Discovery of Potent OTUB1/USP8 Dual Inhibitors Targeting Proteostasis in Non-Small-Cell Lung Cancer

J Med Chem. 2022 Oct 27;65(20):13645-13659. doi: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.2c00408. Epub 2022 Oct 11.

Abstract

Deubiquitinating enzymes (DUBs) are key regulatory components of the ubiquitination system. Many DUBs have been revealed to play key roles in normal physiology and diseases. However, only very limited DUB members have well-characterized inhibitors. OTUB1 and USP8 are two DUBs reported to promote both immune evasion and tumorigenesis in tumor models, yet their targeted inhibitors are in the early stages of development. Here, we describe the lead identification and optimization of an OTUB1/USP8 dual inhibitor, 61, which exhibits highly potent and selective inhibition of both targets with subnanomolar IC50s in vitro. By inhibiting both DUBs, 61 phenocopies the double knockdown of OTUB1/USP8 and exerts pronounced antiproliferative effects in H1975 and other non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) cell lines. Moreover, 61 efficaciously mitigates tumor growth in vivo. Collectively, our results provide a useful tool for pharmacological perturbation of OTUB1/USP8 and introduce a promising therapeutic strategy of dual DUB inhibition for treating NSCLC.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung* / drug therapy
  • Deubiquitinating Enzymes / metabolism
  • Endopeptidases / metabolism
  • Endosomal Sorting Complexes Required for Transport / genetics
  • Endosomal Sorting Complexes Required for Transport / metabolism
  • Humans
  • Lung Neoplasms* / drug therapy
  • Proteostasis
  • Ubiquitin Thiolesterase / genetics
  • Ubiquitin Thiolesterase / metabolism
  • Ubiquitination

Substances

  • Deubiquitinating Enzymes
  • USP8 protein, human
  • Endopeptidases
  • Ubiquitin Thiolesterase
  • Endosomal Sorting Complexes Required for Transport