Synthesis, Identification, and Structure-Activity Relationship Analysis of GATA4 and NKX2-5 Protein-Protein Interaction Modulators

J Med Chem. 2019 Sep 12;62(17):8284-8310. doi: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.9b01086. Epub 2019 Sep 3.

Abstract

Transcription factors GATA4 and NKX2-5 directly interact and synergistically activate several cardiac genes and stretch-induced cardiomyocyte hypertrophy. Previously, we identified phenylisoxazole carboxamide 1 as a hit compound, which inhibited the GATA4-NKX2-5 transcriptional synergy. Here, the chemical space around the molecular structure of 1 was explored by synthesizing and characterizing 220 derivatives and structurally related compounds. In addition to the synergistic transcriptional activation, selected compounds were evaluated for their effects on transcriptional activities of GATA4 and NKX2-5 individually as well as potential cytotoxicity. The structure-activity relationship (SAR) analysis revealed that the aromatic isoxazole substituent in the southern part regulates the inhibition of GATA4-NKX2-5 transcriptional synergy. Moreover, inhibition of GATA4 transcriptional activity correlated with the reduced cell viability. In summary, comprehensive SAR analysis accompanied by data analysis successfully identified potent and selective inhibitors of GATA4-NKX2-5 transcriptional synergy and revealed structural features important for it.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • COS Cells
  • Cell Survival / drug effects
  • Cells, Cultured
  • Chlorocebus aethiops
  • Dose-Response Relationship, Drug
  • GATA4 Transcription Factor / antagonists & inhibitors*
  • GATA4 Transcription Factor / chemistry
  • GATA4 Transcription Factor / metabolism
  • Homeobox Protein Nkx-2.5 / antagonists & inhibitors*
  • Homeobox Protein Nkx-2.5 / chemistry
  • Homeobox Protein Nkx-2.5 / metabolism
  • Isoxazoles / chemical synthesis
  • Isoxazoles / chemistry
  • Isoxazoles / pharmacology*
  • Molecular Structure
  • Protein Binding / drug effects
  • Rats
  • Rats, Wistar
  • Structure-Activity Relationship

Substances

  • GATA4 Transcription Factor
  • Gata4 protein, rat
  • Homeobox Protein Nkx-2.5
  • Isoxazoles
  • Nkx2-5 protein, rat