Optimization and Structure-Activity Relationships of Phosphinic Pseudotripeptide Inhibitors of Aminopeptidases That Generate Antigenic Peptides

J Med Chem. 2016 Oct 13;59(19):9107-9123. doi: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.6b01031. Epub 2016 Sep 20.

Abstract

The oxytocinase subfamily of M1 aminopeptidases, consisting of ER aminopeptidase 1 (ERAP1), ER aminopeptidase 2 (ERAP2), and insulin-regulated aminopeptidase (IRAP), plays critical roles in the generation of antigenic peptides and indirectly regulates human adaptive immune responses. We have previously demonstrated that phosphinic pseudotripeptides can constitute potent inhibitors of this group of enzymes. In this study, we used synthetic methodologies able to furnish a series of stereochemically defined phosphinic pseudotripeptides and demonstrate that side chains at P1' and P2' positions are critical determinants in driving potency and selectivity. We identified low nanomolar inhibitors of ERAP2 and IRAP that display selectivity of more than 2 and 3 orders of magnitude, respectively. Cellular analysis demonstrated that one of the compounds that is a selective IRAP inhibitor can reduce IRAP-dependent but not ERAP1-dependent cross-presentation by dendritic cells with nanomolar efficacy. Our results encourage further preclinical development of phosphinic pseudotripeptides as regulators of adaptive immune responses.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Aminopeptidases / antagonists & inhibitors*
  • Aminopeptidases / immunology
  • Animals
  • Cell Line
  • Cystinyl Aminopeptidase / antagonists & inhibitors*
  • Cystinyl Aminopeptidase / immunology
  • Dendritic Cells / drug effects
  • Dendritic Cells / immunology
  • Drug Design
  • Humans
  • Mice, Inbred C57BL
  • Models, Molecular
  • Peptides / immunology
  • Phosphines / chemistry*
  • Phosphines / pharmacology*
  • Structure-Activity Relationship

Substances

  • Peptides
  • Phosphines
  • Aminopeptidases
  • ERAP2 protein, human
  • Cystinyl Aminopeptidase
  • leucyl-cystinyl aminopeptidase
  • phosphine