Design, synthesis, biological evaluation, and NMR studies of a new series of arylsulfones as selective and potent matrix metalloproteinase-12 inhibitors

J Med Chem. 2009 Oct 22;52(20):6347-61. doi: 10.1021/jm900335a.

Abstract

Overexpression of macrophage elastase (MMP-12), a member of the matrix metalloproteinases family, can be linked to tissue remodeling and degradation in some inflammatory processes, such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), emphysema, rheumatoid arthritis (RA), and atherosclerosis. On this basis, MMP-12 can be considered an attractive target for studying selective inhibitors that are useful in the development of new therapies for COPD and other inflammatory diseases. We report herein the design, synthesis, and in vitro evaluation of a new series of compounds, possessing an arylsulfonyl scaffold, for their potential as selective inhibitors of MMP-12. The best compound in the series showed an IC50 value of 0.2 nM, with good selectivity over MMP-1 and MMP-14. A docking study was carried out on this compound in order to investigate its binding interactions with MMP-12, and NMR studies on the complex with the MMP-12 catalytic domain were able to validate the proposed binding mode.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural

MeSH terms

  • Drug Design*
  • Humans
  • Inhibitory Concentration 50
  • Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy
  • Matrix Metalloproteinase 12 / chemistry
  • Matrix Metalloproteinase Inhibitors*
  • Models, Molecular
  • Molecular Conformation
  • Protease Inhibitors / chemical synthesis
  • Protease Inhibitors / chemistry*
  • Protease Inhibitors / pharmacology*
  • Sulfones / chemical synthesis
  • Sulfones / chemistry*
  • Sulfones / pharmacology*

Substances

  • Matrix Metalloproteinase Inhibitors
  • Protease Inhibitors
  • Sulfones
  • Matrix Metalloproteinase 12