Benzimidazole inhibitors induce a DFG-out conformation of never in mitosis gene A-related kinase 2 (Nek2) without binding to the back pocket and reveal a nonlinear structure-activity relationship

J Med Chem. 2011 Mar 24;54(6):1626-39. doi: 10.1021/jm1011726. Epub 2011 Mar 2.

Abstract

We describe herein the structure-activity relationship (SAR) and cocrystal structures of a series of Nek2 inhibitors derived from the published polo-like kinase 1 (Plk1) inhibitor (R)-1. Our studies reveal a nonlinear SAR for Nek2 and our cocrystal structures show that compounds in this series bind to a DFG-out conformation of Nek2 without extending into the enlarged back pocket commonly found in this conformation. These observations were further investigated, and structure-based design led to Nek2 inhibitors derived from (R)-1 with more than a hundred-fold selectivity against Plk1.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Benzamides / chemical synthesis*
  • Benzamides / chemistry
  • Benzamides / pharmacology
  • Benzimidazoles / chemical synthesis*
  • Benzimidazoles / chemistry
  • Benzimidazoles / pharmacology
  • Binding Sites
  • Crystallography, X-Ray
  • Female
  • Humans
  • In Vitro Techniques
  • Male
  • Mice
  • Microsomes, Liver / drug effects
  • Microsomes, Liver / enzymology
  • Models, Molecular*
  • NIMA-Related Kinases
  • Phosphorylation
  • Protein Binding
  • Protein Conformation
  • Protein Serine-Threonine Kinases / antagonists & inhibitors*
  • Protein Serine-Threonine Kinases / chemistry
  • Stereoisomerism
  • Structure-Activity Relationship

Substances

  • 4-(5-(1-methylpiperidin-4-yloxy)-1H-benzo(d)imidazol-1-yl)-2-(1-(2-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl)ethoxy)benzamide
  • Benzamides
  • Benzimidazoles
  • NEK2 protein, human
  • NIMA-Related Kinases
  • Protein Serine-Threonine Kinases

Associated data

  • PDB/2XNM
  • PDB/2XNN
  • PDB/2XNO
  • PDB/2XNP