A versatile continuous colorimetric assay for AMACR is reported.

SummaryChitinase inhibitors have chemotherapeutic potential as fungicides, pesticides, and antiasthmatics. Argifin, a natural product cyclopentapeptide, competitively inhibits family 18 chitinases in the nanomolar to micromolar range and shows extensive substrate mimicry. In an attempt to map the active fragments of this large natural product, the cyclopentapeptide was progressively dissected down to four linear peptides and dimethylguanylurea, synthesized using a combination of solution and solid phase peptide synthesis. The peptide fragments inhibit chitinase B1 from Aspergillus fumigatus (AfChiB1), the human chitotriosidase, and chitinase activity in lung homogenates from a murine model of chronic asthma, with potencies ranging from high nanomolar to high micromolar inhibition. X-ray crystallographic analysis of the chitinase-inhibitor complexes revealed that the conformations of the linear peptides were remarkably similar to that of the natural product. Strikingly, the dimethylguanylurea fragment, representing only a quarter of the natural product mass, was found to harbor all significant interactions with the protein and binds with unusually high efficiency. The data provide useful information that could lead to the generation of drug-like, natural product-based chitinase inhibitors.

Tankyrases (TNKSs) are poly(ADP-ribose)polymerases (PARPs) that are overexpressed in several clinical cancers. They regulate elongation of telomeres, regulate the Wnt system, and are essential for the function of the mitotic spindle. A set of 2-arylquinazolin-4-ones has been designed and identified as potent and selective TNKS inhibitors, some being more potent and selective than the lead inhibitor XAV939, with IC 50 = 3 nM vs. TNKS-2. Methyl was preferred at the 8-position and modest bulk at the 4-position of the 2-phenyl group; electronic effects and H-bonding were irrelevant, but charge in the 4′-substituent must be avoided. Molecular modeling facilitated initial design of the compounds and rationalization of the SAR of binding into the nicotinamide-binding site of the target enzymes. These compounds have potential for further development into anticancer drugs.

Graphical abstract

Tankyrases-1 and -2 (TNKS-1 and TNKS-2) have three cellular roles which make them important targets in cancer. Using NAD(+) as a substrate, they poly(ADP-ribosyl)ate TRF1 (regulating lengths of telomeres), NuMA (facilitating mitosis) and axin (in wnt/β-catenin signalling). Using molecular modelling and the structure of the weak inhibitor 5-aminoiso quinolin-1-one, 3-aryl-5-substituted-isoquinolin-1-ones were designed as inhibitors to explore the structure-activity relationships (SARs) for binding and to define the shape of a hydrophobic cavity in the active site. 5-Amino-3-arylisoquinolinones were synthesised by Suzuki-Miyaura coupling of arylboronic acids to 3-bromo-1-methoxy-5-nitro-isoquinoline, reduction and O-demethylation. 3-Aryl-5-methylisoquinolin-1-ones, 3-aryl-5-fluoroisoquinolin-1-ones and 3-aryl-5-methoxyisoquinolin-1-ones were accessed by deprotonation of 3-substituted-N,N,2-trimethylbenzamides and quench with an appropriate benzonitrile. SAR around the isoquinolinone core showed that aryl was required at the 3-position, optimally with a para-substituent. Small meta-substituents were tolerated but groups in the ortho-positions reduced or abolished activity. This was not due to lack of coplanarity of the rings, as shown by the potency of 4,5-dimethyl-3-phenylisoquinolin-1-one. Methyl and methoxy were optimal at the 5-position. SAR was rationalised by modelling and by crystal structures of examples with TNKS-2. The 3-aryl unit was located in a large hydrophobic cavity and the para-substituents projected into a tunnel leading to the exterior. Potency against TNKS-1 paralleled potency against TNKS-2. Most inhibitors were highly selective for TNKSs over PARP-1 and PARP-2. A range of highly potent and selective inhibitors is now available for cellular studies.