Synthesis and Structural Characterization of Novel Trihalo-sulfone Inhibitors of WNK1.

ID: ALA5126644

Journal: ACS Med Chem Lett

Title: Synthesis and Structural Characterization of Novel Trihalo-sulfone Inhibitors of WNK1.

Authors: Rodriguez M, Kannangara A, Chlebowicz J, Akella R, He H, Tambar UK, Goldsmith EJ.

Abstract: With No lysine (K) [WNK] kinases are structurally unique serine/threonine protein kinases that have therapeutic potential for blood pressure regulation and cancer. A novel class of trihalo-sulfone compounds was identified by high-throughput screening. Trihalo-sulfone 1 emerged as an effective inhibitor of WNK1 with an IC₅₀ value of 1.6 μM. Herein, we define chemical features necessary for inhibition of WNK1 using chemical synthesis and X-ray crystallography. Analogues that probed the role of specific functional groups to the inhibitory activity were synthesized. X-ray structures of trihalo-sulfone 1 and a second trihalo-sulfone 23 bound to WNK1 revealed active site binding to two of the three previously defined canonical inhibitor binding pockets as well as a novel binding site for the trihalo-sulfone moiety. The elucidation of these novel interaction sites may allow for the strategic design of even more selective and potent WNK inhibitors.

CiteXplore: 36262391

DOI: 10.1021/acsmedchemlett.2c00216

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