Design, synthesis, and structure-activity relationship studies of a potent PACE4 inhibitor

J Med Chem. 2014 Jan 9;57(1):98-109. doi: 10.1021/jm401457n. Epub 2013 Dec 18.

Abstract

PACE4 plays an important role in the progression of prostate cancer and is an attractive target for the development of novel inhibitor-based tumor therapies. We previously reported the design and synthesis of a novel, potent, and relatively selective PACE4 inhibitor known as a Multi-Leu (ML) peptide. In the present work, we examined the ML peptide through detailed structure-activity relationship studies. A variety of ML-peptide analogues modified at the P8-P5 positions with leucine isomers (Nle, DLeu, and DNle) or substituted at the P1 position with arginine mimetics were tested for their inhibitory activity, specificity, stability, and antiproliferative effect. By incorporating d isomers at the P8 position or a decarboxylated arginine mimetic, we obtained analogues with an improved stability profile and excellent antiproliferative properties. The DLeu or DNle residue also has improved specificity toward PACE4, whereas specificity was reduced for a peptide modified with the arginine mimetic, such as 4-amidinobenzylamide.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Antineoplastic Agents / chemical synthesis*
  • Antineoplastic Agents / chemistry
  • Antineoplastic Agents / pharmacology
  • Cell Line, Tumor
  • Drug Design
  • Drug Stability
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Mice
  • Proprotein Convertases / antagonists & inhibitors*
  • Protease Inhibitors / chemical synthesis*
  • Protease Inhibitors / chemistry
  • Protease Inhibitors / pharmacology
  • Serine Endopeptidases
  • Structure-Activity Relationship

Substances

  • Antineoplastic Agents
  • Protease Inhibitors
  • PCSK6 protein, human
  • Proprotein Convertases
  • Serine Endopeptidases