Synthesis and Biological Evaluation of Cyclobutane-Based ß3 Integrin Antagonists: A Novel Approach to Targeting Integrins for Cancer Therapy.

The Arg-Gly-Asp (RGD)-binding family of integrin receptors, and notably the ß3 subfamily, are key to multiple physiological processes involved in tissue development, cancer proliferation, and metastatic dissemination. While there is compelling preclinical evidence that both αvß3 and αIIbß3 are important anticancer targets, most integrin antagonists developed to target the ß3 integrins are highly selective for αvß3 or αIIbß3. We report the design, synthesis, and biological evaluation of a new structural class of ligand-mimetic ß3 integrin antagonist. These new antagonists combine a high activity against αvß3 with a moderate affinity for αIIbß3, providing the first evidence for a new approach to integrin targeting in cancer.

NUDT15-mediated hydrolysis limits the efficacy of anti-HCMV drug ganciclovir.

Ganciclovir (GCV) is the first-line therapy against human cytomegalovirus (HCMV), a widespread infection that is particularly dangerous for immunodeficient individuals. Closely resembling deoxyguanosine triphosphate, the tri-phosphorylated metabolite of GCV (GCV-TP) is preferentially incorporated by the viral DNA polymerase, thereby terminating chain extension and, eventually, viral replication. However, the treatment outcome of GCV varies greatly among individuals, therefore warranting better understanding of its metabolism. Here we show that NUDT15, a Nudix hydrolase known to metabolize thiopurine triphosphates, can similarly hydrolyze GCV-TP through biochemical studies and co-crystallization of the NUDT15/GCV-TP complex. More critically, GCV efficacy was potentiated in HCMV-infected cells following NUDT15 depletion by RNAi or inhibition by an in-house-developed, nanomolar NUDT15 inhibitor, TH8321, suggesting that pharmacological targeting of NUDT15 is a possible avenue to improve existing anti-HCMV regimens. Collectively, the data further implicate NUDT15 as a broad-spectrum metabolic regulator of nucleoside analog therapeutics, such as thiopurines and GCV.

Crystal structures of NUDT15 variants enabled by a potent inhibitor reveal the structural basis for thiopurine sensitivity.

The enzyme NUDT15 efficiently hydrolyzes the active metabolites of thiopurine drugs, which are routinely used for treating cancer and inflammatory diseases. Loss-of-function variants in NUDT15 are strongly associated with thiopurine intolerance, such as leukopenia, and preemptive NUDT15 genotyping has been clinically implemented to personalize thiopurine dosing. However, understanding the molecular consequences of these variants has been difficult, as no structural information was available for NUDT15 proteins encoded by clinically actionable pharmacogenetic variants because of their inherent instability. Recently, the small molecule NUDT15 inhibitor TH1760 has been shown to sensitize cells to thiopurines, through enhanced accumulation of 6-thio-guanine in DNA. Building upon this, we herein report the development of the potent and specific NUDT15 inhibitor, TH7755. TH7755 demonstrates a greatly improved cellular target engagement and 6-thioguanine potentiation compared with TH1760, while showing no cytotoxicity on its own. This potent inhibitor also stabilized NUDT15, enabling analysis by X-ray crystallography. We have determined high-resolution structures of the clinically relevant NUDT15 variants Arg139Cys, Arg139His, Val18Ile, and V18_V19insGlyVal. These structures provide clear insights into the structural basis for the thiopurine intolerance phenotype observed in patients carrying these pharmacogenetic variants. These findings will aid in predicting the effects of new NUDT15 sequence variations yet to be discovered in the clinic.

Development of a chemical probe against NUDT15.

The NUDIX hydrolase NUDT15 was originally implicated in sanitizing oxidized nucleotides, but was later shown to hydrolyze the active thiopurine metabolites, 6-thio-(d)GTP, thereby dictating the clinical response of this standard-of-care treatment for leukemia and inflammatory diseases. Nonetheless, its physiological roles remain elusive. Here, we sought to develop small-molecule NUDT15 inhibitors to elucidate its biological functions and potentially to improve NUDT15-dependent chemotherapeutics. Lead compound TH1760 demonstrated low-nanomolar biochemical potency through direct and specific binding into the NUDT15 catalytic pocket and engaged cellular NUDT15 in the low-micromolar range. We also employed thiopurine potentiation as a proxy functional readout and demonstrated that TH1760 sensitized cells to 6-thioguanine through enhanced accumulation of 6-thio-(d)GTP in nucleic acids. A biochemically validated, inactive structural analog, TH7285, confirmed that increased thiopurine toxicity takes place via direct NUDT15 inhibition. In conclusion, TH1760 represents the first chemical probe for interrogating NUDT15 biology and potential therapeutic avenues.

Human NUDT22 Is a UDP-Glucose/Galactose Hydrolase Exhibiting a Unique Structural Fold.

Human NUDT22 belongs to the diverse NUDIX family of proteins, but has, until now, remained uncharacterized. Here we show that human NUDT22 is a Mg2+-dependent UDP-glucose and UDP-galactose hydrolase, producing UMP and glucose 1-phosphate or galactose 1-phosphate. We present the structure of human NUDT22 alone and in a complex with the substrate UDP-glucose. These structures reveal a partially conserved NUDIX fold domain preceded by a unique N-terminal domain responsible for UDP moiety binding and recognition. The NUDIX domain of NUDT22 contains a modified NUDIX box identified using structural analysis and confirmed through functional analysis of mutants. Human NUDT22's distinct structure and function as a UDP-carbohydrate hydrolase establish a unique NUDIX protein subfamily.

Novel spirocyclic systems via multicomponent aza-Diels-Alder reaction.

Here we present a two-step diastereoselective methodology building on a multicomponent aza-Diels-Alder reaction. Using previously unexplored cyclic ketones, heterocyclic amines and cyclopentadiene derivatives, we obtained novel spiro-heterocyclic frameworks at the interphase between "drug-like" molecules and natural products.

Diverse heterocyclic scaffolds as dCTP pyrophosphatase 1 inhibitors. Part 1: Triazoles, triazolopyrimidines, triazinoindoles, quinoline hydrazones and arylpiperazines.

A high-throughput screening campaign using a commercial compound library (ChemBridge DiverSET) revealed diverse chemotypes as inhibitors of the human dCTP pyrophosphatase 1 (dCTPase). Triazole, triazolopyrimidine, triazinoindole, quinoline hydrazone and arylpiperazine hits were clustered, confirmed by IC50 determinations, and their preliminary structure-activity-relationships (SAR) and ligand efficiency scores are discussed in this letter.

Intramolecular thermal stepwise [2 + 2] cycloadditions: investigation of a stereoselective synthesis of [n.2.0]-bicyclolactones.

Fused cyclobutanes are found in a range of natural products and formation of these motifs in a straightforward and easy manner represents an interesting synthetic challenge. To this end we investigated an intramolecular variant of the thermal enamine [2 + 2] cyclisation, developing a diastereoselective intramolecular enamine [2 + 2] cyclisation furnishing δ lactone and lactam fused cyclobutenes in good yield and excellent diastereoselectivity.