CB-6644 Is a Selective Inhibitor of the RUVBL1/2 Complex with Anticancer Activity.

RUVBL1 and RUVBL2 are ATPases associated with diverse cellular activities (AAAs) that form a complex involved in a variety of cellular processes, including chromatin remodeling and regulation of gene expression. RUVBLs have a strong link to oncogenesis, where overexpression is correlated with tumor growth and poor prognosis in several cancer types. CB-6644, an allosteric small-molecule inhibitor of the ATPase activity of the RUVBL1/2 complex, interacts specifically with RUVBL1/2 in cancer cells, leading to cell death. Importantly, drug-acquired-resistant cell clones have amino acid mutations in either RUVBL1 or RUVBL2, suggesting that cell killing is an on-target consequence of RUVBL1/2 engagement. In xenograft models of acute myeloid leukemia and multiple myeloma, CB-6644 significantly reduced tumor growth without obvious toxicity. This work demonstrates the therapeutic potential of targeting RUVBLs in the treatment of cancer and establishes a chemical entity for probing the many facets of RUVBL biology.

Discovery of AM-6226: A Potent and Orally Bioavailable GPR40 Full Agonist That Displays Efficacy in Nonhuman Primates.

GPR40 (FFA1) is a G-protein-coupled receptor, primarily expressed in pancreatic islets and enteroendocrine L-cells, and, when activated, elicits increased insulin secretion only in the presence of elevated glucose levels. We recently reported the discovery of AM-1638 (2), a full agonist of GPR40. Herein, we present further structure-activity relationships progressing from AM-1638 (2) to AM-6226 (14) that possesses a profile acceptable for dosing cynomolgus monkeys. The GPR40 full agonist AM-6226 (14) is the first molecule to display significant glucose lowering in cynomolgus monkeys providing additional evidence that GPR40 full agonists afford access to a powerful mechanism for maintaining glycemic control.

5-Alkyl-2-urea-Substituted Pyridines: Identification of Efficacious Glucokinase Activators with Improved Properties.

Two 1-(4-aryl-5-alkyl-pyridin-2-yl)-3-methylurea glucokinase activators were identified with robust in vivo efficacy. These two compounds possessed higher solubilities than the previously identified triaryl compounds (i.e., AM-2394). Structure-activity relationship studies are presented along with relevant pharmacokinetic and in vivo data.

C5-Alkyl-2-methylurea-Substituted Pyridines as a New Class of Glucokinase Activators.

Glucokinase (GK) activators represent a class of type 2 diabetes therapeutics actively pursued due to the central role that GK plays in regulating glucose homeostasis. Herein we report a novel C5-alkyl-2-methylurea-substituted pyridine series of GK activators derived from our previously reported thiazolylamino pyridine series. Our efforts in optimizing potency, enzyme kinetic properties, and metabolic stability led to the identification of compound 26 (AM-9514). This analogue showed a favorable combination of in vitro potency, enzyme kinetic properties, acceptable pharmacokinetic profiles in preclinical species, and robust efficacy in a rodent PD model.

Improving the Pharmacokinetics of GPR40/FFA1 Full Agonists.

We recently reported the discovery of a potent GPR40 full agonist AM-1638 (1). Herein, we describe our efforts in improving the drug-like properties of the full agonists through the systematic introduction of polar groups in the C-, D-, and A-rings. This led to the discovery of new GPR40 full agonists with significantly improved pharmacokinetic propeties. Compound 8 and 20 also showed potent in vivo efficacy in oral glucose tolerance tests in mice in addition to the improvement in properties.

Discovery and Optimization of Potent GPR40 Full Agonists Containing Tricyclic Spirocycles.

GPR40 (FFAR1 or FFA1) is a target of high interest being pursued to treat type II diabetes due to its unique mechanism leading to little risk of hypoglycemia. We recently reported the discovery of AM-1638 (2), a potent full agonist of GPR40. In this report, we present the discovery of GPR40 full agonists containing conformationally constrained tricyclic spirocycles and their structure-activity relationships leading to more potent agonists such as AM-5262 (26) with improved rat PK profile and general selectivity profile. AM-5262 enhanced glucose stimulated insulin secretion (mouse and human islets) and improved glucose homeostasis in vivo (OGTT in HF/STZ mice) when compared to AM-1638.

Aminopyrazole-Phenylalanine Based GPR142 Agonists: Discovery of Tool Compound and in Vivo Efficacy Studies.

Herein, we report the lead optimization of amrinone-phenylalanine based GPR142 agonists. Structure-activity relationship studies led to the discovery of aminopyrazole-phenylalanine carboxylic acid 22, which exhibited good agonistic activity, high target selectivity, desirable pharmacokinetic properties, and no cytochrome P450 or hERG liability. Compound 22, together with its orally bioavailable ethyl ester prodrug 23, were found to be suitable for in vivo proof-of-concept studies. Compound 23 displayed good efficacy in a mouse oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT). Compound 22 showed GPR142 dependent stimulation of insulin secretion in isolated mouse islets and demonstrated a statistically significant glucose lowering effect in a mouse model bearing transplanted human islets.

Discovery and optimization of a series of liver X receptor antagonists.

The present report describes our efforts to convert an existing LXR agonist into an LXR antagonist using a structure-based approach. A series of benzenesulfonamides was synthesized based on structural modification of a known LXR agonist and was determined to be potent dual liver X receptor (LXR α/ß) ligands. Herein we report the identification of compound 54 as the first reported LXR antagonist that is suitable for pharmacological in vivo evaluation in rodents.

Synthesis and optimization of substituted furo[2,3-d]-pyrimidin-4-amines and 7H-pyrrolo[2,3-d]pyrimidin-4-amines as ACK1 inhibitors.

Two classes of ACK1 inhibitors, 4,5,6-trisubstituted furo[2,3-d]pyrimidin4-amines and 4,5,6-trisubstituted 7H-pyrrolo[2,3-d]pyrimidin-4-amines, were discovered and evaluated as ACK1 inhibitors. Further structural refinement led to the identification of potent and selective dithiolane inhibitor 37.

Structure-based design of novel inhibitors of the MDM2-p53 interaction.

Structure-based rational design led to the discovery of novel inhibitors of the MDM2-p53 protein-protein interaction. The affinity of these compounds for MDM2 was improved through conformational control of both the piperidinone ring and the appended N-alkyl substituent. Optimization afforded 29 (AM-8553), a potent and selective MDM2 inhibitor with excellent pharmacokinetic properties and in vivo efficacy.

Discovery of AM-1638: A Potent and Orally Bioavailable GPR40/FFA1 Full Agonist.

GPR40 (FFA1) is a G-protein-coupled receptor, primarily expressed in pancreatic islets, the activation of which elicits increased insulin secretion only in the presence of elevated glucose levels. A potent, orally bioavailable small molecule GPR40 agonist is hypothesized to be an effective antidiabetic posing little or no risk of hypoglycemia. We recently reported the discovery of AMG 837 (1), a potent partial agonist of GPR40. Herein, we present the optimization from the GPR40 partial agonist 1 to the structurally and pharmacologically distinct GPR40 full agonist AM-1638 (21). Moreover, we demonstrate the improved in vivo efficacy that GPR40 full agonist 21 exhibits in BDF/DIO mice as compared to partial agonist 1.

The first synthetic agonists of FFA2: Discovery and SAR of phenylacetamides as allosteric modulators.

Free fatty acid receptor 2 (FFA2) is a G-protein coupled receptor for which only short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) have been reported as endogenous ligands. We describe the discovery and optimization of phenylacetamides as allosteric agonists of FFA2. These novel ligands can suppress adipocyte lipolysis in vitro and reduce plasma FFA levels in vivo, suggesting that these allosteric modulators can serve as pharmacological tools for exploring the potential function of FFA2 in various disease conditions.

Identification and optimization of N3,N6-diaryl-1H-pyrazolo[3,4-d]pyrimidine-3,6-diamines as a novel class of ACK1 inhibitors.

A new series of pyrazolo[3,4-d]pyrimidine-3,6-diamines was designed and synthesized as potent and selective inhibitors of the nonreceptor tyrosine kinase, ACK1. These compounds arose from efforts to rigidify an earlier series of N-aryl pyrimidine-5-carboxamides. The synthesis and structure-activity relationships of this new series of inhibitors are reported. The most promising compounds were also profiled for their pharmacokinetic properties.

Identification and functional characterization of allosteric agonists for the G protein-coupled receptor FFA2.

FFA2 (GPR43) has been identified as a receptor for short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) that include acetate and propionate. FFA2 is highly expressed in islets, a subset of immune cells, and adipocytes. Although the potential roles of FFA2 activation in these tissues have previously been described, the physiological functions are still unclear. The potency for SCFAs on FFA2 is low, in the high micromolar to millimolar concentrations. To identify better pharmacological tools to study receptor function, we used high-throughput screening (HTS) to discover a series of small molecule phenylacetamides as novel and more potent FFA2 agonists. This series is specific for FFA2 over FFA1 (GPR40) and FFA3 (GPR41), and it is able to activate both the Galpha(q) and Galpha(i) pathways in vitro on Chinese hamster ovary cells stably expressing FFA2. Treatment of adipocytes with these compounds also resulted in Galpha(i)-dependent inhibition of lipolysis similar to that of endogenous ligands (SCFAs). It is noteworthy that these compounds not only acted as FFA2 agonists but also exhibited positive cooperativity with acetate or propionate. The observed allosteric modulation was consistent in all the functional assays that we have explored, including cAMP, calcium mobilization, guanosine 5'-[gamma-thio]triphosphate binding, and lipolysis. Molecular modeling analysis of FFA2 based on human beta(2)-adrenergic receptor structure revealed potential nonoverlapping binding sites for the endogenous and synthetic ligands, further providing insight into the binding pocket for the allosteric interactions. This is the first report describing the identification of novel allosteric modulators with agonist activity for FFA2, and these compounds may serve as tools for further unraveling the physiological functions of the receptor and its involvement in various diseases.

An ultrasensitive high-throughput electrochemiluminescence immunoassay for the Cdc42-associated protein tyrosine kinase ACK1.

Several drugs inhibiting protein kinases have been launched successfully, demonstrating the attractiveness of protein kinases as therapeutic targets. Functional genomics research within both academia and industry has led to the identification of many more kinases as potential drug targets. Although a number of well-known formats are used for measuring protein kinase activity, some less well-characterized protein kinases identified through functional genomics present particular challenges for existing assay formats when there is limited knowledge of the endogenous substrates or activation mechanisms for these novel kinase targets. This is especially the case when a very sensitive assay is required to differentiate often highly potent inhibitors developed by late-stage medicinal chemistry programs. ACK1 is a non-receptor tyrosine kinase that has been shown to be involved in tumorigenesis and metastasis. Here we describe the development of an extremely sensitive high-throughput assay for ACK1 capable of detecting 240 fmol per well of the kinase reaction product employing a BV-tag-based electrochemiluminescence assay. This assay is universally applicable to protein tyrosine kinases using a BV-tag-labeled monoclonal antibody against phosphotyrosine. Furthermore, this assay can be extended to the evaluation of Ser/Thr kinases in those cases where an antibody recognizing the phospho-product is available.

A facile route to vinyl- and arylphosphonates by vinyl and aryl radical trapping with (MeO)3P.

The generation of vinyl or aryl radicals under classical, thermal AIBN/n-Bu(3)SnH conditions at 80 degrees C in the presence of an excess of (MeO)(3)P gives rise to the corresponding vinyl- or arylphosphonates in good yields. This approach complements the photochemical reactions of the same systems previously used. Reactions with the individual stereoisomers of MeCH=CHMeBr (thermal AIBN/n-Bu(3)SnH conditions) afford a radical-equilibrated 96/4 E/Z ratio of vinylphosphonates. Substitution of (TMS)(3)SiH for n-Bu(3)SnH yields an approximately 1/1 ratio of separable E and Z vinylphosphonate diastereomers.