Discovery of the First BRD4 Second Bromodomain (BD2)-Selective Inhibitors

J Med Chem. 2024 Dec 12;67(23):21577-21616. doi: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.4c02516. Epub 2024 Nov 27.

Abstract

Pan-BD2 inhibitors have been shown to retain an antileukemia effect and display less dose-limiting toxicities than pan-BET inhibitors. However, it is necessary to consider the potential off-target toxicity associated with the inhibition of four BET BD2 proteins. To date, no BRD4 BD2 domain selective inhibitor has been reported. Based on our previous pan-BD2 inhibitor 12 (XY153), we successfully identified 16o (XY221) as the first BRD4 BD2-selective inhibitor. 16o demonstrated potent binding affinity for BRD4 BD2 (IC50 = 5.8 nM), along with high pan-BD2 selectivity (667-fold over BRD4 BD1) and BRD4 BD2 domain selectivity (9-32-fold over BRD2/3/T BD2). The BRD4 BD2 selectivity of 16o was further confirmed by the BLI assay, showing 66-144-fold selectivity over other BET BD2 domains. 16o exhibited good liver microsomal stability (T1/2 > 120 min) and pharmacokinetic properties (F = 13.1%). These data indicate that 16o may serve as a valuable candidate for BRD4 BD2 advancing epigenetic research.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Bromodomain Containing Proteins
  • Cell Cycle Proteins* / antagonists & inhibitors
  • Cell Cycle Proteins* / metabolism
  • Drug Discovery
  • Humans
  • Microsomes, Liver / metabolism
  • Nuclear Proteins / antagonists & inhibitors
  • Nuclear Proteins / chemistry
  • Nuclear Proteins / metabolism
  • Protein Domains
  • Structure-Activity Relationship
  • Transcription Factors* / antagonists & inhibitors
  • Transcription Factors* / metabolism

Substances

  • Transcription Factors
  • BRD4 protein, human
  • Cell Cycle Proteins
  • Nuclear Proteins
  • Bromodomain Containing Proteins