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ID: ALA4257595

Journal: J Med Chem

Title: Improving the Selectivity of PACE4 Inhibitors through Modifications of the P1 Residue.

Authors: Dianati V, Navals P, Couture F, Desjardins R, Dame A, Kwiatkowska A, Day R, Dory YL.

Abstract: Paired basic amino acid cleaving enzyme 4 (PACE4), a serine endoprotease of the proprotein convertases family, has been recognized as a promising target for prostate cancer. We previously reported a selective and potent peptide-based inhibitor for PACE4, named the multi-Leu peptide (Ac-LLLLRVKR-NH2 sequence), which was then modified into a more potent and stable compound named C23 with the following structure: Ac-dLeu-LLLRVK-Amba (Amba: 4-amidinobenzylamide). Despite improvements in both in vitro and in vivo profiles of C23, its selectivity for PACE4 over furin was significantly reduced. We examined other Arg-mimetics instead of Amba to regain the lost selectivity. Our results indicated that the replacement of Amba with 5-(aminomethyl)picolinimidamide increased affinity for PACE4 and restored selectivity. Our results also provide a better insight on how structural differences between S1 pockets of PACE4 and furin could be employed in the rational design of selective inhibitors.

CiteXplore: 30501188

DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.8b01381