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Morozova A, Chan SC, Bayle S, Sun L, Grassie D, Iermolaieva A, Kalaga MN, Frydman S, Sansil S, Schönbrunn E, Duckett D, Monastyrskyi A. Development of potent and selective ULK1/2 inhibitors based on 7-azaindole scaffold with favorable in vivo properties. Eur J Med Chem 2024; 266:116101. [PMID: 38232465 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2023.116101] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/18/2023] [Revised: 12/22/2023] [Accepted: 12/23/2023] [Indexed: 01/19/2024]
Abstract
The UNC-51-like kinase-1 (ULK1) is one of the central upstream regulators of the autophagy pathway, represents a key target for the development of molecular probes to abrogate autophagy and explore potential therapeutic avenues. Here we report the discovery, structure-activity and structure-property relationships of selective, potent, and cell-active ULK1/2 inhibitors based on a 7-azaindole scaffold. Using structure-based drug design, we have developed a series of analogs with excellent binding affinity and biochemical activity against ULK1/2 (IC50 < 25 nM). The validation of cellular target engagement for these compounds was achieved through the employment of the ULK1 NanoBRET intracellular kinase assay. Notably, we have successfully solved the crystal structure of the lead compound, MR-2088, bound to the active site of ULK1. Moreover, the combination treatment of MR-2088 with known KRAS→RAF→MEK→ERK pathway inhibitors, such as trametinib, showed promising synergistic effect in vitro using H2030 (KRASG12C) cell lines. Lastly, our findings underscore MR-2088's potential to inhibit starvation/stimuli-induced autophagic flux, coupled with its suitability for in vivo studies based on its pharmacokinetic properties.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alisa Morozova
- Department of Drug Discovery, H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center and Research Institute, 12902 USF Magnolia Dr, Tampa, FL, United States
| | - Sean Chin Chan
- Department of Drug Discovery, H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center and Research Institute, 12902 USF Magnolia Dr, Tampa, FL, United States
| | - Simon Bayle
- Department of Drug Discovery, H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center and Research Institute, 12902 USF Magnolia Dr, Tampa, FL, United States
| | - Luxin Sun
- Department of Drug Discovery, H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center and Research Institute, 12902 USF Magnolia Dr, Tampa, FL, United States
| | - Dylan Grassie
- Department of Drug Discovery, H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center and Research Institute, 12902 USF Magnolia Dr, Tampa, FL, United States
| | - Anna Iermolaieva
- Department of Drug Discovery, H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center and Research Institute, 12902 USF Magnolia Dr, Tampa, FL, United States
| | - Mahalakshmi N Kalaga
- Department of Drug Discovery, H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center and Research Institute, 12902 USF Magnolia Dr, Tampa, FL, United States
| | - Sylvia Frydman
- Department of Drug Discovery, H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center and Research Institute, 12902 USF Magnolia Dr, Tampa, FL, United States
| | - Samer Sansil
- Department of Drug Discovery, H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center and Research Institute, 12902 USF Magnolia Dr, Tampa, FL, United States
| | - Ernst Schönbrunn
- Department of Drug Discovery, H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center and Research Institute, 12902 USF Magnolia Dr, Tampa, FL, United States
| | - Derek Duckett
- Department of Drug Discovery, H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center and Research Institute, 12902 USF Magnolia Dr, Tampa, FL, United States
| | - Andrii Monastyrskyi
- Department of Drug Discovery, H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center and Research Institute, 12902 USF Magnolia Dr, Tampa, FL, United States.
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Matmon D, Gridin VV, Bear J, Frydman S, Schechter I. Non-aqueous-phase-liquid breakthrough during evaporative drying of clay barriers. J Contam Hydrol 2001; 50:243-260. [PMID: 11523327 DOI: 10.1016/s0169-7722(01)00108-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/23/2023]
Abstract
In this study, an attempt has been made to model a real field scenario, whereby an initially almost saturated clay liner in a waste site is gradually drying, due to evaporation at its lower boundary. A detailed conceptual model that deals with the penetration and breakthrough of non-aqueous-phase-liquid (NAPL) in clay liners is introduced. Water content of clay samples was monitored during ambient evaporation through apertures at the base of sample holders. Clay drying rate served as the primary parameter for the NAPL breakthrough study. The interconnection between drying rates, structural damage formation (cracks and suction) and NAPL penetration is especially addressed. The processes taking place in the clay samples during drying appear to be associated with the capillary effects between the different fluid phases in the vicinity of either the NAPL-clay or the clay-air boundaries. A conceptual model of NAPL penetration and breakthrough of the clay layer has been considered, based on both indirect and direct observations of structural damages produced on either clay boundaries. A mutual interaction between these two boundaries is suggested and discussed. NAPL breakthrough is suggested to take place through cracks initiated on the upper soil surface.
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Affiliation(s)
- D Matmon
- Department of Civil Engineering, Technion-Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa 32000, Israel.
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