Identification of selective and potent inhibitors of fibroblast activation protein and prolyl oligopeptidase

J Med Chem. 2013 May 9;56(9):3467-77. doi: 10.1021/jm400351a. Epub 2013 Apr 29.

Abstract

Fibroblast activation protein (FAP) is a serine protease selectively expressed on reactive stromal fibroblasts of epithelial carcinomas. It is widely believed to play a role in tumor invasion and metastasis and therefore to represent a potential new drug target for cancer. Investigation into its biological function, however, has been hampered by the current unavailability of selective inhibitors. The challenge has been in identifying inhibitors that are selective for FAP over both the dipeptidyl peptidases (DPPs), with which it shares exopeptidase specificity, and prolyl oligopeptidase (PREP), with which it shares endopeptidase specificity. Here, we report the first potent FAP inhibitor with selectivity over both the DPPs and PREP, N-(pyridine-4-carbonyl)-d-Ala-boroPro (ARI-3099, 6). We also report a similarly potent and selective PREP inhibitor, N-(pyridine-3-carbonyl)-Val-boroPro (ARI-3531, 22). Both are boronic acid based inhibitors, demonstrating that high selectivity can be achieved using this electrophile. The inhibitors are stable, easy to synthesize, and should prove to be useful in helping to elucidate the biological functions of these two unique and interesting enzymes, as well as their potential as drug targets.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Amino Acid Sequence
  • Animals
  • Binding, Competitive
  • Boronic Acids / chemistry
  • Boronic Acids / metabolism
  • Boronic Acids / pharmacology
  • Drug Discovery*
  • Endopeptidases
  • Gelatinases / antagonists & inhibitors*
  • Gelatinases / chemistry
  • Gelatinases / metabolism
  • HEK293 Cells
  • Humans
  • Membrane Proteins / antagonists & inhibitors*
  • Membrane Proteins / chemistry
  • Membrane Proteins / metabolism
  • Mice
  • Proline / metabolism
  • Prolyl Oligopeptidases
  • Serine Endopeptidases / chemistry
  • Serine Endopeptidases / metabolism*
  • Serine Proteinase Inhibitors / chemistry*
  • Serine Proteinase Inhibitors / metabolism
  • Serine Proteinase Inhibitors / pharmacology*
  • Substrate Specificity

Substances

  • Boronic Acids
  • Membrane Proteins
  • Serine Proteinase Inhibitors
  • Proline
  • Endopeptidases
  • Serine Endopeptidases
  • fibroblast activation protein alpha
  • PREPL protein, human
  • Prolyl Oligopeptidases
  • Gelatinases