9bhk
MerTK in complex with small molecule inhibitor 6-{1-[6-(3-hydroxy-3-methylbutoxy)-1,3-benzoxazol-2-yl]azetidin-3-yl}-3-[(1-methyl-1H-pyrazol-4-yl)amino]pyrazine-2-carboxamide
Structural highlights
DiseaseMERTK_HUMAN Defects in MERTK are the cause of retinitis pigmentosa type 38 (RP38) [MIM:613862. RP38 is a retinal dystrophy belonging to the group of pigmentary retinopathies. Retinitis pigmentosa is characterized by retinal pigment deposits visible on fundus examination and primary loss of rod photoreceptor cells followed by secondary loss of cone photoreceptors. Patients typically have night vision blindness and loss of midperipheral visual field. As their condition progresses, they lose their far peripheral visual field and eventually central vision as well.[1] FunctionMERTK_HUMAN Receptor tyrosine kinase that transduces signals from the extracellular matrix into the cytoplasm by binding to several ligands including LGALS3, TUB, TULP1 or GAS6. Regulates many physiological processes including cell survival, migration, differentiation, and phagocytosis of apoptotic cells (efferocytosis). Ligand binding at the cell surface induces autophosphorylation of MERTK on its intracellular domain that provides docking sites for downstream signaling molecules. Following activation by ligand, interacts with GRB2 or PLCG2 and induces phosphorylation of MAPK1, MAPK2, FAK/PTK2 or RAC1. MERTK signaling plays a role in various processes such as macrophage clearance of apoptotic cells, platelet aggregation, cytoskeleton reorganization and engulfment. Functions in the retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) as a regulator of rod outer segments fragments phagocytosis. Plays also an important role in inhibition of Toll-like receptors (TLRs)-mediated innate immune response by activating STAT1, which selectively induces production of suppressors of cytokine signaling SOCS1 and SOCS3.[2] Publication Abstract from PubMedInhibition of the receptor tyrosine kinase MerTK by small molecules has the potential to augment the immune response to tumors. Potent, selective inhibitors with high levels of in vivo target engagement are needed to fully evaluate the potential use of MerTK inhibitors as cancer therapeutics. We report the discovery and optimization of a series of pyrazinamide-based type 1.5 MerTK inhibitors bearing an azetidine-benzoxazole substituent. Compound 31 potently engages the target in vivo and demonstrates single agent activity in the immune-driven MC-38 murine syngeneic tumor model. Discovery of Potent Azetidine-Benzoxazole MerTK Inhibitors with In Vivo Target Engagement.,Frey RR, Jana N, Gorman JV, Wang J, Smith HA, Bromberg KD, Thakur A, Doktor SZ, Indulkar AS, Jakob CG, Upadhyay AK, Qiu W, Manaves V, Gambino F Jr, Valentino SA, Montgomery D, Zhou Y, Li T, Buchanan FG, Ferguson DC, Kurnick MD, Kapecki N, Lai A, Michaelides MR, Penning TD J Med Chem. 2024 Sep 30. doi: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.4c01451. PMID:39350472[3] From MEDLINE®/PubMed®, a database of the U.S. National Library of Medicine. References
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