Developing Inhibitors of the p47phox-p22phox Protein-Protein Interaction by Fragment-Based Drug Discovery

J Med Chem. 2020 Feb 13;63(3):1156-1177. doi: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.9b01492. Epub 2020 Jan 23.

Abstract

Nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate oxidase isoform 2 is an enzyme complex, which generates reactive oxygen species and contributes to oxidative stress. The p47phox-p22phox interaction is critical for the activation of the catalytical NOX2 domain, and p47phox is a potential target for therapeutic intervention. By screening 2500 fragments using fluorescence polarization and a thermal shift assay and validation by surface plasmon resonance, we found eight hits toward the tandem SH3 domain of p47phox (p47phoxSH3A-B) with KD values of 400-600 μM. Structural studies revealed that fragments 1 and 2 bound two separate binding sites in the elongated conformation of p47phoxSH3A-B and these competed with p22phox for binding to p47phoxSH3A-B. Chemical optimization led to a dimeric compound with the ability to potently inhibit the p47phoxSH3A-B-p22phox interaction (Ki of 20 μM). Thereby, we reveal a new way of targeting p47phox and present the first report of drug-like molecules with the ability to bind p47phox and inhibit its interaction with p22phox.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Azoles / chemistry
  • Drug Discovery
  • Humans
  • Indoles / chemical synthesis*
  • Indoles / chemistry
  • Isoindoles
  • Molecular Structure
  • NADPH Oxidase 2 / metabolism
  • NADPH Oxidases / antagonists & inhibitors*
  • NADPH Oxidases / metabolism
  • Organoselenium Compounds / chemistry
  • Protein Binding / drug effects
  • Structure-Activity Relationship

Substances

  • Azoles
  • Indoles
  • Isoindoles
  • Organoselenium Compounds
  • ebselen
  • CYBB protein, human
  • NADPH Oxidase 2
  • NADPH Oxidases
  • CYBA protein, human
  • neutrophil cytosolic factor 1