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  2. Discovery of MDM2-p53 and MDM4-p53 protein-protein interactions small molecule dual inhibitors

Discovery of MDM2-p53 and MDM4-p53 protein-protein interactions small molecule dual inhibitors

  • Eur J Med Chem. 2022 Nov 5;241:114637. doi: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2022.114637.
Margarida Espadinha 1 Elizabeth A Lopes 1 Vanda Marques 1 Joana D Amaral 1 Daniel J V A Dos Santos 2 Mattia Mori 3 Simona Daniele 4 Rebecca Piccarducci 4 Elisa Zappelli 4 Claudia Martini 4 Cecília M P Rodrigues 1 Maria M M Santos 5
Affiliations

Affiliations

  • 1 Research Institute for Medicines (iMed.ULisboa), Faculty of Pharmacy, Universidade de Lisboa, Av. Prof. Gama Pinto, 1649-003, Lisboa, Portugal.
  • 2 CBIOS- Research Center for Biosciences and Health Technologies, Universidade Lusófona de Humanidades e Tecnologias, 1749-024, Lisboa, Portugal.
  • 3 Department of Biotechnology, Chemistry and Pharmacy, University of Siena, Via Aldo Moro 2, 53100, Siena, Italy.
  • 4 Department of Pharmacy, University of Pisa, 56126, Pisa, Italy.
  • 5 Research Institute for Medicines (iMed.ULisboa), Faculty of Pharmacy, Universidade de Lisboa, Av. Prof. Gama Pinto, 1649-003, Lisboa, Portugal. Electronic address: mariasantos@ff.ulisboa.pt.
Abstract

MDM2 and MDM4 are key negative regulators of p53, an important protein involved in several cell processes (e.g. cell cycle and Apoptosis). Not surprisingly, the p53 tumor suppressor function is inactivated in tumors overexpressing these two proteins. Therefore, both MDM2 and MDM4 are considered important therapeutic targets for an effective reactivation of the p53 function. Herein, we present our studies on the development of spiropyrazoline oxindole small molecules able to inhibit MDM2/4-p53 protein-protein interactions (PPIs). Twenty-seven potential spiropyrazoline oxindole dual inhibitors were prepared based on in silico structural optimization studies of a hit compound with MDM2 and MDM4 proteins. The antiproliferative activity of the target compounds was evaluated in Cancer cell lines harboring wild-type p53 and overexpressing MDM2 and/or MDM4. The most active compounds in SJSA-1 cells, 2q and 3b, induce cell death via Apoptosis and control cell growth by targeting the G0/G1 cell cycle checkpoint in a concentration-dependent manner. The ability of the five most active spiropyrazoline oxindoles in dissociating p53 from MDM2 and MDM4 was analyzed by an immunoenzymatic assay. Three compounds inhibited MDM2/4-p53 PPIs with IC50 values in the nM range, while one compound inhibited more selectively the MDM2-p53 PPI over the MDM4-p53 PPI. Collectively, these results show: i) 3b may serve as a valuable lead for obtaining selective MDM2-p53 PPI inhibitors and more efficient anti-osteosarcoma agents; ii) 2a, 2q and 3f may serve as valuable leads for obtaining dual MDM2/4 inhibitors and more effective p53 activators.

Keywords

Cancer; Dual inhibitors; MDMs; Spiropyrazoline oxindoles; p53.

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