Targeting protein kinases for bone disease: discovery and development of Src inhibitors

Curr Pharm Des. 2002;8(23):2049-75. doi: 10.2174/1381612023393323.

Abstract

The dynamic and highly regulated processes of bone remodeling involve two major cells, osteoclasts and osteoblasts, both of which command a multitude of cellular signaling pathways involving protein kinases. Of the possible kinases in these cells, Src tyrosine kinase stands out as a promising therapeutic target for bone disease as validated by Src knockout mouse studies and in vitro cellular experiments, suggesting a regulatory role for Src in both osteoclasts (positive) and osteoblasts (negative). Advances in structural studies involving both Src and non-Src family kinases, in activated and unactivated protein states, have uncovered key binding site interactions that have led to the design of potent Src inhibitors. The lead compounds originate from a variety of synthetic templates and have demonstrated nM potency in enzymatic/binding assays and efficacy in animal models of bone disease. This review will provide a current understanding of critical Src signalling pathways in osteoclasts and osteoblasts, while detailing the structure-based design and screening-based lead discovery of Src inhibitors to be developed as therapeutic agents for bone disease.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Biological Factors / chemistry
  • Biological Factors / pharmacology
  • Bone Diseases / drug therapy
  • Bone Diseases / enzymology*
  • Bone Neoplasms / drug therapy
  • Bone Neoplasms / enzymology
  • Bone Neoplasms / pathology
  • Bone and Bones / cytology
  • Bone and Bones / enzymology
  • Combinatorial Chemistry Techniques
  • Drug Design
  • Enzyme Inhibitors / chemical synthesis
  • Enzyme Inhibitors / chemistry
  • Enzyme Inhibitors / pharmacology*
  • Humans
  • Models, Molecular
  • Molecular Mimicry
  • Osteoclasts / cytology
  • Osteoclasts / physiology
  • Osteoporosis / drug therapy
  • Osteoporosis / enzymology
  • Osteoporosis / pathology
  • Peptides / chemistry
  • Protein Binding
  • src Homology Domains
  • src-Family Kinases / antagonists & inhibitors*
  • src-Family Kinases / chemistry

Substances

  • Biological Factors
  • Enzyme Inhibitors
  • Peptides
  • src-Family Kinases