Structure-Enabled Discovery of Novel Macrocyclic Inhibitors Targeting Glutaminase 1 Allosteric Binding Site

J Med Chem. 2021 Apr 22;64(8):4588-4611. doi: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.0c02044. Epub 2021 Apr 1.

Abstract

The inhibition of glutaminase 1 (GLS1) represents a potential treatment of malignant tumors. Structural analysis led to the design of a novel series of macrocyclic GLS1 allosteric inhibitors. Through extensive structure-activity relationship studies, a promising candidate molecule 13b (LL202) was identified with robust GLS1 inhibitory activity (IC50 = 6 nM) and high GLS1 binding affinity (SPR, Kd = 24 nM; ITC, Kd = 37 nM). The X-ray crystal structure of the 13b-GLS1 complex was resolved, revealing a unique binding mode and providing a novel structural scaffold for GLS1 allosteric inhibitors. Importantly, 13b clearly adjusted the cellular metabolites and induced an increase in the ROS level by blocking glutamine metabolism. Furthermore, 13b exhibited a similar in vivo antitumor activity as CB839. This study adds to the growing body of evidence that macrocyclization provides an alternative and complementary approach for the design of small-molecule inhibitors, with the potential to improve the binding affinity to the targets.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Allosteric Site
  • Animals
  • Antineoplastic Agents / chemistry
  • Antineoplastic Agents / metabolism
  • Antineoplastic Agents / pharmacology
  • Antineoplastic Agents / therapeutic use
  • Cell Line, Tumor
  • Cell Proliferation / drug effects
  • Crystallography, X-Ray
  • Drug Design*
  • Enzyme Inhibitors / chemistry*
  • Enzyme Inhibitors / metabolism
  • Enzyme Inhibitors / pharmacology
  • Enzyme Inhibitors / therapeutic use
  • Glutaminase / antagonists & inhibitors*
  • Glutaminase / metabolism
  • Glycolysis / drug effects
  • Half-Life
  • Humans
  • Macrocyclic Compounds / chemistry*
  • Macrocyclic Compounds / metabolism
  • Macrocyclic Compounds / pharmacology
  • Macrocyclic Compounds / therapeutic use
  • Mice
  • Mice, Nude
  • Molecular Dynamics Simulation
  • Neoplasms / drug therapy
  • Neoplasms / pathology
  • Oxidative Phosphorylation / drug effects
  • Rats
  • Structure-Activity Relationship

Substances

  • Antineoplastic Agents
  • Enzyme Inhibitors
  • Macrocyclic Compounds
  • Glutaminase