A Comprehensive In Vitro Characterization of a New Class of Indole-Based Compounds Developed as Selective Haspin Inhibitors

J Med Chem. 2024 Aug 8;67(15):12711-12734. doi: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.4c00718. Epub 2024 Jul 22.

Abstract

Haspin is an emerging, but rather unexplored, divergent kinase involved in tumor growth by regulating the mitotic phase. In this paper, the in-silico design, synthesis, and biological characterization of a new series of substituted indoles acting as potent Haspin inhibitors are reported. The synthesized derivatives have been evaluated by FRET analysis, showing very potent Haspin inhibition. Then, a comprehensive in-cell investigation highlighted compounds 47 and 60 as the most promising inhibitors. These compounds were challenged for their synergic activity with paclitaxel in 2D and 3D cellular models, demonstrating a twofold improvement of the paclitaxel antitumor activity. Compound 60 also showed remarkable selectivity when tested in a panel of 70 diverse kinases. Finally, in-silico studies provided new insight about the chemical requirements useful to develop new Haspin inhibitors. Biological results, together with the drug-likeness profile of 47 and 60, make these derivatives deserving further studies.

MeSH terms

  • Antineoplastic Agents / chemical synthesis
  • Antineoplastic Agents / chemistry
  • Antineoplastic Agents / pharmacology
  • Cell Line, Tumor
  • Cell Proliferation / drug effects
  • Drug Screening Assays, Antitumor
  • Humans
  • Indoles* / chemical synthesis
  • Indoles* / chemistry
  • Indoles* / pharmacology
  • Intracellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins / antagonists & inhibitors
  • Intracellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins / metabolism
  • Paclitaxel / chemistry
  • Paclitaxel / pharmacology
  • Protein Kinase Inhibitors / chemical synthesis
  • Protein Kinase Inhibitors / chemistry
  • Protein Kinase Inhibitors / pharmacology
  • Protein Serine-Threonine Kinases / antagonists & inhibitors
  • Protein Serine-Threonine Kinases / metabolism
  • Structure-Activity Relationship

Substances

  • Indoles
  • Intracellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins
  • HASPIN protein, human
  • Protein Serine-Threonine Kinases
  • Protein Kinase Inhibitors
  • Antineoplastic Agents
  • Paclitaxel