. Cell-active, irreversible covalent inhibitors that selectively target the catalytic lysine of EGFR by using fluorosulfate-based SuFEx chemistry. Eur J Med Chem 2023; 259:115671. [PMID: 37499291 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2023.115671] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/18/2023] [Revised: 07/09/2023] [Accepted: 07/19/2023] [Indexed: 07/29/2023]
Abstract
EGFR signaling is involved in multiple cellular processes including cell proliferation, differentiation and development, making this protein kinase one of the most valuable drug targets for the treatment of non-small cell lung carcinomas (NSCLC). Herein, we describe the design and synthesis of a series of potential covalent inhibitors targeting the catalytically conserved lysine (K745) of EGFR on the basis of Erlotinib, an FDA-approved first-generation EGFR drug. Different amine-reactive electrophiles were introduced at positions on the Erlotinib scaffold proximal to K745 in EGFR. The optimized compound 26 (as well as its close analog 30), possessing a novel arylfluorosulfate group (ArOSO2F), showed excellent in vitro potency (as low as 0.19 nM in independent IC50 determination) and selectivity against EGFR and many of its drug-resistant mutants. Both intact protein mass spectrometry (MS) and site-mapping analysis revealed that compound 26 covalently bound to EGFR at K745 through the formation of a sulfamate. In addition, compound 26 displayed good anti-proliferative potency against EGFR-overexpressing HCC827 cells by inhibiting endogenous EGFR autophosphorylation. The pharmacokinetic studies of compound 26 demonstrated the druggable potential of other ArOSO2F-containing compounds. Finally, competitive activity-based protein profiling (ABPP), cellular thermal shift assay (CETSA), as well as cellular wash-out experiments, all showed compound 26 to be the first cell-active, fluorosulfate-based targeted covalent inhibitor (TCI) of protein kinases capable of covalently engaging the catalytically conserved lysine of its target in live mammalian cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guanghui Tang
- Department of Chemistry, National University of Singapore, Singapore, 117543, Singapore
| | - Wei Wang
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences (Shenzhen), Sun Yat-sen University, Shenzhen, 518000, China
| | - Xuan Wang
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences (Shenzhen), Sun Yat-sen University, Shenzhen, 518000, China
| | - Ke Ding
- International Cooperative Laboratory of Traditional Chinese Medicine Modernization and Innovative Drug Discovery of Chinese Ministry of Education (MOE), Guangzhou City Key Laboratory of Precision Chemical Drug Development, School of Pharmacy, Jinan University, Guangzhou, 510632, China; State Key Laboratory of Bioorganic & Natural Products Chemistry, Center for Excellence in Molecular Synthesis, Shanghai Institute of Organic Chemistry, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, 200032, China
| | - SoFong Cam Ngan
- Department of Health Sciences, Faculty of Applied Health Sciences, Brock University, St. Catharines, Ontario, L2S 3A1, Canada
| | - Jiao-Yu Chen
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences (Shenzhen), Sun Yat-sen University, Shenzhen, 518000, China
| | - Siu Kwan Sze
- Department of Health Sciences, Faculty of Applied Health Sciences, Brock University, St. Catharines, Ontario, L2S 3A1, Canada
| | - Liqian Gao
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences (Shenzhen), Sun Yat-sen University, Shenzhen, 518000, China
| | - Peiyan Yuan
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences (Shenzhen), Sun Yat-sen University, Shenzhen, 518000, China.
| | - Xiaoyun Lu
- International Cooperative Laboratory of Traditional Chinese Medicine Modernization and Innovative Drug Discovery of Chinese Ministry of Education (MOE), Guangzhou City Key Laboratory of Precision Chemical Drug Development, School of Pharmacy, Jinan University, Guangzhou, 510632, China.
| | - Shao Q Yao
- Department of Chemistry, National University of Singapore, Singapore, 117543, Singapore.
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10
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Imhoff RD, Rosenthal MR, Ashraf K, Bhanot P, Ng CL, Flaherty DP. Identification of covalent fragment inhibitors for Plasmodium falciparum UCHL3 with anti-malarial efficacy. Bioorg Med Chem Lett 2023; 94:129458. [PMID: 37634761 PMCID: PMC10529062 DOI: 10.1016/j.bmcl.2023.129458] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/26/2023] [Revised: 08/07/2023] [Accepted: 08/22/2023] [Indexed: 08/29/2023]
Abstract
Malaria continues to be a major burden on global health, responsible for 619,000 deaths in 2021. The causative agent of malaria is the eukaryotic parasite Plasmodium. Resistance to artemisinin-based combination therapies (ACTs), the current first-line treatment for malaria, has emerged in Asia, South America, and more recently Africa, where >90% of all malaria-related deaths occur. This has necessitated the identification and investigation of novel parasite proteins and pathways as antimalarial targets, including components of the ubiquitin proteasome system. Here, we investigate Plasmodium falciparum deubiquitinase ubiquitin C-terminal hydrolase L3 (PfUCHL3) as one such target. We carried out a high-throughput screen with covalent fragments and identified seven scaffolds that selectively inhibit the plasmodial UCHL3, but not human UCHL3 or the closely related human UCHL1. After assessing toxicity in human cells, we identified four promising hits and demonstrated their efficacy against asexual P. falciparum blood stages and P. berghei sporozoite stages.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ryan D Imhoff
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, College of Pharmacy, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN 47907, United States
| | - Melissa R Rosenthal
- Department of Pathology and Microbiology, College of Medicine, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE 68198, United States
| | - Kutub Ashraf
- Department of Microbiology, Biochemistry & Molecular Genetics, Rutgers New Jersey Medical School, Newark, NJ 07103, United States
| | - Purnima Bhanot
- Department of Microbiology, Biochemistry & Molecular Genetics, Rutgers New Jersey Medical School, Newark, NJ 07103, United States
| | - Caroline L Ng
- Department of Pathology and Microbiology, College of Medicine, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE 68198, United States; Global Center for Health Security, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE 68198, United States; Department of Biology, University of Omaha, Omaha, NE 68182, United States.
| | - Daniel P Flaherty
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, College of Pharmacy, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN 47907, United States; Purdue Institute for Drug Discovery, West Lafayette, IN 47907, United States; Purdue Institute of Inflammation, Immunology and Infectious Disease, West Lafayette, IN 47907, United States.
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11
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Wang G, Moitessier N, Mittermaier AK. Computational and biophysical methods for the discovery and optimization of covalent drugs. Chem Commun (Camb) 2023; 59:10866-10882. [PMID: 37609777 DOI: 10.1039/d3cc03285j] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/24/2023]
Abstract
Drugs that act by covalently attaching to their targets have been used to treat human diseases for over a hundred years. However, the deliberate design of covalent drugs was discouraged due to concerns of toxicity and off-target effects. Recent successes in covalent drug discovery have sparked fresh interest in this field. New screening and testing methods aimed at covalent inhibitors can play pivotal roles in facilitating the discovery process. This feature article focuses on computational and biophysical advances originating from our labs over the past decade and how these approaches have contributed to the design of prolyl oligopeptidase (POP) and SARS-CoV-2 3CLpro covalent inhibitors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guanyu Wang
- Department of Chemistry, McGill University, 801 Sherbrooke Street West, Montreal, Quebec H3A 0B8, Canada.
| | - Nicolas Moitessier
- Department of Chemistry, McGill University, 801 Sherbrooke Street West, Montreal, Quebec H3A 0B8, Canada.
| | - Anthony K Mittermaier
- Department of Chemistry, McGill University, 801 Sherbrooke Street West, Montreal, Quebec H3A 0B8, Canada.
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12
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Udompholkul P, Garza-Granados A, Alboreggia G, Baggio C, McGuire J, Pegan SD, Pellecchia M. Characterization of a Potent and Orally Bioavailable Lys-Covalent Inhibitor of Apoptosis Protein (IAP) Antagonist. J Med Chem 2023. [PMID: 37262387 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.3c00467] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/03/2023]
Abstract
We have recently reported on the use of aryl-fluorosulfates in designing water- and plasma-stable agents that covalently target Lys, Tyr, or His residues in the BIR3 domain of the inhibitor of the apoptosis protein (IAP) family. Here, we report further structural, cellular, and pharmacological characterizations of this agent, including the high-resolution structure of the complex between the Lys-covalent agent and its target, the BIR3 domain of X-linked IAP (XIAP). We also compared the cellular efficacy of the agent in two-dimensional (2D) and three-dimensional (3D) cell cultures, side by side with the clinical candidate reversible IAP inhibitor LCL161. Finally, in vivo pharmacokinetic studies indicated that the agent was long-lived and orally bioavailable. Collectively our data further corroborate that aryl-fluorosulfates, when incorporated correctly in a ligand, can result in Lys-covalent agents with pharmacodynamic and pharmacokinetic properties that warrant their use in the design of pharmacological probes or even therapeutics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Parima Udompholkul
- Division of Biomedical Sciences, School of Medicine, University of California, Riverside, 900 University Avenue, Riverside, California 92521, United States
| | - Ana Garza-Granados
- Division of Biomedical Sciences, School of Medicine, University of California, Riverside, 900 University Avenue, Riverside, California 92521, United States
| | - Giulia Alboreggia
- Division of Biomedical Sciences, School of Medicine, University of California, Riverside, 900 University Avenue, Riverside, California 92521, United States
| | - Carlo Baggio
- Division of Biomedical Sciences, School of Medicine, University of California, Riverside, 900 University Avenue, Riverside, California 92521, United States
| | - Jack McGuire
- Division of Biomedical Sciences, School of Medicine, University of California, Riverside, 900 University Avenue, Riverside, California 92521, United States
| | - Scott D Pegan
- Division of Biomedical Sciences, School of Medicine, University of California, Riverside, 900 University Avenue, Riverside, California 92521, United States
| | - Maurizio Pellecchia
- Division of Biomedical Sciences, School of Medicine, University of California, Riverside, 900 University Avenue, Riverside, California 92521, United States
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13
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Alanazi AS, Mirgany TO, Alsfouk AA, Alsaif NA, Alanazi MM. Antiproliferative Activity, Multikinase Inhibition, Apoptosis- Inducing Effects and Molecular Docking of Novel Isatin-Purine Hybrids. MEDICINA (KAUNAS, LITHUANIA) 2023; 59:medicina59030610. [PMID: 36984611 PMCID: PMC10051310 DOI: 10.3390/medicina59030610] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2023] [Revised: 03/07/2023] [Accepted: 03/16/2023] [Indexed: 03/30/2023]
Abstract
The traditional single-treatment strategy for cancer is frequently unsuccessful due to the complexity of cellular signaling. However, suppression of multiple targets is vital to defeat tumor cells. In this research, new compounds for the treatment of cancer were developed successfully as novel hybrid anticancer agents. Based on a molecular hybridization strategy, we designed hybrid agents that target multiple protein kinases to fight cancer cells. The proposed hybrid agents combined purine and isatin moieties in their structures with 4-aminobenzohydrazide and hydrazine as different linkers. Having those two moieties in one molecule enabled the capability to inhibit multiple kinases, such as human epidermal receptor (EGFR), human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2), vascular endothelial growth factor receptor 2 (VEGFR2) and cyclin-dependent kinase 2 (CDK2). Anticancer activity was evaluated by performing cytotoxicity assays, kinase inhibition assays, cell cycle analysis, and BAX, Bcl-2, Caspase 3 and Caspase 9 protein level determination assays. The results showed that the designed hybrids tackled the cancer by inhibiting both cell proliferation and metastasis. A molecular docking study was performed to predict possible binding interactions in the active site of the investigated protein kinase enzymes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ashwag S Alanazi
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, Princess Nourah bint Abdulrahman University, Riyadh 84428, Saudi Arabia
| | - Tebyan O Mirgany
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, College of Pharmacy, King Saud University, Riyadh 11451, Saudi Arabia
| | - Aisha A Alsfouk
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, Princess Nourah bint Abdulrahman University, Riyadh 84428, Saudi Arabia
| | - Nawaf A Alsaif
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, College of Pharmacy, King Saud University, Riyadh 11451, Saudi Arabia
| | - Mohammed M Alanazi
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, College of Pharmacy, King Saud University, Riyadh 11451, Saudi Arabia
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14
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Lee SB, Yu J, Kim H, Kim KW, Jeong JW, Kim YL, Park SJ, Koo TS, Lee C, Hong KB, Choi S. Novel Strategy To Inhibit Transthyretin Amyloidosis via the Synergetic Effect of Chemoselective Acylation and Noncovalent Inhibitor Release. J Med Chem 2023; 66:2893-2903. [PMID: 36749109 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.2c01926] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
Strategies for developing targeted covalent inhibitors (TCIs), which have the advantages of a prolonged duration of action and selectivity toward a drug target, have attracted great interest in drug discovery. Herein, we report chemoselective covalent inhibitors that specifically target lysine ε-amine groups that conjugate with an endogenous protein to prevent disease-causing protein misfolding and aggregation. These TCIs are unique because the benzoyl group is preferentially conjugated to Lys15 at the top of the T4 binding site within transthyretin (TTR) while simultaneously releasing a potent noncovalent TTR kinetic stabilizer. The potency of these covalent inhibitors is superior to tafamidis, the only FDA-approved drug for the treatment of hereditary TTR amyloidosis. In addition to investigations into the covalent modification of TTR via reverse-phase high-performance liquid chromatography, direct methods are performed to confirm and visualize the presumed covalent interaction via mass spectrometry and X-ray crystallography.
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Affiliation(s)
- Seok Beom Lee
- Graduate School of New Drug Discovery and Development, Chungnam National University, Daejon 34134, Republic of Korea
| | - Jaeni Yu
- Graduate School of New Drug Discovery and Development, Chungnam National University, Daejon 34134, Republic of Korea
| | - Hyunwoo Kim
- Department of Biological Sciences, Ulsan National Institute of Science and Technology, Ulsan 44919, Republic of Korea
| | - Kun Woo Kim
- Graduate School of New Drug Discovery and Development, Chungnam National University, Daejon 34134, Republic of Korea
| | - Jong Woo Jeong
- Graduate School of New Drug Discovery and Development, Chungnam National University, Daejon 34134, Republic of Korea
| | - Yun Lan Kim
- Graduate School of New Drug Discovery and Development, Chungnam National University, Daejon 34134, Republic of Korea
| | - Sung Jean Park
- College of Pharmacy and Gachon Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Gachon University, Incheon 21936, Republic of Korea
| | - Tae-Sung Koo
- Graduate School of New Drug Discovery and Development, Chungnam National University, Daejon 34134, Republic of Korea
| | - Changwook Lee
- Department of Biological Sciences, Ulsan National Institute of Science and Technology, Ulsan 44919, Republic of Korea
| | - Ki Bum Hong
- New Drug Development Center (NDDC), Daegu-Gyeongbuk Medical Innovation Foundation (DGMIF), Daegu 41061, Republic of Korea
| | - Sungwook Choi
- Graduate School of New Drug Discovery and Development, Chungnam National University, Daejon 34134, Republic of Korea
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15
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Brulet JW, Ciancone AM, Yuan K, Hsu K. Advances in Activity‐Based Protein Profiling of Functional Tyrosines in Proteomes. Isr J Chem 2023. [DOI: 10.1002/ijch.202300001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/11/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Jeffrey W. Brulet
- Department of Chemistry University of Virginia Charlottesville Virginia 22904 United States (K.-L.H
| | - Anthony M. Ciancone
- Department of Chemistry University of Virginia Charlottesville Virginia 22904 United States (K.-L.H
| | - Kun Yuan
- Department of Chemistry University of Virginia Charlottesville Virginia 22904 United States (K.-L.H
| | - Ku‐Lung Hsu
- Department of Chemistry University of Virginia Charlottesville Virginia 22904 United States (K.-L.H
- Department of Pharmacology University of Virginia School of Medicine Charlottesville Virginia 22908 United States
- Department of Molecular Physiology and Biological Physics University of Virginia Charlottesville Virginia 22908 United States
- University of Virginia Cancer Center University of Virginia Charlottesville VA 22903 USA
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16
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Rodríguez Á, Maneiro M, Lence E, Otero JM, van Raaij MJ, Thompson P, Hawkins AR, González-Bello C. Quinate-based ligands for irreversible inactivation of the bacterial virulence factor DHQ1 enzyme-A molecular insight. Front Mol Biosci 2023; 10:1111598. [PMID: 36762206 PMCID: PMC9902378 DOI: 10.3389/fmolb.2023.1111598] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2022] [Accepted: 01/10/2023] [Indexed: 01/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Irreversible inhibition of the enzyme type I dehydroquinase (DHQ1), a promising target for anti-virulence drug development, has been explored by enhancing the electrophilicity of specific positions of the ligand towards covalent lysine modification. For ligand design, we made use of the advantages offered by the intrinsic acid-base properties of the amino substituents introduced in the quinate scaffold, namely compounds 6-7 (R configuration at C3), to generate a potential leaving group, as well as the recognition pattern of the enzyme. The reactivity of the C2-C3 bond (Re face) in the scaffold was also explored using compound 8. The results of the present study show that replacement of the C3 hydroxy group of (-)-quinic acid by a hydroxyamino substituent (compound 6) provides a time-dependent irreversible inhibitor, while compound 7, in which the latter functionality was substituted by an amino group, and the introduction of an oxirane ring at C2-C3 bond, compound 8, do not allow covalent modification of the enzyme. These outcomes were supported by resolution of the crystal structures of DHQ1 from Staphylococcus aureus (Sa-DHQ1) and Salmonella typhi (St-DHQ1) chemically modified by 6 at a resolution of 1.65 and 1.90 Å, respectively, and of St-DHQ1 in the complex with 8 (1.55 Å). The combination of these structural studies with extensive molecular dynamics simulation studies allowed us to understand the molecular basis of the type of inhibition observed. This study is a good example of the importance of achieving the correct geometry between the reactive center of the ligand (electrophile) and the enzyme nucleophile (lysine residue) to allow selective covalent modification. The outcomes obtained with the hydroxyamino derivative 6 also open up new possibilities in the design of irreversible inhibitors based on the use of amino substituents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ángela Rodríguez
- Centro Singular de Investigación en Química Biolóxica e Materiais Moleculares (CiQUS), Departamento de Química Orgánica, Universidade de Santiago de Compostela, Santiago de Compostela, Spain
| | - María Maneiro
- Centro Singular de Investigación en Química Biolóxica e Materiais Moleculares (CiQUS), Departamento de Química Orgánica, Universidade de Santiago de Compostela, Santiago de Compostela, Spain
| | - Emilio Lence
- Centro Singular de Investigación en Química Biolóxica e Materiais Moleculares (CiQUS), Departamento de Química Orgánica, Universidade de Santiago de Compostela, Santiago de Compostela, Spain
| | - José M. Otero
- Centro Singular de Investigación en Química Biolóxica e Materiais Moleculares (CiQUS), Departamento de Química Orgánica, Universidade de Santiago de Compostela, Santiago de Compostela, Spain
| | - Mark J. van Raaij
- Departamento de Estructura de Macromoléculas, Centro Nacional de Biotecnología (CSIC), Madrid, Spain
| | - Paul Thompson
- Newcastle University Biosciences Institute, The Medical School, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, United Kingdom
| | - Alastair R. Hawkins
- Newcastle University Biosciences Institute, The Medical School, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, United Kingdom
| | - Concepción González-Bello
- Centro Singular de Investigación en Química Biolóxica e Materiais Moleculares (CiQUS), Departamento de Química Orgánica, Universidade de Santiago de Compostela, Santiago de Compostela, Spain,*Correspondence: Concepción González-Bello,
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17
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Gai C, Harnor SJ, Zhang S, Cano C, Zhuang C, Zhao Q. Advanced approaches of developing targeted covalent drugs. RSC Med Chem 2022; 13:1460-1475. [PMID: 36561076 PMCID: PMC9749957 DOI: 10.1039/d2md00216g] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/08/2022] [Accepted: 09/20/2022] [Indexed: 11/07/2022] Open
Abstract
In recent years, the development of targeted covalent inhibitors has gained popularity around the world. Specific groups (electrophilic warheads) form irreversible bonds with the side chain of nucleophilic amino acid residues, thus changing the function of biological targets such as proteins. Since the first targeted covalent inhibitor was disclosed in the 1990s, great efforts have been made to develop covalent ligands from known reversible leads or drugs by addition of tolerated electrophilic warheads. However, high reactivity and "off-target" toxicity remain challenging issues. This review covers the concept of targeted covalent inhibition to diseases, discusses traditional and interdisciplinary strategies of cysteine-focused covalent drug discovery, and exhibits newly disclosed electrophilic warheads majorly targeting the cysteine residue. Successful applications to address the challenges of designing effective covalent drugs are also introduced.
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Affiliation(s)
- Conghao Gai
- Organic Chemistry Group, College of Pharmacy, Naval Medical University Shanghai 200433 P. R. China
| | - Suzannah J Harnor
- Cancer Research UK Newcastle Drug Discovery Unit, Newcastle University Centre for Cancer, School of Natural and Environmental Sciences, Bedson Building, Newcastle University Newcastle upon Tyne NE1 7RU UK
| | - Shihao Zhang
- Organic Chemistry Group, College of Pharmacy, Naval Medical University Shanghai 200433 P. R. China
| | - Céline Cano
- Cancer Research UK Newcastle Drug Discovery Unit, Newcastle University Centre for Cancer, School of Natural and Environmental Sciences, Bedson Building, Newcastle University Newcastle upon Tyne NE1 7RU UK
| | - Chunlin Zhuang
- Organic Chemistry Group, College of Pharmacy, Naval Medical University Shanghai 200433 P. R. China
| | - Qingjie Zhao
- Organic Chemistry Group, College of Pharmacy, Naval Medical University Shanghai 200433 P. R. China
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18
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Abstract
Covalent drugs have been used to treat diseases for more than a century, but tools that facilitate the rational design of covalent drugs have emerged more recently. The purposeful addition of reactive functional groups to existing ligands can enable potent and selective inhibition of target proteins, as demonstrated by the covalent epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) and Bruton's tyrosine kinase (BTK) inhibitors used to treat various cancers. Moreover, the identification of covalent ligands through 'electrophile-first' approaches has also led to the discovery of covalent drugs, such as covalent inhibitors for KRAS(G12C) and SARS-CoV-2 main protease. In particular, the discovery of KRAS(G12C) inhibitors validates the use of covalent screening technologies, which have become more powerful and widespread over the past decade. Chemoproteomics platforms have emerged to complement covalent ligand screening and assist in ligand discovery, selectivity profiling and target identification. This Review showcases covalent drug discovery milestones with emphasis on the lessons learned from these programmes and how an evolving toolbox of covalent drug discovery techniques facilitates success in this field.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lydia Boike
- Department of Chemistry, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA, USA
- Novartis-Berkeley Center for Proteomics and Chemistry Technologies, Berkeley, CA, USA
- Innovative Genomics Institute, Berkeley, CA, USA
| | - Nathaniel J Henning
- Department of Chemistry, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA, USA
- Novartis-Berkeley Center for Proteomics and Chemistry Technologies, Berkeley, CA, USA
- Innovative Genomics Institute, Berkeley, CA, USA
| | - Daniel K Nomura
- Department of Chemistry, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA, USA.
- Novartis-Berkeley Center for Proteomics and Chemistry Technologies, Berkeley, CA, USA.
- Innovative Genomics Institute, Berkeley, CA, USA.
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19
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Lu D, Yu X, Lin H, Cheng R, Monroy EY, Qi X, Wang MC, Wang J. Applications of covalent chemistry in targeted protein degradation. Chem Soc Rev 2022; 51:9243-9261. [PMID: 36285735 PMCID: PMC9669245 DOI: 10.1039/d2cs00362g] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/22/2023]
Abstract
Proteolysis-targeting chimeras (PROTACs) and targeted covalent inhibitors (TCIs) are currently two exciting strategies in the fields of chemical biology and drug discovery. Extensive research in these two fields has been conducted, and significant progress in these fields has resulted in many clinical candidates, some of which have been approved by FDA. Recently, a novel concept termed covalent PROTACs that combine these two strategies has emerged and gained an increasing interest in the past several years. Herein, we briefly review and highlight the mechanism and advantages of TCIs and PROTACs, respectively, and the recent development of covalent PROTACs using irreversible and reversible covalent chemistry.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dong Lu
- Department of Pharmacology and Chemical Biology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston TX 77030, USA.
| | - Xin Yu
- Department of Pharmacology and Chemical Biology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston TX 77030, USA.
| | - Hanfeng Lin
- Department of Pharmacology and Chemical Biology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston TX 77030, USA.
| | - Ran Cheng
- Department of Pharmacology and Chemical Biology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston TX 77030, USA.
| | - Erika Y Monroy
- Department of Pharmacology and Chemical Biology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston TX 77030, USA.
| | - Xiaoli Qi
- Department of Pharmacology and Chemical Biology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston TX 77030, USA.
| | - Meng C Wang
- Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston TX 77030, USA
- Huffington Center on Aging, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston TX 77030, USA
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston TX 77030, USA
| | - Jin Wang
- Department of Pharmacology and Chemical Biology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston TX 77030, USA.
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston TX 77030, USA
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20
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Xie Z, Hou S, Yang X, Duan Y, Han J, Wang Q, Liao C. Lessons Learned from Past Cyclin-Dependent Kinase Drug Discovery Efforts. J Med Chem 2022; 65:6356-6389. [PMID: 35235745 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.1c02190] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Inhibition of cyclin-dependent kinases (CDKs) has become an effective therapeutic strategy for treating various diseases, especially cancer. Over almost three decades, although great efforts have been made to discover CDK inhibitors, many of which have entered clinical trials, only four CDK inhibitors have been approved. In the process of CDK inhibitor development, many difficulties and misunderstandings have hampered their discovery and clinical applications, which mainly include inadequate understanding of the biological functions of CDKs, less attention paid to pan- and multi-CDK inhibitors, nonideal isoform selectivity of developed selective CDK inhibitors, overlooking the metabolic stability of early discovered CDK inhibitors, no effective resistance solutions, and a lack of available combination therapy and effective biomarkers for CDK therapies. After reviewing the mechanisms of CDKs and the research progress of CDK inhibitors, this perspective summarizes and discusses these difficulties or lessons, hoping to facilitate the successful discovery of more useful CDK inhibitors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhouling Xie
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences and Engineering, School of Food and Biological Engineering, Hefei University of Technology, Hefei 230009, P. R. China
| | - Shuzeng Hou
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences and Engineering, School of Food and Biological Engineering, Hefei University of Technology, Hefei 230009, P. R. China
| | - Xiaoxiao Yang
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences and Engineering, School of Food and Biological Engineering, Hefei University of Technology, Hefei 230009, P. R. China
| | - Yajun Duan
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences and Engineering, School of Food and Biological Engineering, Hefei University of Technology, Hefei 230009, P. R. China
| | - Jihong Han
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences and Engineering, School of Food and Biological Engineering, Hefei University of Technology, Hefei 230009, P. R. China
| | - Qin Wang
- Department of Otolaryngology─Head and Neck Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, 230022, P. R. China
| | - Chenzhong Liao
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences and Engineering, School of Food and Biological Engineering, Hefei University of Technology, Hefei 230009, P. R. China
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21
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Li Z, Zhang Y, Zhou Y, Wang F, Yin C, Ding L, Zhang S. Tanshinone IIA suppresses the progression of lung adenocarcinoma through regulating CCNA2-CDK2 complex and AURKA/PLK1 pathway. Sci Rep 2021; 11:23681. [PMID: 34880385 PMCID: PMC8654884 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-03166-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/30/2021] [Accepted: 11/29/2021] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD) belongs to a subgroup of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) with an increasing incidence all over the world. Tanshinone IIA (TSA), an active compound of Salvia miltiorrhiza Bunge., has been found to have anti-tumor effects on many tumors, but its anti-LUAD effect and its mechanism have not been reported yet. In this study, bio-information analysis was applied to characterize the potential mechanism of TSA on LUA, biological experiments were used to verify the mechanisms involved. TCGA, Pubchem, SwissTargetPrediction, Venny2.1.0, STRING, DAVID, Cytoscape 3.7.2, Omicshare, GEPIA, RSCBPDB, Chem Draw, AutoDockTools, and PyMOL were utilized for analysis in the bio-information analysis and network pharmacology. Our experiments in vitro focused on the anti-LUAD effects and mechanisms of TSA on LUAD cells (A549 and NCI-H1975 cells) via MTT, plate cloning, Annexin V-FITC and PI dual staining, flow cytometry, and western blot assays. A total of 64 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) of TSA for treatment of LUAD were screened out. Gene ontology and pathway analysis revealed characteristic of the DEGs network. After GEPIA-based DEGs confirmation, 46 genes were considered having significant differences. Further, 10 key DEGs (BTK, HSD11B1, ADAM33, TNNC1, THRA, CCNA2, AURKA, MIF, PLK1, and SORD) were identified as the most likely relevant genes from overall survival analysis. Molecular Docking results showed that CCNA2, CDK2 and PLK1 had the lowest docking energy. MTT and plate cloning assays results showed that TSA inhibited the proliferation of LUAD cells in a concentration-dependent manner. Annexin V-FITC and PI dual staining and flow cytometry assays results told that TSA promoted the apoptosis of the two LUAD cells in different degrees, and induced cycle arrest in the G1/S phase. Western blot results showed that TSA significantly down-regulated the expression of CCNA2, CDK2, AURKA, PLK1, and p-ERK. In summary, TSA could suppress the progression of LUAD by inducing cell apoptosis and arresting cell cycle, and these were done by regulating CCNA2-CDK2 complex and AURKA/PLK1 pathway. These findings are the first to demonstrate the molecular mechanism of TSA in treatment of LUAD combination of network bio-information analysis and biological experiments in vitro.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ziheng Li
- Faculty of Pharmacy, Hubei University of Chinese Medicine, Wuhan, 430065, China
| | - Ying Zhang
- Faculty of Pharmacy, Hubei University of Chinese Medicine, Wuhan, 430065, China
| | - Yuan Zhou
- Faculty of Pharmacy, Hubei University of Chinese Medicine, Wuhan, 430065, China
| | - Fuqian Wang
- Faculty of Pharmacy, Hubei University of Chinese Medicine, Wuhan, 430065, China
| | - Chao Yin
- Faculty of Pharmacy, Hubei University of Chinese Medicine, Wuhan, 430065, China
| | - Li Ding
- Faculty of Pharmacy, Hubei University of Chinese Medicine, Wuhan, 430065, China.
| | - Shunbo Zhang
- Faculty of Pharmacy, Hubei University of Chinese Medicine, Wuhan, 430065, China.
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22
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Ferlenghi F, Scalvini L, Vacondio F, Castelli R, Bozza N, Marseglia G, Rivara S, Lodola A, La Monica S, Minari R, Petronini PG, Alfieri R, Tiseo M, Mor M. A sulfonyl fluoride derivative inhibits EGFR L858R/T790M/C797S by covalent modification of the catalytic lysine. Eur J Med Chem 2021; 225:113786. [PMID: 34464874 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2021.113786] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/09/2021] [Revised: 08/13/2021] [Accepted: 08/15/2021] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Abstract
The emergence of the C797S mutation in EGFR is a frequent mechanism of resistance to osimertinib in the treatment of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). In the present work, we report the design, synthesis and biochemical characterization of UPR1444 (compound 11), a new sulfonyl fluoride derivative which potently and irreversibly inhibits EGFRL858R/T790M/C797S through the formation of a sulfonamide bond with the catalytic residue Lys745. Enzymatic assays show that compound 11 displayed an inhibitory activity on EGFRWT comparable to that of osimertinib, and it resulted more selective than the sulfonyl fluoride probe XO44, recently reported to inhibit a significant part of the kinome. Neither compound 11 nor XO44 inhibited EGFRdel19/T790M/C797S triple mutant. When tested in Ba/F3 cells expressing EGFRL858R/T790M/C797S, compound 11 resulted significantly more potent than osimertinib at inhibiting both EGFR autophosphorylation and proliferation, even if the inhibition of EGFR autophosphorylation by compound 11 in Ba/F3 cells was not long lasting.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Laura Scalvini
- Department of Food and Drug, University of Parma, Parma, Italy
| | | | | | - Nicole Bozza
- Department of Food and Drug, University of Parma, Parma, Italy
| | | | - Silvia Rivara
- Department of Food and Drug, University of Parma, Parma, Italy
| | - Alessio Lodola
- Department of Food and Drug, University of Parma, Parma, Italy.
| | - Silvia La Monica
- Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Parma, Parma, Italy
| | - Roberta Minari
- Medical Oncology, University Hospital of Parma, Parma, Italy
| | | | - Roberta Alfieri
- Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Parma, Parma, Italy
| | - Marcello Tiseo
- Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Parma, Parma, Italy; Medical Oncology, University Hospital of Parma, Parma, Italy
| | - Marco Mor
- Department of Food and Drug, University of Parma, Parma, Italy
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Synthesis of Novel 2-Thiouracil-5-Sulfonamide Derivatives as Potent Inducers of Cell Cycle Arrest and CDK2A Inhibition Supported by Molecular Docking. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms222111957. [PMID: 34769385 PMCID: PMC8584424 DOI: 10.3390/ijms222111957] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/25/2021] [Revised: 10/19/2021] [Accepted: 10/29/2021] [Indexed: 01/16/2023] Open
Abstract
In an effort to discover potent anticancer agents, 2-thiouracil-5-sulfonamides derivatives were designed and synthesized. The cytotoxic activity of all synthesized compounds was investigated against four human cancer cell lines viz A-2780 (ovarian), HT-29 (colon), MCF-7 (breast), and HepG2 (liver). Compounds 6b,d-g, and 7b showed promising anticancer activity and significant inhibition of CDK2A. Moreover, they were all safe when tested on WI38 normal cells with high selectivity index for cancer cells. Flow cytometric analysis for the most active compound 6e displayed induction of cell growth arrest at G1/S phase (A-2780 cells), S phase (HT-29 and MCF-7 cells), and G2/M phase (HepG2 cells) and stimulated the apoptotic death of all cancer cells. Moreover, 6e was able to cause cycle arrest indirectly through enhanced expression of cell cycle inhibitors p21 and p27. Finally, molecular docking of compound 6e endorsed its proper binding to CDK2A, which clarifies its potent anticancer activity.
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24
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Shindo N, Ojida A. Recent progress in covalent warheads for in vivo targeting of endogenous proteins. Bioorg Med Chem 2021; 47:116386. [PMID: 34509863 DOI: 10.1016/j.bmc.2021.116386] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/03/2021] [Revised: 08/18/2021] [Accepted: 08/23/2021] [Indexed: 01/21/2023]
Abstract
Covalent drugs exert potent and durable activity by chemical modification of the endogenous target protein in vivo. To maximize the pharmacological efficacy while alleviating the risk of toxicity due to nonspecific off-target reactions, current covalent drug discovery focuses on the development of targeted covalent inhibitors (TCIs), wherein a reactive group (warhead) is strategically incorporated onto a reversible ligand of the target protein to facilitate specific covalent engagement. Various aspects of warheads, such as intrinsic reactivity, chemoselectivity, mode of reaction, and reversibility of the covalent engagement, would affect the target selectivity of TCIs. Although TCIs clinically approved to date largely rely on Michael acceptor-type electrophiles for cysteine targeting, a wide array of novel warheads have been devised and tested in TCI development in recent years. In this short review, we provide an overview of recent progress in chemistry for selective covalent targeting of proteins and their applications in TCI designs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Naoya Shindo
- Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Kyushu University, Maidashi, Higashi-ku Fukuoka, Japan
| | - Akio Ojida
- Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Kyushu University, Maidashi, Higashi-ku Fukuoka, Japan.
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25
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Teng M, Jiang J, Ficarro SB, Seo HS, Bae JH, Donovan KA, Fischer ES, Zhang T, Dhe-Paganon S, Marto JA, Gray NS. Exploring Ligand-Directed N-Acyl- N-alkylsulfonamide-Based Acylation Chemistry for Potential Targeted Degrader Development. ACS Med Chem Lett 2021; 12:1302-1307. [PMID: 34413960 DOI: 10.1021/acsmedchemlett.1c00285] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/21/2021] [Accepted: 07/20/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Ligand-directed bioconjugation strategies have been used for selective protein labeling in live cells or tissue samples in applications such as live-cell imaging. Here we hypothesized that a similar strategy could be used for targeted protein degradation. To test this possibility, we developed a series of CDK2-targeting N-acyl-N-alkylsulfonamide (NASA)-containing acylation probes. The probes featured three components: a CDK2 homing ligand, a CRL4CRBN E3 ligase recruiting ligand, and a NASA functionality. We determined that upon target binding, NASA-mediated reaction resulted in selective functionalization of Lys89 on purified or native CDK2. However, we were unable to observe CDK2 degradation, which is in contrast to the efficient degradation achieved by the use of a structurally similar reversible bivalent degrader. Our analysis suggests that the lack of degradation is due to the failure to form a productive CDK2:CRBN complex. Therefore, although this work demonstrates that NASA chemistry can be used for protein labeling, whether this strategy could enable efficient protein degradation remains an open question.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mingxing Teng
- Department of Cancer Biology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, Massachusetts 02115, United States
- Department of Biological Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts 02115, United States
| | - Jie Jiang
- Department of Cancer Biology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, Massachusetts 02115, United States
- Department of Biological Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts 02115, United States
| | - Scott B. Ficarro
- Department of Cancer Biology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, Massachusetts 02115, United States
- Department of Oncologic Pathology and Blais Proteomics Center, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, Massachusetts 02115, United States
- Department of Pathology, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts 02115, United States
| | - Hyuk-Soo Seo
- Department of Cancer Biology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, Massachusetts 02115, United States
- Department of Biological Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts 02115, United States
| | - Jae Hyun Bae
- Department of Cancer Biology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, Massachusetts 02115, United States
| | - Katherine A. Donovan
- Department of Cancer Biology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, Massachusetts 02115, United States
- Department of Biological Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts 02115, United States
| | - Eric S. Fischer
- Department of Cancer Biology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, Massachusetts 02115, United States
- Department of Biological Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts 02115, United States
| | - Tinghu Zhang
- Department of Chemical and Systems Biology, ChEM-H, Stanford Cancer Institute, School of Medicine, Stanford University, Stanford, California 94305, United States
| | - Sirano Dhe-Paganon
- Department of Cancer Biology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, Massachusetts 02115, United States
- Department of Biological Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts 02115, United States
| | - Jarrod A. Marto
- Department of Cancer Biology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, Massachusetts 02115, United States
- Department of Oncologic Pathology and Blais Proteomics Center, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, Massachusetts 02115, United States
- Department of Pathology, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts 02115, United States
| | - Nathanael S. Gray
- Department of Chemical and Systems Biology, ChEM-H, Stanford Cancer Institute, School of Medicine, Stanford University, Stanford, California 94305, United States
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26
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Okutachi S, Manoharan GB, Kiriazis A, Laurini C, Catillon M, McCormick F, Yli-Kauhaluoma J, Abankwa D. A Covalent Calmodulin Inhibitor as a Tool to Study Cellular Mechanisms of K-Ras-Driven Stemness. Front Cell Dev Biol 2021; 9:665673. [PMID: 34307350 PMCID: PMC8296985 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2021.665673] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2021] [Accepted: 06/04/2021] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Recently, the highly mutated oncoprotein K-Ras4B (hereafter K-Ras) was shown to drive cancer cell stemness in conjunction with calmodulin (CaM). We previously showed that the covalent CaM inhibitor ophiobolin A (OphA) can potently inhibit K-Ras stemness activity. However, OphA, a fungus-derived natural product, exhibits an unspecific, broad toxicity across all phyla. Here we identified a less toxic, functional analog of OphA that can efficiently inactivate CaM by covalent inhibition. We analyzed a small series of benzazulenones, which bear some structural similarity to OphA and can be synthesized in only six steps. We identified the formyl aminobenzazulenone 1, here named Calmirasone1, as a novel and potent covalent CaM inhibitor. Calmirasone1 has a 4-fold increased affinity for CaM as compared to OphA and was active against K-Ras in cells within minutes, as compared to hours required by OphA. Calmirasone1 displayed a 2.5–4.5-fold higher selectivity for KRAS over BRAF mutant 3D spheroid growth than OphA, suggesting improved relative on-target activity. Importantly, Calmirasone1 has a 40–260-fold lower unspecific toxic effect on HRAS mutant cells, while it reaches almost 50% of the activity of novel K-RasG12C specific inhibitors in 3D spheroid assays. Our results suggest that Calmirasone1 can serve as a new tool compound to further investigate the cancer cell biology of the K-Ras and CaM associated stemness activities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sunday Okutachi
- Cancer Cell Biology and Drug Discovery Group, Department of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Luxembourg, Esch-sur-Alzette, Luxembourg
| | - Ganesh Babu Manoharan
- Cancer Cell Biology and Drug Discovery Group, Department of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Luxembourg, Esch-sur-Alzette, Luxembourg
| | - Alexandros Kiriazis
- Drug Research Program, Division of Pharmaceutical Chemistry and Technology, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Christina Laurini
- Cancer Cell Biology and Drug Discovery Group, Department of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Luxembourg, Esch-sur-Alzette, Luxembourg
| | - Marie Catillon
- Cancer Cell Biology and Drug Discovery Group, Department of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Luxembourg, Esch-sur-Alzette, Luxembourg
| | - Frank McCormick
- Helen Diller Family Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, United States.,Frederick National Laboratory for Cancer Research, Cancer Research Technology Program, Leidos Biomedical Research, Inc., National Cancer Institute RAS Initiative, Frederick, MD, United States
| | - Jari Yli-Kauhaluoma
- Drug Research Program, Division of Pharmaceutical Chemistry and Technology, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Daniel Abankwa
- Cancer Cell Biology and Drug Discovery Group, Department of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Luxembourg, Esch-sur-Alzette, Luxembourg
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27
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Craven GB, Briggs EL, Zammit CM, McDermott A, Greed S, Affron DP, Leinfellner C, Cudmore HR, Tweedy RR, Luisi R, Bull JA, Armstrong A. Synthesis and Configurational Assignment of Vinyl Sulfoximines and Sulfonimidamides. J Org Chem 2021; 86:7403-7424. [PMID: 34003635 DOI: 10.1021/acs.joc.1c00373] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/21/2023]
Abstract
Vinyl sulfones and sulfonamides are valued for their use as electrophilic warheads in covalent protein inhibitors. Conversely, the S(VI) aza-isosteres thereof, vinyl sulfoximines and sulfonimidamides, are far less studied and have yet to be applied to the field of protein bioconjugation. Herein, we report a range of different synthetic methodologies for constructing vinyl sulfoximine and vinyl sulfonimidamide architectures that allows access to new areas of electrophilic chemical space. We demonstrate how late-stage functionalization can be applied to these motifs to incorporate alkyne tags, generating fully functionalized probes for future chemical biology applications. Finally, we establish a workflow for determining the absolute configuration of enantioenriched vinyl sulfoximines and sulfonimidamides by comparing experimentally and computationally determined electronic circular dichroism spectra, enabling access to configurationally assigned enantiomeric pairs by separation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gregory B Craven
- Molecular Sciences Research Hub, Department of Chemistry, Imperial College London, White City Campus, 80 Wood Lane, London W12 0BZ, U.K.,The Astbury Centre for Structural Molecular Biology, School of Molecular and Cellular Biology, University of Leeds, Leeds LS2 9JT, U.K
| | - Edward L Briggs
- Molecular Sciences Research Hub, Department of Chemistry, Imperial College London, White City Campus, 80 Wood Lane, London W12 0BZ, U.K
| | - Charlotte M Zammit
- Molecular Sciences Research Hub, Department of Chemistry, Imperial College London, White City Campus, 80 Wood Lane, London W12 0BZ, U.K
| | - Alexander McDermott
- Molecular Sciences Research Hub, Department of Chemistry, Imperial College London, White City Campus, 80 Wood Lane, London W12 0BZ, U.K
| | - Stephanie Greed
- Molecular Sciences Research Hub, Department of Chemistry, Imperial College London, White City Campus, 80 Wood Lane, London W12 0BZ, U.K
| | - Dominic P Affron
- Molecular Sciences Research Hub, Department of Chemistry, Imperial College London, White City Campus, 80 Wood Lane, London W12 0BZ, U.K
| | - Charlotte Leinfellner
- Molecular Sciences Research Hub, Department of Chemistry, Imperial College London, White City Campus, 80 Wood Lane, London W12 0BZ, U.K
| | - Hannah R Cudmore
- Molecular Sciences Research Hub, Department of Chemistry, Imperial College London, White City Campus, 80 Wood Lane, London W12 0BZ, U.K
| | - Ruth R Tweedy
- Molecular Sciences Research Hub, Department of Chemistry, Imperial College London, White City Campus, 80 Wood Lane, London W12 0BZ, U.K
| | - Renzo Luisi
- Department of Pharmacy-Drug Sciences, University of Bari, "A. Moro" Via E. Orabona 4, Bari 70125, Italy
| | - James A Bull
- Molecular Sciences Research Hub, Department of Chemistry, Imperial College London, White City Campus, 80 Wood Lane, London W12 0BZ, U.K
| | - Alan Armstrong
- Molecular Sciences Research Hub, Department of Chemistry, Imperial College London, White City Campus, 80 Wood Lane, London W12 0BZ, U.K
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28
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Liu Y, Lv S, Peng L, Xie C, Gao L, Sun H, Lin L, Ding K, Li Z. Development and application of novel electrophilic warheads in target identification and drug discovery. Biochem Pharmacol 2021; 190:114636. [PMID: 34062128 DOI: 10.1016/j.bcp.2021.114636] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/2021] [Revised: 05/24/2021] [Accepted: 05/27/2021] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Abstract
Nucleophilic amino acids play important roles in maintenance of protein structure and function, covalent modification of such amino acid residues by therapeutic agents is an efficient way to treat human diseases. Most of current clinical drugs are structurally limited to α,β-unsaturated amide as an electrophilic warhead. To alleviate this issue, many novel electrophiles have been developed in recent years that can covalently bind to different amino acid residues and provides a unique way to interrogate proteins, including "undruggable" targets. With an activity-based protein profiling (ABPP) approach, the activity and functionality of a protein and its binding sites can be assessed. This facilitates an understanding of protein function, and contributes to the discovery of new druggable targets and lead compounds. Meanwhile, many novel inhibitors bearing new reactive warhead were developed and displayed remarkable pharmaceutical properties. In this perspective, we have reviewed the recent remarkable progress of novel electrophiles and their applications in target identification and drug discovery.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yue Liu
- School of Pharmacy, Jinan University, 601 Huangpu Avenue West, Guangzhou 510632, China
| | - Shumin Lv
- School of Pharmacy, Jinan University, 601 Huangpu Avenue West, Guangzhou 510632, China
| | - Lijie Peng
- School of Pharmacy, Jinan University, 601 Huangpu Avenue West, Guangzhou 510632, China
| | - Chengliang Xie
- School of Pharmaceutical Science (Shenzhen), Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510000, China
| | - Liqian Gao
- School of Pharmaceutical Science (Shenzhen), Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510000, China
| | - Hongyan Sun
- Department of Chemistry, City University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong 999077, China
| | - Ligen Lin
- State Key Laboratory of Quality Research in Chinese Medicine, Institute of Chinese Medical Sciences, University of Macau, Avenida da Universidade, Taipa, Macau 999078, China
| | - Ke Ding
- School of Pharmacy, Jinan University, 601 Huangpu Avenue West, Guangzhou 510632, China.
| | - Zhengqiu Li
- School of Pharmacy, Jinan University, 601 Huangpu Avenue West, Guangzhou 510632, China; MOE Key Laboratory of Tumor Molecular Biology, Jinan University, Guangzhou, China.
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29
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Jansa J, Jorda R, Škerlová J, Pachl P, Peřina M, Řezníčková E, Heger T, Gucký T, Řezáčová P, Lyčka A, Kryštof V. Imidazo[1,2-c]pyrimidin-5(6H)-one inhibitors of CDK2: Synthesis, kinase inhibition and co-crystal structure. Eur J Med Chem 2021; 216:113309. [PMID: 33711765 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2021.113309] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/09/2020] [Revised: 02/12/2021] [Accepted: 02/13/2021] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
Pharmacological inhibition of cyclin-dependent kinases has emerged as a possible treatment option for various cancer types. We recently identified substituted imidazo[1,2-c]pyrimidin-5(6H)-ones as inhibitors of cyclin-dependent kinase 2 (CDK2). Here, we report the synthesis of derivatives modified at positions 2, 3, 6 or 8 prepared using Suzuki-Miyaura cross-coupling, halogenation, Dimroth-type rearrangement and alkylation as the main synthetic methods. The compounds displayed micro- to submicromolar inhibition of CDK2/cyclin E activity. Binding of the most potent compound 3b to CDK2 was determined using isothermal titration calorimetry. The co-crystal structure of 3b in complex with fully active CDK2 was solved, revealing the binding mode of 3b in the ATP pocket and a hydrogen bonding interaction with hinge region residue Leu83. Evaluation against leukaemia cell lines revealed low cytotoxicity, which is in line with the high selectivity towards CDK2. This study demonstrates that substituted imidazo[1,2-c]pyrimidines can be exploited for future kinase inhibitor development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Josef Jansa
- Research Institute for Organic Syntheses (VUOS), Rybitví 296, 53354, Pardubice-Rybitví, Czech Republic
| | - Radek Jorda
- Department of Experimental Biology, Faculty of Science, Palacký University, Šlechtitelů 27, 78371, Olomouc, Czech Republic
| | - Jana Škerlová
- Institute of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry, The Czech Academy of Sciences, Flemingovo nám. 2, 16610, Prague 6, Czech Republic
| | - Petr Pachl
- Institute of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry, The Czech Academy of Sciences, Flemingovo nám. 2, 16610, Prague 6, Czech Republic
| | - Miroslav Peřina
- Department of Experimental Biology, Faculty of Science, Palacký University, Šlechtitelů 27, 78371, Olomouc, Czech Republic
| | - Eva Řezníčková
- Department of Experimental Biology, Faculty of Science, Palacký University, Šlechtitelů 27, 78371, Olomouc, Czech Republic
| | - Tomáš Heger
- Department of Experimental Biology, Faculty of Science, Palacký University, Šlechtitelů 27, 78371, Olomouc, Czech Republic
| | - Tomáš Gucký
- Department of Experimental Biology, Faculty of Science, Palacký University, Šlechtitelů 27, 78371, Olomouc, Czech Republic
| | - Pavlína Řezáčová
- Institute of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry, The Czech Academy of Sciences, Flemingovo nám. 2, 16610, Prague 6, Czech Republic; Institute of Molecular Genetics, The Czech Academy of Sciences, Vídeňská 1083, 14220, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Antonín Lyčka
- Research Institute for Organic Syntheses (VUOS), Rybitví 296, 53354, Pardubice-Rybitví, Czech Republic; Faculty of Science, University of Hradec, Rokitanského 62, 50003, Hradec Králové, Czech Republic
| | - Vladimír Kryštof
- Department of Experimental Biology, Faculty of Science, Palacký University, Šlechtitelů 27, 78371, Olomouc, Czech Republic.
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Al-Sanea MM, Obaidullah AJ, Shaker ME, Chilingaryan G, Alanazi MM, Alsaif NA, Alkahtani HM, Alsubaie SA, Abdelgawad MA. A New CDK2 Inhibitor with 3-Hydrazonoindolin-2-One Scaffold Endowed with Anti-Breast Cancer Activity: Design, Synthesis, Biological Evaluation, and In Silico Insights. Molecules 2021; 26:molecules26020412. [PMID: 33466812 PMCID: PMC7830330 DOI: 10.3390/molecules26020412] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/07/2020] [Revised: 01/08/2021] [Accepted: 01/11/2021] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: Cyclin-dependent kinases (CDKs) regulate mammalian cell cycle progression and RNA transcription. Based on the structural analysis of previously reported CDK2 inhibitors, a new compound with 3-hydrazonoindolin-2-one scaffold (HI 5) was well designed, synthesized, and biologically evaluated as a promising anti-breast cancer hit compound. Methods: The potential anti-cancerous effect of HI 5 was evaluated using cytotoxicity assay, flow cytometric analysis of apoptosis and cell cycle distribution, ELISA immunoassay, in vitro CDK2/cyclin A2 activity, and molecular operating environment (MOE) virtual docking studies. Results: The results revealed that HI 5 exhibits pronounced CDK2 inhibitory activity and cytotoxicity in human breast cancer MCF-7 cell line. The cytotoxicity of HI 5 was found to be intrinsically mediated apoptosis, which in turn, is associated with low Bcl-2 expression and high activation of caspase 3 and p53. Besides, HI 5 blocked the proliferation of the MCF-7 cell line and arrested the cell cycle at the G2/M phase. The docking studies did not confirm which one of geometric isomers (syn and anti) is responsible for binding affinity and intrinsic activity of HI 5. However, the molecular dynamic studies have confirmed that the syn-isomer has more favorable binding interaction and thus is responsible for CDK2 inhibitory activity. Discussion: These findings displayed a substantial basis of synthesizing further derivatives based on the 3-hydrazonoindolin-2-one scaffold for favorable targeting of breast cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohammad M. Al-Sanea
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, College of Pharmacy, Jouf University, Sakaka 72341, Aljouf Province, Saudi Arabia;
- Correspondence: (M.M.A.-S.); (A.J.O.); Tel.: +966-594076460 (M.M.A.-S.)
| | - Ahmad J. Obaidullah
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, College of Pharmacy, King Saud University, Riyadh 11451, Saudi Arabia; (M.M.A.); (N.A.A.); (H.M.A.); (S.A.A.)
- Correspondence: (M.M.A.-S.); (A.J.O.); Tel.: +966-594076460 (M.M.A.-S.)
| | - Mohamed E. Shaker
- Department of Pharmacology, College of Pharmacy, Jouf University, Sakaka, Aljouf 72341, Saudi Arabia;
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Mansoura University, Mansoura 35516, Egypt
| | - Garri Chilingaryan
- Institute of Biomedicine and Pharmacy, Russian-Armenian University, Yerevan 0051, Armenia;
| | - Mohammed M. Alanazi
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, College of Pharmacy, King Saud University, Riyadh 11451, Saudi Arabia; (M.M.A.); (N.A.A.); (H.M.A.); (S.A.A.)
| | - Nawaf A. Alsaif
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, College of Pharmacy, King Saud University, Riyadh 11451, Saudi Arabia; (M.M.A.); (N.A.A.); (H.M.A.); (S.A.A.)
| | - Hamad M. Alkahtani
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, College of Pharmacy, King Saud University, Riyadh 11451, Saudi Arabia; (M.M.A.); (N.A.A.); (H.M.A.); (S.A.A.)
| | - Sultan A. Alsubaie
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, College of Pharmacy, King Saud University, Riyadh 11451, Saudi Arabia; (M.M.A.); (N.A.A.); (H.M.A.); (S.A.A.)
| | - Mohamed A. Abdelgawad
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, College of Pharmacy, Jouf University, Sakaka 72341, Aljouf Province, Saudi Arabia;
- Department of Pharmaceutical Organic Chemistry, Beni-Suef University, Beni-Suef 62514, Egypt
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Abstract
In the first decade of targeted covalent inhibition, scientists have successfully reversed the previous trend that had impeded the use of covalent inhibition in drug development. Successes in the clinic, mainly in the field of kinase inhibitors, are existing proof that safe covalent inhibitors can be designed and employed to develop effective treatments. The case of KRASG12C covalent inhibitors entering clinical trials in 2019 has been among the hottest topics discussed in drug discovery, raising expectations for the future of the field. In this perspective, an overview of the milestones hit with targeted covalent inhibitors, as well as the promise and the needs of current research, are presented. While recent results have confirmed the potential that was foreseen, many questions remain unexplored in this branch of precision medicine.
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32
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Gambini L, Udompholkul P, Salem AF, Baggio C, Pellecchia M. Stability and Cell Permeability of Sulfonyl Fluorides in the Design of Lys-Covalent Antagonists of Protein-Protein Interactions. ChemMedChem 2020; 15:2176-2184. [PMID: 32790900 PMCID: PMC7722097 DOI: 10.1002/cmdc.202000355] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/26/2020] [Revised: 08/06/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Recently we reported on aryl-fluorosulfates as possible stable and effective electrophiles for the design of lysine covalent, cell permeable antagonists of protein-protein interactions (PPIs). Here we revisit the use of aryl-sulfonyl fluorides as Lys-targeting moieties, incorporating these electrophiles in XIAP (X-linked inhibitor of apoptosis protein) targeting agents. We evaluated stability in buffer and reactivity with Lys311 of XIAP of various aryl-sulfonyl fluorides using biochemical and biophysical approaches, including displacement assays, mass spectrometry, SDS gel electrophoresis, and denaturation thermal shift measurements. To assess whether these modified electrophilic "warheads" can also react with Tyr, we repeated these evaluations with a Lys311Tyr XIAP mutant. Using a direct cellular assay, we could demonstrate that selected agents are cell permeable and interact covalently with their intended target in cell. These results suggest that certain substituted aryl-sulfonyl fluorides can be useful Lys- or Tyr-targeting electrophiles for the design of covalent pharmacological tools or even future therapeutics targeting protein-protein interactions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luca Gambini
- Biomedical sciences Division, School of Medicine, University of California, Riverside, 900 University Avenue, CA 92521 Riverside, USA
| | - Parima Udompholkul
- Biomedical sciences Division, School of Medicine, University of California, Riverside, 900 University Avenue, CA 92521 Riverside, USA
| | - Ahmed F. Salem
- Biomedical sciences Division, School of Medicine, University of California, Riverside, 900 University Avenue, CA 92521 Riverside, USA
| | - Carlo Baggio
- Biomedical sciences Division, School of Medicine, University of California, Riverside, 900 University Avenue, CA 92521 Riverside, USA
| | - Maurizio Pellecchia
- Biomedical sciences Division, School of Medicine, University of California, Riverside, 900 University Avenue, CA 92521 Riverside, USA
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Trotter EW, Hagan IM. Release from cell cycle arrest with Cdk4/6 inhibitors generates highly synchronized cell cycle progression in human cell culture. Open Biol 2020; 10:200200. [PMID: 33052073 PMCID: PMC7653349 DOI: 10.1098/rsob.200200] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/04/2020] [Accepted: 10/02/2020] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Each approach used to synchronize cell cycle progression of human cell lines presents a unique set of challenges. Induction synchrony with agents that transiently block progression through key cell cycle stages are popular, but change stoichiometries of cell cycle regulators, invoke compensatory changes in growth rate and, for DNA replication inhibitors, damage DNA. The production, replacement or manipulation of a target molecule must be exceptionally rapid if the interpretation of phenotypes in the cycle under study is to remain independent of impacts upon progression through the preceding cycle. We show how these challenges are avoided by exploiting the ability of the Cdk4/6 inhibitors, palbociclib, ribociclib and abemaciclib to arrest cell cycle progression at the natural control point for cell cycle commitment: the restriction point. After previous work found no change in the coupling of growth and division during recovery from CDK4/6 inhibition, we find high degrees of synchrony in cell cycle progression. Although we validate CDK4/6 induction synchronization with hTERT-RPE-1, A549, THP1 and H1299, it is effective in other lines and avoids the DNA damage that accompanies synchronization by thymidine block/release. Competence to return to cycle after 72 h arrest enables out of cycle target induction/manipulation, without impacting upon preceding cycles.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Iain Michael Hagan
- Cell Division Group, CRUK Manchester Institute, The University of Manchester, Alderley Park SK10 4TG, UK
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Teng M, Jiang J, He Z, Kwiatkowski NP, Donovan KA, Mills CE, Victor C, Hatcher JM, Fischer ES, Sorger PK, Zhang T, Gray NS. Development of CDK2 and CDK5 Dual Degrader TMX‐2172. Angew Chem Int Ed Engl 2020. [DOI: 10.1002/ange.202004087] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Mingxing Teng
- Department of Cancer Biology Dana-Farber Cancer Institute Harvard Medical School Boston MA USA
- Department of Biological Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology Harvard Medical School Boston MA USA
| | - Jie Jiang
- Department of Cancer Biology Dana-Farber Cancer Institute Harvard Medical School Boston MA USA
- Department of Biological Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology Harvard Medical School Boston MA USA
| | - Zhixiang He
- Department of Cancer Biology Dana-Farber Cancer Institute Harvard Medical School Boston MA USA
- Department of Biological Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology Harvard Medical School Boston MA USA
| | - Nicholas P. Kwiatkowski
- Department of Cancer Biology Dana-Farber Cancer Institute Harvard Medical School Boston MA USA
- Department of Biological Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology Harvard Medical School Boston MA USA
| | - Katherine A. Donovan
- Department of Cancer Biology Dana-Farber Cancer Institute Harvard Medical School Boston MA USA
- Department of Biological Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology Harvard Medical School Boston MA USA
| | - Caitlin E. Mills
- Laboratory of Systems Pharmacology Department of Systems Biology Harvard Medical School Boston MA USA
| | - Chiara Victor
- Laboratory of Systems Pharmacology Department of Systems Biology Harvard Medical School Boston MA USA
| | - John M. Hatcher
- Department of Cancer Biology Dana-Farber Cancer Institute Harvard Medical School Boston MA USA
- Department of Biological Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology Harvard Medical School Boston MA USA
| | - Eric S. Fischer
- Department of Cancer Biology Dana-Farber Cancer Institute Harvard Medical School Boston MA USA
- Department of Biological Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology Harvard Medical School Boston MA USA
| | - Peter K. Sorger
- Laboratory of Systems Pharmacology Department of Systems Biology Harvard Medical School Boston MA USA
| | - Tinghu Zhang
- Department of Cancer Biology Dana-Farber Cancer Institute Harvard Medical School Boston MA USA
- Department of Biological Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology Harvard Medical School Boston MA USA
| | - Nathanael S. Gray
- Department of Cancer Biology Dana-Farber Cancer Institute Harvard Medical School Boston MA USA
- Department of Biological Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology Harvard Medical School Boston MA USA
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35
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Omer HM, Liu P, Brummond KM. Metal-Free C-C Coupling of an Allenyl Sulfone with Picolyl Amides to Access Vinyl Sulfones via Pyridine-Initiated In Situ Generation of Sulfinate Anion. J Org Chem 2020; 85:7959-7975. [PMID: 32423208 DOI: 10.1021/acs.joc.0c00788] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/19/2023]
Abstract
Vinyl sulfones are privileged motifs known for their biological activity and synthetic utility. Synthetic transformations to efficiently access high-value compounds with these motifs are desired and sought after. Herein, a new procedure is described to form vinyl sulfone-containing compounds by selective functionalization of the C(sp3)-H bond adjacent to the pyridine ring of pharmacologically prevalent picolyl amides with an allenyl sulfone, 1-methyl-4-(propa-1,2-dien-1-ylsulfonyl)benzene. The reaction conditions are mild with no metal catalyst or additives required and display good functional group tolerance. Mechanistic studies for this unusual transformation suggest that the reaction operates via a rare pyridine-initiated and p-toluenesulfinate anion-mediated activation of the allenyl sulfone analogous to phosphine-triggered reactions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Humair M Omer
- Department of Chemistry, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15260, United States
| | - Peng Liu
- Department of Chemistry, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15260, United States
| | - Kay M Brummond
- Department of Chemistry, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15260, United States
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36
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Teng M, Jiang J, He Z, Kwiatkowski NP, Donovan KA, Mills CE, Victor C, Hatcher JM, Fischer ES, Sorger PK, Zhang T, Gray NS. Development of CDK2 and CDK5 Dual Degrader TMX-2172. Angew Chem Int Ed Engl 2020; 59:13865-13870. [PMID: 32415712 DOI: 10.1002/anie.202004087] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/19/2020] [Revised: 05/13/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Cyclin-dependent kinase 2 (CDK2) is a potential therapeutic target for the treatment of cancer. Development of CDK2 inhibitors has been extremely challenging as its ATP-binding site shares high similarity with CDK1, a related kinase whose inhibition causes toxic effects. Here, we report the development of TMX-2172, a heterobifunctional CDK2 degrader with degradation selectivity for CDK2 and CDK5 over not only CDK1, but transcriptional CDKs (CDK7 and CDK9) and cell cycle CDKs (CDK4 and CDK6) as well. In addition, we demonstrate that antiproliferative activity in ovarian cancer cells (OVCAR8) depends on CDK2 degradation and correlates with high expression of cyclin E1 (CCNE1), which functions as a regulatory subunit of CDK2. Collectively, our work provides evidence that TMX-2172 represents a lead for further development and that CDK2 degradation is a potentially valuable therapeutic strategy in ovarian and other cancers that overexpress CCNE1.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mingxing Teng
- Department of Cancer Biology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA.,Department of Biological Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Jie Jiang
- Department of Cancer Biology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA.,Department of Biological Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Zhixiang He
- Department of Cancer Biology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA.,Department of Biological Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Nicholas P Kwiatkowski
- Department of Cancer Biology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA.,Department of Biological Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Katherine A Donovan
- Department of Cancer Biology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA.,Department of Biological Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Caitlin E Mills
- Laboratory of Systems Pharmacology, Department of Systems Biology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Chiara Victor
- Laboratory of Systems Pharmacology, Department of Systems Biology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - John M Hatcher
- Department of Cancer Biology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA.,Department of Biological Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Eric S Fischer
- Department of Cancer Biology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA.,Department of Biological Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Peter K Sorger
- Laboratory of Systems Pharmacology, Department of Systems Biology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Tinghu Zhang
- Department of Cancer Biology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA.,Department of Biological Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Nathanael S Gray
- Department of Cancer Biology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA.,Department of Biological Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
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37
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Matheson CJ, Coxon CR, Bayliss R, Boxall K, Carbain B, Fry AM, Hardcastle IR, Harnor SJ, Mas-Droux C, Newell DR, Richards MW, Sivaprakasam M, Turner D, Griffin RJ, Golding BT, Cano C. 2-Arylamino-6-ethynylpurines are cysteine-targeting irreversible inhibitors of Nek2 kinase. RSC Med Chem 2020; 11:707-731. [PMID: 33479670 PMCID: PMC7649933 DOI: 10.1039/d0md00074d] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/04/2020] [Accepted: 05/02/2020] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Renewed interest in covalent inhibitors of enzymes implicated in disease states has afforded several agents targeted at protein kinases of relevance to cancers. We now report the design, synthesis and biological evaluation of 6-ethynylpurines that act as covalent inhibitors of Nek2 by capturing a cysteine residue (Cys22) close to the catalytic domain of this protein kinase. Examination of the crystal structure of the non-covalent inhibitor 3-((6-cyclohexylmethoxy-7H-purin-2-yl)amino)benzamide in complex with Nek2 indicated that replacing the alkoxy with an ethynyl group places the terminus of the alkyne close to Cys22 and in a position compatible with the stereoelectronic requirements of a Michael addition. A series of 6-ethynylpurines was prepared and a structure activity relationship (SAR) established for inhibition of Nek2. 6-Ethynyl-N-phenyl-7H-purin-2-amine [IC50 0.15 μM (Nek2)] and 4-((6-ethynyl-7H-purin-2-yl)amino)benzenesulfonamide (IC50 0.14 μM) were selected for determination of the mode of inhibition of Nek2, which was shown to be time-dependent, not reversed by addition of ATP and negated by site directed mutagenesis of Cys22 to alanine. Replacement of the ethynyl group by ethyl or cyano abrogated activity. Variation of substituents on the N-phenyl moiety for 6-ethynylpurines gave further SAR data for Nek2 inhibition. The data showed little correlation of activity with the nature of the substituent, indicating that after sufficient initial competitive binding to Nek2 subsequent covalent modification of Cys22 occurs in all cases. A typical activity profile was that for 2-(3-((6-ethynyl-9H-purin-2-yl)amino)phenyl)acetamide [IC50 0.06 μM (Nek2); GI50 (SKBR3) 2.2 μM] which exhibited >5-10-fold selectivity for Nek2 over other kinases; it also showed > 50% growth inhibition at 10 μM concentration against selected breast and leukaemia cell lines. X-ray crystallographic analysis confirmed that binding of the compound to the Nek2 ATP-binding site resulted in covalent modification of Cys22. Further studies confirmed that 2-(3-((6-ethynyl-9H-purin-2-yl)amino)phenyl)acetamide has the attributes of a drug-like compound with good aqueous solubility, no inhibition of hERG at 25 μM and a good stability profile in human liver microsomes. It is concluded that 6-ethynylpurines are promising agents for cancer treatment by virtue of their selective inhibition of Nek2.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christopher J Matheson
- Cancer Research UK Newcastle Drug Discovery Unit , Chemistry, School of Natural and Environmental Sciences , Newcastle University , Newcastle upon Tyne , UK . ; Tel: +44 (0)191 208 7060
| | - Christopher R Coxon
- Cancer Research UK Newcastle Drug Discovery Unit , Chemistry, School of Natural and Environmental Sciences , Newcastle University , Newcastle upon Tyne , UK . ; Tel: +44 (0)191 208 7060
| | - Richard Bayliss
- School of Molecular and Cellular Biology , The Astbury Centre for Structural Molecular Biology , University of Leeds , UK
- Section of Structural Biology , The Institute of Cancer Research , Sutton , UK
| | - Kathy Boxall
- Cancer Research UK Cancer Therapeutics Unit , The Institute of Cancer Research , Sutton , UK
| | - Benoit Carbain
- Cancer Research UK Newcastle Drug Discovery Unit , Chemistry, School of Natural and Environmental Sciences , Newcastle University , Newcastle upon Tyne , UK . ; Tel: +44 (0)191 208 7060
| | - Andrew M Fry
- School of Molecular and Cellular Biology , The Astbury Centre for Structural Molecular Biology , University of Leeds , UK
| | - Ian R Hardcastle
- Cancer Research UK Newcastle Drug Discovery Unit , Chemistry, School of Natural and Environmental Sciences , Newcastle University , Newcastle upon Tyne , UK . ; Tel: +44 (0)191 208 7060
| | - Suzannah J Harnor
- Cancer Research UK Newcastle Drug Discovery Unit , Chemistry, School of Natural and Environmental Sciences , Newcastle University , Newcastle upon Tyne , UK . ; Tel: +44 (0)191 208 7060
| | - Corine Mas-Droux
- Section of Structural Biology , The Institute of Cancer Research , Sutton , UK
| | - David R Newell
- Cancer Research UK Newcastle Drug Discovery Unit , Translational and Clinical Research Institute , Newcastle University Centre for Cancer , Faculty of Medical Sciences , Newcastle University , Newcastle upon Tyne , UK
| | - Mark W Richards
- School of Molecular and Cellular Biology , The Astbury Centre for Structural Molecular Biology , University of Leeds , UK
| | - Mangaleswaran Sivaprakasam
- Cancer Research UK Newcastle Drug Discovery Unit , Chemistry, School of Natural and Environmental Sciences , Newcastle University , Newcastle upon Tyne , UK . ; Tel: +44 (0)191 208 7060
| | - David Turner
- Cancer Research UK Newcastle Drug Discovery Unit , Chemistry, School of Natural and Environmental Sciences , Newcastle University , Newcastle upon Tyne , UK . ; Tel: +44 (0)191 208 7060
| | - Roger J Griffin
- Cancer Research UK Newcastle Drug Discovery Unit , Chemistry, School of Natural and Environmental Sciences , Newcastle University , Newcastle upon Tyne , UK . ; Tel: +44 (0)191 208 7060
| | - Bernard T Golding
- Cancer Research UK Newcastle Drug Discovery Unit , Chemistry, School of Natural and Environmental Sciences , Newcastle University , Newcastle upon Tyne , UK . ; Tel: +44 (0)191 208 7060
| | - Céline Cano
- Cancer Research UK Newcastle Drug Discovery Unit , Chemistry, School of Natural and Environmental Sciences , Newcastle University , Newcastle upon Tyne , UK . ; Tel: +44 (0)191 208 7060
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38
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Abdeldayem A, Raouf YS, Constantinescu SN, Moriggl R, Gunning PT. Advances in covalent kinase inhibitors. Chem Soc Rev 2020; 49:2617-2687. [DOI: 10.1039/c9cs00720b] [Citation(s) in RCA: 89] [Impact Index Per Article: 22.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
This comprehensive review details recent advances, challenges and innovations in covalent kinase inhibition within a 10 year period (2007–2018).
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Affiliation(s)
- Ayah Abdeldayem
- Department of Chemical & Physical Sciences
- University of Toronto
- Mississauga
- Canada
- Department of Chemistry
| | - Yasir S. Raouf
- Department of Chemical & Physical Sciences
- University of Toronto
- Mississauga
- Canada
- Department of Chemistry
| | | | - Richard Moriggl
- Institute of Animal Breeding and Genetics
- University of Veterinary Medicine
- 1210 Vienna
- Austria
| | - Patrick T. Gunning
- Department of Chemical & Physical Sciences
- University of Toronto
- Mississauga
- Canada
- Department of Chemistry
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39
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Recent Advances in Selective and Irreversible Covalent Ligand Development and Validation. Cell Chem Biol 2019; 26:1486-1500. [PMID: 31631011 DOI: 10.1016/j.chembiol.2019.09.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 96] [Impact Index Per Article: 19.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/23/2019] [Revised: 08/06/2019] [Accepted: 09/26/2019] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Some of the most widely used drugs, such as aspirin and penicillin, are covalent drugs. Covalent binding can improve potency, selectivity, and duration of the effects, but the intrinsic reactivity represents a potential liability and may result in idiosyncratic toxicity. For decades, the cons were believed to outweigh the pros, and covalent targeting was deprioritized in drug discovery. Recently, several covalent inhibitors have been approved for cancer treatment, thus rebooting the field. In this review, we briefly reflect on the history of selective covalent targeting, and provide a comprehensive overview of emerging developments from a chemical biology stand-point. Our discussion will reflect on efforts to validate irreversible covalent ligands, expand the scope of targets, and discover new ligands and warheads. We conclude with a brief commentary of remaining limitations and emerging opportunities in selective covalent targeting.
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40
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Baggio C, Udompholkul P, Gambini L, Salem AF, Jossart J, Perry JJP, Pellecchia M. Aryl-fluorosulfate-based Lysine Covalent Pan-Inhibitors of Apoptosis Protein (IAP) Antagonists with Cellular Efficacy. J Med Chem 2019; 62:9188-9200. [PMID: 31550155 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.9b01108] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
We have recently investigated the reactivity of aryl-fluorosulfates as warheads to form covalent adducts with Lys, Tyr, and His residues. However, the rate of reaction of aryl-fluorosulfates seemed relatively slow, putting into question their effectiveness to form covalent adducts in cell. Unlike the previously reported agents that targeted a relatively remote Lys residue with respect to the target's binding site, the current agents were designed to more directly juxtapose an aryl-fluorosulfate with a Lys residue that is located within the binding pocket of the BIR3 domain of X-linked inhibitor of apoptosis protein (XIAP). We found that such new agents can effectively and rapidly form a covalent adduct with XIAP-BIR3 in vitro and in cell, approaching the rate of reaction, cellular permeability, and stability that are similar to what attained by acrylamides when targeting Cys residues. Our studies further validate aryl-fluorosulfates as valuable Lys-targeting electrophiles, for the design of inhibitors of both enzymes and protein-protein interactions.
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41
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Sánchez-Martínez C, Lallena MJ, Sanfeliciano SG, de Dios A. Cyclin dependent kinase (CDK) inhibitors as anticancer drugs: Recent advances (2015-2019). Bioorg Med Chem Lett 2019; 29:126637. [PMID: 31477350 DOI: 10.1016/j.bmcl.2019.126637] [Citation(s) in RCA: 129] [Impact Index Per Article: 25.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/27/2019] [Revised: 08/22/2019] [Accepted: 08/23/2019] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Sustained proliferative capacity and gene dysregulation are hallmarks of cancer. In mammalian cells, cyclin-dependent kinases (CDKs) control critical cell cycle checkpoints and key transcriptional events in response to extracellular and intracellular signals leading to proliferation. Significant clinical activity for the treatment of hormone receptor positive metastatic breast cancer has been demonstrated by palbociclib, ribociclib and abemaciclib, dual CDK4/6 inhibitors recently FDA-approved. SY-1365, a CDK7 inhibitor has shown initial encouraging data in phase I for solid tumors treatment. These results have rejuvenated the CDKs research field. This review provides an overview of relevant advances on CDK inhibitor research since 2015 to 2019, with special emphasis on transcriptional CDK inhibitors, new emerging strategies such as target protein degradation and compounds under clinical evaluation.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - María José Lallena
- Discovery Chemistry Research and Technologies, Eli Lilly and Company, Alcobendas (Madrid) 28108, Spain
| | | | - Alfonso de Dios
- Discovery Chemistry Research and Technologies, Eli Lilly and Company, Indianapolis, IN 46285, United States
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42
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Charoenpattarapreeda J, Tan YS, Iegre J, Walsh SJ, Fowler E, Eapen RS, Wu Y, Sore HF, Verma CS, Itzhaki L, Spring DR. Targeted covalent inhibitors of MDM2 using electrophile-bearing stapled peptides. Chem Commun (Camb) 2019; 55:7914-7917. [PMID: 31225847 DOI: 10.1039/c9cc04022f] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Herein, we describe the development of a novel staple with an electrophilic warhead to enable the generation of stapled peptide covalent inhibitors of the p53-MDM2 protein-protein interaction (PPI). The peptide developed showed complete and selective covalent binding resulting in potent inhibition of p53-MDM2 PPI.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Yaw Sing Tan
- Bioinformatics Institute, Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR), 30 Biopolis Street, #07-01 Matrix, Singapore 138671, Singapore
| | - Jessica Iegre
- Department of Chemistry, University of Cambridge, Lensfield Road, CB2 1EW, Cambridge, UK.
| | - Stephen J Walsh
- Department of Chemistry, University of Cambridge, Lensfield Road, CB2 1EW, Cambridge, UK.
| | - Elaine Fowler
- Department of Chemistry, University of Cambridge, Lensfield Road, CB2 1EW, Cambridge, UK.
| | - Rohan S Eapen
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Cambridge, Tennis Court Road, Cambridge CB2 1PD, UK
| | - Yuteng Wu
- Department of Chemistry, University of Cambridge, Lensfield Road, CB2 1EW, Cambridge, UK.
| | - Hannah F Sore
- Department of Chemistry, University of Cambridge, Lensfield Road, CB2 1EW, Cambridge, UK.
| | - Chandra S Verma
- Bioinformatics Institute, Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR), 30 Biopolis Street, #07-01 Matrix, Singapore 138671, Singapore and Department of Biological Sciences, National University of Singapore, 14 Science Drive 4, Singapore 117543, Singapore and School of Biological Sciences, Nanyang Technological University, 60 Nanyang Drive, Singapore 673551, Singapore
| | - Laura Itzhaki
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Cambridge, Tennis Court Road, Cambridge CB2 1PD, UK
| | - David R Spring
- Department of Chemistry, University of Cambridge, Lensfield Road, CB2 1EW, Cambridge, UK.
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43
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Diao PC, Lin WY, Jian XE, Li YH, You WW, Zhao PL. Discovery of novel pyrimidine-based benzothiazole derivatives as potent cyclin-dependent kinase 2 inhibitors with anticancer activity. Eur J Med Chem 2019; 179:196-207. [PMID: 31254921 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2019.06.055] [Citation(s) in RCA: 52] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/23/2019] [Revised: 06/19/2019] [Accepted: 06/19/2019] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
To develop novel CDK2 inhibitors as anticancer agents, a series of novel pyrimidine-based benzothiazole derivatives were designed and synthesized. Initial biological evaluation demonstrated some of target compounds displayed potent antitumor activity in vitro against five cancer cell lines. Especially, the analogue 10s exhibited approximately potency with AZD5438 toward four cells including HeLa, HCT116, PC-3, and MDA-MB-231 with IC50 values of 0.45, 0.70, 0.92, 1.80 μM, respectively. More interestingly, the most highly active compound 10s in this study also possessed promising CDK2/cyclin A2 inhibitory activities with IC50 values of 15.4 nM, which was almost 3-fold potent than positive control AZD5438, and molecular docking studies revealed that the analogue bound efficiently with the CDK2 binding site. Further studies indicated that compound 10s could induce cell cycle arrest and apoptosis in a concentration-dependent manner. These observations suggest that pyrimidine-benzothiazole hybrids represent a new class of CDK2 inhibitors and well worth further investigation aiming to generate potential anticancer agents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peng-Cheng Diao
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of New Drug Screening, School of Pharmaceutical Science, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, 510515, PR China
| | - Wei-Yuan Lin
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of New Drug Screening, School of Pharmaceutical Science, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, 510515, PR China
| | - Xie-Er Jian
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of New Drug Screening, School of Pharmaceutical Science, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, 510515, PR China
| | - Yan-Hong Li
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of New Drug Screening, School of Pharmaceutical Science, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, 510515, PR China
| | - Wen-Wei You
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of New Drug Screening, School of Pharmaceutical Science, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, 510515, PR China.
| | - Pei-Liang Zhao
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of New Drug Screening, School of Pharmaceutical Science, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, 510515, PR China.
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44
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Gambini L, Baggio C, Udompholkul P, Jossart J, Salem AF, Perry JJP, Pellecchia M. Covalent Inhibitors of Protein-Protein Interactions Targeting Lysine, Tyrosine, or Histidine Residues. J Med Chem 2019; 62:5616-5627. [PMID: 31095386 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.9b00561] [Citation(s) in RCA: 74] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
We have recently reported a series of Lys-covalent agents targeting the BIR3 domain of the X-linked inhibitor of apoptosis protein (XIAP) using a benzamide-sulfonyl fluoride warhead. Using XIAP as a model system, we further investigated a variety of additional warheads that can be easily incorporated into binding peptides and analyzed their ability to form covalent adducts with lysine and other amino acids, including tyrosine, histidine, serine, and threonine, using biochemical and biophysical assays. Moreover, we tested aqueous, plasma stability, cell permeability, and cellular efficacy of the most effective agents. These studies identified aryl-fluoro sulfates as likely the most suitable electrophiles to effectively form covalent adducts with Lys, Tyr, and His residues, given that these agents were cell permeable and stable in aqueous buffer and in plasma. Our studies contain a number of general findings that open new possible avenues for the design of potent covalent protein-protein interaction antagonists.
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45
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Ray S, Murkin AS. New Electrophiles and Strategies for Mechanism-Based and Targeted Covalent Inhibitor Design. Biochemistry 2019; 58:5234-5244. [PMID: 30990686 DOI: 10.1021/acs.biochem.9b00293] [Citation(s) in RCA: 55] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/15/2023]
Abstract
Covalent inhibitors are experiencing a growing resurgence in drug design and are an increasingly useful tool in molecular biology. The ability to attach inhibitors to their targets by a covalent linkage offers pharmacodynamic and pharmacokinetic advantages, but this can also be a liability if undesired off-target reactions are not mitigated. The discovery of new electrophilic groups that react selectively with specific amino acid residues is therefore highly desirable in the design of targeted covalent inhibitors (TCIs). Additionally, the ability to control the reactivity through exploitation of the target enzyme's machinery, as in mechanism-based inhibitors (MBIs), greatly benefits from the discovery of new strategies. This Perspective showcases recent advances in electrophile development and their application in TCIs and MBIs, exhibiting high selectivity for their targets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sneha Ray
- Department of Chemistry , University at Buffalo, The State University of New York , Buffalo , New York 14260-3000 , United States
| | - Andrew S Murkin
- Department of Chemistry , University at Buffalo, The State University of New York , Buffalo , New York 14260-3000 , United States
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46
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Hoffer L, Saez-Ayala M, Horvath D, Varnek A, Morelli X, Roche P. CovaDOTS: In Silico Chemistry-Driven Tool to Design Covalent Inhibitors Using a Linking Strategy. J Chem Inf Model 2019; 59:1472-1485. [PMID: 30908019 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jcim.8b00960] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
We recently reported an integrated fragment-based optimization strategy called DOTS (Diversity Oriented Target-focused Synthesis) that combines automated virtual screening (VS) with semirobotized organic synthesis coupled to in vitro evaluation. The molecular modeling part consists of hit-to-lead chemistry, based on the growing paradigm. Here, we have extended the applicability of the DOTS strategy by adding new functionalities, allowing a generic chemistry-driven linking approach with a particular emphasis on covalent drugs. Indeed, the covalent mode of action can be described as a specific case of linking, where suitable linkers are sought to fuse a bound organic compound with a nucleophilic protein side chain. The proof of concept is established using three retrospective study cases in which known noncovalent inhibitors have been converted to covalent inhibitors. Our method is able to automatically design reference covalent inhibitors (and/or analogs) from an initial activated substructure and predict their binding mode. More importantly, the reference compounds are ranked high among several hundred putative adducts, demonstrating the utility of the approach to design covalent inhibitors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laurent Hoffer
- Aix Marseille Univ, CNRS, Inserm, Institut Paoli Calmettes, CRCM , Marseille CEDEX 09 13273 , France
| | - Magali Saez-Ayala
- Aix Marseille Univ, CNRS, Inserm, Institut Paoli Calmettes, CRCM , Marseille CEDEX 09 13273 , France
| | - Dragos Horvath
- Laboratoire de Chemoinformatique, CNRS UMR7140 , 1 rue Blaise Pascal , 67000 Strasbourg , France
| | - Alexandre Varnek
- Laboratoire de Chemoinformatique, CNRS UMR7140 , 1 rue Blaise Pascal , 67000 Strasbourg , France
| | - Xavier Morelli
- Aix Marseille Univ, CNRS, Inserm, Institut Paoli Calmettes, CRCM , Marseille CEDEX 09 13273 , France
| | - Philippe Roche
- Aix Marseille Univ, CNRS, Inserm, Institut Paoli Calmettes, CRCM , Marseille CEDEX 09 13273 , France
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Ghosh AK, Samanta I, Mondal A, Liu WR. Covalent Inhibition in Drug Discovery. ChemMedChem 2019; 14:889-906. [PMID: 30816012 DOI: 10.1002/cmdc.201900107] [Citation(s) in RCA: 148] [Impact Index Per Article: 29.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/18/2019] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Although covalent inhibitors have been used as therapeutics for more than a century, there has been general resistance in the pharmaceutical industry against their further development due to safety concerns. This inclination has recently been reverted after the development of a wide variety of covalent inhibitors to address human health conditions along with the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval of several covalent therapeutics for use in humans. Along with this exciting resurrection of an old drug discovery concept, this review surveys enzymes that can be targeted by covalent inhibitors for the treatment of human diseases. We focus on protein kinases, RAS proteins, and a few other enzymes that have been studied extensively as targets for covalent inhibition, with the aim to address challenges in designing effective covalent drugs and to provide suggestions in the area that have yet to be explored.
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Affiliation(s)
- Avick Kumar Ghosh
- Department of Chemistry, Texas A&M University, Corner of Ross and Spence Streets, College Station, TX, 77843, USA
| | - Indranil Samanta
- Department of Chemistry, Texas A&M University, Corner of Ross and Spence Streets, College Station, TX, 77843, USA
| | - Anushree Mondal
- Department of Chemistry, Texas A&M University, Corner of Ross and Spence Streets, College Station, TX, 77843, USA
| | - Wenshe Ray Liu
- Department of Chemistry, Texas A&M University, Corner of Ross and Spence Streets, College Station, TX, 77843, USA
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Vasudevan A, Argiriadi MA, Baranczak A, Friedman MM, Gavrilyuk J, Hobson AD, Hulce JJ, Osman S, Wilson NS. Covalent binders in drug discovery. PROGRESS IN MEDICINAL CHEMISTRY 2019; 58:1-62. [PMID: 30879472 DOI: 10.1016/bs.pmch.2018.12.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Covalent modulation of protein function can have multiple utilities including therapeutics, and probes to interrogate biology. While this field is still viewed with scepticism due to the potential for (idiosyncratic) toxicities, significant strides have been made in terms of understanding how to tune electrophilicity to selectively target specific residues. Progress has also been made in harnessing the potential of covalent binders to uncover novel biology and to provide an enhanced utility as payloads for Antibody Drug Conjugates. This perspective covers the tenets and applications of covalent binders.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | - Julia Gavrilyuk
- AbbVie Stemcentrx, LLC, South San Francisco, CA, United States
| | | | | | - Sami Osman
- AbbVie Bioresearch Center, Worcester, MA, United States
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49
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Gehringer M, Laufer SA. Emerging and Re-Emerging Warheads for Targeted Covalent Inhibitors: Applications in Medicinal Chemistry and Chemical Biology. J Med Chem 2019; 62:5673-5724. [PMID: 30565923 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.8b01153] [Citation(s) in RCA: 378] [Impact Index Per Article: 75.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Targeted covalent inhibitors (TCIs) are designed to bind poorly conserved amino acids by means of reactive groups, the so-called warheads. Currently, targeting noncatalytic cysteine residues with acrylamides and other α,β-unsaturated carbonyl compounds is the predominant strategy in TCI development. The recent ascent of covalent drugs has stimulated considerable efforts to characterize alternative warheads for the covalent-reversible and irreversible engagement of noncatalytic cysteine residues as well as other amino acids. This Perspective article provides an overview of warheads-beyond α,β-unsaturated amides-recently used in the design of targeted covalent ligands. Promising reactive groups that have not yet demonstrated their utility in TCI development are also highlighted. Special emphasis is placed on the discussion of reactivity and of case studies illustrating applications in medicinal chemistry and chemical biology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthias Gehringer
- Department of Pharmaceutical/Medicinal Chemistry , Eberhard Karls University Tübingen , Auf der Morgenstelle 8 , 72076 Tübingen , Germany
| | - Stefan A Laufer
- Department of Pharmaceutical/Medicinal Chemistry , Eberhard Karls University Tübingen , Auf der Morgenstelle 8 , 72076 Tübingen , Germany
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50
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Abstract
Covalent inhibitors are widely used in drug discovery and chemical biology. Although covalent inhibitors are frequently designed to react with noncatalytic cysteines, many ligand binding sites lack an accessible cysteine. Here, we review recent advances in the chemical biology of lysine-targeted covalent inhibitors and chemoproteomic probes. By analyzing crystal structures of proteins bound to common metabolites and enzyme cofactors, we identify a large set of mostly unexplored lysines that are potentially targetable with covalent inhibitors. In addition, we describe mass spectrometry-based approaches for determining proteome-wide lysine ligandability and lysine-reactive chemoproteomic probes for assessing drug-target engagement. Finally, we discuss the design of amine-reactive inhibitors that form reversible covalent bonds with their protein targets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adolfo Cuesta
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Pharmacology, University of California, San Francisco, California 94158, USA; ,
| | - Jack Taunton
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Pharmacology, University of California, San Francisco, California 94158, USA; ,
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