Structure-Based Discovery of a Subtype-Selective Inhibitor Targeting a Transient Receptor Potential Vanilloid Channel

J Med Chem. 2019 Feb 14;62(3):1373-1384. doi: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.8b01496. Epub 2019 Jan 16.

Abstract

Discovery of potent selective inhibitors targeting a protein from a highly conserved family is challenging. Using a strategy combining structural and evolutionary information, we discovered transient receptor potential (TRP) subtype-selective inhibitors (transient receptor potential vanilloid type 2 (TRPV2) inhibitors). We unveiled three ligand-binding sites of TRPV2 and compounds that bind to these sites. Structural optimization of the best-hit compound provided a potent selective TRPV2 inhibitor, SET2. The molecular basis and subtype-selective inhibition mechanism were quantitatively characterized and experimentally verified. Then, as an effective chemical probe, SET2 was used to investigate the function role of TRPV2. SET2-induced inhibition of TRPV2 reduced prostate cancer migration, which indicated TRPV2 as an antimetastasis therapeutic target. In addition, functional assays suggested that TRPV2 was coupled to a validated metastasis mediator, LPAR1. The discovery of the potent selective inhibitor potentially leads to novel avenues for pharmacological applications and therapeutic development targeting the TRPV2 channel.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Binding Sites
  • Humans
  • Molecular Structure
  • Receptors, Lysophosphatidic Acid / metabolism
  • TRPV Cation Channels / antagonists & inhibitors*
  • TRPV Cation Channels / chemistry
  • TRPV Cation Channels / metabolism

Substances

  • LPAR1 protein, human
  • Receptors, Lysophosphatidic Acid
  • TRPV Cation Channels