Discovery of potent, selective chymase inhibitors via fragment linking strategies

J Med Chem. 2013 Jun 13;56(11):4465-81. doi: 10.1021/jm400138z. Epub 2013 Jun 4.

Abstract

Chymase plays an important and diverse role in the homeostasis of a number of cardiovascular processes. Herein, we describe the identification of potent, selective chymase inhibitors, developed using fragment-based, structure-guided linking and optimization techniques. High-concentration biophysical screening methods followed by high-throughput crystallography identified an oxindole fragment bound to the S1 pocket of the protein exhibiting a novel interaction pattern hitherto not observed in chymase inhibitors. X-ray crystallographic structures were used to guide the elaboration/linking of the fragment, ultimately leading to a potent inhibitor that was >100-fold selective over cathepsin G and that mitigated a number of liabilities associated with poor physicochemical properties of the series it was derived from.

MeSH terms

  • Benzimidazoles / chemical synthesis
  • Benzimidazoles / chemistry*
  • Benzimidazoles / metabolism
  • Cardiovascular Agents / chemical synthesis
  • Cardiovascular Agents / chemistry*
  • Cardiovascular Agents / metabolism
  • Catalytic Domain
  • Chymases / antagonists & inhibitors*
  • Chymases / chemistry
  • Crystallography, X-Ray
  • Humans
  • In Vitro Techniques
  • Microsomes, Liver / metabolism
  • Models, Molecular
  • Molecular Structure
  • Protein Binding
  • Serine Proteinase Inhibitors / chemical synthesis
  • Serine Proteinase Inhibitors / chemistry*
  • Serine Proteinase Inhibitors / metabolism
  • Structure-Activity Relationship

Substances

  • Benzimidazoles
  • Cardiovascular Agents
  • Serine Proteinase Inhibitors
  • Chymases