Lysine-Targeted Covalent Inhibitors of PI3Kδ Synthesis and Screening by In Situ Interaction Upgradation

J Med Chem. 2024 Nov 28;67(22):20076-20099. doi: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.4c01284. Epub 2024 Nov 19.

Abstract

Targeting the lysine residue of protein kinases to develop covalent inhibitors is an emerging hotspot. Herein, we have reported an approach to develop lysine-targeted covalent inhibitors of PI3Kδ by in situ interaction upgradation of the H-bonding to covalent bonding. Several warhead groups were introduced and screened in situ, leading to lysine-targeted covalent inhibitors bearing aromatic esters with high bioactivity and PI3Kδ selectivity. Compound A11 bearing phenolic ester was finally optimized to show a long duration of action in SU-DHL-6 cells by multiple assays. Docking simulation and further protein mass spectrometry confirmed that A11 bound to PI3Kδ by covalent-bonding interactions with Lys779. Furthermore, A11 exhibited potently antitumor efficacy without obvious toxicity in the SU-DHL-6 and Pfeiffer xenograft mouse models. This study identified A11 to be a much more effective antitumor agent in vitro and in vivo as a lysine-targeted covalent inhibitor, and it also provided a practical approach for the development of lysine-targeted covalent inhibitors.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Antineoplastic Agents* / chemical synthesis
  • Antineoplastic Agents* / chemistry
  • Antineoplastic Agents* / pharmacology
  • Cell Line, Tumor
  • Cell Proliferation / drug effects
  • Class I Phosphatidylinositol 3-Kinases / antagonists & inhibitors
  • Class I Phosphatidylinositol 3-Kinases / metabolism
  • Drug Screening Assays, Antitumor
  • Humans
  • Lysine* / chemistry
  • Lysine* / metabolism
  • Mice
  • Molecular Docking Simulation*
  • Phosphoinositide-3 Kinase Inhibitors / chemical synthesis
  • Phosphoinositide-3 Kinase Inhibitors / chemistry
  • Phosphoinositide-3 Kinase Inhibitors / pharmacology
  • Protein Kinase Inhibitors / chemical synthesis
  • Protein Kinase Inhibitors / chemistry
  • Protein Kinase Inhibitors / pharmacology
  • Structure-Activity Relationship
  • Xenograft Model Antitumor Assays

Substances

  • Lysine
  • Antineoplastic Agents
  • Class I Phosphatidylinositol 3-Kinases
  • Phosphoinositide-3 Kinase Inhibitors
  • Protein Kinase Inhibitors
  • PIK3CD protein, human