Athena Sudom

Discovery of Novel, Potent Benzamide Inhibitors of 11β-Hydroxysteroid Dehydrogenase Type 1 (11β-HSD1) Exhibiting Oral Activity in an Enzyme Inhibition ex Vivo Model

We report the discovery of potent benzamide inhibitors of 11beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (11beta-HSD1). The optimization and correlation of in vitro and in vivo metabolic stability will be described. Through modifications to our initial lead 2, we discovered pyridyl compound 13. This compound has a favorable pharmacokinetic profile across three species and showed a dose-dependent decrease in adipose 11beta-HSD1 activity in a monkey ex vivo pharmacodynamic model.

Identification of a PPARδ agonist with partial agonistic activity on PPARγ

The discovery and optimization of a series of potent PPARdelta full agonists with partial agonistic activity against PPARgamma is described.

Discovery and Initial SAR of Arylsulfonylpiperazine Inhibitors of 11β-Hydroxysteroid Dehydrogenase Type 1 (11β-HSD1)

High-throughput screening of a small-molecule compound library resulted in the identification of a series of arylsulfonylpiperazines that are potent and selective inhibitors of human 11beta-Hydroxysteroid Dehydrogenase Type 1 (11beta-HSD1). Optimization of the initial lead resulted in the discovery of compound (R)-45 (11beta-HSD1 IC(50)=3nM).

Discovery and optimization of piperidyl benzamide derivatives as a novel class of 11β-HSD1 inhibitors

Discovery and optimization of a piperidyl benzamide series of 11beta-HSD1 inhibitors is described. This series was derived from a cyclohexyl benzamide lead structures to address PXR selectivity, high non-specific protein binding, poor solubility, limited in vivo exposure, and in vitro cytotoxicity issues observed with the cyclohexyl benzamide structures. These efforts led to the discovery of piperidyl benzamide 15 which features improved properties over the cyclohexyl benzamide derivatives.

Structural characterization and pharmacodynamic effects of an orally active 11beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 1 inhibitor.

11β‐Hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 1 regulates glucocorticoid action and inhibition of this enzyme is a viable therapeutic strategy for the treatment of type 2 diabetes and the metabolic syndrome. Here, we report a potent and selective 11β‐hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 1 inhibitor with a binding mode elucidated from the co‐crystal structure with the human 11β‐hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 1. The inhibitor is bound to the steroid‐binding pocket making contacts with the catalytic center and the solvent channel. The inhibitor binding is facilitated by two direct hydrogen bond interactions involving Tyrosine183 of the catalytic motif Tyr‐X‐X‐X‐Lys and Alanine172. In addition, the inhibitor makes many hydrophobic interactions with both the enzyme and the co‐factor nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (reduced). In lean C57BL/6 mice, the compound inhibited both the in vivo and ex vivo 11β‐hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 1 activities in a dose‐dependent manner. The inhibitory effects correlate with the plasma compound concentrations, suggesting that there is a clear pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic relationship. Moreover, at the same doses used in the pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic studies, the inhibitor did not cause the activation of the hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal axis in an acute mouse model, suggesting that this compound exhibits biological effects with minimal risk of activating the hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal axis.

Distinctive molecular inhibition mechanisms for selective inhibitors of human 11β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 1

11beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 1 (11beta-HSD1) catalyzes the NADPH dependent interconversion of inactive cortisone to active cortisol. Excess 11beta-HSD1 or cortisol leads to insulin resistance and metabolic syndrome in animal models and in humans. Inhibiting 11beta-HSD1 activity signifies a promising therapeutic strategy in the treatment of Type 2 diabetes and related diseases. Herein, we report two highly potent and selective small molecule inhibitors of human 11beta-HSD1. While compound 1, a sulfonamide, functions as a simple substrate competitive inhibitor, compound 2, a triazole, shows the kinetic profile of a mixed inhibitor. Co-crystal structures reveal that both compounds occupy the 11beta-HSD1 catalytic site, but present distinct molecular interactions with the protein. Strikingly, compound 2 interacts much closer to the cofactor NADP+ and likely modifies its binding. Together, the structural and kinetic analyses demonstrate two distinctive molecular inhibition mechanisms, providing valuable information for future inhibitor design.

Inhibiting NF-κB-inducing kinase (NIK): Discovery, structure-based design, synthesis, structure–activity relationship, and co-crystal structures

The discovery, structure-based design, synthesis, and optimization of NIK inhibitors are described. Our work began with an HTS hit, imidazopyridinyl pyrimidinamine 1. We utilized homology modeling and conformational analysis to optimize the indole scaffold leading to the discovery of novel and potent conformationally constrained inhibitors such as compounds 25 and 28. Compounds 25 and 31 were co-crystallized with NIK kinase domain to provide structural insights.

Structure of the Nuclear Factor κB-inducing Kinase (NIK) Kinase Domain Reveals a Constitutively Active Conformation

Background: NIK is a central component in the non-canonical NF-κB pathway, and its activity is associated with various diseases. Results: An N-terminal extension is required for activity and stabilizes the kinase in an active conformation. Conclusion: The NIK kinase domain adopts a constitutively active conformation. Significance: This work presents the first NIK structure and provides a molecular basis for NIK regulation. NF-κB-inducing kinase (NIK) is a central component in the non-canonical NF-κB signaling pathway. Excessive NIK activity is implicated in various disorders, such as autoimmune conditions and cancers. Here, we report the first crystal structure of truncated human NIK in complex with adenosine 5′-O-(thiotriphosphate) at a resolution of 2.5 Å. This truncated protein is a catalytically active construct, including an N-terminal extension of 60 residues prior to the kinase domain, the kinase domain, and 20 residues afterward. The structure reveals that the NIK kinase domain assumes an active conformation in the absence of any phosphorylation. Analysis of the structure uncovers a unique role for the N-terminal extension sequence, which stabilizes helix αC in the active orientation and keeps the kinase domain in the catalytically competent conformation. Our findings shed light on the long-standing debate over whether NIK is a constitutively active kinase. They also provide a molecular basis for the recent observation of gain-of-function activity for an N-terminal deletion mutant (ΔN324) of NIK, leading to constitutive non-canonical NF-κB signaling with enhanced B-cell adhesion and apoptosis resistance.

The synthesis and SAR of novel diarylsulfone 11β-HSD1 inhibitors.

In this communication, human 11β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 1 (11β-HSD1) inhibitory activities of a novel series of diarylsulfones are described. Optimization of this series resulted in several highly potent 11β-HSD1 inhibitors with excellent pharmacokinetic (PK) properties. Compound (S)-25 showed excellent efficacy in a non-human primate ex vivo pharmacodynamic model.

Optimization of novel di-substituted cyclohexylbenzamide derivatives as potent 11 beta-HSD1 inhibitors.

Novel 4,4-disubstituted cyclohexylbenzamide inhibitors of 11beta-HSD1 were optimized to account for liabilities relating to in vitro pharmacokinetics, cytotoxicity and protein-related shifts in potency. A representative compound showing favorable in vivo pharmacokinetics was found to be an efficacious inhibitor of 11beta-HSD1 in a rat pharmacodynamic model (ED(50)=10mg/kg).