Targeting a cryptic allosteric site of SIRT6 with small-molecule inhibitors that inhibit the migration of pancreatic cancer cells

SIRT6 belongs to the conserved NAD+-dependent deacetylase superfamily and mediates multiple biological and pathological processes. Targeting SIRT6 by allosteric modulators represents a novel direction for therapeutics, which can overcome the selectivity problem caused by the structural similarity of orthosteric sites among deacetylases. Here, developing a reversed allosteric strategy AlloReverse, we identified a cryptic allosteric site, Pocket Z, which was only induced by the bi-directional allosteric signal triggered upon orthosteric binding of NAD+. Based on Pocket Z, we discovered an SIRT6 allosteric inhibitor named JYQ-42. JYQ-42 selectively targets SIRT6 among other histone deacetylases and effectively inhibits SIRT6 deacetylation, with an IC50 of 2.33 μmol/L. JYQ-42 significantly suppresses SIRT6-mediated cancer cell migration and pro-inflammatory cytokine production. JYQ-42, to our knowledge, is the most potent and selective allosteric SIRT6 inhibitor. This study provides a novel strategy for allosteric drug design and will help in the challenging development of therapeutic agents that can selectively bind SIRT6.

Novel small-molecule CDK2-cyclinA2 inhibitors: design, synthesis, and biological evaluation / 上海交通大学学报（医学版）

Objective · To design and synthesize a series of benzenesulfonamide derivatives, test their inhibitory activity to CDK2-cyclinA2 kinase, and investigate the structure-activity relationship. Methods · Virtual screening was executed via computer-aided drug design according to the ATP binding site in CDK2-cyclinA2 protein crystal. A series of benzenesulfonamide derivatives were designed and synthesized on the basis of the interaction modes between the lead compound and the CDK2-cyclinA2. The biological evaluation of compounds was made through the CDK2-cyclinA2 in-vitro kinase activity detection system. Results · Twenty-nine new benzenesulfonamide compounds were prepared, and their inhibitory activity to CDK2-cyclinA2 was elicited. WZ-026 had the highest inhibitory parameter, which half maximal inhibitory concentration (IC50) was 3.81 μmol/L. Conclusion · By multipurpose utilization of virtual screening, chemical synthesis, and biological activity test, a benzenesulfonamide compound WZ-026 was found, which has great inhibitory activity towards CDK2-cyclinA2. Preliminary structure-activity relationship of compounds was obtained.