Discovery of Selective Small-Molecule Inhibitors for the β-Catenin/T-Cell Factor Protein-Protein Interaction through the Optimization of the Acyl Hydrazone Moiety

J Med Chem. 2015 Jun 11;58(11):4678-92. doi: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.5b00223. Epub 2015 May 22.

Abstract

Acyl hydrazone is an important functional group for the discovery of bioactive small molecules. This functional group is also recognized as a pan assay interference structure. In this study, a new small-molecule inhibitor for the β-catenin/Tcf protein-protein interaction (PPI), ZINC02092166, was identified through AlphaScreen and FP assays. This compound contains an acyl hydrazone group and exhibits higher inhibitory activities in cell-based assays than biochemical assays. Inhibitor optimization resulted in chemically stable derivatives that disrupt the β-catenin/Tcf PPI. The binding mode of new inhibitors was characterized by site-directed mutagenesis and structure-activity relationship studies. This series of inhibitors with a new scaffold exhibits dual selectivity for β-catenin/Tcf over β-catenin/cadherin and β-catenin/APC PPIs. One derivative of this series suppresses canonical Wnt signaling, downregulates the expression of Wnt target genes, and inhibits the growth of cancer cells. This compound represents a solid starting point for the development of potent and selective β-catenin/Tcf inhibitors.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Antineoplastic Agents / pharmacology*
  • Blotting, Western
  • Cell Proliferation / drug effects
  • Drug Discovery*
  • Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay
  • HEK293 Cells
  • Humans
  • Hydrazones / chemistry*
  • Immunoprecipitation
  • Models, Molecular
  • Molecular Structure
  • Neoplasms / drug therapy
  • Neoplasms / pathology
  • Protein Binding
  • Protein Interaction Maps / drug effects*
  • RNA, Messenger / genetics
  • Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction
  • Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction
  • Signal Transduction / drug effects
  • Small Molecule Libraries / pharmacology*
  • Structure-Activity Relationship
  • TCF Transcription Factors / antagonists & inhibitors*
  • Tumor Cells, Cultured
  • Wnt Signaling Pathway / drug effects
  • beta Catenin / antagonists & inhibitors*

Substances

  • Antineoplastic Agents
  • Hydrazones
  • RNA, Messenger
  • Small Molecule Libraries
  • TCF Transcription Factors
  • beta Catenin