Design and Synthesis of Pyrrolo[2,3- d]pyrimidine-Derived Leucine-Rich Repeat Kinase 2 (LRRK2) Inhibitors Using a Checkpoint Kinase 1 (CHK1)-Derived Crystallographic Surrogate

J Med Chem. 2021 Jul 22;64(14):10312-10332. doi: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.1c00720. Epub 2021 Jun 29.

Abstract

Inhibitors of leucine-rich repeat kinase 2 (LRRK2) and mutants, such as G2019S, have potential utility in Parkinson's disease treatment. Fragment hit-derived pyrrolo[2,3-d]pyrimidines underwent optimization using X-ray structures of LRRK2 kinase domain surrogates, based on checkpoint kinase 1 (CHK1) and a CHK1 10-point mutant. (2R)-2-Methylpyrrolidin-1-yl derivative 18 (LRRK2 G2019S cKi 0.7 nM, LE 0.66) was identified, with increased potency consistent with an X-ray structure of 18/CHK1 10-pt. mutant showing the 2-methyl substituent proximal to Ala147 (Ala2016 in LRRK2). Further structure-guided elaboration of 18 gave the 2-[(1,3-dimethyl-1H-pyrazol-4-yl)amino] derivative 32. Optimization of 32 afforded diastereomeric oxolan-3-yl derivatives 44 and 45, which demonstrated a favorable in vitro PK profile, although they displayed species disconnects in the in vivo PK profile, and a propensity for P-gp- and/or BCRP-mediated efflux in a mouse model. Compounds 44 and 45 demonstrated high potency and exquisite selectivity for LRRK2 and utility as chemical probes for the study of LRRK2 inhibition.

MeSH terms

  • Checkpoint Kinase 1 / chemistry*
  • Checkpoint Kinase 1 / metabolism
  • Crystallography, X-Ray
  • Dose-Response Relationship, Drug
  • Drug Design*
  • HEK293 Cells
  • Humans
  • Leucine-Rich Repeat Serine-Threonine Protein Kinase-2 / antagonists & inhibitors*
  • Leucine-Rich Repeat Serine-Threonine Protein Kinase-2 / metabolism
  • Models, Molecular
  • Molecular Structure
  • 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*
  • Structure-Activity Relationship

Substances

  • Protein Kinase Inhibitors
  • Pyrimidines
  • Pyrroles
  • Pyrrolo(2,3-d)pyrimidine
  • CHEK1 protein, human
  • Checkpoint Kinase 1
  • LRRK2 protein, human
  • Leucine-Rich Repeat Serine-Threonine Protein Kinase-2