Mitogen-activated protein kinase-activated protein kinase 2 (MAPKAP-K2) as an antiinflammatory target: discovery and in vivo activity of selective pyrazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidine inhibitors using a focused library and structure-based optimization approach

J Med Chem. 2012 Aug 9;55(15):6700-15. doi: 10.1021/jm300411k. Epub 2012 Jul 31.

Abstract

A novel class of mitogen-activated protein kinase-activated protein kinase 2 (MAPKAP-K2) inhibitors was discovered through screening a kinase-focused library. A homology model of MAPKAP-K2 was generated and used to guide the initial SAR studies and to rationalize the observed selectivity over CDK2. An X-ray crystal structure of a compound from the active series bound to crystalline MAPKAP-K2 confirmed the predicted binding mode. This has enabled the discovery of a series of pyrazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidine derivatives showing good in vitro cellular potency as anti-TNF-α agents and in vivo efficacy in a mouse model of endotoxin shock.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal / chemical synthesis*
  • Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal / pharmacokinetics
  • Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal / pharmacology
  • Cell Line
  • Crystallography, X-Ray
  • HSP27 Heat-Shock Proteins / metabolism
  • Humans
  • Intracellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins / antagonists & inhibitors*
  • Intracellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins / chemistry
  • Lipopolysaccharides / pharmacology
  • Male
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred C57BL
  • Models, Molecular
  • Phosphorylation
  • Protein Conformation
  • Protein Serine-Threonine Kinases / antagonists & inhibitors*
  • Protein Serine-Threonine Kinases / chemistry
  • Pyrazoles / chemical synthesis*
  • Pyrazoles / pharmacokinetics
  • Pyrazoles / pharmacology
  • Pyrimidines / chemical synthesis*
  • Pyrimidines / pharmacokinetics
  • Pyrimidines / pharmacology
  • Shock, Septic / metabolism
  • Small Molecule Libraries
  • Stereoisomerism
  • Structure-Activity Relationship
  • Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / biosynthesis

Substances

  • Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal
  • HSP27 Heat-Shock Proteins
  • Intracellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins
  • Lipopolysaccharides
  • Pyrazoles
  • Pyrimidines
  • Small Molecule Libraries
  • Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha
  • MAP-kinase-activated kinase 2
  • Protein Serine-Threonine Kinases

Associated data

  • PDB/3A2C