Structure-Based Optimization of Small-Molecule Inhibitors for the β-Catenin/B-Cell Lymphoma 9 Protein-Protein Interaction

J Med Chem. 2018 Apr 12;61(7):2989-3007. doi: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.8b00068. Epub 2018 Mar 29.

Abstract

Structure-based optimization was conducted to improve the potency, selectivity, and cell-based activities of β-catenin/B-cell lymphoma 9 (BCL9) inhibitors based on the 4'-fluoro- N-phenyl-[1,1'-biphenyl]-3-carboxamide scaffold, which was designed to mimic the side chains of the hydrophobic α-helical hot spots at positions i, i + 3, and i + 7. Compound 29 was found to disrupt the β-catenin/BCL9 protein-protein interaction (PPI) with a Ki of 0.47 μM and >1900-fold selectivity for β-catenin/BCL9 over β-catenin/E-cadherin PPIs. The proposed binding mode of new inhibitors was consistent with the results of site-directed mutagenesis and structure-activity relationship studies. Cell-based studies indicated that 29 disrupted the β-catenin/BCL9 interaction without affecting the β-catenin/E-cadherin interaction, selectively suppressed transactivation of Wnt/β-catenin signaling, downregulated expression of Wnt target genes, and inhibited viability of Wnt/β-catenin-dependent cancer cells in dose-dependent manners. A comparison of the biochemical and cell-based assay results offered the directions for future inhibitor optimization.

Publication types

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

MeSH terms

  • Antineoplastic Agents / chemical synthesis*
  • Antineoplastic Agents / pharmacology*
  • Cadherins / antagonists & inhibitors
  • Cell Line, Tumor
  • Dose-Response Relationship, Drug
  • Drug Design
  • Humans
  • Molecular Conformation
  • Mutagenesis, Site-Directed
  • Neoplasm Proteins / antagonists & inhibitors*
  • Neoplasm Proteins / genetics
  • Polymerase Chain Reaction
  • Small Molecule Libraries
  • Structure-Activity Relationship
  • Transcription Factors
  • Wnt Signaling Pathway / drug effects
  • beta Catenin / drug effects

Substances

  • Antineoplastic Agents
  • BCL9 protein, human
  • Cadherins
  • Neoplasm Proteins
  • Small Molecule Libraries
  • Transcription Factors
  • beta Catenin