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Cui XY, Li Z, Kong Z, Liu Y, Meng H, Wen Z, Wang C, Chen J, Xu M, Li Y, Gao J, Zhu W, Hao Z, Huo L, Liu S, Yang Z, Liu Z. Covalent targeted radioligands potentiate radionuclide therapy. Nature 2024; 630:206-213. [PMID: 38778111 DOI: 10.1038/s41586-024-07461-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/19/2023] [Accepted: 04/24/2024] [Indexed: 05/25/2024]
Abstract
Targeted radionuclide therapy, in which radiopharmaceuticals deliver potent radionuclides to tumours for localized irradiation, has addressed unmet clinical needs and improved outcomes for patients with cancer1-4. A therapeutic radiopharmaceutical must achieve both sustainable tumour targeting and fast clearance from healthy tissue, which remains a major challenge5,6. A targeted ligation strategy that selectively fixes the radiopharmaceutical to the target protein in the tumour would be an ideal solution. Here we installed a sulfur (VI) fluoride exchange (SuFEx) chemistry-based linker on radiopharmaceuticals to prevent excessively fast tumour clearance. When the engineered radiopharmaceutical binds to the tumour-specific protein, the system undergoes a binding-to-ligation transition and readily conjugates to the tyrosine residues through the 'click' SuFEx reaction. The application of this strategy to a fibroblast activation protein (FAP) inhibitor (FAPI) triggered more than 80% covalent binding to the protein and almost no dissociation for six days. In mice, SuFEx-engineered FAPI showed 257% greater tumour uptake than did the original FAPI, and increased tumour retention by 13-fold. The uptake in healthy tissues was rapidly cleared. In a pilot imaging study, this strategy identified more tumour lesions in patients with cancer than did other methods. SuFEx-engineered FAPI also successfully achieved targeted β- and α-radionuclide therapy, causing nearly complete tumour regression in mice. Another SuFEx-engineered radioligand that targets prostate-specific membrane antigen (PSMA) also showed enhanced therapeutic efficacy. Considering the broad scope of proteins that can potentially be ligated to SuFEx warheads, it might be possible to adapt this strategy to other cancer targets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xi-Yang Cui
- Beijing National Laboratory for Molecular Sciences, Radiochemistry and Radiation Chemistry Key Laboratory of Fundamental Science, Key Laboratory of Bioorganic Chemistry and Molecular Engineering of Ministry of Education, College of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, Peking University, Beijing, P. R. China
- Changping Laboratory, Beijing, P. R. China
| | - Zhu Li
- Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Translational Research (Ministry of Education), NMPA Key Laboratory for Research and Evaluation of Radiopharmaceuticals, Department of Nuclear Medicine, Peking University Cancer Hospital and Institute, Beijing, P. R. China
| | - Ziren Kong
- Department of Head and Neck Surgery, National Cancer Center/National Clinical Research Center for Cancer/Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, P. R. China
| | - Yu Liu
- Beijing National Laboratory for Molecular Sciences, Radiochemistry and Radiation Chemistry Key Laboratory of Fundamental Science, Key Laboratory of Bioorganic Chemistry and Molecular Engineering of Ministry of Education, College of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, Peking University, Beijing, P. R. China
| | - Hao Meng
- Changping Laboratory, Beijing, P. R. China
| | - Zihao Wen
- Beijing National Laboratory for Molecular Sciences, Radiochemistry and Radiation Chemistry Key Laboratory of Fundamental Science, Key Laboratory of Bioorganic Chemistry and Molecular Engineering of Ministry of Education, College of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, Peking University, Beijing, P. R. China
| | - Changlun Wang
- Beijing National Laboratory for Molecular Sciences, Radiochemistry and Radiation Chemistry Key Laboratory of Fundamental Science, Key Laboratory of Bioorganic Chemistry and Molecular Engineering of Ministry of Education, College of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, Peking University, Beijing, P. R. China
| | - Junyi Chen
- Beijing National Laboratory for Molecular Sciences, Radiochemistry and Radiation Chemistry Key Laboratory of Fundamental Science, Key Laboratory of Bioorganic Chemistry and Molecular Engineering of Ministry of Education, College of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, Peking University, Beijing, P. R. China
| | - Mengxin Xu
- Beijing National Laboratory for Molecular Sciences, Radiochemistry and Radiation Chemistry Key Laboratory of Fundamental Science, Key Laboratory of Bioorganic Chemistry and Molecular Engineering of Ministry of Education, College of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, Peking University, Beijing, P. R. China
- Changping Laboratory, Beijing, P. R. China
| | - Yiyan Li
- Beijing National Laboratory for Molecular Sciences, Radiochemistry and Radiation Chemistry Key Laboratory of Fundamental Science, Key Laboratory of Bioorganic Chemistry and Molecular Engineering of Ministry of Education, College of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, Peking University, Beijing, P. R. China
| | - Jingyue Gao
- Beijing National Laboratory for Molecular Sciences, Radiochemistry and Radiation Chemistry Key Laboratory of Fundamental Science, Key Laboratory of Bioorganic Chemistry and Molecular Engineering of Ministry of Education, College of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, Peking University, Beijing, P. R. China
| | - Wenjia Zhu
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Beijing Key Laboratory of Molecular Targeted Diagnosis and Therapy in Nuclear Medicine and State Key Laboratory of Complex Severe and Rare Diseases, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, P. R. China
| | - Zhixin Hao
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Beijing Key Laboratory of Molecular Targeted Diagnosis and Therapy in Nuclear Medicine and State Key Laboratory of Complex Severe and Rare Diseases, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, P. R. China
| | - Li Huo
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Beijing Key Laboratory of Molecular Targeted Diagnosis and Therapy in Nuclear Medicine and State Key Laboratory of Complex Severe and Rare Diseases, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, P. R. China
| | - Shaoyan Liu
- Department of Head and Neck Surgery, National Cancer Center/National Clinical Research Center for Cancer/Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, P. R. China
| | - Zhi Yang
- Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Translational Research (Ministry of Education), NMPA Key Laboratory for Research and Evaluation of Radiopharmaceuticals, Department of Nuclear Medicine, Peking University Cancer Hospital and Institute, Beijing, P. R. China
| | - Zhibo Liu
- Beijing National Laboratory for Molecular Sciences, Radiochemistry and Radiation Chemistry Key Laboratory of Fundamental Science, Key Laboratory of Bioorganic Chemistry and Molecular Engineering of Ministry of Education, College of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, Peking University, Beijing, P. R. China.
- Changping Laboratory, Beijing, P. R. China.
- Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Translational Research (Ministry of Education), NMPA Key Laboratory for Research and Evaluation of Radiopharmaceuticals, Department of Nuclear Medicine, Peking University Cancer Hospital and Institute, Beijing, P. R. China.
- Peking University-Tsinghua University Center for Life Sciences, Peking University, Beijing, P. R. China.
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2
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Schmidt M, Grethe C, Recknagel S, Kipka GM, Klink N, Gersch M. N-Cyanopiperazines as Specific Covalent Inhibitors of the Deubiquitinating Enzyme UCHL1. Angew Chem Int Ed Engl 2024; 63:e202318849. [PMID: 38239128 DOI: 10.1002/anie.202318849] [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: 12/07/2023] [Indexed: 02/10/2024]
Abstract
Cyanamides have emerged as privileged scaffolds in covalent inhibitors of deubiquitinating enzymes (DUBs). However, many compounds with a cyanopyrrolidine warhead show cross-reactivity toward small subsets of DUBs or toward the protein deglycase PARK7/DJ-1, hampering their use for the selective perturbation of a single DUB in living cells. Here, we disclose N'-alkyl,N-cyanopiperazines as structures for covalent enzyme inhibition with exceptional specificity for the DUB UCHL1 among 55 human deubiquitinases and with effective target engagement in cells. Notably, transitioning from 5-membered pyrrolidines to 6-membered heterocycles eliminated PARK7 binding and introduced context-dependent reversibility of the isothiourea linkage to the catalytic cysteine of UCHL1. Compound potency and specificity were analysed by a range of biochemical assays and with a crystal structure of a cyanopiperazine in covalent complex with UCHL1. The structure revealed a compound-induced conformational restriction of the cross-over loop, which underlies the observed inhibitory potencies. Through the rationalization of specificities of different cyanamides, we introduce a framework for the investigation of protein reactivity of bioactive nitriles of this compound class. Our results represent an encouraging case study for the refining of electrophilic compounds into chemical probes, emphasizing the potential to engineer specificity through subtle chemical modifications around the warhead.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mirko Schmidt
- Chemical Genomics Centre, Max-Planck-Institute of Molecular Physiology, Otto-Hahn-Str. 15, D-44227, Dortmund, Germany
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, TU Dortmund University, Otto-Hahn-Str. 15, D-44227, Dortmund, Germany
| | - Christian Grethe
- Chemical Genomics Centre, Max-Planck-Institute of Molecular Physiology, Otto-Hahn-Str. 15, D-44227, Dortmund, Germany
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, TU Dortmund University, Otto-Hahn-Str. 15, D-44227, Dortmund, Germany
| | - Sarah Recknagel
- Chemical Genomics Centre, Max-Planck-Institute of Molecular Physiology, Otto-Hahn-Str. 15, D-44227, Dortmund, Germany
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, TU Dortmund University, Otto-Hahn-Str. 15, D-44227, Dortmund, Germany
| | - Gian-Marvin Kipka
- Chemical Genomics Centre, Max-Planck-Institute of Molecular Physiology, Otto-Hahn-Str. 15, D-44227, Dortmund, Germany
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, TU Dortmund University, Otto-Hahn-Str. 15, D-44227, Dortmund, Germany
| | - Nikolas Klink
- Chemical Genomics Centre, Max-Planck-Institute of Molecular Physiology, Otto-Hahn-Str. 15, D-44227, Dortmund, Germany
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, TU Dortmund University, Otto-Hahn-Str. 15, D-44227, Dortmund, Germany
| | - Malte Gersch
- Chemical Genomics Centre, Max-Planck-Institute of Molecular Physiology, Otto-Hahn-Str. 15, D-44227, Dortmund, Germany
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, TU Dortmund University, Otto-Hahn-Str. 15, D-44227, Dortmund, Germany
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3
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Lee H, Nam H, Lee SY. Enantio- and Diastereoselective Variations on α-Iminonitriles: Harnessing Chiral Cyclopropenimine-Thiourea Organocatalysts. J Am Chem Soc 2024; 146:3065-3074. [PMID: 38281151 DOI: 10.1021/jacs.3c09911] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/30/2024]
Abstract
Chiral 1-pyrrolines containing a nitrile motif serve as crucial structural scaffolds in biologically active molecules and exhibit diversity as building blocks owing to their valuable functional groups; however, the asymmetric synthesis of such compounds remains largely unexplored. Herein, we present an enantio- and diastereoselective method for the synthesis of α-chiral nitrile-containing 1-pyrroline derivatives bearing vicinal stereocenters through the design and introduction of chiral cyclopropenimine-based bifunctional catalysts featuring a thiourea moiety. This synthesis entails a highly stereoselective conjugate addition of α-iminonitriles to a wide array of enones, followed by cyclocondensation, thereby affording a series of cyanopyrroline derivatives, some of which contain all-carbon quaternary centers. Moreover, we demonstrate the synthetic utility of this strategy by performing a gram-scale reaction with 1% catalyst loading, along with a variety of chemoselective transformations of the product, including the synthesis of a vildagliptin analogue. Finally, we showcase the selective synthesis of all four stereoisomers of the cyanopyrroline products through trans-to-cis isomerization, highlighting the versatility of our approach.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hooseung Lee
- Department of Chemistry, Yonsei University, Seoul 03722, Republic of Korea
| | - Hyeongwoo Nam
- Department of Chemistry, Yonsei University, Seoul 03722, Republic of Korea
| | - Sarah Yunmi Lee
- Department of Chemistry, Yonsei University, Seoul 03722, Republic of Korea
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4
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Jiang X, Su H, Shang W, Zhou F, Zhang Y, Zhao W, Zhang Q, Xie H, Jiang L, Nie T, Yang F, Xiong M, Huang X, Li M, Chen P, Peng S, Xiao G, Jiang H, Tang R, Zhang L, Shen J, Xu Y. Structure-based development and preclinical evaluation of the SARS-CoV-2 3C-like protease inhibitor simnotrelvir. Nat Commun 2023; 14:6463. [PMID: 37833261 PMCID: PMC10575921 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-42102-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/18/2023] [Accepted: 09/25/2023] [Indexed: 10/15/2023] Open
Abstract
The persistent pandemic of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) and its variants accentuates the great demand for developing effective therapeutic agents. Here, we report the development of an orally bioavailable SARS-CoV-2 3C-like protease (3CLpro) inhibitor, namely simnotrelvir, and its preclinical evaluation, which lay the foundation for clinical trials studies as well as the conditional approval of simnotrelvir in combination with ritonavir for the treatment of COVID-19. The structure-based optimization of boceprevir, an approved HCV protease inhibitor, leads to identification of simnotrelvir that covalently inhibits SARS-CoV-2 3CLpro with an enthalpy-driven thermodynamic binding signature. Multiple enzymatic assays reveal that simnotrelvir is a potent pan-CoV 3CLpro inhibitor but has high selectivity. It effectively blocks replications of SARS-CoV-2 variants in cell-based assays and exhibits good pharmacokinetic and safety profiles in male and female rats and monkeys, leading to robust oral efficacy in a male mouse model of SARS-CoV-2 Delta infection in which it not only significantly reduces lung viral loads but also eliminates the virus from brains. The discovery of simnotrelvir thereby highlights the utility of structure-based development of marked protease inhibitors for providing a small molecule therapeutic effectively combatting human coronaviruses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiangrui Jiang
- State Key Laboratory of Drug Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 201203, Shanghai, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, 100049, Beijing, China
| | - Haixia Su
- State Key Laboratory of Drug Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 201203, Shanghai, China
| | - Weijuan Shang
- State Key Laboratory of Virology, Wuhan Institute of Virology, Center for Biosafety Mega-Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 430071, Wuhan, China
| | - Feng Zhou
- State Key Laboratory of Neurology and Oncology Drug Development, 210023, Nanjing, China
- Simcere Zaiming Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd, 200000, Shanghai, China
| | - Yan Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Drug Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 201203, Shanghai, China
| | - Wenfeng Zhao
- State Key Laboratory of Drug Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 201203, Shanghai, China
| | - Qiumeng Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Drug Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 201203, Shanghai, China
| | - Hang Xie
- State Key Laboratory of Drug Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 201203, Shanghai, China
- School of Chinese Materia Medica, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, 210023, Nanjing, China
| | - Lei Jiang
- Simcere Zaiming Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd, 200000, Shanghai, China
| | - Tianqing Nie
- State Key Laboratory of Drug Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 201203, Shanghai, China
- School of Chinese Materia Medica, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, 210023, Nanjing, China
| | - Feipu Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Drug Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 201203, Shanghai, China
| | - Muya Xiong
- State Key Laboratory of Drug Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 201203, Shanghai, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, 100049, Beijing, China
| | - Xiaoxing Huang
- Simcere Zaiming Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd, 200000, Shanghai, China
| | - Minjun Li
- Shanghai Synchrotron Radiation Facility, Shanghai Advanced Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 201210, Shanghai, China
| | - Ping Chen
- Jiangsu Simcere Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd, 210023, Nanjing, China
| | - Shaoping Peng
- State Key Laboratory of Neurology and Oncology Drug Development, 210023, Nanjing, China
- Jiangsu Simcere Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd, 210023, Nanjing, China
| | - Gengfu Xiao
- State Key Laboratory of Virology, Wuhan Institute of Virology, Center for Biosafety Mega-Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 430071, Wuhan, China
| | - Hualiang Jiang
- State Key Laboratory of Drug Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 201203, Shanghai, China
| | - Renhong Tang
- State Key Laboratory of Neurology and Oncology Drug Development, 210023, Nanjing, China.
- Simcere Zaiming Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd, 200000, Shanghai, China.
| | - Leike Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Virology, Wuhan Institute of Virology, Center for Biosafety Mega-Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 430071, Wuhan, China.
- Hubei jiangxia Laboratory, 430200, Wuhan, China.
| | - Jingshan Shen
- State Key Laboratory of Drug Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 201203, Shanghai, China.
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, 100049, Beijing, China.
| | - Yechun Xu
- State Key Laboratory of Drug Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 201203, Shanghai, China.
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, 100049, Beijing, China.
- School of Pharmaceutical Science and Technology, Hangzhou Institute for Advanced Study, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, 310024, Hangzhou, China.
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5
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Thambi A, Chakraborty K. A novel anti-hyperglycemic sulfated pyruvylated polysaccharide from marine macroalga Hydropuntia edulis. Nat Prod Res 2023; 37:2987-2999. [PMID: 36346361 DOI: 10.1080/14786419.2022.2140660] [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: 07/10/2022] [Revised: 10/05/2022] [Accepted: 10/21/2022] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
Dipeptidyl peptidase is a crucial enzyme that regulates glucose metabolism by degrading incretins, such as glucagon-like-peptide-1, thereby reducing insulin secretion from the pancreatic β-cells. Consequently, dipeptidyl peptidase-IV inhibitors are an important remedial approach to moderate the hyperglycemic pathophysiology. A pyruvylated polysaccharide characterized as [→3)-4,6-O-(1-carboxyethylidene)-β-D-galp-(2SO3-)-(1→4)-3,6-α-L-AnGalp-(2OMe)-(1→], isolated from the marine macroalga Hydropuntia edulis, showed attenuation potential against dipeptidyl peptidase-IV (IC50 4.44 μM). The structure was elucidated using mass and one/two-dimensional nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopic analyses of hydrolyzed polysaccharide besides glycosidic linkages obtained from partially methylated alditol acetate derivative. The isolated polysaccharide also revealed potential anti-carbolytic properties against α-amylase/α-glucosidase (IC50 45-47 μM). The results proved the candidacy of pyruvylated polysaccharide isolated from H. edulis as a potential therapeutic lead against hyperglycemia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anjaly Thambi
- Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute, Cochin, Kerala, India
- Department of Applied Chemistry, Cochin University of Science and Technology, Cochin, Kerala, India
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6
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Schaefer D, Cheng X. Recent Advances in Covalent Drug Discovery. Pharmaceuticals (Basel) 2023; 16:ph16050663. [PMID: 37242447 DOI: 10.3390/ph16050663] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/10/2023] [Revised: 04/10/2023] [Accepted: 04/26/2023] [Indexed: 05/28/2023] Open
Abstract
In spite of the increasing number of biologics license applications, the development of covalent inhibitors is still a growing field within drug discovery. The successful approval of some covalent protein kinase inhibitors, such as ibrutinib (BTK covalent inhibitor) and dacomitinib (EGFR covalent inhibitor), and the very recent discovery of covalent inhibitors for viral proteases, such as boceprevir, narlaprevir, and nirmatrelvir, represent a new milestone in covalent drug development. Generally, the formation of covalent bonds that target proteins can offer drugs diverse advantages in terms of target selectivity, drug resistance, and administration concentration. The most important factor for covalent inhibitors is the electrophile (warhead), which dictates selectivity, reactivity, and the type of protein binding (i.e., reversible or irreversible) and can be modified/optimized through rational designs. Furthermore, covalent inhibitors are becoming more and more common in proteolysis, targeting chimeras (PROTACs) for degrading proteins, including those that are currently considered to be 'undruggable'. The aim of this review is to highlight the current state of covalent inhibitor development, including a short historical overview and some examples of applications of PROTAC technologies and treatment of the SARS-CoV-2 virus.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel Schaefer
- Buchmann Institute for Molecular Life Sciences, Chemical Biology, Goethe University Frankfurt am Main, Max-von-Laue-Strasse 15. R. 3.652, 60438 Frankfurt am Main, Germany
- Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Goethe University Frankfurt am Main, 60438 Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Xinlai Cheng
- Buchmann Institute for Molecular Life Sciences, Chemical Biology, Goethe University Frankfurt am Main, Max-von-Laue-Strasse 15. R. 3.652, 60438 Frankfurt am Main, Germany
- Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Goethe University Frankfurt am Main, 60438 Frankfurt am Main, Germany
- Frankfurt Cancer Institute, 60596 Frankfurt am Main, Germany
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7
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Müller P, Meta M, Meidner JL, Schwickert M, Meyr J, Schwickert K, Kersten C, Zimmer C, Hammerschmidt SJ, Frey A, Lahu A, de la Hoz-Rodríguez S, Agost-Beltrán L, Rodríguez S, Diemer K, Neumann W, Gonzàlez FV, Engels B, Schirmeister T. Investigation of the Compatibility between Warheads and Peptidomimetic Sequences of Protease Inhibitors-A Comprehensive Reactivity and Selectivity Study. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24087226. [PMID: 37108388 PMCID: PMC10138721 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24087226] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/24/2023] [Revised: 04/06/2023] [Accepted: 04/10/2023] [Indexed: 04/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Covalent peptidomimetic protease inhibitors have gained a lot of attention in drug development in recent years. They are designed to covalently bind the catalytically active amino acids through electrophilic groups called warheads. Covalent inhibition has an advantage in terms of pharmacodynamic properties but can also bear toxicity risks due to non-selective off-target protein binding. Therefore, the right combination of a reactive warhead with a well-suited peptidomimetic sequence is of great importance. Herein, the selectivities of well-known warheads combined with peptidomimetic sequences suited for five different proteases were investigated, highlighting the impact of both structure parts (warhead and peptidomimetic sequence) for affinity and selectivity. Molecular docking gave insights into the predicted binding modes of the inhibitors inside the binding pockets of the different enzymes. Moreover, the warheads were investigated by NMR and LC-MS reactivity assays against serine/threonine and cysteine nucleophile models, as well as by quantum mechanics simulations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Patrick Müller
- Institute of Pharmaceutical and Biomedical Sciences, Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz, Staudinger Weg 5, D-55128 Mainz, Germany
| | - Mergim Meta
- Institute of Pharmaceutical and Biomedical Sciences, Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz, Staudinger Weg 5, D-55128 Mainz, Germany
| | - Jan Laurenz Meidner
- Institute of Pharmaceutical and Biomedical Sciences, Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz, Staudinger Weg 5, D-55128 Mainz, Germany
| | - Marvin Schwickert
- Institute of Pharmaceutical and Biomedical Sciences, Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz, Staudinger Weg 5, D-55128 Mainz, Germany
| | - Jessica Meyr
- Institute of Physical and Theoretical Chemistry, Julius-Maximilians-University of Wuerzburg, Emil-Fischer-Straße 42 Süd, D-97074 Wuerzburg, Germany
| | - Kevin Schwickert
- Institute of Pharmaceutical and Biomedical Sciences, Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz, Staudinger Weg 5, D-55128 Mainz, Germany
| | - Christian Kersten
- Institute of Pharmaceutical and Biomedical Sciences, Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz, Staudinger Weg 5, D-55128 Mainz, Germany
| | - Collin Zimmer
- Institute of Pharmaceutical and Biomedical Sciences, Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz, Staudinger Weg 5, D-55128 Mainz, Germany
| | - Stefan Josef Hammerschmidt
- Institute of Pharmaceutical and Biomedical Sciences, Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz, Staudinger Weg 5, D-55128 Mainz, Germany
| | - Ariane Frey
- Institute of Pharmaceutical and Biomedical Sciences, Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz, Staudinger Weg 5, D-55128 Mainz, Germany
| | - Albin Lahu
- Institute of Pharmaceutical and Biomedical Sciences, Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz, Staudinger Weg 5, D-55128 Mainz, Germany
| | | | - Laura Agost-Beltrán
- Departament de Química Inorgànica i Orgànica, Universitat Jaume I, 12080 Castelló de la Pana, Spain
| | - Santiago Rodríguez
- Departament de Química Inorgànica i Orgànica, Universitat Jaume I, 12080 Castelló de la Pana, Spain
| | - Kira Diemer
- Institute of Physical and Theoretical Chemistry, Julius-Maximilians-University of Wuerzburg, Emil-Fischer-Straße 42 Süd, D-97074 Wuerzburg, Germany
| | - Wilhelm Neumann
- Institute of Physical and Theoretical Chemistry, Julius-Maximilians-University of Wuerzburg, Emil-Fischer-Straße 42 Süd, D-97074 Wuerzburg, Germany
| | - Florenci V Gonzàlez
- Departament de Química Inorgànica i Orgànica, Universitat Jaume I, 12080 Castelló de la Pana, Spain
| | - Bernd Engels
- Institute of Physical and Theoretical Chemistry, Julius-Maximilians-University of Wuerzburg, Emil-Fischer-Straße 42 Süd, D-97074 Wuerzburg, Germany
| | - Tanja Schirmeister
- Institute of Pharmaceutical and Biomedical Sciences, Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz, Staudinger Weg 5, D-55128 Mainz, Germany
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8
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Corredor JD, Febres-Molina C, Jaña GA, Jiménez VA. Insight into the Role of Active Site Protonation States and Water Molecules in the Catalytic Inhibition of DPP4 by Vildagliptin. J Chem Inf Model 2023; 63:1338-1350. [PMID: 36757339 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jcim.2c01558] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/10/2023]
Abstract
Vildagliptin (VIL) is an antidiabetic drug that inhibits dipeptidyl peptidase-4 (DPP4) through a covalent mechanism. The molecular bases for this inhibitory process have been addressed experimentally and computationally. Nevertheless, relevant issues remain unknown such as the roles of active site protonation states and conserved water molecules nearby the catalytic center. In this work, molecular dynamics simulations were applied to examine the structures of 12 noncovalent VIL-DPP4 complexes encompassing all possible protonation states of three noncatalytic residues (His126, Asp663, Asp709) that were inconclusively predicted by different computational tools. A catalytically competent complex structure was only achieved in the system with His126 in its ε-form and nonconventional neutral states for Asp663/Asp709. This complex suggested the involvement of one water molecule in the catalytic process of His740/Ser630 activation, which was confirmed by QM/MM simulations. Our findings support the suitability of a novel water-mediated mechanism in which His740/Ser630 activation occurs concertedly with the nucleophilic attack on VIL and the imidate protonation by Tyr547. Then, the restoration of His740/ Tyr547 protonation states occurs via a two-water hydrogen bonding network in a low-barrier process, thus describing the final step of the catalytic cycle for the first time. Additionally, two hydrolytic mechanisms were proposed based on the hydrogen bonding networks formed by water molecules and the catalytic residues along the inhibitory mechanism. These findings are valuable to unveil the molecular features of the covalent inhibition of DPP4 by VIL and support the future development of novel derivatives with improved structural or mechanistic profiles.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jeisson D Corredor
- Doctorado en Fisicoquímica Molecular, Facultad de Ciencias Exactas, Universidad Andres Bello, República 275, Santiago 8370146, Chile
| | - Camilo Febres-Molina
- Doctorado en Fisicoquímica Molecular, Facultad de Ciencias Exactas, Universidad Andres Bello, República 275, Santiago 8370146, Chile
| | - Gonzalo A Jaña
- Departamento de Ciencias Químicas, Facultad de Ciencias Exactas, Universidad Andres Bello, Autopista Concepción-Talcahuano 7100, Talcahuano 4260000, Chile
| | - Verónica A Jiménez
- Departamento de Ciencias Químicas, Facultad de Ciencias Exactas, Universidad Andres Bello, Autopista Concepción-Talcahuano 7100, Talcahuano 4260000, Chile
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9
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Bonatto V, Lameiro RF, Rocho FR, Lameira J, Leitão A, Montanari CA. Nitriles: an attractive approach to the development of covalent inhibitors. RSC Med Chem 2023; 14:201-217. [PMID: 36846367 PMCID: PMC9945868 DOI: 10.1039/d2md00204c] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/01/2022] [Accepted: 10/31/2022] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Nitriles have broad applications in medicinal chemistry, with more than 60 small molecule drugs on the market containing the cyano functional group. In addition to the well-known noncovalent interactions that nitriles can perform with macromolecular targets, they are also known to improve drug candidates' pharmacokinetic profiles. Moreover, the cyano group can be used as an electrophilic warhead to covalently bind an inhibitor to a target of interest, forming a covalent adduct, a strategy that can present benefits over noncovalent inhibitors. This approach has gained much notoriety in recent years, mainly with diabetes and COVID-19-approved drugs. Nevertheless, the application of nitriles in covalent ligands is not restricted to it being the reactive center, as it can also be employed to convert irreversible inhibitors into reversible ones, a promising strategy for kinase inhibition and protein degradation. In this review, we introduce and discuss the roles of the cyano group in covalent inhibitors, how to tune its reactivity and the possibility of achieving selectivity only by replacing the warhead. Finally, we provide an overview of nitrile-based covalent compounds in approved drugs and inhibitors recently described in the literature.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vinícius Bonatto
- Medicinal and Biological Chemistry Group, São Carlos Institute of Chemistry, University of São Paulo Avenue Trabalhador Sancarlense, 400 13566-590 São Carlos/SP Brazil
| | - Rafael F Lameiro
- Medicinal and Biological Chemistry Group, São Carlos Institute of Chemistry, University of São Paulo Avenue Trabalhador Sancarlense, 400 13566-590 São Carlos/SP Brazil
| | - Fernanda R Rocho
- Medicinal and Biological Chemistry Group, São Carlos Institute of Chemistry, University of São Paulo Avenue Trabalhador Sancarlense, 400 13566-590 São Carlos/SP Brazil
| | - Jerônimo Lameira
- Medicinal and Biological Chemistry Group, São Carlos Institute of Chemistry, University of São Paulo Avenue Trabalhador Sancarlense, 400 13566-590 São Carlos/SP Brazil
- Institute of Biological Science, Federal University of Pará Rua Augusto Correa S/N Belém PA Brazil
| | - Andrei Leitão
- Medicinal and Biological Chemistry Group, São Carlos Institute of Chemistry, University of São Paulo Avenue Trabalhador Sancarlense, 400 13566-590 São Carlos/SP Brazil
| | - Carlos A Montanari
- Medicinal and Biological Chemistry Group, São Carlos Institute of Chemistry, University of São Paulo Avenue Trabalhador Sancarlense, 400 13566-590 São Carlos/SP Brazil
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10
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Yan X, Yu B, Zhang H, Huang H. Copper-Catalyzed Claisen Rearrangement with AIBN and Allylic Alcohols. J Org Chem 2022; 87:16918-16927. [DOI: 10.1021/acs.joc.2c02298] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/02/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Xuyang Yan
- Hefei National Research Center for Physical Sciences at the Microscale and Department of Chemistry, Center for Excellence in Molecular Synthesis of CAS, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei 230026, PR China
| | - Bangkui Yu
- Hefei National Research Center for Physical Sciences at the Microscale and Department of Chemistry, Center for Excellence in Molecular Synthesis of CAS, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei 230026, PR China
| | - Haocheng Zhang
- Hefei National Research Center for Physical Sciences at the Microscale and Department of Chemistry, Center for Excellence in Molecular Synthesis of CAS, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei 230026, PR China
| | - Hanmin Huang
- Hefei National Research Center for Physical Sciences at the Microscale and Department of Chemistry, Center for Excellence in Molecular Synthesis of CAS, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei 230026, PR China
- State Key Laboratory of Oxo Synthesis and Selective Oxidation, Lanzhou Institute of Chemical Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Lanzhou 730000, PR China
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11
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Ngo ST, Nguyen TH, Tung NT, Mai BK. Insights into the binding and covalent inhibition mechanism of PF-07321332 to SARS-CoV-2 M pro. RSC Adv 2022; 12:3729-3737. [PMID: 35425393 PMCID: PMC8979274 DOI: 10.1039/d1ra08752e] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2021] [Accepted: 01/13/2022] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
The severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) has been causing the COVID-19 pandemic, resulting in several million deaths being reported. Numerous investigations have been carried out to discover a compound that can inhibit the biological activity of the SARS-CoV-2 main protease, which is an enzyme related to the viral replication. Among these, PF-07321332 (Nirmatrelvir) is currently under clinical trials for COVID-19 therapy. Therefore, in this work, atomistic and electronic simulations were performed to unravel the binding and covalent inhibition mechanism of the compound to Mpro. Initially, 5 μs of steered-molecular dynamics simulations were carried out to evaluate the ligand-binding process to SARS-CoV-2 Mpro. The successfully generated bound state between the two molecules showed the important role of the PF-07321332 pyrrolidinyl group and the residues Glu166 and Gln189 in the ligand-binding process. Moreover, from the MD-refined structure, quantum mechanics/molecular mechanics (QM/MM) calculations were carried out to unravel the reaction mechanism for the formation of the thioimidate product from SARS-CoV-2 Mpro and the PF-07321332 inhibitor. We found that the catalytic triad Cys145–His41–Asp187 of SARS-CoV-2 Mpro plays an important role in the activation of the PF-07321332 covalent inhibitor, which renders the deprotonation of Cys145 and, thus, facilitates further reaction. Our results are definitely beneficial for a better understanding of the inhibition mechanism and designing new effective inhibitors for SARS-CoV-2 Mpro. The catalytic triad Cys145–His41–Asp187 of SARS-CoV-2 Mpro plays an important role in the activation of the PF-07321332 covalent inhibitor.![]()
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Affiliation(s)
- Son Tung Ngo
- Laboratory of Theoretical and Computational Biophysics, Ton Duc Thang University Ho Chi Minh City Vietnam .,Faculty of Applied Sciences, Ton Duc Thang University Ho Chi Minh City Vietnam
| | - Trung Hai Nguyen
- Laboratory of Theoretical and Computational Biophysics, Ton Duc Thang University Ho Chi Minh City Vietnam .,Faculty of Applied Sciences, Ton Duc Thang University Ho Chi Minh City Vietnam
| | - Nguyen Thanh Tung
- Institute of Materials Science, Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology Hanoi 11307 Vietnam.,Graduate University of Science and Technology, Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology Hanoi 11307 Vietnam
| | - Binh Khanh Mai
- Department of Chemistry, University of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh PA 15260 USA
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12
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Fan F, Zheng YC, Fu Y, Zhang Y, Zheng H, Lyu C, Chen L, Huang J, Cao Z. QM/MM and MM MD simulations on decontamination of the V-type nerve agent VX by phosphotriesterase: Toward a comprehensive understanding of steroselectivity and activity. Phys Chem Chem Phys 2022; 24:10933-10943. [DOI: 10.1039/d2cp00773h] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
Due to deadly toxicity and high environmental stability of the nerve agent VX, an efficient decontamination approach is desperately needed in tackling its severe threat to human secu-rity. The enzymatic...
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13
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Drug Repurposing: Dipeptidyl Peptidase IV (DPP4) Inhibitors as Potential Agents to Treat SARS-CoV-2 (2019-nCoV) Infection. Pharmaceuticals (Basel) 2021; 14:ph14010044. [PMID: 33430081 PMCID: PMC7827924 DOI: 10.3390/ph14010044] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2020] [Revised: 01/02/2021] [Accepted: 01/06/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
The current outbreak of severe acute respiratory distress syndrome (SARS) or nCOVID-19 pandemic, caused by the coronavirus-2 (CoV-2), continues to wreak havoc globally. As novel vaccines are being discovered and developed, small molecule drugs still constitute a viable treatment option for SARS-CoV-2 infections due to their advantages such as superior patient compliance for oral therapies, reduced manufacturing costs and ease of large scale distribution due to better stability and storage profiles. Discovering new drugs for SARS-CoV-2 infections is a time consuming and expensive proposition. In this regard, drug repurposing is an appealing approach which can provide rapid access to therapeutics with proven record of safety and efficacy. We investigated the drug repurposing potential of a library of dipeptidyl peptidase 4 (DPP4) inhibitors which are currently marketed for type-2 diabetes as treatment option for SARS-CoV-2 infections. These computational studies led to the identification of three marketed DPP4 inhibitors; gemigliptin, linagliptin and evogliptin as potential inhibitors of SARS-CoV-2 Mpro viral cysteine protease. In addition, our computational modeling shows that these drugs have the potential to inhibit other viral cysteine proteases from the beta coronavirus family, including the SAR-CoV Mpro and MERS-CoV CLpro suggesting their potential to be repurposed as broad-spectrum antiviral agents.
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14
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Gröger H, Asano Y. Cyanide-Free Enantioselective Catalytic Strategies for the Synthesis of Chiral Nitriles. J Org Chem 2020; 85:6243-6251. [PMID: 32250626 DOI: 10.1021/acs.joc.9b02773] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
The development of enantioselective syntheses of nitriles gained increasing interest due to, e.g., an increasing demand for chiral nitriles for drug synthesis. Complementing existing routes, recently catalytic processes enabling an enantioselective formation of the chiral nitrile moiety without the need to utilize cyanide were accomplished. It is noteworthy that these processes are complementary to each other as they are based on different types of substrates, catalytic methods (utilizing chemo- and biocatalysts), and stereochemical reaction concepts (asymmetric synthesis versus resolution).
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Affiliation(s)
- Harald Gröger
- Chair of Industrial Organic Chemistry and Biotechnology, Faculty of Chemistry, Bielefeld University, Universitätsstr. 25, 33615 Bielefeld, Germany.,Biotechnology Research Center, Toyama Prefectural University, 5180 Kurokawa, Imizu, Toyama 939-0398, Japan
| | - Yasuhisa Asano
- Biotechnology Research Center, Toyama Prefectural University, 5180 Kurokawa, Imizu, Toyama 939-0398, Japan
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15
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Khojasteh SC, Bumpus NN, Driscoll JP, Miller GP, Mitra K, Rietjens IMCM, Zhang D. Biotransformation and bioactivation reactions - 2018 literature highlights. Drug Metab Rev 2019; 51:121-161. [PMID: 31170851 DOI: 10.1080/03602532.2019.1615937] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
In the past three decades, ADME sciences have become an integral component of the drug discovery and development process. At the same time, the field has continued to evolve, thus, requiring ADME scientists to be knowledgeable of and engage with diverse aspects of drug assessment: from pharmacology to toxicology, and from in silico modeling to in vitro models and finally in vivo models. Progress in this field requires deliberate exposure to different aspects of ADME; however, this task can seem daunting in the current age of mass information. We hope this review provides a focused and brief summary of a wide array of critical advances over the past year and explains the relevance of this research ( Table 1 ). We divided the articles into categories of (1) drug optimization, (2) metabolites and drug metabolizing enzymes, and (3) bioactivation. This annual review is the fourth of its kind (Baillie et al. 2016 ; Khojasteh et al. 2017 , 2018 ). We have followed the same format we used in previous years in terms of the selection of articles and the authoring of each section. This effort in itself also continues to evolve. I am pleased that Rietjens, Miller, and Mitra have again contributed to this annual review. We would like to welcome Namandjé N. Bumpus, James P. Driscoll, and Donglu Zhang as authors for this year's issue. We strive to maintain a balance of authors from academic and industry settings. We would be pleased to hear your opinions of our commentary, and we extend an invitation to anyone who would like to contribute to a future edition of this review. Cyrus Khojasteh, on behalf of the authors.
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Affiliation(s)
- S Cyrus Khojasteh
- Department of Drug Metabolism and Pharmacokinetics, Genentech Inc , South San Francisco , CA , USA
| | - Namandjé N Bumpus
- Department of Medicine - Division of Clinical Pharmacology, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine , Baltimore , MD , USA
| | - James P Driscoll
- Department of Drug Metabolism and Pharmacokinetics, MyoKardia Inc. , South San Francisco , CA , USA
| | - Grover P Miller
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences , Little Rock , AR , USA
| | - Kaushik Mitra
- Department of Safety Assessment and Laboratory Animal Resources, Merck Research Laboratories (MRL), Merck & Co., Inc , West Point , PA , USA
| | | | - Donglu Zhang
- Department of Drug Metabolism and Pharmacokinetics, Genentech Inc , South San Francisco , CA , USA
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