Design, synthesis and X-ray crystallographic study of NAmPRTase inhibitors as anti-cancer agents.

NAmPRTase (PBEF/Visfatin) plays a pivotal role in the salvage pathway of NAD(+) biosynthesis. NAmPRTase has been an attractive target for anti-cancer agents that induce apoptosis of tumor cells via a declining plasma NAD(+) level. In this report, a series of structural analogs of FK866 (1), a known NAmPRTase inhibitor, was synthesized and tested for inhibitory activities against the proliferation of cancer cells and human NAmPRTase.

Crystal structure of Rattus norvegicus Visfatin/PBEF/Nampt in complex with an FK866-based inhibitor.

Visfatin (Nampt/PBEF) plays a pivotal role in the salvage pathway for NAD(+) biosynthesis. Its potent inhibitor, FK866, causes cellular NAD(+) levels to decline, thereby inducing apoptosis in tumor cells. In an effort to improve the solubility and binding interactions of FK866, we designed and synthesized IS001, in which a ribose group is attached to the FK866 pyridyl ring.