These effects were accompanied by reduced c-kit (CD117) expression, a marker associated with leukemia stem cells (LSCs) (Krivtsov et al

These effects were accompanied by reduced c-kit (CD117) expression, a marker associated with leukemia stem cells (LSCs) (Krivtsov et al., 2006; Somervaille and Cleary, 2006) (Physique S2JCS2K). fusion proteins (Caslini et al., 2007; Grembecka et al., 2010; Yokoyama and Cleary, 2008; Yokoyama et al., 2005). Numerous studies demonstrated a critical role of menin as an oncogenic cofactor in leukemic transformations mediated by MLL fusion proteins (Caslini et al., 2007; Yokoyama and Cleary, 2008; Yokoyama et al., 2005). Menin is usually a highly specific and direct binding partner of MLL and MLL fusion proteins that is required for regulation of their target genes (Yokoyama et al., 2005). Genetic disruption of the menin-MLL fusion protein conversation abrogates oncogenic properties of MLL fusion proteins and blocks development of acute leukemia in vivo (Yokoyama et al., 2005). These data, together with the evidence that menin is not a requisite cofactor of MLL1 during normal hematopoiesis 1-NA-PP1 (Li et al., 2013), validate the menin-MLL conversation as an attractive therapeutic target to develop targeted drugs for MLL leukemia patients. Despite the critical role of menin in leukemogenesis mediated by MLL fusion proteins, it remains unknown whether pharmacological inhibition of the menin-MLL conversation can suppress development of acute leukemia in vivo and whether it would affect normal hematopoiesis. We previously reported first-generation small molecule inhibitors of the menin-MLL conversation (Grembecka et al., 2012; He et al., 2014; Shi et al., 2012), which represent valuable tool compounds, but are not suitable for in vivo studies due to moderate cellular activity and poor pharmacological properties. The goal of this study was to develop highly potent small molecule inhibitors of the menin-MLL conversation with appropriate pharmacokinetic profile and to determine whether small molecule inhibition of the menin-MLL conversation can represent a valid therapeutic approach for acute leukemias associated with rearrangements. Results Structure-based development of potent menin-MLL inhibitors To develop menin-MLL inhibitors with favorable drug-like properties suitable for in vivo efficacy studies, we employed structure-based design and very substantially reengineered our previously reported compounds represented by the most potent MI-2-2, Physique S1A, (Grembecka et al., 2012; Shi et al., 2012). Although MI-2-2 represents a useful chemical tool, it is not suitable for in vivo efficacy studies due to modest cellular activity and very poor metabolic stability (Physique S1ACC). Using the crystal structure of the menin-MI-2-2 complex (Shi et al., 2012) we employed structure-based design combined with medicinal chemistry efforts, resulting 1-NA-PP1 in development of menin-MLL inhibitors with modified molecular scaffold (Table S1). These efforts led to identification of MI-136 (Physique 1A), 1-NA-PP1 which was developed by introducing Rabbit polyclonal to Acinus the cyano-indole ring connected to the thienopyrimidine core via a piperidine linker (Table S1). MI-136 demonstrates potent inhibitory activity and strong binding affinity to menin (Physique 1A), providing an excellent molecular scaffold for further modifications. Based on the binding mode of MI-136 to menin (Physique S1D), we explored three substitution sites around the indole ring of MI-136 (R1, R2 and R3, Physique 1B) to further improve potency and drug-like properties by optimizing hydrophobic contacts (at R2) or polar interactions (at R1 and R3) (Table S2). The molecular determinants for recognition of MI-136 analogues in the MLL binding site on menin are summarized in Physique 1B. Our medicinal chemistry efforts resulted in identification of two lead compounds: MI-463 and MI-503, which were obtained by combining two (MI-463) or three (MI-503) best substituents around the indole ring (Physique 1C, Table S2). MI-503 and MI-463 are the most potent inhibitors we developed, both bind to menin with low nanomolar binding affinities, and demonstrate very potent inhibition of the menin-MLL conversation (Physique 1C, 1D and Physique S1E). Crystal structure validates binding of MI-503 to the MLL site on menin (Physique 1E, Table S3). MI-503 occupies the F9 and P13 pockets on menin, forming a hydrogen bond with Tyr276, and also 1-NA-PP1 extends beyond the P13 pocket to form hydrogen bonds with Trp341 and Glu366 (Physique 1E). In addition to strong in vitro potency, MI-463 and MI-503 have very favorable drug-like properties, including metabolic stability (Physique S1C) and pharmacokinetic profile in mice (see below), which makes them very attractive candidates to evaluate the therapeutic potential of menin-MLL inhibitors in.

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