Discovery of a Novel Covalent EZH2 Inhibitor Based on Tazemetostat Scaffold for the Treatment of Ovarian Cancer

J Med Chem. 2023 Feb 9;66(3):1725-1741. doi: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.2c01370. Epub 2023 Jan 24.

Abstract

Enhancer of zeste homologue 2 (EZH2) is the enzymatic catalytic subunit of polycomb repressive complex 2 (PRC2), which plays an important role in post-translational modifications of histones. In this study, we designed and synthesized a new series EZH2 covalent inhibitors that have rarely been reported. Biochemical studies and mass spectrometry provide information that SKLB-03220 could covalently bind to the S-adenosylmethionine (SAM) pocket of EZH2. Besides, SKLB-03220 was highly potent for EZH2MUT, while exhibiting weak activities against other tested histone methyltransferases (HMTs) and kinases. Moreover, SKLB-03220 displayed noteworthy potency against ovarian cancer cell lines and continuously abolished H3K27me3 after washing out. Furthermore, oral administration of SKLB-03220 significantly inhibited tumor growth in PA-1 xenograft model without obvious adverse effects. Taken together, SKLB-03220 is a potent, selective EZH2 covalent inhibitor with noteworthy anticancer efficacy both in vitro and in vivo.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Cell Line, Tumor
  • Enhancer of Zeste Homolog 2 Protein* / metabolism
  • Female
  • Histones / metabolism
  • Humans
  • Ovarian Neoplasms* / drug therapy
  • Polycomb Repressive Complex 2 / metabolism
  • Pyridones / chemistry
  • Pyridones / pharmacology
  • Pyridones / therapeutic use

Substances

  • Enhancer of Zeste Homolog 2 Protein
  • EZH2 protein, human
  • Histones
  • Polycomb Repressive Complex 2
  • Pyridones
  • tazemetostat
  • SKLB-03220