Development of Noncovalent Small-Molecule Keap1-Nrf2 Inhibitors by Fragment-Based Drug Discovery

J Med Chem. 2022 Nov 10;65(21):14481-14526. doi: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.2c00830. Epub 2022 Oct 20.

Abstract

Targeting the protein-protein interaction (PPI) between the transcription factor nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) and its repressor, Kelch-like ECH-associated protein 1 (Keap1), constitutes a promising strategy for treating diseases involving oxidative stress and inflammation. Here, a fragment-based drug discovery (FBDD) campaign resulted in novel, high-affinity (Ki = 280 nM), and cell-active noncovalent small-molecule Keap1-Nrf2 PPI inhibitors. We screened 2500 fragments using orthogonal assays─fluorescence polarization (FP), thermal shift assay (TSA), and surface plasmon resonance (SPR)─and validated the hits by saturation transfer difference (STD) NMR, leading to 28 high-priority hits. Thirteen co-structures showed fragments binding mainly in the P4 and P5 subpockets of Keap1's Kelch domain, and three fluorenone-based fragments featuring a novel binding mode were optimized by structure-based drug discovery. We thereby disclose several fragment hits, including their binding modes, and show how FBDD can be performed to find new small-molecule Keap1-Nrf2 PPI inhibitors.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Drug Discovery* / methods
  • Kelch-Like ECH-Associated Protein 1 / metabolism
  • NF-E2-Related Factor 2* / metabolism
  • Oxidative Stress
  • Protein Binding

Substances

  • Kelch-Like ECH-Associated Protein 1
  • NF-E2-Related Factor 2