Protein arginine
N
-methyltransferases
(PRMT) are
a family of
S
-adenosyl-
l
-methionine (SAM)-dependent
enzymes that transfer methyl-groups to the ω-N of arginyl residues
in proteins. PRMTs are involved in regulating gene expression, RNA
splicing, and other activities. PRMT1 is responsible for most cellular
arginine methylation, and its dysregulation is involved in many cancers.
Accordingly, many groups have targeted PRMT1 using small molecules
and peptide inhibitors. In this Perspective, we discuss the structure
and function of selected peptide and small molecule inhibitors of
PRMT1. We examine inhibitors that target the substrate arginyl peptide,
SAM, or both binding sites, and the type of inhibition that results.
Small molecules, and peptides that are bisubstrate, and/or PRMT transition
state mimic inhibitors as well as inhibitors that alkylate PRMTs will
be discussed. We define a structure–activity relationship for
the aromatic/heteroaromatic
N
-methylethylenediamine
inhibitors of PRMT1 and review current progress of PRMT1 inhibitors
in clinical trials.