Structure-based discovery of selective BRPF1 bromodomain inhibitors.
J.Zhu,
C.Zhou,
A.Caflisch.
ABSTRACT
Bromodomain and plant homeodomain (PHD) finger containing protein 1 (BRPF1) is a
member of subfamily IV of the human bromodomains. Experimental evidence suggests
that BRPF1 is involved in leukemia. In a previous high-throughput docking
campaign we identified several chemotypes targeting the BRPF1 bromodomain. Here,
pharmacophore searches using the binding modes of two of these chemotypes
resulted in two new series of ligands of the BRPF1 bromodomain. The
2,3-dioxo-quinoxaline 21 exhibits a 2-μM affinity for the BRPF1 bromodomain in
two different competition binding assays, and more than 100-fold selectivity for
BRPF1 against other members of subfamily IV and representatives of other
subfamilies. Cellular activity is confirmed by a viability assay in a leukemia
cell line. Isothermal titration calorimetry measurements reveal enthalpy-driven
binding for compounds 21, 26 (KD = 3 μM), and the
2,4-dimethyl-oxazole derivative 42 (KD = 10 μM). Multiple
molecular dynamics simulations and a dozen co-crystal structures at high
resolution provide useful information for further optimization of affinity for
the BRPF1 bromodomain.