Discovery and Characterization of BAY-184: A New Potent and Selective Acylsulfonamide-Benzofuran In Vivo-Active KAT6AB Inhibitor

J Med Chem. 2024 Nov 14;67(21):19282-19303. doi: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.4c01709. Epub 2024 Oct 25.

Abstract

KAT6A and KAT6B genes are two closely related lysine acetyltransferases that transfer an acetyl group from acetyl coenzyme A (AcCoA) to lysine residues of target histone substrates, hence playing a key role in chromatin regulation. KAT6A and KAT6B genes are frequently amplified in various cancer types. In breast cancer, the 8p11-p12 amplicon occurs in 12-15% of cases, resulting in elevated copy numbers and expression levels of chromatin modifiers like KAT6A. Here, we report the discovery of a new acylsulfonamide-benzofuran series as a novel structural class for KAT6A/B inhibition. These compounds were identified through high-throughput screening and subsequently optimized using molecular modeling and cocrystal structure determination. The final tool compound, BAY-184 (29), was successfully validated in an in vivo proof-of-concept study.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Benzofurans* / chemistry
  • Benzofurans* / pharmacology
  • Cell Line, Tumor
  • Drug Discovery
  • Enzyme Inhibitors / chemistry
  • Enzyme Inhibitors / pharmacology
  • Female
  • Histone Acetyltransferases* / antagonists & inhibitors
  • Histone Acetyltransferases* / metabolism
  • Humans
  • Mice
  • Models, Molecular
  • Structure-Activity Relationship
  • Sulfonamides* / chemical synthesis
  • Sulfonamides* / chemistry
  • Sulfonamides* / pharmacology

Substances

  • Sulfonamides
  • Benzofurans
  • Histone Acetyltransferases
  • KAT6A protein, human
  • Enzyme Inhibitors