A human fatty acid synthase inhibitor binds ß-ketoacyl reductase in the keto-substrate site.

Human fatty acid synthase (hFAS) is a complex, multifunctional enzyme that is solely responsible for the de novo synthesis of long chain fatty acids. hFAS is highly expressed in a number of cancers, with low expression observed in most normal tissues. Although normal tissues tend to obtain fatty acids from the diet, tumor tissues rely on de novo fatty acid synthesis, making hFAS an attractive metabolic target for the treatment of cancer. We describe here the identification of GSK2194069, a potent and specific inhibitor of the ß-ketoacyl reductase (KR) activity of hFAS; the characterization of its enzymatic and cellular mechanism of action; and its inhibition of human tumor cell growth. We also present the design of a new protein construct suitable for crystallography, which resulted in what is to our knowledge the first co-crystal structure of the human KR domain and includes a bound inhibitor.

Synthesis and structure-activity relationships of imidazo[1,2-a]pyrimidin-5(1H)-ones as a novel series of beta isoform selective phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase inhibitors.

A series of PI3K-beta selective inhibitors, imidazo[1,2-a]-pyrimidin-5(1H)-ones, has been rationally designed based on the docking model of the more potent R enantiomer of TGX-221, identified by a chiral separation, in a PI3K-beta homology model. Synthesis and SAR of this novel chemotype are described. Several compounds in the series demonstrated potent growth inhibition in a PTEN-deficient breast cancer cell line MDA-MB-468 under anchorage independent conditions.

Synthesis and structure-activity relationships of 1,2,4-triazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidin-7(3H)-ones as novel series of potent ß isoform selective phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase inhibitors.

A series of 1,2,4-triazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidin-7(3H)-ones with excellent enzyme inhibition, improved isoform selectivity, and excellent inhibition of downstream phosphorylation of AKT has been identified. Several compounds in the series demonstrated potent (∼ 0.100 µM IC(50)) growth inhibition in a PTEN deficient cancer cell line.

High chromosome number in hematological cancer cell lines is a negative predictor of response to the inhibition of Aurora B and C by GSK1070916.

BACKGROUND: Aurora kinases play critical roles in mitosis and are being evaluated as therapeutic targets in cancer. GSK1070916 is a potent, selective, ATP competitive inhibitor of Aurora kinase B and C. Translation of predictive biomarkers to the clinic can benefit patients by identifying the tumors that are more likely to respond to therapies, especially novel inhibitors such as GSK1070916. METHODS: 59 Hematological cancer-derived cell lines were used as models for response where in vitro sensitivity to GSK1070916 was based on both time and degree of cell death. The response data was analyzed along with karyotype, transcriptomics and somatic mutation profiles to determine predictors of response. RESULTS: 20 cell lines were sensitive and 39 were resistant to treatment with GSK1070916. High chromosome number was more prevalent in resistant cell lines (p-value = 0.0098, Fisher Exact Test). Greater resistance was also found in cell lines harboring polyploid subpopulations (p-value = 0.00014, Unpaired t-test). A review of NOTCH1 mutations in T-ALL cell lines showed an association between NOTCH1 mutation status and chromosome number (p-value = 0.0066, Fisher Exact Test). CONCLUSIONS: High chromosome number associated with resistance to the inhibition of Aurora B and C suggests cells with a mechanism to bypass the high ploidy checkpoint are resistant to GSK1070916. High chromosome number, a hallmark trait of many late stage hematological malignancies, varies in prevalence among hematological malignancy subtypes. The high frequency and relative ease of measurement make high chromosome number a viable negative predictive marker for GSK1070916.

Genome sequencing in microfabricated high-density picolitre reactors.

The proliferation of large-scale DNA-sequencing projects in recent years has driven a search for alternative methods to reduce time and cost. Here we describe a scalable, highly parallel sequencing system with raw throughput significantly greater than that of state-of-the-art capillary electrophoresis instruments. The apparatus uses a novel fibre-optic slide of individual wells and is able to sequence 25 million bases, at 99% or better accuracy, in one four-hour run. To achieve an approximately 100-fold increase in throughput over current Sanger sequencing technology, we have developed an emulsion method for DNA amplification and an instrument for sequencing by synthesis using a pyrosequencing protocol optimized for solid support and picolitre-scale volumes. Here we show the utility, throughput, accuracy and robustness of this system by shotgun sequencing and de novo assembly of the Mycoplasma genitalium genome with 96% coverage at 99.96% accuracy in one run of the machine.

Discovery of a new series of Aurora inhibitors through truncation of GSK1070916.

Novel Aurora inhibitors were identified truncating clinical candidate GSK1070916. Many of these truncated compounds retained potent activity against Aurora B with good antiproliferative activity. Mechanistic studies suggested that these compounds, depending on the substitution pattern, may or may not exert their antiproliferative effects via inhibition of Aurora B. The SAR results from this investigation will be presented with an emphasis on the impact structural changes have on the cellular phenotype.

Assessment of whole genome amplification-induced bias through high-throughput, massively parallel whole genome sequencing.

BACKGROUND: Whole genome amplification is an increasingly common technique through which minute amounts of DNA can be multiplied to generate quantities suitable for genetic testing and analysis. Questions of amplification-induced error and template bias generated by these methods have previously been addressed through either small scale (SNPs) or large scale (CGH array, FISH) methodologies. Here we utilized whole genome sequencing to assess amplification-induced bias in both coding and non-coding regions of two bacterial genomes. Halobacterium species NRC-1 DNA and Campylobacter jejuni were amplified by several common, commercially available protocols: multiple displacement amplification, primer extension pre-amplification and degenerate oligonucleotide primed PCR. The amplification-induced bias of each method was assessed by sequencing both genomes in their entirety using the 454 Sequencing System technology and comparing the results with those obtained from unamplified controls. RESULTS: All amplification methodologies induced statistically significant bias relative to the unamplified control. For the Halobacterium species NRC-1 genome, assessed at 100 base resolution, the D-statistics from GenomiPhi-amplified material were 119 times greater than those from unamplified material, 164.0 times greater for Repli-G, 165.0 times greater for PEP-PCR and 252.0 times greater than the unamplified controls for DOP-PCR. For Campylobacter jejuni, also analyzed at 100 base resolution, the D-statistics from GenomiPhi-amplified material were 15 times greater than those from unamplified material, 19.8 times greater for Repli-G, 61.8 times greater for PEP-PCR and 220.5 times greater than the unamplified controls for DOP-PCR. CONCLUSION: Of the amplification methodologies examined in this paper, the multiple displacement amplification products generated the least bias, and produced significantly higher yields of amplified DNA.

[3a,4]-Dihydropyrazolo[1,5a]pyrimidines: Novel, Potent, and Selective Phosphatidylinositol-3-kinase ß Inhibitors.

A series of novel [3a,4]dihydropyrazolo[1,5a]pyrimidines were identified, which were highly potent and selective inhibitors of PI3Kß. The template afforded the opportunity to develop novel SAR for both the hinge-binding (R3) and back-pocket (R4) substitutents. While cellular potency was relatively modest due to high protein binding, the series displayed low clearance in rat, mouse, and monkey.

Rational Design, Synthesis, and SAR of a Novel Thiazolopyrimidinone Series of Selective PI3K-beta Inhibitors.

A novel thiazolopyrimidinone series of PI3K-beta selective inhibitors has been identified. This chemotype has provided an excellent tool compound, 18, that showed potent growth inhibition in the PTEN-deficient breast cancer cell line MDA-MB-468 under anchorage-independent conditions, and it also demonstrated pharmacodynamic effects and efficacy in a PTEN-deficient prostate cancer PC-3 xenograft mouse model.

Discovery of GSK1070916, a potent and selective inhibitor of Aurora B/C kinase.

The Aurora kinases play critical roles in the regulation of mitosis and are frequently overexpressed or amplified in human tumors. Selective inhibitors may provide a new therapy for the treatment of tumors with Aurora kinase amplification. Herein we describe our lead optimization efforts within a 7-azaindole-based series culminating in the identification of GSK1070916 (17k). Key to the advancement of the series was the introduction of a 2-aryl group containing a basic amine onto the azaindole leading to significantly improved cellular activity. Compound 17k is a potent and selective ATP-competitive inhibitor of Aurora B and C with K(i)* values of 0.38 +/- 0.29 and 1.5 +/- 0.4 nM, respectively, and is >250-fold selective over Aurora A. Biochemical characterization revealed that compound 17k has an extremely slow dissociation half-life from Aurora B (>480 min), distinguishing it from clinical compounds 1 and 2. In vitro treatment of A549 human lung cancer cells with compound 17k results in a potent antiproliferative effect (EC(50) = 7 nM). Intraperitoneal administration of 17k in mice bearing human tumor xenografts leads to inhibition of histone H3 phosphorylation at serine 10 in human colon cancer (Colo205) and tumor regression in human leukemia (HL-60). Compound 17k is being progressed to human clinical trials.

GSK1070916, a potent Aurora B/C kinase inhibitor with broad antitumor activity in tissue culture cells and human tumor xenograft models.

The protein kinases, Aurora A, B, and C have critical roles in the regulation of mitosis and are frequently overexpressed or amplified in human tumors. GSK1070916, is a novel ATP competitive inhibitor that is highly potent and selective for Aurora B/C kinases. Human tumor cells treated with GSK1070916 show dose-dependent inhibition of phosphorylation on serine 10 of Histone H3, a substrate specific for Aurora B kinase. Moreover, GSK1070916 inhibits the proliferation of tumor cells with EC(50) values of <10 nmol/L in over 100 cell lines spanning a broad range of tumor types. Although GSK1070916 has potent activity against proliferating cells, a dramatic shift in potency is observed in primary, nondividing, normal human vein endothelial cells, consistent with the proposed mechanism. We further determined that treated cells do not arrest in mitosis but instead fail to divide and become polyploid, ultimately leading to apoptosis. GSK1070916 shows dose-dependent inhibition of phosphorylation of an Aurora B-specific substrate in mice and consistent with its broad cellular activity, has antitumor effects in 10 human tumor xenograft models including breast, colon, lung, and two leukemia models. These results show that GSK1070916 is a potent Aurora B/C kinase inhibitor that has the potential for antitumor activity in a wide range of human cancers.