A Probe for NLRP3 Inflammasome Inhibitor MCC950 Identifies Carbonic Anhydrase 2 as a Novel Target

ACS Chem Biol. 2021 Jun 18;16(6):982-990. doi: 10.1021/acschembio.1c00218. Epub 2021 May 18.

Abstract

Inhibition of inflammasome and pyroptotic pathways are promising strategies for clinical treatment of autoimmune and inflammatory disorders. MCC950, a potent inhibitor of the NLR-family inflammasome pyrin domain-containing 3 (NLRP3) protein, has shown encouraging results in animal models for a range of conditions; however, until now, no off-targets have been identified. Herein, we report the design, synthesis, and application of a novel photoaffinity alkyne-tagged probe for MCC950 (IMP2070) which shows direct engagement with NLRP3 and inhibition of inflammasome activation in macrophages. Affinity-based chemical proteomics in live macrophages identified several potential off-targets, including carbonic anhydrase 2 (CA2) as a specific target of IMP2070, and independent cellular thermal proteomic profiling revealed stabilization of CA2 by MCC950. MCC950 displayed noncompetitive inhibition of CA2 activity, confirming carbonic anhydrase as an off-target class for this compound. These data highlight potential biological mechanisms through which MCC950 and derivatives may exhibit off-target effects in preclinical or clinical studies.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Carbonic Anhydrase II / antagonists & inhibitors*
  • Carbonic Anhydrase II / metabolism
  • Cell Line
  • Enzyme Inhibitors / chemistry
  • Enzyme Inhibitors / pharmacology
  • Furans / chemistry
  • Furans / pharmacology*
  • Humans
  • Indenes / chemistry
  • Indenes / pharmacology*
  • Inflammasomes / antagonists & inhibitors*
  • Inflammasomes / metabolism
  • Macrophages / drug effects*
  • Macrophages / metabolism
  • Models, Molecular
  • NLR Family, Pyrin Domain-Containing 3 Protein / antagonists & inhibitors*
  • NLR Family, Pyrin Domain-Containing 3 Protein / metabolism
  • Proteomics
  • Sulfonamides / chemistry
  • Sulfonamides / pharmacology*

Substances

  • Enzyme Inhibitors
  • Furans
  • Indenes
  • Inflammasomes
  • NLR Family, Pyrin Domain-Containing 3 Protein
  • NLRP3 protein, human
  • Sulfonamides
  • N-(1,2,3,5,6,7-hexahydro-S-indacen-4-ylcarbamoyl)-4-(2-hydroxy-2-propanyl)-2-furansulfonamide
  • Carbonic Anhydrase II