Discovery of Fragment-Derived Small Molecules for in Vivo Inhibition of Ketohexokinase (KHK)

J Med Chem. 2017 Sep 28;60(18):7835-7849. doi: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.7b00947. Epub 2017 Sep 11.

Abstract

Increased fructose consumption and its subsequent metabolism have been implicated in hepatic steatosis, dyslipidemia, obesity, and insulin resistance in humans. Since ketohexokinase (KHK) is the principal enzyme responsible for fructose metabolism, identification of a selective KHK inhibitor may help to further elucidate the effect of KHK inhibition on these metabolic disorders. Until now, studies on KHK inhibition with small molecules have been limited due to the lack of viable in vivo pharmacological tools. Herein we report the discovery of 12, a selective KHK inhibitor with potency and properties suitable for evaluating KHK inhibition in rat models. Key structural features interacting with KHK were discovered through fragment-based screening and subsequent optimization using structure-based drug design, and parallel medicinal chemistry led to the identification of pyridine 12.

Publication types

  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Crystallography, X-Ray
  • Drug Design*
  • Fructokinases / antagonists & inhibitors*
  • Fructokinases / chemistry
  • Fructokinases / metabolism
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Molecular Docking Simulation
  • Protein Kinase Inhibitors / chemistry*
  • Protein Kinase Inhibitors / pharmacology*
  • Pyridines / chemistry
  • Pyridines / pharmacology
  • Rats
  • Rats, Sprague-Dawley
  • Small Molecule Libraries / chemistry*
  • Small Molecule Libraries / pharmacology*

Substances

  • Protein Kinase Inhibitors
  • Pyridines
  • Small Molecule Libraries
  • Fructokinases
  • ketohexokinase