Small-Molecule Cyanamide Pan-TEAD·YAP1 Covalent Antagonists

J Med Chem. 2023 Jan 12;66(1):266-284. doi: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.2c01189. Epub 2022 Dec 23.

Abstract

Transcriptional enhanced associate domains (TEADs) are transcription factors that bind to cotranscriptional activators like the yes-associated protein (YAP) or its paralog transcriptional coactivator with a PDZ-binding motif (TAZ). TEAD·YAP/TAZ target genes are involved in tissue and immune homeostasis, organ size control, tumor growth, and metastasis. Here, we report isoindoline and octahydroisoindole small molecules with a cyanamide electrophile that forms a covalent bond with a conserved cysteine in the TEAD palmitate-binding cavity. Time- and concentration-dependent studies against TEAD1-4 yielded second-order rate constants kinact/KI greater than 100 M-1 s-1. Compounds inhibited YAP1 binding to TEADs with submicromolar IC50 values. Cocrystal structures with TEAD2 enabled structure-activity relationship studies. In mammalian cells, compounds suppressed CTGF mRNA levels and inhibited TEAD1-4 transcriptional activity with submicromolar IC50 values. Inhibition of TEAD binding to YAP1 in mammalian cells was also observed. Several compounds inhibited the cell viability of sarcoma, hepatocellular carcinoma, glioblastoma, and breast cancer cells with single-digit micromolar IC50 values.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adaptor Proteins, Signal Transducing / metabolism
  • Animals
  • Cyanamide*
  • Humans
  • Mammals / metabolism
  • Neoplasms*
  • Transcription Factors / metabolism
  • YAP-Signaling Proteins

Substances

  • Cyanamide
  • Adaptor Proteins, Signal Transducing
  • YAP-Signaling Proteins
  • Transcription Factors