Inhibitory Kappa B Kinase α (IKKα) Inhibitors That Recapitulate Their Selectivity in Cells against Isoform-Related Biomarkers

J Med Chem. 2017 Aug 24;60(16):7043-7066. doi: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.7b00484. Epub 2017 Aug 15.

Abstract

IKKβ plays a central role in the canonical NF-kB pathway, which has been extensively characterized. The role of IKKα in the noncanonical NF-kB pathway, and indeed in the canonical pathway as a complex with IKKβ, is less well understood. One major reason for this is the absence of chemical tools designed as selective inhibitors for IKKα over IKKβ. Herein, we report for the first time a series of novel, potent, and selective inhibitors of IKKα. We demonstrate effective target engagement and selectivity with IKKα in U2OS cells through inhibition of IKKα-driven p100 phosphorylation in the noncanonical NF-kB pathway without affecting IKKβ-dependent IKappa-Bα loss in the canonical pathway. These compounds represent the first chemical tools that can be used to further characterize the role of IKKα in cellular signaling, to dissect this from IKKβ and to validate it in its own right as a target in inflammatory diseases.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Biomarkers, Pharmacological / metabolism
  • Cell Line, Tumor
  • Drug Design
  • Humans
  • I-kappa B Kinase / antagonists & inhibitors*
  • I-kappa B Kinase / chemistry
  • Mice
  • Molecular Docking Simulation
  • Molecular Dynamics Simulation
  • NF-kappa B p52 Subunit / metabolism
  • Protein Isoforms / antagonists & inhibitors
  • Protein Isoforms / chemistry
  • Protein Kinase Inhibitors / chemical synthesis
  • Protein Kinase Inhibitors / chemistry
  • Protein Kinase Inhibitors / pharmacology*
  • Pyrimidines / chemical synthesis
  • Pyrimidines / chemistry
  • Pyrimidines / pharmacology*
  • Pyrroles / chemical synthesis
  • Pyrroles / chemistry
  • Pyrroles / pharmacology*
  • Signal Transduction / drug effects
  • Structure-Activity Relationship

Substances

  • Biomarkers, Pharmacological
  • NF-kappa B p52 Subunit
  • Protein Isoforms
  • Protein Kinase Inhibitors
  • Pyrimidines
  • Pyrroles
  • CHUK protein, human
  • I-kappa B Kinase
  • IKBKB protein, human