ASK1

Design and biological evaluation of imidazo[1,2-a]pyridines as novel and potent ASK1 inhibitors

Imidazo[1,2-a]pyridine derivatives were designed, synthesized, and evaluated as inhibitors of the apoptosis signal-regulating kinase 1 (ASK1). These were based on a benzothiazole derivative that was discovered from high-throughput screening of our compound library. As a result, we identified potent, selective, and orally bioavailable ASK1 inhibitors for wide range of therapeutic targets.

Identification of novel ASK1 inhibitors using virtual screening

Apoptosis signal-regulating kinase 1 (ASK1, also called MAP3K5) is a mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase kinase (MAP3K) that plays important roles in stress-induced cell death and inflammation, and is expected as a new therapeutic target for cancer, cardiovascular diseases, and neurodegenerative diseases. We identified novel ASK1 inhibitors by virtual screening from the public chemical library collected by Chemical Biology Research Initiative (CBRI) at the University of Tokyo.