Design and Synthesis of Novel Macrocyclic Derivatives as Potent and Selective Cyclin-Dependent Kinase 7 Inhibitors

J Med Chem. 2024 Apr 25;67(8):6099-6118. doi: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.3c01832. Epub 2024 Apr 8.

Abstract

The duality of function (cell cycle regulation and gene transcription) of cyclin-dependent kinase 7 (CDK7) makes it an attractive oncology target and the discovery of CDK7 inhibitors has been a long-term pursuit by academia and pharmaceutical companies. However, achieving selective leading compounds is still difficult owing to the similarities among the ATP binding pocket. Herein, we detail the design and synthesis of a series of macrocyclic derivatives with pyrazolo[1,5-a]-1,3,5-triazine core structure as potent and selective CDK7 inhibitors. The diverse manners of macrocyclization led to distinguished selectivity profiles of the CDK family. Molecular dynamics (MD) simulation explained the binding difference between 15- and 16-membered macrocyclic compounds. Further optimization generated compound 37 exhibiting good CDK7 inhibitory activity and high selectivity over other CDKs. This work clearly demonstrated macrocyclization is a versatile method to finely tune the selectivity profile of small molecules and MD simulation can be a valuable tool in prioritizing designs of the macrocycle.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Cyclin-Dependent Kinase-Activating Kinase
  • Cyclin-Dependent Kinases* / antagonists & inhibitors
  • Cyclin-Dependent Kinases* / metabolism
  • Drug Design*
  • Humans
  • Macrocyclic Compounds* / chemical synthesis
  • Macrocyclic Compounds* / chemistry
  • Macrocyclic Compounds* / pharmacology
  • Molecular Dynamics Simulation*
  • Protein Kinase Inhibitors* / chemical synthesis
  • Protein Kinase Inhibitors* / chemistry
  • Protein Kinase Inhibitors* / pharmacology
  • Structure-Activity Relationship

Substances

  • Macrocyclic Compounds
  • Cyclin-Dependent Kinases
  • Protein Kinase Inhibitors
  • Cyclin-Dependent Kinase-Activating Kinase
  • CDK7 protein, human