Kinetic Target-Guided Synthesis: Reaching the Age of Maturity

J Med Chem. 2020 Apr 23;63(8):3817-3833. doi: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.9b01183. Epub 2019 Dec 24.

Abstract

Kinetic target-guided synthesis (KTGS) is an original discovery strategy allowing a target to catalyze the irreversible synthesis of its own ligands from a pool of reagents. Although pioneered almost two decades ago, it only recently proved its usefulness in medicinal chemistry, as exemplified by the increasing number of protein targets used, the wider range of target and pocket types, and the diversity of therapeutic areas explored. In recent years, two new leads for in vivo studies were released. Amidations and multicomponent reactions expanded the armamentarium of reactions beyond triazole formation and two new examples of in cellulo KTGS were also disclosed. Herein, we analyze the origins and the chemical space of both KTGS ligands and warhead-bearing reagents. We review the KTGS timeline focusing on recent cases in order to give medicinal chemists the full scope of this strategy which has great potential for hit discovery and hit or lead optimization.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Chemistry, Pharmaceutical / methods
  • Chemistry, Pharmaceutical / trends*
  • Drug Delivery Systems / methods
  • Drug Delivery Systems / trends*
  • Drug Discovery / methods
  • Drug Discovery / trends*
  • Humans
  • Kinetics
  • Protease Inhibitors / administration & dosage
  • Protease Inhibitors / chemistry*
  • Protease Inhibitors / pharmacokinetics
  • Protein Synthesis Inhibitors / administration & dosage
  • Protein Synthesis Inhibitors / chemistry*
  • Protein Synthesis Inhibitors / pharmacokinetics

Substances

  • Protease Inhibitors
  • Protein Synthesis Inhibitors