Discovery and Pharmacological Characterization of JNJ-64619178, a Novel Small-Molecule Inhibitor of PRMT5 with Potent Antitumor Activity.

The protein arginine methyltransferase 5 (PRMT5) methylates a variety of proteins involved in splicing, multiple signal transduction pathways, epigenetic control of gene expression, and mechanisms leading to protein expression required for cellular proliferation. Dysregulation of PRMT5 is associated with clinical features of several cancers, including lymphomas, lung cancer, and breast cancer. Here, we describe the characterization of JNJ-64619178, a novel, selective, and potent PRMT5 inhibitor, currently in clinical trials for patients with advanced solid tumors, non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, and lower-risk myelodysplastic syndrome. JNJ-64619178 demonstrated a prolonged inhibition of PRMT5 and potent antiproliferative activity in subsets of cancer cell lines derived from various histologies, including lung, breast, pancreatic, and hematological malignancies. In primary acute myelogenous leukemia samples, the presence of splicing factor mutations correlated with a higher ex vivo sensitivity to JNJ-64619178. Furthermore, the potent and unique mechanism of inhibition of JNJ-64619178, combined with highly optimized pharmacological properties, led to efficient tumor growth inhibition and regression in several xenograft models in vivo, with once-daily or intermittent oral-dosing schedules. An increase in splicing burden was observed upon JNJ-64619178 treatment. Overall, these observations support the continued clinical evaluation of JNJ-64619178 in patients with aberrant PRMT5 activity-driven tumors.

Discovery of a novel series of guanidinebenzoates as gut-restricted enteropeptidase and trypsin dual inhibitors for the treatment of metabolic syndrome.

A novel series of guanidinebenzoate enteropeptidase and trypsin dual inhibitors has been discovered and SAR studies were conducted. Optimization was focused on improving properties for gut restriction, including increased aqueous solubility, lower cellular permeability, and reduced oral bioavailability. Lead compounds were identified with efficacy in a mouse fecal protein excretion study.

Synthesis and Reactivity of Spirocarbocycles as Scaffolds for Nucleoside Analogues.

A novel class of substituted spiro[3.4]octanes can be accessed via a [2 + 2]-cycloaddition of dichloroketene on a readily prepared exo-methylene cyclopentane building block. This reaction sequence was found to be robust on a multigram scale and afforded a central spirocyclobutanone scaffold for carbocyclic nucleosides. The reactivity of this constrained building block was evaluated and compared to the corresponding 4'-spirocyclic furanose analogues. Density functional theory calculations were performed to support the observed selectivity in the carbonyl reduction of spirocyclobutanone building blocks. Starting from novel spirocyclic intermediates, we exemplified the preparation of an undescribed class of carbocyclic nucleoside analogues and provided a proof of concept for application as inhibitors for the protein methyltransferase target PRMT5.

A Chemical Probe for the Methyl Transferase PRMT5 with a Novel Binding Mode.

Protein arginine methyltransferase 5 (PRMT5) is an enzyme that can symmetrically dimethylate arginine residues in histones and nonhistone proteins by using S-adenosyl methionine (SAM) as the methyl donating cofactor. We have designed a library of SAM analogues and discovered potent, cell-active, and selective spiro diamines as inhibitors of the enzymatic function of PRMT5. Crystallographic studies confirmed a very interesting binding mode, involving protein flexibility, where both the cofactor pocket and part of substrate binding site are occupied by these inhibitors.

Targeting Enteropeptidase with Reversible Covalent Inhibitors To Achieve Metabolic Benefits.

Inhibition of the serine protease enteropeptidase (EP) opens a new avenue to the discovery of chemotherapeutics for the treatment of metabolic diseases. Camostat has been used clinically for treating chronic pancreatitis in Japan; however, the mechanistic basis of the observed clinical efficacy has not been fully elucidated. We demonstrate that camostat is a potent reversible covalent inhibitor of EP, with an inhibition potency (k inact/KI) of 1.5 × 104 M-1s-1 High-resolution liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS) showed addition of 161.6 Da to EP after the reaction with camostat, consistent with insertion of the carboxyphenylguanidine moiety of camostat. Covalent inhibition of EP by camostat is reversible, with an enzyme reactivation half-life of 14.3 hours. Formation of a covalent adduct was further supported by a crystal structure resolved to 2.19 Å, showing modification of the catalytic serine of EP by a close analog of camostat, leading to formation of the carboxyphenylguanidine acyl enzyme identical to that expected for the reaction with camostat. Of particular note, minor structural modifications of camostat led to changes in the mechanism of inhibition. We observed from other studies that sustained inhibition of EP is required to effect a reduction in cumulative food intake and body weight, with concomitant improved blood glucose levels in obese and diabetic leptin-deficient mice. Thus, the structure-activity relationship needs to be driven by not only the inhibition potency but also the mechanistic and kinetic characterization. Our findings support EP as a target for the treatment of metabolic diseases and demonstrate that reversible covalent EP inhibitors show clinically relevant efficacy. SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT: Interest in targeted covalent drugs has expanded in recent years, particularly so for kinase targets, but also more broadly. This study demonstrates that reversible covalent inhibition of the serine protease enteropeptidase is a therapeutically viable approach to the treatment of metabolic diseases and that mechanistic details of inhibition are relevant to clinical efficacy. Our mechanistic and kinetic studies outline a framework for detailed inhibitor characterization that is proving essential in guiding discovery efforts in this area.

Discovery and optimization of a series of small-molecule allosteric inhibitors of MALT1 protease.

We describe a series of potent and highly selective small-molecule MALT1 inhibitors, optimized from a High-Throughput Screening hit. Advanced analogues such as compound 40 show high potency (IC50: 0.01 µM) in a biochemical assay measuring MALT1 enzymatic activity, as well as in cellular assays: Jurkat T cell activation (0.05 µM) and IL6/10 secretion (IC50: 0.10/0.06 µM) in the TMD8 B-cell lymphoma line. Compound 40 also inhibited cleavage of the MALT1 substrate RelB (IC50: 0.10 µM). Mechanistic enzymology results suggest that these compounds bind to the known allosteric site of the protease.

Preparation of 4'-Spirocyclobutyl Nucleoside Analogues as Novel and Versatile Adenosine Scaffolds.

Despite the large variety of modified nucleosides that have been reported, the preparation of constrained 4'-spirocyclic adenosine analogues has received very little attention. We discovered that the [2+2]-cycloaddition of dichloroketene on readily available 4'-exo-methylene furanose sugars efficiently results in the diastereoselective formation of novel 4'-spirocyclobutanones. The reaction mechanism was investigated via density functional theory (DFT) and found to proceed either via a non-synchronous or stepwise reaction sequence, controlled by the stereochemistry at the 3'-position of the sugar substrate. The obtained dichlorocyclobutanones were converted into nucleoside analogues, providing access to a novel class of chiral 4'-spirocyclobutyl adenosine mimetics in eight steps from commercially available sugars. Assessment of the biological activity of designed 4'-spirocyclic adenosine analogues identified potent inhibitors for protein methyltransferase target PRMT5.

Optimization of a pyrazole hit from FBDD into a novel series of indazoles as ketohexokinase inhibitors.

A series of indazoles have been discovered as KHK inhibitors from a pyrazole hit identified through fragment-based drug discovery (FBDD). The optimization process guided by both X-ray crystallography and solution activity resulted in lead-like compounds with good pharmaceutical properties.

A mouse model of hereditary folate malabsorption: deletion of the PCFT gene leads to systemic folate deficiency.

The human proton coupled folate transporter (PCFT) is involved in low pH-dependent intestinal folate transport. In this report, we describe a new murine model of the hereditary folate malabsorption syndrome that we developed through targeted disruption of the first 3 coding exons of the murine homolog of the PCFT gene. By 4 weeks of age, PCFT-deficient (PCFT(-/-)) mice developed severe macrocytic normochromic anemia and pancytopenia. Immature erythroblasts accumulated in the bone marrow and spleen of PCFT(-/-) mice and failed to differentiate further, showing an increased rate of apoptosis in intermediate erythroblasts and reduced release of reticulocytes. In response to the inefficient hematologic development, the serum of the PCFT(-/-) animals contained elevated concentrations of erythropoietin, soluble transferrin receptor (sCD71), and thrombopoietin. In vivo folate uptake experiments demonstrated a systemic folate deficiency caused by disruption of PCFT-mediated intestinal folate uptake, thus confirming in vivo a critical and nonredundant role of the PCFT protein in intestinal folate transport and erythropoiesis. The PCFT-deficient mouse serves as a model for the hereditary folate malabsorption syndrome and is the most accurate animal model of folate deficiency anemia described to date that closely captures the spectrum of pathology typical of this disease.

Electron density guided fragment-based lead discovery of ketohexokinase inhibitors.

A fragment-based drug design paradigm has been successfully applied in the discovery of lead series of ketohexokinase inhibitors. The paradigm consists of three iterations of design, synthesis, and X-ray crystallographic screening to progress low molecular weight fragments to leadlike compounds. Applying electron density of fragments within the protein binding site as defined by X-ray crystallography, one can generate target specific leads without the use of affinity data. Our approach contrasts with most fragment-based drug design methodology where solution activity is a main design guide. Herein we describe the discovery of submicromolar ketohexokinase inhibitors with promising druglike properties.

Substituted 3-(4-(1,3,5-triazin-2-yl)-phenyl)-2-aminopropanoic acids as novel tryptophan hydroxylase inhibitors.

Tryptophan hydroxylase (TPH) is a key enzyme in the synthesis of serotonin. As a neurotransmitter, serotonin plays important physiological roles both peripherally and centrally. Here we describe the discovery of substituted triazines as a novel class of tryptophan hydroxylase inhibitors. This class of TPH inhibitors can selectively reduce serotonin levels in murine intestine after oral administration without affecting levels in the brain. These TPH inhibitors may provide novel treatments for gastrointestinal disorders associated with dysregulation of the serotonergic system, such as chemotherapy-induced emesis and irritable bowel syndrome.

Inhibition of sphingosine-1-phosphate lyase for the treatment of autoimmune disorders.

During nearly a decade of research dedicated to the study of sphingosine signaling pathways, we identified sphingosine-1-phosphate lyase (S1PL) as a drug target for the treatment of autoimmune disorders. S1PL catalyzes the irreversible decomposition of sphingosine-1-phosphate (S1P) by a retro-aldol fragmentation that yields hexadecanaldehyde and phosphoethanolamine. Genetic models demonstrated that mice expressing reduced S1PL activity had decreased numbers of circulating lymphocytes due to altered lymphocyte trafficking, which prevented disease development in multiple models of autoimmune disease. Mechanistic studies of lymphoid tissue following oral administration of 2-acetyl-4(5)-(1(R),2(S),3(R),4-tetrahydroxybutyl)-imidazole (THI) 3 showed a clear relationship between reduced lyase activity, elevated S1P levels, and lower levels of circulating lymphocytes. Our internal medicinal chemistry efforts discovered potent analogues of 3 bearing heterocycles as chemical equivalents of the pendant carbonyl present in the parent structure. Reduction of S1PL activity by oral administration of these analogues recapitulated the phenotype of mice with genetically reduced S1PL expression.

Incomplete inhibition of sphingosine 1-phosphate lyase modulates immune system function yet prevents early lethality and non-lymphoid lesions.

BACKGROUND: S1PL is an aldehyde-lyase that irreversibly cleaves sphingosine 1-phosphate (S1P) in the terminal step of sphingolipid catabolism. Because S1P modulates a wide range of physiological processes, its concentration must be tightly regulated within both intracellular and extracellular environments. METHODOLOGY: In order to better understand the function of S1PL in this regulatory pathway, we assessed the in vivo effects of different levels of S1PL activity using knockout (KO) and humanized mouse models. PRINCIPAL FINDINGS: Our analysis showed that all S1PL-deficient genetic models in this study displayed lymphopenia, with sequestration of mature T cells in the thymus and lymph nodes. In addition to the lymphoid phenotypes, S1PL KO mice (S1PL(-/-)) also developed myeloid cell hyperplasia and significant lesions in the lung, heart, urinary tract, and bone, and had a markedly reduced life span. The humanized knock-in mice harboring one allele (S1PL(H/-)) or two alleles (S1PL(H/H)) of human S1PL expressed less than 10 and 20% of normal S1PL activity, respectively. This partial restoration of S1PL activity was sufficient to fully protect both humanized mouse lines from the lethal non-lymphoid lesions that developed in S1PL(-/-) mice, but failed to restore normal T-cell development and trafficking. Detailed analysis of T-cell compartments indicated that complete absence of S1PL affected both maturation/development and egress of mature T cells from the thymus, whereas low level S1PL activity affected T-cell egress more than differentiation. SIGNIFICANCE: These findings demonstrate that lymphocyte trafficking is particularly sensitive to variations in S1PL activity and suggest that there is a window in which partial inhibition of S1PL could produce therapeutic levels of immunosuppression without causing clinically significant S1P-related lesions in non-lymphoid target organs.

Modulation of peripheral serotonin levels by novel tryptophan hydroxylase inhibitors for the potential treatment of functional gastrointestinal disorders.

The discovery of a novel class of peripheral tryptophan hydroxylase (TPH) inhibitors is described. This class of TPH inhibitors exhibits excellent potency in in vitro biochemical and cell-based assays, and it selectively reduces serotonin levels in the murine intestine after oral administration without affecting levels in the brain. These TPH1 inhibitors may provide novel treatments for gastrointestinal disorders associated with dysregulation of the serotonergic system, such as chemotherapy-induced emesis and irritable bowel syndrome.

Discovery and characterization of novel tryptophan hydroxylase inhibitors that selectively inhibit serotonin synthesis in the gastrointestinal tract.

5-Hydroxytryptamine (serotonin) (5-HT) is a neurotransmitter with both central and peripheral functions, including the modulation of mood, appetite, hemodynamics, gastrointestinal (GI) sensation, secretion, and motility. Its synthesis is initiated by the enzyme tryptophan hydroxylase (TPH). Two isoforms of TPH have been discovered: TPH1, primarily expressed in the enterochromaffin cells of the gastrointestinal tract, and TPH2, expressed exclusively in neuronal cells. Mice lacking Tph1 contain little to no 5-HT in the blood and GI tract while maintaining normal levels in the brain. Because GI 5-HT is known to play important roles in normal and pathophysiology, we set out to discover and characterize novel compounds that selectively inhibit biosynthesis of GI 5-HT. Here, we describe two of a series of these inhibitors that are potent for TPH activity both in biochemical and cell-based assays. This class of compounds has unique properties with respect to pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic effects on GI serotonin production. Similar to the Tph1 knockout results, these TPH inhibitors have the ability to selectively reduce 5-HT levels in the murine GI tract without affecting brain 5-HT levels. In addition, administration of these compounds in a ferret model of chemotherapy-induced emesis caused modest reductions of intestinal serotonin levels and a decreased emetic response. These findings suggest that GI-specific TPH inhibitors may provide novel treatments for various gastrointestinal disorders associated with dysregulation of the GI serotonergic system, such as chemotherapy-induced emesis and irritable bowel syndrome.

Catalytic mechanism of Escherichia coli ribonuclease III: kinetic and inhibitor evidence for the involvement of two magnesium ions in RNA phosphodiester hydrolysis.

Escherichia coli ribonuclease III (RNase III; EC 3.1.24) is a double-stranded(ds)-RNA-specific endonuclease with key roles in diverse RNA maturation and decay pathways. E.coli RNase III is a member of a structurally distinct superfamily that includes Dicer, a central enzyme in the mechanism of RNA interference. E.coli RNase III requires a divalent metal ion for activity, with Mg2+ as the preferred species. However, neither the function(s) nor the number of metal ions involved in catalysis is known. To gain information on metal ion involvement in catalysis, the rate of cleavage of the model substrate R1.1 RNA was determined as a function of Mg2+ concentration. Single-turnover conditions were applied, wherein phosphodiester cleavage was the rate-limiting event. The measured Hill coefficient (n (H)) is 2.0 +/- 0.1, indicative of the involvement of two Mg2+ ions in phosphodiester hydrolysis. It is also shown that 2-hydroxy-4H-isoquinoline-1,3-dione--an inhibitor of ribonucleases that employ two divalent metal ions in their catalytic sites--inhibits E.coli RNase III cleavage of R1.1 RNA. The IC50 for the compound is 14 microM for the Mg2+-supported reaction, and 8 microM for the Mn2+-supported reaction. The compound exhibits noncompetitive inhibitory kinetics, indicating that it does not perturb substrate binding. Neither the O-methylated version of the compound nor the unsubstituted imide inhibit substrate cleavage, which is consistent with a specific interaction of the N-hydroxyimide with two closely positioned divalent metal ions. A preliminary model is presented for functional roles of two divalent metal ions in the RNase III catalytic mechanism.

Mutational analysis of the nuclease domain of Escherichia coli ribonuclease III. Identification of conserved acidic residues that are important for catalytic function in vitro.

The ribonuclease III superfamily represents a structurally distinct group of double-strand-specific endonucleases with essential roles in RNA maturation, RNA decay, and gene silencing. Bacterial RNase III orthologs exhibit the simplest structures, with an N-terminal nuclease domain and a C-terminal double-stranded RNA-binding domain (dsRBD), and are active as homodimers. The nuclease domain contains conserved acidic amino acids, which in Escherichia coli RNase III are E38, E41, D45, E65, E100, D114, and E117. On the basis of a previously reported crystal structure of the nuclease domain of Aquifex aeolicus RNase III, the E41, D114, and E117 side chains of E. coli RNase III are expected to be coordinated to a divalent metal ion (Mg(2+) or Mn(2+)). It is shown here that the RNase III[E41A] and RNase III[D114A] mutants exhibit catalytic activities in vitro in 10 mM Mg(2+) buffer that are comparable to that of the wild-type enzyme. However, at 1 mM Mg(2+), the activities are significantly lower, which suggests a weakened affinity for metal. While RNase III[E41A] and RNase III[D114A] have K(Mg) values that are approximately 2.8-fold larger than the K(Mg) of RNase III (0.46 mM), the RNase III[E41A/D114A] double mutant has a K(Mg) of 39 mM, suggesting a redundant function for the two side chains. RNase III[E38A], RNase III[E65A], and RNase III[E100A] also require higher Mg(2+) concentrations for optimal activity, with RNase III[E100A] exhibiting the largest K(Mg). RNase III[D45A], RNase III[D45E], and RNase III[D45N] exhibit negligible activities, regardless of the Mg(2+) concentration, indicating a stringent functional requirement for an aspartate side chain. RNase III[D45E] activity is partially rescued by Mn(2+). The potential functions of the conserved acidic residues are discussed in the context of the crystallographic data and proposed catalytic mechanisms.