Phenyl Bis-Sulfonamide Keap1-Nrf2 Protein-Protein Interaction Inhibitors with an Alternative Binding Mode

J Med Chem. 2022 May 26;65(10):7380-7398. doi: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.2c00457. Epub 2022 May 12.

Abstract

Inhibitors of Kelch-like ECH-associated protein 1 (Keap1) increase the activity of the transcription factor nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) by stalling its ubiquitination and degradation. This enhances the expression of genes encoding proteins involved in drug detoxification, redox homeostasis, and mitochondrial function. Nrf2 activation offers a potential therapeutic approach for conditions including Alzheimer's and Parkinson's diseases, vascular inflammation, and chronic obstructive airway disease. Non-electrophilic Keap1-Nrf2 protein-protein interaction (PPI) inhibitors may have improved toxicity profiles and different pharmacological properties to cysteine-reactive electrophilic inhibitors. Here, we describe and characterize a series of phenyl bis-sulfonamide PPI inhibitors that bind to Keap1 at submicromolar concentrations. Structural studies reveal that the compounds bind to Keap1 in a distinct "peptidomimetic" conformation that resembles the Keap1-Nrf2 ETGE peptide complex. This is different to other small molecule Keap1-Nrf2 PPI inhibitors, including bicyclic aryl bis-sulfonamides, offering a starting point for new design approaches to Keap1 inhibitors.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Kelch-Like ECH-Associated Protein 1 / metabolism
  • NF-E2-Related Factor 2* / metabolism
  • Protein Binding
  • Sulfonamides* / pharmacology

Substances

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