Development of (2-(Benzyloxy)phenyl)methanamine Derivatives as Potent and Selective Inhibitors of CARM1 for the Treatment of Melanoma

J Med Chem. 2024 Apr 25;67(8):6313-6326. doi: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.3c02265. Epub 2024 Apr 4.

Abstract

Coactivator-associated arginine methyltransferase 1 (CARM1), an important member of type I protein arginine methyltransferases (PRMTs), has emerged as a promising therapeutic target for various cancer types. In our previous study, we have identified a series of type I PRMT inhibitors, among which ZL-28-6 (6) exhibited increased activity against CARM1 while displaying decreased potency against other type I PRMTs. In this work, we conducted chemical modifications on compound 6, resulting in a series of (2-(benzyloxy)phenyl)methanamine derivatives as potent inhibitors of CARM1. Among them, compound 17e displayed remarkable potency and selectivity for CARM1 (IC50 = 2 ± 1 nM), along with notable antiproliferative effects against melanoma cell lines. Cellular thermal shift assay and western blot experiments confirmed that compound 6 effectively targets CARM1 within cells. Furthermore, compound 17e displayed good antitumor efficacy in a melanoma xenograft model, indicating that this compound warrants further investigation as a potential anticancer agent.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Antineoplastic Agents* / chemical synthesis
  • Antineoplastic Agents* / chemistry
  • Antineoplastic Agents* / pharmacology
  • Antineoplastic Agents* / therapeutic use
  • Cell Line, Tumor
  • Cell Proliferation / drug effects
  • Drug Screening Assays, Antitumor
  • Enzyme Inhibitors / chemical synthesis
  • Enzyme Inhibitors / chemistry
  • Enzyme Inhibitors / pharmacology
  • Enzyme Inhibitors / therapeutic use
  • Humans
  • Melanoma* / drug therapy
  • Melanoma* / pathology
  • Mice
  • Mice, Nude
  • Protein-Arginine N-Methyltransferases* / antagonists & inhibitors
  • Protein-Arginine N-Methyltransferases* / metabolism
  • Structure-Activity Relationship
  • Xenograft Model Antitumor Assays

Substances

  • Protein-Arginine N-Methyltransferases
  • Antineoplastic Agents
  • coactivator-associated arginine methyltransferase 1
  • Enzyme Inhibitors