Human sirtuin 2 (SIRT2) plays pivotal roles in multiple biological processes such as cell cycle regulation, autophagy, immune and inflammatory responses. Dysregulation of SIRT2 was considered as a main aspect contributing to several human diseases, including cancer. Development of new potent and selective SIRT2 inhibitors is currently desirable, which may provide a new strategy for treatment of related diseases. Herein, a structure-based optimization approach led to new 2-((4,6-dimethylpyrimidin-2-yl)thio)-N-phenylacetamide derivatives as SIRT2 inhibitors. SAR analyses with new synthesized derivatives revealed a number of new potent SIRT2 inhibitors, among which 28e is the most potent inhibitor with an IC50 value of 42 nM. The selectivity analyses found that 28e has a very good selectivity to SIRT2 over SIRT1 and SIRT3. In cellular assays, 28e showed a potent ability to inhibit human breast cancer cell line MCF-7 and increase the acetylation of α-tubulin in a dose-dependent manner. This study will aid further efforts to develop highly potent and selective SIRT2 inhibitors for the treatment of cancer and other related diseases.
Keywords: Cancer; Epigenetics; SIRT2; Sirtuins; Structure-based optimization.
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