Structure-activity relationship studies of imidazo[1,2-c]pyrimidine derivatives as potent and orally effective Syk family kinases inhibitors

Bioorg Med Chem. 2008 Oct 15;16(20):9247-60. doi: 10.1016/j.bmc.2008.09.015. Epub 2008 Sep 9.

Abstract

Spleen tyrosine kinase (Syk) and zeta-associated protein kinase of 70k Da (ZAP-70) are members of the Syk family and non-receptor-type protein tyrosine kinases, which play crucial roles in B- and T-cell activation. Therefore, a Syk family tyrosine kinases inhibitor would be a useful therapeutic agent for the treatment of various allergic disorders and autoimmune diseases. Previously, we reported that 1,2,4-triazolo[4,3-c]pyrimidine derivative 1 and 1,2,4-triazolo[1,5-c]pyrimidine derivative 2 showed strong inhibitory activities against Syk family kinases. These compounds also exhibited high-level suppression of IL-2 in cellular assays. However, their oral efficacies were poor in a mouse model of IL-2 production. To improve oral effectiveness, we investigated a new series of Syk family kinases inhibitors. We found that imidazo[1,2-c]pyrimidine derivatives potently inhibited the Syk family kinases. Among these agents, compound 9f not only showed strong inhibitory activities against Syk and ZAP-70 kinases in vitro, but its oral administration resulted in the in vivo suppression of both the passive cutaneous anaphylaxis reaction and Concanavalin A-induced IL-2 production in a mouse model.

MeSH terms

  • Administration, Oral
  • Animals
  • Crystallography, X-Ray
  • Enzyme Activation / drug effects
  • Humans
  • Imidazoles / chemistry*
  • Inhibitory Concentration 50
  • Intracellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins / antagonists & inhibitors*
  • Intracellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins / classification
  • Intracellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins / metabolism
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred ICR
  • Models, Molecular
  • Molecular Structure
  • Protein Kinase Inhibitors / administration & dosage*
  • Protein Kinase Inhibitors / chemical synthesis*
  • Protein Kinase Inhibitors / chemistry
  • Protein-Tyrosine Kinases / antagonists & inhibitors*
  • Protein-Tyrosine Kinases / classification
  • Protein-Tyrosine Kinases / metabolism
  • Pyrimidines / administration & dosage*
  • Pyrimidines / chemical synthesis*
  • Pyrimidines / chemistry
  • Structure-Activity Relationship
  • Syk Kinase
  • ZAP-70 Protein-Tyrosine Kinase / antagonists & inhibitors
  • ZAP-70 Protein-Tyrosine Kinase / metabolism

Substances

  • Imidazoles
  • Intracellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins
  • Protein Kinase Inhibitors
  • Pyrimidines
  • Protein-Tyrosine Kinases
  • SYK protein, human
  • Syk Kinase
  • Syk protein, mouse
  • ZAP-70 Protein-Tyrosine Kinase