Structural Insights into JAK2 Inhibition by Ruxolitinib, Fedratinib, and Derivatives Thereof

J Med Chem. 2021 Feb 25;64(4):2228-2241. doi: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.0c01952. Epub 2021 Feb 11.

Abstract

The discovery that aberrant activity of Janus kinase 2 (JAK2) is a driver of myeloproliferative neoplasms (MPNs) has led to significant efforts to develop small molecule inhibitors for this patient population. Ruxolitinib and fedratinib have been approved for use in MPN patients, while baricitinib, an achiral analogue of ruxolitinib, has been approved for rheumatoid arthritis. However, structural information on the interaction of these therapeutics with JAK2 remains unknown. Here, we describe a new methodology for the large-scale production of JAK2 from mammalian cells, which enabled us to determine the first crystal structures of JAK2 bound to these drugs and derivatives thereof. Along with biochemical and cellular data, the results provide a comprehensive view of the shape complementarity required for chiral and achiral inhibitors to achieve highest activity, which may facilitate the development of more effective JAK2 inhibitors as therapeutics.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Cell Line, Tumor
  • Crystallography, X-Ray
  • Humans
  • Janus Kinase 2 / antagonists & inhibitors*
  • Janus Kinase 2 / metabolism
  • Molecular Structure
  • Nitriles
  • Protein Binding
  • Protein Kinase Inhibitors / chemistry
  • Protein Kinase Inhibitors / metabolism
  • Protein Kinase Inhibitors / pharmacology*
  • Pyrazoles / chemistry
  • Pyrazoles / metabolism
  • Pyrazoles / pharmacology*
  • Pyrimidines
  • Pyrrolidines / chemistry
  • Pyrrolidines / metabolism
  • Pyrrolidines / pharmacology*
  • Structure-Activity Relationship
  • Sulfonamides / chemistry
  • Sulfonamides / metabolism
  • Sulfonamides / pharmacology*

Substances

  • Nitriles
  • Protein Kinase Inhibitors
  • Pyrazoles
  • Pyrimidines
  • Pyrrolidines
  • Sulfonamides
  • fedratinib
  • ruxolitinib
  • JAK2 protein, human
  • Janus Kinase 2