Structure-based design of high-affinity macrocyclic peptidomimetics to block the menin-mixed lineage leukemia 1 (MLL1) protein-protein interaction

J Med Chem. 2013 Feb 14;56(3):1113-23. doi: 10.1021/jm3015298. Epub 2013 Jan 17.

Abstract

Menin is an essential oncogenic cofactor for mixed lineage leukemia 1 (MLL1)-mediated leukemogenesis through its direct interaction with MLL1. Targeting the menin-MLL1 protein-protein interaction represents a promising strategy to block MLL1-mediated leukemogenesis. Employing a structure-based approach and starting from a linear MLL1 octapeptide, we have designed a class of potent macrocyclic peptidomimetic inhibitors of the menin-MLL1 interaction. The most potent macrocyclic peptidomimetic (MCP-1), 34, binds to menin with a K(i) value of 4.7 nM and is >600 times more potent than the corresponding acyclic peptide. Compound 34 is also less peptide-like and has a lower molecular weight than the initial MLL1 peptide. Therefore, compound 34 serves as a promising lead structure for the design of potent and cell-permeable inhibitors of the menin-MLL1 interaction.

Publication types

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

MeSH terms

  • Amino Acid Sequence
  • Crystallography, X-Ray
  • Histone-Lysine N-Methyltransferase
  • Macrocyclic Compounds / chemistry*
  • Macrocyclic Compounds / pharmacology*
  • Models, Molecular
  • Myeloid-Lymphoid Leukemia Protein / antagonists & inhibitors*
  • Myeloid-Lymphoid Leukemia Protein / metabolism
  • Peptidomimetics / chemistry*
  • Peptidomimetics / pharmacology*
  • Protein Binding
  • Protein Conformation
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins / antagonists & inhibitors*
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins / metabolism

Substances

  • KMT2A protein, human
  • MEN1 protein, human
  • Macrocyclic Compounds
  • Peptidomimetics
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins
  • Myeloid-Lymphoid Leukemia Protein
  • Histone-Lysine N-Methyltransferase