Hawa Diallo

A selective jumonji H3K27 demethylase inhibitor modulates the proinflammatory macrophage response

The jumonji (JMJ) family of histone demethylases are Fe2+- and α-ketoglutarate-dependent oxygenases that are essential components of regulatory transcriptional chromatin complexes. These enzymes demethylate lysine residues in histones in a methylation-state and sequence-specific context. Considerable effort has been devoted to gaining a mechanistic understanding of the roles of histone lysine demethylases in eukaryotic transcription, genome integrity and epigenetic inheritance, as well as in development, physiology and disease. However, because of the absence of any selective inhibitors, the relevance of the demethylase activity of JMJ enzymes in regulating cellular responses remains poorly understood. Here we present a structure-guided small-molecule and chemoproteomics approach to elucidating the functional role of the H3K27me3-specific demethylase subfamily (KDM6 subfamily members JMJD3 and UTX). The liganded structures of human and mouse JMJD3 provide novel insight into the specificity determinants for cofactor, substrate and inhibitor recognition by the KDM6 subfamily of demethylases. We exploited these structural features to generate the first small-molecule catalytic site inhibitor that is selective for the H3K27me3-specific JMJ subfamily. We demonstrate that this inhibitor binds in a novel manner and reduces lipopolysaccharide-induced proinflammatory cytokine production by human primary macrophages, a process that depends on both JMJD3 and UTX. Our results resolve the ambiguity associated with the catalytic function of H3K27-specific JMJs in regulating disease-relevant inflammatory responses and provide encouragement for designing small-molecule inhibitors to allow selective pharmacological intervention across the JMJ family.

Fragment-Based Discovery of Bromodomain Inhibitors Part 2: Optimization of Phenylisoxazole Sulfonamides.

Bromodomains are epigenetic reader modules that regulate gene transcription through their recognition of acetyl-lysine modified histone tails. Inhibitors of this protein-protein interaction have the potential to modulate multiple diseases as demonstrated by the profound anti-inflammatory and antiproliferative effects of a recently disclosed class of BET compounds. While these compounds were discovered using phenotypic assays, here we present a highly efficient alternative approach to find new chemical templates, exploiting the abundant structural knowledge that exists for this target class. A phenyl dimethyl isoxazole chemotype resulting from a focused fragment screen has been rapidly optimized through structure-based design, leading to a sulfonamide series showing anti-inflammatory activity in cellular assays. This proof-of-principle experiment demonstrates the tractability of the BET family and bromodomain target class to fragment-based hit discovery and structure-based lead optimization.

Fragment-Based Discovery of Low-Micromolar ATAD2 Bromodomain Inhibitors

Overexpression of ATAD2 (ATPase family, AAA domain containing 2) has been linked to disease severity and progression in a wide range of cancers, and is implicated in the regulation of several drivers of cancer growth. Little is known of the dependence of these effects upon the ATAD2 bromodomain, which has been categorized as among the least tractable of its class. The absence of any potent, selective inhibitors limits clear understanding of the therapeutic potential of the bromodomain. Here, we describe the discovery of a hit from a fragment-based targeted array. Optimization of this produced the first known micromolar inhibitors of the ATAD2 bromodomain.

Structure-Based Optimization of Naphthyridones into Potent ATAD2 Bromodomain Inhibitors

ATAD2 is a bromodomain-containing protein whose overexpression is linked to poor outcomes in a number of different cancer types. To date, no potent and selective inhibitors of the bromodomain have been reported. This article describes the structure-based optimization of a series of naphthyridones from micromolar leads with no selectivity over the BET bromodomains to inhibitors with sub-100 nM ATAD2 potency and 100-fold BET selectivity.

A Chemical Probe for the ATAD2 Bromodomain.

ATAD2 is a cancer-associated protein whose bromodomain has been described as among the least druggable of that target class. Starting from a potent lead, permeability and selectivity were improved through a dual approach: 1) using CF2 as a sulfone bio-isostere to exploit the unique properties of fluorine, and 2) using 1,3-interactions to control the conformation of a piperidine ring. This resulted in the first reported low-nanomolar, selective and cell permeable chemical probe for ATAD2.

GSK6853, a Chemical Probe for Inhibition of the BRPF1 Bromodomain

The BRPF (Bromodomain and PHD Finger-containing) protein family are important scaffolding proteins for assembly of MYST histone acetyltransferase complexes. A selective benzimidazolone BRPF1 inhibitor showing micromolar activity in a cellular target engagement assay was recently described. Herein, we report the optimization of this series leading to the identification of a superior BRPF1 inhibitor suitable for in vivo studies.

Cell Penetrant Inhibitors of the KDM4 and KDM5 Families of Histone Lysine Demethylases. 1. 3-Amino-4-pyridine Carboxylate Derivatives

Optimization of KDM6B (JMJD3) HTS hit 12 led to the identification of 3-((furan-2-ylmethyl)amino)pyridine-4-carboxylic acid 34 and 3-(((3-methylthiophen-2-yl)methyl)amino)pyridine-4-carboxylic acid 39 that are inhibitors of the KDM4 (JMJD2) family of histone lysine demethylases. Compounds 34 and 39 possess activity, IC50 ≤ 100 nM, in KDM4 family biochemical (RFMS) assays with ≥ 50-fold selectivity against KDM6B and activity in a mechanistic KDM4C cell imaging assay (IC50 = 6-8 μM). Compounds 34 and 39 are also potent inhibitors of KDM5C (JARID1C) (RFMS IC50 = 100-125 nM).

Discovery of a potent series of non-steroidal non α-trifluoromethyl carbinol glucocorticoid receptor agonists with reduced lipophilicity

A novel series of indazole non-steroidal glucocorticoid receptor agonist has been discovered. This series features a sulfonamide central core and meta amides which interact with the extended ligand binding domain. This series has produced some of the most potent and least lipophilic agonists of which we are aware such as 20a (NFκB pIC(50) 8.3 (100%), clogP 1.9). Certain analogues in this series also display evidence for modulated pharmacology.