Structure-guided development of specific pyruvate dehydrogenase kinase inhibitors targeting the ATP-binding pocket

J Biol Chem. 2014 Feb 14;289(7):4432-43. doi: 10.1074/jbc.M113.533885. Epub 2013 Dec 19.

Abstract

Pyruvate dehydrogenase kinase isoforms (PDKs 1-4) negatively regulate activity of the mitochondrial pyruvate dehydrogenase complex by reversible phosphorylation. PDK isoforms are up-regulated in obesity, diabetes, heart failure, and cancer and are potential therapeutic targets for these important human diseases. Here, we employed a structure-guided design to convert a known Hsp90 inhibitor to a series of highly specific PDK inhibitors, based on structural conservation in the ATP-binding pocket. The key step involved the substitution of a carbonyl group in the parent compound with a sulfonyl in the PDK inhibitors. The final compound of this series, 2-[(2,4-dihydroxyphenyl)sulfonyl]isoindoline-4,6-diol, designated PS10, inhibits all four PDK isoforms with IC50 = 0.8 μM for PDK2. The administration of PS10 (70 mg/kg) to diet-induced obese mice significantly augments pyruvate dehydrogenase complex activity with reduced phosphorylation in different tissues. Prolonged PS10 treatments result in improved glucose tolerance and notably lessened hepatic steatosis in the mouse model. The results support the pharmacological approach of targeting PDK to control both glucose and fat levels in obesity and type 2 diabetes.

Keywords: Diabetes; Drug Development; Enzyme Inhibitors; Glucose Metabolism; Hepatic Steatosis; Mitochondrial Protein Kinase; Pyruvate Dehydrogenase Complex; Pyruvate Dehydrogenase Kinase; Structure-based Inhibitor Design.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / drug therapy*
  • Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / enzymology
  • Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / genetics
  • Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / pathology
  • Drug Delivery Systems
  • Drug Design
  • Enzyme Inhibitors* / chemistry
  • Enzyme Inhibitors* / pharmacology
  • Fatty Liver / drug therapy*
  • Fatty Liver / enzymology
  • Fatty Liver / genetics
  • Fatty Liver / pathology
  • HSP90 Heat-Shock Proteins
  • Humans
  • Isoenzymes / antagonists & inhibitors
  • Isoenzymes / chemistry
  • Isoenzymes / genetics
  • Isoenzymes / metabolism
  • Isoindoles / chemistry*
  • Isoindoles / pharmacology*
  • Male
  • Mice
  • Mice, Obese
  • Obesity / drug therapy*
  • Obesity / enzymology
  • Obesity / genetics
  • Obesity / pathology
  • Protein Serine-Threonine Kinases / antagonists & inhibitors*
  • Protein Serine-Threonine Kinases / chemistry
  • Protein Serine-Threonine Kinases / genetics
  • Protein Serine-Threonine Kinases / metabolism
  • Pyruvate Dehydrogenase Acetyl-Transferring Kinase
  • Sulfones / chemistry*
  • Sulfones / pharmacology*

Substances

  • 2-((2,4-dihydroxyphenyl)sulfonyl)isoindoline-4,6-diol
  • Enzyme Inhibitors
  • HSP90 Heat-Shock Proteins
  • Isoenzymes
  • Isoindoles
  • PDK2 protein, human
  • Pdk2 protein, mouse
  • Pyruvate Dehydrogenase Acetyl-Transferring Kinase
  • Sulfones
  • Protein Serine-Threonine Kinases

Associated data

  • PDB/4MP2
  • PDB/4MP7
  • PDB/4MPC
  • PDB/4MPE
  • PDB/4MPN