Discovery of Novel Allosteric Non-Bisphosphonate Inhibitors of Farnesyl Pyrophosphate Synthase by Integrated Lead Finding

ChemMedChem. 2015 Nov;10(11):1884-91. doi: 10.1002/cmdc.201500338. Epub 2015 Sep 18.

Abstract

Farnesyl pyrophosphate synthase (FPPS) is an established target for the treatment of bone diseases, but also shows promise as an anticancer and anti-infective drug target. Currently available anti-FPPS drugs are active-site-directed bisphosphonate inhibitors, the peculiar pharmacological profile of which is inadequate for therapeutic indications beyond bone diseases. The recent discovery of an allosteric binding site has paved the way toward the development of novel non-bisphosphonate FPPS inhibitors with broader therapeutic potential, notably as immunomodulators in oncology. Herein we report the discovery, by an integrated lead finding approach, of two new chemical classes of allosteric FPPS inhibitors that belong to the salicylic acid and quinoline chemotypes. We present their synthesis, biochemical and cellular activities, structure-activity relationships, and provide X-ray structures of several representative FPPS complexes. These novel allosteric FPPS inhibitors are devoid of any affinity for bone mineral and could serve as leads to evaluate their potential in none-bone diseases.

Keywords: FPPS; allosteric inhibitors; anti-infective drug discovery; antitumor agents; immunomodulation; immunotherapy.

MeSH terms

  • Allosteric Regulation / drug effects
  • Allosteric Site / drug effects
  • Dose-Response Relationship, Drug
  • Drug Discovery*
  • Enzyme Inhibitors / chemical synthesis
  • Enzyme Inhibitors / chemistry
  • Enzyme Inhibitors / pharmacology*
  • Geranyltranstransferase / antagonists & inhibitors*
  • Geranyltranstransferase / metabolism
  • Humans
  • Molecular Structure
  • Quinolines / chemical synthesis
  • Quinolines / chemistry
  • Quinolines / pharmacology*
  • Salicylic Acid / chemical synthesis
  • Salicylic Acid / chemistry
  • Salicylic Acid / pharmacology*
  • Structure-Activity Relationship

Substances

  • Enzyme Inhibitors
  • Quinolines
  • quinoline
  • Geranyltranstransferase
  • Salicylic Acid

Associated data

  • PDB/5DGN
  • PDB/5DIQ
  • PDB/5DJP
  • PDB/5DJR
  • PDB/5DJV