Identification and characterization of TYK2 pseudokinase domain stabilizers that allosterically inhibit TYK2 signaling

Kinase inhibition continues to be a major focus of pharmaceutical research and discovery due to the central role of these proteins in the regulation of cellular processes. One family of kinases of pharmacological interest, due to its role in activation of immunostimulatory pathways, is the Janus kinase family. Small molecule inhibitors targeting the individual kinase proteins within this family have long been sought-after therapies. High sequence and structural similarity of the family members makes selective inhibitors difficult to identify but critical because of their inter-related multiple cellular regulatory pathways. Herein, we describe the identification of inhibitors of the important Janus kinase, TYK2, a regulator of type I interferon response. In addition, the biochemical and structural confirmation of the direct interaction of these small molecules with the TYK2 pseudokinase domain is described and a potential mechanism of allosteric regulation of TYK2 activity through stabilization of the pseudokinase domain is proposed.

Discovery of Non-Nucleotide Small-Molecule STING Agonists via Chemotype Hybridization

The identification of agonists of the stimulator of interferon genes (STING) pathway has been an area of intense research due to their potential to enhance innate immune response and tumor immunogenicity in the context of immuno-oncology therapy. Initial efforts to identify STING agonists focused on the modification of 2',3'-cGAMP (1) (an endogenous STING activator ligand) and other closely related cyclic dinucleotides (CDNs). While these efforts have successfully identified novel CDNs that have progressed into the clinic, their utility is currently limited to patients with solid tumors that STING agonists can be delivered to intratumorally. Herein, we report the discovery of a unique class of non-nucleotide small-molecule STING agonists that demonstrate antitumor activity when dosed intratumorally in a syngeneic mouse model.

Small molecule and macrocyclic pyrazole derived inhibitors of myeloperoxidase (MPO)

Myeloperoxidase (MPO), a critical enzyme in antimicrobial host-defense, has been implicated in chronic inflammatory diseases such as coronary artery disease. The design and evaluation of MPO inhibitors for the treatment of cardiovascular disease are reported herein. Starting with the MPO and triazolopyridine 3 crystal structure, novel inhibitors were designed incorporating a substituted pyrazole, which allowed for substituents to interact with hydrophobic and hydrophilic patches in the active site. SAR exploration of the substituted pyrazoles led to piperidine 17, which inhibited HOCl production from activated neutrophils with an IC₅₀ value of 2.4 μM and had selectivity against thyroid peroxidase (TPO). Optimization of alkylation chemistry on the pyrazole nitrogen facilitated the preparation of many analogs, including macrocycles designed to bridge two hydrophobic regions of the active site. Multiple macrocyclization strategies were pursued to prepare analogs that optimally bound to the active site, leading to potent macrocyclic MPO inhibitors with TPO selectivity, such as compound 30.

Discovery of Orally Active Isofuranones as Potent, Selective Inhibitors of Hematopoetic Progenitor Kinase 1

While the discovery of immune checkpoint inhibitors has led to robust, durable responses in a range of cancers, many patients do not respond to currently available therapeutics. Therefore, an urgent need exists to identify alternative mechanisms to augment the immune-mediated clearance of tumors. Hematopoetic progenitor kinase 1 (HPK1) is a serine-threonine kinase that acts as a negative regulator of T-cell receptor (TCR) signaling, to dampen the immune response. Herein we describe the structure-based discovery of isofuranones as inhibitors of HPK1. Optimization of the chemotype led to improvements in potency, selectivity, plasma protein binding, and metabolic stability, culminating in the identification of compound 24. Oral administration of 24, in combination with an anti-PD1 antibody, demonstrated robust enhancement of anti-PD1 efficacy in a syngeneic tumor model of colorectal cancer.

Discovery and structure activity relationships of 7-benzyl triazolopyridines as stable, selective, and reversible inhibitors of myeloperoxidase

Myeloperoxidase (MPO) is a heme peroxidase found in neutrophils, monocytes and macrophages that efficiently catalyzes the oxidation of endogenous chloride into hypochlorous acid for antimicrobial activity. Chronic MPO activation can lead to indiscriminate protein modification causing tissue damage, and has been associated with chronic inflammatory diseases, atherosclerosis, and acute cardiovascular events. Triazolopyrimidine 5 is a reversible MPO inhibitor; however it suffers from poor stability in acid, and is an irreversible inhibitor of the DNA repair protein methyl guanine methyl transferase (MGMT). Structure-based drug design was employed to discover benzyl triazolopyridines with improved MPO potency, as well as acid stability, no reactivity with MGMT, and selectivity against thyroid peroxidase (TPO). Structure-activity relationships, a crystal structure of the MPO-inhibitor complex, and acute in vivo pharmacodynamic data are described herein.

Potent Triazolopyridine Myeloperoxidase Inhibitors

Myeloperoxidase (MPO) generates reactive oxygen species that potentially contribute to many chronic inflammatory diseases. A recently reported triazolopyrimidine MPO inhibitor was optimized to improve acid stability and remove methyl guanine methyl transferase (MGMT) activity. Multiple synthetic routes were explored that allowed rapid optimization of a key benzyl ether side chain. Crystal structures of inhibitors bound to the MPO active site demonstrated alternate binding modes and guided rational design of MPO inhibitors. Thioether 36 showed significant inhibition of MPO activity in an acute mouse inflammation model after oral dosing.

Triazolopyrimidines identified as reversible myeloperoxidase inhibitors

Myeloperoxidase, a mammalian peroxidase involved in the immune system as an anti-microbial first responder, can produce hypochlorous acid in response to invading pathogens. Myeloperoxidase has been implicated in several chronic pathological diseases due to the chronic production of hypochlorous acid, as well as other reactive radical species. A high throughput screen and triaging protocol was developed to identify a reversible inhibitor of myeloperoxidase toward the potential treatment of chronic diseases such as atherosclerosis. The identification and characterization of a reversible myeloperoxidase inhibitor, 7-(benzyloxy)-3H-[1,2,3]triazolo[4,5-d]pyrimidin-5-amine is described.

Expression, purification, and characterization of human and rat acetyl coenzyme A carboxylase (ACC) isozymes

Acetyl coenzyme A (acetyl-CoA) carboxylase isozyme 1 (ACC1) and acetyl-CoA carboxylase isozyme 2 (ACC2) are critical for de novo fatty acid synthesis and for the regulation of beta-oxidation. Emerging evidence indicates that one or both isozymes might be therapeutic targets for the treatment of obesity, type 2 diabetes, and dyslipidemia. One of the major obstacles in the field is the lack of readily-available source of recombinant human ACC enzymes to support systematic drug discovery efforts. Here, we describe an efficient and optimal protocol for expressing and isolating recombinant mammalian ACCs with high yield and purity. The resultant human ACC2, human ACC1, and rat ACC2 possess high specific activities, are properly biotinylated, and exhibit kinetic parameters very similar to the native ACC enzymes. We believe that the current study paves a road to a systematic approach for drug design revolving around the ACC inhibition mechanism.