Discovery of Benzo[d]imidazole-6-sulfonamides as Bromodomain and Extra-Terminal Domain (BET) Inhibitors with Selectivity for the First Bromodomain

ChemMedChem. 2022 Oct 19;17(20):e202200343. doi: 10.1002/cmdc.202200343. Epub 2022 Sep 15.

Abstract

The bromodomain and extra-terminal (BET) family of proteins includes BRD2, BRD3, BRD4, and the testis-specific protein, BRDT, each containing two N-terminal tandem bromodomain (BRD) modules. Potent and selective inhibitors targeting the two bromodomains are required to elucidate their biological role(s), with potential clinical applications. In this study, we designed and synthesized a series of benzimidazole-6-sulfonamides starting from the azobenzene compounds MS436 (7 a) and MS611 (7 b) that exhibited preference for the first (BD1) over the second (BD2) BRD of BET family members. The most-promising compound (9 a) showed good binding potency and improved metabolic stability and selectivity towards BD1 with respect to the parent compounds.

Keywords: Benzimidazole-6-sulfonamide; Bioisosteres; Bromodomain; Selectivity; Structure-activity relationships.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Benzimidazoles / pharmacology
  • Benzo(a)pyrene
  • Cell Cycle Proteins / metabolism
  • Humans
  • Imidazoles / pharmacology
  • Male
  • Nuclear Proteins*
  • Sulfonamides* / pharmacology
  • Transcription Factors / metabolism

Substances

  • Sulfonamides
  • Nuclear Proteins
  • Benzo(a)pyrene
  • Transcription Factors
  • Imidazoles
  • Benzimidazoles
  • Cell Cycle Proteins