Structure-Based Optimization and Biological Evaluation of Potent and Selective MMP-7 Inhibitors for Kidney Fibrosis.
Abe-Sato, K., Tabuse, H., Kanazawa, H., Kamitani, M., Endo, M., Tokura, S., Wakabayashi, S., Yahara, T., Takeda, T., Hitaka, K., Gunji, E., Kojima, N., Oka, Y.(2023) J Med Chem 66: 14653-14668
- PubMed: 37861435 
- DOI: https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.jmedchem.3c01166
- Primary Citation of Related Structures:  
8JUD, 8JUF, 8JUG - PubMed Abstract: 
Matrix metalloproteinase-7 (MMP-7) has been shown to play important roles in pathophysiological processes involved in the development/progression of diseases such as cancer and fibrosis. We discovered selective MMP-7 inhibitors composed of arylsulfonamide, carboxylate, and short peptides by a molecular hybridization approach. These compounds interacted with MMP-7 via multiple hydrogen bonds in the cocrystal structures. To obtain compounds for in vivo evaluation, we attempted structural optimization, particularly targeting Tyr167 at the S3 subsite through structure-based drug design, and identified compound 15 as showing improved MMP-7 potency and MMP subtype selectivity. A novel π-π stacking interaction with Tyr167 was achieved when 4-pyridylalanine was introduced as the P3 residue. Compound 15 suppressed the progression of kidney fibrosis in a dose-dependent manner in a mouse model of unilateral ureteral obstruction. Thus, we demonstrated, for the first time, that potent and selective MMP-7 inhibitors could prevent the progression of kidney fibrosis.
Organizational Affiliation: 
Medicinal Chemistry Laboratories, Taisho Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., 1-403, Yoshino-Cho, Kita-Ku, Saitama, Saitama 331-9530, Japan.