Crystallography-Guided Optimizations of the Keap1-Nrf2 Inhibitors on the Solvent Exposed Region: From Symmetric to Asymmetric Naphthalenesulfonamides

J Med Chem. 2022 Jun 23;65(12):8289-8302. doi: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.2c00170. Epub 2022 Jun 10.

Abstract

Directly inhibiting the Keap1-Nrf2 protein-protein interaction has been investigated as a promising strategy to activate Nrf2 for anti-inflammation. We previously reported a naphthalensulfonamide Keap1-Nrf2 inhibitor NXPZ-2, but have not determined the exact binding mode with Keap1. This symmetric naphthalenesulfonamide compound has relatively low solubility. Herein, we first determined a crystal complex (resolution: 2.3 Å) of human Keap1 Kelch domain with NXPZ-2. Further optimizations on the solvent exposed region obtained asymmetric naphthalenesulfonamides and three crystal structures of Keap1 in complex with designed compounds. Among them, the asymmetric piperazinyl-naphthalenesulfonamide 6k with better aqueous solubility showed the best KD2 value of 0.21 μM to block the interaction. The productions of ROS and NO and the expression of TNF-α were inhibited by 6k in the in vitro model. This compound could relieve inflammations by significantly increasing the Nrf2 nuclear translocation in the LPS-induced ALI model with promising pharmacokinetic properties.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

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

Substances

  • KEAP1 protein, human
  • Kelch-Like ECH-Associated Protein 1
  • NF-E2-Related Factor 2
  • Solvents
  • Sulfonamides
  • naphthalenesulfonamide