Pyridylthiazole-based ureas as inhibitors of Rho associated protein kinases (ROCK1 and 2)

Roberta Pireddu, Kara D. Forinash, Nan N. Sun, Mathew P. Martin, Shen Shu Sung, Brian Alexander, Jin Yi Zhu, Wayne C. Guida, Ernst Schönbrunn, Saïd M. Sebti, Nicholas J. Lawrence

    Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

    43 Scopus citations

    Abstract

    Potent ROCK inhibitors of a new class of 1-benzyl-3-(4-pyridylthiazol-2-yl) ureas have been identified. Remarkable differences in activity were observed for ureas bearing a benzylic stereogenic center. Derivatives with hydroxy, methoxy and amino groups at the meta position of the phenyl ring give rise to the most potent inhibitors (low nM). Substitutions at the para position result in substantial loss of potency. Changes at the benzylic position are tolerated resulting in significant potency in the case of methyl and methylenehydroxy groups. X-Ray crystallography was used to establish the binding mode of this class of inhibitors and provides an explanation for the observed differences of the enantiomer series. Potent inhibition of ROCK in human lung cancer cells was shown by suppression of the levels of phosphorylation of the ROCK substrate MYPT-1.

    Original languageEnglish (US)
    Pages (from-to)699-709
    Number of pages11
    JournalMedChemComm
    Volume3
    Issue number6
    DOIs
    StatePublished - Jun 2012

    All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes

    • Biochemistry
    • Molecular Medicine
    • Pharmacology
    • Pharmaceutical Science
    • Drug Discovery
    • Organic Chemistry

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