Development and Utility of a PAK1-Selective Degrader

J Med Chem. 2022 Dec 8;65(23):15627-15641. doi: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.2c00756. Epub 2022 Nov 23.

Abstract

Overexpression of PAK1, a druggable kinase, is common in several malignancies, and inhibition of PAK1 by small molecules has been shown to impede the growth and survival of such cells. Potent inhibitors of PAKs 1-3 have been described, but clinical development has been hindered by recent findings that PAK2 function is required for normal cardiovascular function in adult mice. A unique allosteric PAK1-selective inhibitor, NVS-PAK1-1, provides a potential path forward, but has modest potency. Here, we report the development of BJG-05-039, a PAK1-selective degrader consisting of NVS-PAK1-1 conjugated to lenalidomide, a recruiter of the E3 ubiquitin ligase substrate adaptor Cereblon. BJG-05-039 induced selective degradation of PAK1 and displayed enhanced anti-proliferative effects relative to its parent compound in PAK1-dependent, but not PAK2-dependent, cell lines. Our findings suggest that selective PAK1 degradation may confer more potent pharmacological effects compared with catalytic inhibition and highlight the potential advantages of PAK1-targeted degradation.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Dibenzazepines*
  • Mice
  • Pyrrolidines*

Substances

  • NVS-PAK1-1
  • Dibenzazepines
  • Pyrrolidines