Lead Optimization and Structure-Activity Relationship Studies on Myeloid Ecotropic Viral Integration Site 1 Inhibitor

J Med Chem. 2021 Oct 14;64(19):14448-14464. doi: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.1c00972. Epub 2021 Sep 20.

Abstract

The pivotal role of the myeloid ecotropic viral integration site 1 (MEIS1) transcriptional factor was reported in cardiac regeneration and hematopoietic stem-cell (HSC) regulation with our previous findings. MEIS1 as a promising target in the context of pharmacological inhibition, we identified a potent myeloid ecotropic viral integration site (MEIS) inhibitor, MEISi-1, to induce murine and human HSC expansion ex vivo and in vivo. In this work, we performed lead optimization on MEISi-1 by synthesizing 45 novel analogues. Structure-activity relationship studies revealed the significance of a para-methoxy group on ring A and a hydrophobic moiety at the meta position of ring B. Obtained biological data were supported by inhibitor docking and molecular dynamics simulation studies. Eleven compounds were depicted as potent inhibitors demonstrating a better inhibitory profile on MEIS1 and target genes Meis1, Hif-1α, and p21. Among those, 4h, 4f, and 4b were the most potent inhibitors. The predicted pharmacokinetics properties fulfill drug-likeness criteria. In addition, compounds exerted neither cytotoxicity on human dermal fibroblasts nor mutagenicity.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Antiviral Agents / chemistry
  • Antiviral Agents / pharmacology*
  • Humans
  • Luminescence
  • Molecular Docking Simulation
  • Molecular Dynamics Simulation
  • Myeloid Ecotropic Viral Integration Site 1 Protein / antagonists & inhibitors*
  • Structure-Activity Relationship

Substances

  • Antiviral Agents
  • Myeloid Ecotropic Viral Integration Site 1 Protein