Dibenzosuberones as p38 Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase Inhibitors with Low ATP Competitiveness and Outstanding Whole Blood Activity
摘要:
p38 alpha mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinase is a main target in drug research concerning inflammatory diseases. Nevertheless, no inhibitor of p38 alpha MAP kinase has been introduced to the market. This might be attributed to the fact that there is no inhibitor which combines outstanding activity in biological systems and selectivity. Herein an approach to the development of such inhibitors on the basis of the highly selective molecular probe Skepinone-L is described. Introduction of a "deep pocket" moiety addressing the DFG motif led to an increased activity of the compounds. Hydrophilic moieties, addressing the solvent-exposed area adjacent to hydrophilic region II, conserved a high activity of the compounds in a whole blood assay. Combined with their outstanding selectivity and low ATP competitiveness, these inhibitors are very interesting candidates for use in biological systems and in therapy.
Targeting the Hinge Glycine Flip and the Activation Loop: Novel Approach to Potent p38α Inhibitors
作者:Kathrin E. Martz、Angelika Dorn、Benjamin Baur、Verena Schattel、Márcia I. Goettert、Svenja C. Mayer-Wrangowski、Daniel Rauh、Stefan A. Laufer
DOI:10.1021/jm300951u
日期:2012.9.13
The p38 MAP kinase is a key player in signaling pathways regulating the biosynthesis of inflammatory cytokines. Small molecule p38 inhibitors suppress the production of these cytokines. Therefore p38 is a promising drug target for novel anti-inflammatory drugs. In this study, we report novel dibenzepinones, dibenzoxepines, and benzosuberones as p38 alpha MAP kinase inhibitors. Previously reported dibenzepinones and dibenzoxepines were chemically modified by introduction of functional groups or removal of a phenyl ring. This should result in targeting of the hydrophobic region I, the "deep pocket", and the hinge glycine flip of the kinase. Potent inhibitors with IC50 values in the single digit nanomolar range (up to 3 nM) were identified. Instead of targeting the "deep pocket" in the DFG-out conformation, interactions with the DFG-motif in the in-conformation could be observed by protein X-ray crystallography.