BAY-069, a Novel (Trifluoromethyl)pyrimidinedione-Based BCAT1/2 Inhibitor and Chemical Probe

J Med Chem. 2022 Nov 10;65(21):14366-14390. doi: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.2c00441. Epub 2022 Oct 19.

Abstract

The branched-chain amino acid transaminases (BCATs) are enzymes that catalyze the first reaction of catabolism of the essential branched-chain amino acids to branched-chain keto acids to form glutamate. They are known to play a key role in different cancer types. Here, we report a new structural class of BCAT1/2 inhibitors, (trifluoromethyl)pyrimidinediones, identified by a high-throughput screening campaign and subsequent optimization guided by a series of X-ray crystal structures. Our potent dual BCAT1/2 inhibitor BAY-069 displays high cellular activity and very good selectivity. Along with a negative control (BAY-771), BAY-069 was donated as a chemical probe to the Structural Genomics Consortium.

MeSH terms

  • Amino Acids, Branched-Chain* / metabolism
  • Keto Acids / metabolism
  • Transaminases* / metabolism

Substances

  • Transaminases
  • Amino Acids, Branched-Chain
  • Keto Acids