Targeting deubiquitinase activity with a novel small-molecule inhibitor as therapy for B-cell malignancies.

Usp9x was recently shown to be highly expressed in myeloma patients with short progression-free survival and is proposed to enhance stability of the survival protein Mcl-1. In this study, we found that the partially selective Usp9x deubiquitinase inhibitor WP1130 induced apoptosis and reduced Mcl-1 protein levels. However, short hairpin RNA-mediated knockdown (KD) of Usp9x in myeloma cells resulted in transient induction of apoptosis, followed by a sustained reduction in cell growth. A compensatory upregulation of Usp24, a deubiquitinase closely related to Usp9x, in Usp9x KD cells was noted. Direct Usp24 KD resulted in marked induction of myeloma cell death that was associated with a reduction of Mcl-1. Usp24 was found to sustain myeloma cell survival and Mcl-1 regulation in the absence of Usp9x. Both Usp9x and Usp24 were expressed and activated in primary myeloma cells whereas Usp24 protein overexpression was noted in some patients with drug-refractory myeloma and other B-cell malignancies. Furthermore, we improved the drug-like properties of WP1130 and demonstrated that the novel compound EOAI3402143 dose-dependently inhibited Usp9x and Usp24 activity, increased tumor cell apoptosis, and fully blocked or regressed myeloma tumors in mice. We conclude that small-molecule Usp9x/Usp24 inhibitors may have therapeutic activity in myeloma.

Selective CB2 receptor agonists. Part 1: the identification of novel ligands through computer-aided drug design (CADD) approaches.

Computer-aided drug design scaffold hopping strategies were utilized to identify new classes of CB2 agonists when compounds of an established series with low nanomolar potency were challenging to optimize for good drug-like properties. Use of ligand-based design strategies through BI Builder (a tool for de novo design) and PharmShape (a virtual screening software package) approaches led to the discovery of new chemotypes. Specifically, compounds containing azetidine-, proline-, and piperidine-based cores were found to have low nanomolar and picomolar CB2 agonist activities with drug-like properties considered appropriate for early profiling.

Selective CB2 receptor agonists. Part 2: Structure-activity relationship studies and optimization of proline-based compounds.

Through a ligand-based pharmacophore model (S)-proline based compounds were identified as potent cannabinoid receptor 2 (CB2) agonists with high selectivity over the cannabinoid receptor 1 (CB1). Structure-activity relationship investigations for this compound class lead to oxo-proline compounds 21 and 22 which combine an impressive CB1 selectivity profile with good pharmacokinetic properties. In a streptozotocin induced diabetic neuropathy model, 22 demonstrated a dose-dependent reversal of mechanical hyperalgesia.

Validation of a small molecule inhibitor of PDE6D-RAS interaction with favorable anti-leukemic effects.

RAS mutations prevalent in high-risk leukemia have been linked to relapse and chemotherapy resistance. Efforts to directly target RAS proteins have been largely unsuccessful. However, since RAS-mediated transformation is dependent on signaling through the RAS-related C3 botulinum toxin substrate (RAC) small GTPase, we hypothesized that targeting RAC may be an effective therapeutic approach in RAS mutated tumors. Here we describe multiple small molecules capable of inhibiting RAC activation in acute lymphoblastic leukemia cell lines. One of these, DW0254, also demonstrates promising anti-leukemic activity in RAS-mutated cells. Using chemical proteomics and biophysical methods, we identified the hydrophobic pocket of phosphodiester 6 subunit delta (PDE6D), a known RAS chaperone, as a target for this compound. Inhibition of RAS localization to the plasma membrane upon DW0254 treatment is associated with RAC inhibition through a phosphatidylinositol-3-kinase/AKT-dependent mechanism. Our findings provide new insights into the importance of PDE6D-mediated transport for RAS-dependent RAC activation and leukemic cell survival.

Aryl 1,4-diazepane compounds as potent and selective CB2 agonists: optimization of drug-like properties and target independent parameters.

A high throughput screening campaign identified aryl 1,4-diazepane compounds as potent and selective cannabinoid receptor 2 agonists as compared to cannabinoid receptor 1. This class of compounds suffered from poor drug-like parameters as well as low microsomal stability and poor solubility. Structure-activity relationships are described with a focus on improving the drug-like parameters resulting in compounds with improved solubility and permeability.

1,4-Diazepane compounds as potent and selective CB2 agonists: optimization of metabolic stability.

A high-throughput screening campaign has identified 1,4-diazepane compounds which are potent Cannabinoid receptor 2 agonists with excellent selectivity against the Cannabinoid receptor 1. This class of compounds suffered from low metabolic stability. Following various strategies, compounds with a good stability in liver microsomes and rat PK profile have been identified.

Structure-based design of novel 2-amino-6-phenyl-pyrimido[5',4':5,6]pyrimido[1,2-a]benzimidazol-5(6H)-ones as potent and orally active inhibitors of lymphocyte specific kinase (Lck): synthesis, SAR, and in vivo anti-inflammatory activity.

Lck, or lymphocyte specific kinase, is a cytoplasmic tyrosine kinase of the Src family expressed in T-cells and NK cells. Genetic evidence from knockout mice and human mutations demonstrates that Lck kinase activity is critical for T-cell receptor-mediated signaling, leading to normal T-cell development and activation. A small molecule inhibitor of Lck is expected to be useful in the treatment of T-cell-mediated autoimmune and inflammatory disorders and/or organ transplant rejection. In this paper, we describe the structure-guided design, synthesis, structure-activity relationships, and pharmacological characterization of 2-amino-6-phenylpyrimido[5',4':5,6]pyrimido[1,2- a]benzimidazol-5(6 H)-ones, a new class of compounds that are potent inhibitors of Lck. The most promising compound of this series, 6-(2,6-dimethylphenyl)-2-((4-(4-methyl-1-piperazinyl)phenyl)amino)pyrimido[5',4':5,6]pyrimido-[1,2- a]benzimidazol-5(6 H)-one ( 25), exhibits potent inhibition of Lck kinase activity. This activity translates into inhibition of in vitro cell-based assays and in vivo models of T-cell activation and arthritis, respectively.

Arylsulfonamide CB2 receptor agonists: SAR and optimization of CB2 selectivity.

A high-throughput screening campaign resulted in the discovery of a highly potent dual cannabinoid receptor 1 (CB1) and 2 (CB2) agonist. Following a thorough SAR exploration, a series of selective CB2 full agonists were identified.

Novel 2-aminopyrimidine carbamates as potent and orally active inhibitors of Lck: synthesis, SAR, and in vivo antiinflammatory activity.

The lymphocyte-specific kinase (Lck) is a cytoplasmic tyrosine kinase of the Src family expressed in T cells and NK cells. Genetic evidence in both mice and humans demonstrates that Lck kinase activity is critical for signaling mediated by the T cell receptor (TCR), which leads to normal T cell development and activation. A small molecule inhibitor of Lck is expected to be useful in the treatment of T cell-mediated autoimmune and inflammatory disorders and/or organ transplant rejection. In this paper, we describe the synthesis, structure-activity relationships, and pharmacological characterization of 2-aminopyrimidine carbamates, a new class of compounds with potent and selective inhibition of Lck. The most promising compound of this series, 2,6-dimethylphenyl 2-((3,5-bis(methyloxy)-4-((3-(4-methyl-1-piperazinyl)propyl)oxy)phenyl)amino)-4-pyrimidinyl(2,4-bis(methyloxy)phenyl)carbamate (43) exhibits good activity when evaluated in in vitro assays and in an in vivo model of T cell activation.

Solid-phase synthesis of imidazo[4,5-b]pyridin-2-ones and related urea derivatives by cyclative cleavage of a carbamate linkage.

A solid-phase synthesis of substituted cyclic urea derivatives as potential heterocyclic library scaffolds is described. 2-Amino-3-nitropyridine is attached to Wang resin via a carbamate linkage. Reduction of the nitro group was achieved with SnCl(2).2H(2)O. Reductive alkylation with a range of substituted benzaldehydes followed by cyclative cleavage afforded a small library of 3-substituted imidazo[4,5-b]pyridine-2-ones in 33-45% yield and 59-88% purity. Subsequently, this methodology was applied to the synthesis of 3-substituted imidazo[4,5-f]quinolin-2-ones.