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Publication Abstract from PubMed

We describe the optimization of modestly active starting points to potent inhibitors of BCL6 by growing into a subpocket, which was occupied by a network of five stably bound water molecules. Identifying potent inhibitors required not only forming new interactions in the subpocket but also perturbing the water network in a productive, potency-increasing fashion while controlling the physicochemical properties. We achieved this goal in a sequential manner by systematically probing the pocket and the water network, ultimately achieving a 100-fold improvement of activity. The most potent compounds displaced three of the five initial water molecules and formed hydrogen bonds with the remaining two. Compound 25 showed a promising profile for a lead compound with submicromolar inhibition of BCL6 in cells and satisfactory pharmacokinetic (PK) properties. Our work highlights the importance of finding productive ways to perturb existing water networks when growing into solvent-filled protein pockets.

Into Deep Water: Optimizing BCL6 Inhibitors by Growing into a Solvated Pocket.,Lloyd MG, Huckvale R, Cheung KJ, Rodrigues MJ, Collie GW, Pierrat OA, Gatti Iou M, Carter M, Davis OA, McAndrew PC, Gunnell E, Le Bihan YV, Talbot R, Henley AT, Johnson LD, Hayes A, Bright MD, Raynaud FI, Meniconi M, Burke R, van Montfort RLM, Rossanese OW, Bellenie BR, Hoelder S J Med Chem. 2021 Nov 30. doi: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.1c00946. PMID:34846884^[3]

From MEDLINE®/PubMed®, a database of the U.S. National Library of Medicine.