Discovery of potent and highly selective thienopyridine Janus kinase 2 inhibitors

J Med Chem. 2011 Dec 22;54(24):8440-50. doi: 10.1021/jm200911r. Epub 2011 Nov 16.

Abstract

Developing Janus kinase 2 (Jak2) inhibitors has become a significant focus for small molecule drug discovery programs in recent years due to the identification of a Jak2 gain-of-function mutation in the majority of patients with myeloproliferative disorders (MPD). Here, we describe the discovery of a thienopyridine series of Jak2 inhibitors that culminates with compounds showing 100- to >500-fold selectivity over the related Jak family kinases in enzyme assays. Selectivity for Jak2 was also observed in TEL-Jak cellular assays, as well as in cytokine-stimulated peripheral blood mononuclear cell (PBMC) and whole blood assays. X-ray cocrystal structures of 8 and 19 bound to the Jak2 kinase domain aided structure-activity relationship efforts and, along with a previously reported small molecule X-ray cocrystal structure of the Jak1 kinase domain, provided structural rationale for the observed high levels of Jak2 selectivity.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Cell Line, Tumor
  • Cell Membrane Permeability
  • Crystallography, X-Ray
  • Humans
  • Janus Kinase 1 / chemistry
  • Janus Kinase 2 / antagonists & inhibitors*
  • Janus Kinase 2 / chemistry
  • Leukocytes, Mononuclear / drug effects
  • Models, Molecular
  • Protein Kinase Inhibitors / chemical synthesis*
  • Protein Kinase Inhibitors / chemistry
  • Protein Kinase Inhibitors / pharmacology
  • Protein Structure, Tertiary
  • Structure-Activity Relationship
  • Swine
  • Thienopyridines / chemical synthesis*
  • Thienopyridines / chemistry
  • Thienopyridines / pharmacology

Substances

  • Protein Kinase Inhibitors
  • Thienopyridines
  • Janus Kinase 1
  • Janus Kinase 2

Associated data

  • PDB/3TJC
  • PDB/3TJD