The advantages of describing covalent inhibitor in vitro potencies by IC at a fixed time point. IC determination of covalent inhibitors provides meaningful data to medicinal chemistry for SAR optimization.

Recent years have seen a resurgence in drug discovery efforts aimed at the identification of covalent inhibitors which has led to an explosion of literature reports in this area and most importantly new approved therapies. These reports and breakthroughs highlight the significant investments made across the industry in SAR campaigns to optimize inhibitors. The potency of covalent inhibitors is generally considered to be more accurately described by the time-independent kinetic parameter k/K rather than a by a simple IC since the latter is a time-dependent parameter.

Structural Basis and Kinetic Pathway of RBM39 Recruitment to DCAF15 by a Sulfonamide Molecular Glue E7820.

E7820 and indisulam are two examples of aryl sulfonamides that recruit RBM39 to Rbx-Cul4-DDA1-DDB1-DCAF15 E3 ligase complex, leading to its ubiquitination and degradation by the proteasome. To understand their mechanism of action, we performed kinetic analysis on the recruitment of RBM39 to DCAF15 and solved a crystal structure of DDA1-DDB1-DCAF15 in complex with E7820 and the RRM2 domain of RBM39. E7820 packs in a shallow pocket on the surface of DCAF15 and the resulting modified interface binds RBM39 through the α1 helix of the RRM2 domain.

3-[(1,2,3)-2,3-Difluoro-1-hydroxy-7-methylsulfonylindan-4-yl]oxy-5-fluorobenzonitrile (PT2977), a Hypoxia-Inducible Factor 2α (HIF-2α) Inhibitor for the Treatment of Clear Cell Renal Cell Carcinoma.

The hypoxia-inducible factor 2α (HIF-2α) is a key oncogenic driver in clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC). Our first HIF-2α inhibitor PT2385 demonstrated promising proof of concept clinical activity in heavily pretreated advanced ccRCC patients. However, PT2385 was restricted by variable and dose-limited pharmacokinetics resulting from extensive metabolism of PT2385 to its glucuronide metabolite.

Identification of Cyanamide-Based Janus Kinase 3 (JAK3) Covalent Inhibitors.

Ongoing interest in the discovery of selective JAK3 inhibitors led us to design novel covalent inhibitors that engage the JAK3 residue Cys909 by cyanamide, a structurally and mechanistically differentiated electrophile from other cysteine reacting groups previously incorporated in JAK3 covalent inhibitors. Through crystallography, kinetic, and computational studies, interaction of cyanamide 12 with Cys909 was optimized leading to potent and selective JAK3 inhibitors as exemplified by 32. In relevant cell-based assays and in agreement with previous results from this group, 32 demonstrated that selective inhibition of JAK3 is sufficient to drive JAK1/JAK3-mediated cellular responses.

Design and Activity of Specific Hypoxia-Inducible Factor-2α (HIF-2α) Inhibitors for the Treatment of Clear Cell Renal Cell Carcinoma: Discovery of Clinical Candidate ( S)-3-((2,2-Difluoro-1-hydroxy-7-(methylsulfonyl)-2,3-dihydro-1 H-inden-4-yl)oxy)-5-fluorobenzonitrile (PT2385).

HIF-2α, a member of the HIF family of transcription factors, is a key oncogenic driver in cancers such as clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC). A signature feature of these cancers is the overaccumulation of HIF-2α protein, often by inactivation of the E3 ligase VHL (von Hippel-Lindau). Herein we disclose our structure based drug design (SBDD) approach that culminated in the identification of PT2385, the first HIF-2α antagonist to enter clinical trials.

Design of a Janus Kinase 3 (JAK3) Specific Inhibitor 1-((2S,5R)-5-((7H-Pyrrolo[2,3-d]pyrimidin-4-yl)amino)-2-methylpiperidin-1-yl)prop-2-en-1-one (PF-06651600) Allowing for the Interrogation of JAK3 Signaling in Humans.

Significant work has been dedicated to the discovery of JAK kinase inhibitors resulting in several compounds entering clinical development and two FDA approved NMEs. However, despite significant effort during the past 2 decades, identification of highly selective JAK3 inhibitors has eluded the scientific community. A significant effort within our research organization has resulted in the identification of the first orally active JAK3 specific inhibitor, which achieves JAK isoform specificity through covalent interaction with a unique JAK3 residue Cys-909.

A Small-Molecule Antagonist of HIF2α Is Efficacious in Preclinical Models of Renal Cell Carcinoma.

More than 90% of clear cell renal cell carcinomas (ccRCC) exhibit inactivation of the von Hippel-Lindau (pVHL) tumor suppressor, establishing it as the major underlying cause of this malignancy. pVHL inactivation results in stabilization of the hypoxia-inducible transcription factors, HIF1α and HIF2α, leading to expression of a genetic program essential for the initiation and progression of ccRCC. Herein, we describe the potent, selective, and orally active small-molecule inhibitor PT2385 as a specific antagonist of HIF2α that allosterically blocks its dimerization with the HIF1α/2α transcriptional dimerization partner ARNT/HIF1β.

Selectively targeting an inactive conformation of interleukin-2-inducible T-cell kinase by allosteric inhibitors.

ITK (interleukin-2-inducible T-cell kinase) is a critical component of signal transduction in T-cells and has a well-validated role in their proliferation, cytokine release and chemotaxis. ITK is an attractive target for the treatment of T-cell-mediated inflammatory diseases. In the present study we describe the discovery of kinase inhibitors that preferentially bind to an allosteric pocket of ITK.

Interleukin 1/Toll-like receptor-induced autophosphorylation activates interleukin 1 receptor-associated kinase 4 and controls cytokine induction in a cell type-specific manner.

IRAK4 is a central kinase in innate immunity, but the role of its kinase activity is controversial. The mechanism of activation for IRAK4 is currently unknown, and little is known about the role of IRAK4 kinase in cytokine production, particularly in different human cell types. We show IRAK4 autophosphorylation occurs by an intermolecular reaction and that autophosphorylation is required for full catalytic activity of the kinase.

Covalent inhibitors of interleukin-2 inducible T cell kinase (itk) with nanomolar potency in a whole-blood assay.

We wish to report a strategy that targets interleukin-2 inducible T cell kinase (Itk) with covalent inhibitors. Thus far, covalent inhibition of Itk has not been disclosed in the literature. Structure-based drug design was utilized to achieve low nanomolar potency of the disclosed series even at high ATP concentrations.

Kinetic and structural characterization of DmpI from Helicobacter pylori and Archaeoglobus fulgidus, two 4-oxalocrotonate tautomerase family members.

The tautomerase superfamily consists of structurally homologous proteins that are characterized by a β-α-β fold and a catalytic amino-terminal proline. 4-Oxalocrotonate tautomerase (4-OT) family members have been identified and categorized into five subfamilies on the basis of multiple sequence alignments and the conservation of key catalytic and structural residues. Representative members from two subfamilies have been cloned, expressed, purified, and subjected to kinetic and structural characterization.

Identification and characterization of acidic mammalian chitinase inhibitors.

Acidic mammalian chitinase (AMCase) is a member of the glycosyl hydrolase 18 family (EC 3.2.1.

Triad of polar residues implicated in pH specificity of acidic mammalian chitinase.

Acidic mammalian chitinase (AMCase) is a mammalian chitinase that has been implicated in allergic asthma. One of only two active mammalian chinases, AMCase, is distinguished from other chitinases by several unique features. Here, we present the novel structure of the AMCase catalytic domain, both in the apo form and in complex with the inhibitor methylallosamidin, determined to high resolution by X-ray crystallography.

Activation loop phosphorylation modulates Bruton's tyrosine kinase (Btk) kinase domain activity.

Bruton's tyrosine kinase (Btk) plays a central role in signal transduction pathways regulating survival, activation, proliferation, and differentiation of B-lineage lymphoid cells. A number of cell signaling studies clearly show that Btk is activated by Lyn, a Src family kinase, through phosphorylation on activation loop tyrosine 551 (Y(551)). However, the detailed molecular mechanism regulating Btk activation remains unclear.

Identification, characterization and initial hit-to-lead optimization of a series of 4-arylamino-3-pyridinecarbonitrile as protein kinase C theta (PKCtheta) inhibitors.

The protein kinase C (PKC) family of serine/threonine kinases is implicated in a wide variety of cellular processes. The PKC theta (PKCtheta) isoform is involved in TCR signal transduction and T cell activation and regulates T cell mediated diseases, including lung inflammation and airway hyperresponsiveness. Thus inhibition of PKCtheta enzyme activity by a small molecule represents an attractive strategy for the treatment of asthma.

Selling written-off A/R.

There are several things to consider in selling written-off A/R to a third party: Know how the purchase is being financed. Ensure the hospital has the ability to review collection policies that will be used. Arrive at a price via a sophisticated analysis of the debt, not by an arbitrary number.

Kinetic and stereochemical analysis of YwhB, a 4-oxalocrotonate tautomerase homologue in Bacillus subtilis: mechanistic implications for the YwhB- and 4-oxalocrotonate tautomerase-catalyzed reactions.

YwhB, a 4-oxalocrotonate tautomerase (4-OT) homologue in Bacillus subtilis, has no known biological role, and the gene has no apparent genomic context. The kinetic and stereochemical properties of YwhB have been examined using available enol and dienol compounds. The kinetic analysis shows that YwhB has a relatively nonspecific 1,3- and 1,5-keto-enol tautomerase activity, with the former activity prevailing.

Inactivation of the phenylpyruvate tautomerase activity of macrophage migration inhibitory factor by 2-oxo-4-phenyl-3-butynoate.

Macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF) is an important immunoregulatory protein that has been implicated in several inflammatory diseases. MIF also has a phenylpyruvate tautomerase (PPT) activity, the role of which remains elusive in these biological activities. The acetylene compound, 2-oxo-4-phenyl-3-butynoate (2-OPB), has been synthesized and tested as a potential irreversible inhibitor of its enzymatic activity.

Kinetic characterization of recombinant human acidic mammalian chitinase.

Human acidic mammalian chitinase (AMCase), a member of the family 18 glycosyl hydrolases, is one of the important proteins involved in Th2-mediated inflammation and has been implicated in asthma and allergic diseases. Inhibition of AMCase results in decreased airway inflammation and airway hyper-responsiveness in a mouse asthma model, suggesting that the AMCase activity is a part of the mechanism of Th2 cytokine-driven inflammatory response in asthma. In this paper, we report the first detailed kinetic characterization of recombinant human AMCase.

Characterization of protein kinase C theta activation loop autophosphorylation and the kinase domain catalytic mechanism.

Protein kinase C theta (PKCtheta), a member of the Ca(2+)-independent novel subfamily of PKCs, is required for T-cell receptor (TCR) signaling and IL2 production. PKCtheta-deficient mice have impaired Th2 responses in a murine ova-induced asthma model, while Th1 responses are normal. As an essential component of the TCR signaling complex, PKCtheta is a unique T-cell therapeutic target in the specific treatment of T-cell-mediated diseases.

Catalytic domain crystal structure of protein kinase C-theta (PKCtheta).

A member of the novel protein kinase C (PKC) subfamily, PKC, is an essential component of the T cell synapse and is required for optimal T cell activation and interleukin-2 production. Selective involvement of PKC in TCR signaling makes this enzyme an attractive therapeutic target in T cell-mediated disease processes. In this report we describe the crystal structure of the catalytic domain of PKC at 2.

4-Oxalocrotonate tautomerase, its homologue YwhB, and active vinylpyruvate hydratase: synthesis and evaluation of 2-fluoro substrate analogues.

A series of 2-fluoro-4-alkene and 2-fluoro-4-alkyne substrate analogues were synthesized and examined as potential inhibitors of three enzymes: 4-oxalocrotonate tautomerase (4-OT) and vinylpyruvate hydratase (VPH) from the catechol meta-fission pathway and a closely related 4-OT homologue found in Bacillus subtilis designated YwhB. All of the compounds were potent competitive inhibitors of 4-OT with the monocarboxylated 2E-fluoro-2,4-pentadienoate and the dicarboxylated 2E-fluoro-2-en-4-ynoate being the most potent. Despite the close mechanistic and structural similarities between 4-OT and YwhB, these compounds were significantly less potent inhibitors of YwhB with K(i) values ranging from 5- to 633-fold lower than those determined for 4-OT.

Reactions of 4-oxalocrotonate tautomerase and YwhB with 3-halopropiolates: analysis and implications.

4-Oxalocrotonate tautomerase (4-OT) and YwhB, a 4-OT homologue found in Bacillus subtilis, exhibit a low level hydratase activity that converts trans-3-haloacrylates to acetaldehyde, presumably through a malonate semialdehyde intermediate. The mechanism for the initial transformation of the 3-haloacrylate to malonate semialdehyde involves Pro-1 as well as an arginine, two residues that play critical roles in the 4-OT-catalyzed isomerization reaction and the YwhB-catalyzed tautomerization reaction. These residues are also critical for the trans-3-chloroacrylic acid dehalogenase (CaaD)-catalyzed conversion of trans-3-haloacrylates to malonate semialdehyde.

Catalytically active MAP KAP kinase 2 structures in complex with staurosporine and ADP reveal differences with the autoinhibited enzyme.

MAP KAP kinase 2 (MK2), a Ser/Thr kinase, plays a crucial role in the inflammatory process. We have determined the crystal structures of a catalytically active C-terminal deletion form of human MK2, residues 41-364, in complex with staurosporine at 2.7 A and with ADP at 3.