Screening multicomponent reactions for X-linked inhibitor of apoptosis-baculoviral inhibitor of apoptosis protein repeats domain binder

We report a second example of a general reaction screening approach to discover low molecular weight inhibitors of protein protein interactions. On the basis of the known pharmacophore model of SMAC mimetics, we predicted several inhibitors based on four different multicomponent reactions. The predicted inhibitors were subsequently synthesized, tested, and found to bind to the antiapoptotic protein X-linked inhibitor of apoptosis protein (XIAP) and showed cellular activity. Also the compounds are currently not highly potent. They could form a starting point for future medicinal chemistry optimization

Fine-Tuning Multiprotein Complexes Using Small Molecules

Multi-protein complexes such as the transcriptional machinery, signaling hubs, and protein folding machines are typically comprised of at least one enzyme combined with multiple non-enzymes. Often the components of these complexes are incorporated in a combinatorial manner, in which the ultimate composition of the system helps dictate the type, location, or duration of cellular activities. Although drugs and chemical probes have traditionally targeted the enzyme components, emerging strategies call for controlling the function of protein complexes by modulation of protein-protein interactions (PPI). However, the challenges of targeting PPIs have been well documented and the diversity of PPIs makes a “one-size-fits-all” solution highly unlikely. These hurdles are particularly daunting for PPIs that encompass large buried surface areas and those with weak affinities. In this review, we discuss lessons from natural systems, in which allostery and other mechanisms are used to overcome the challenge of regulating the most difficult PPIs. These systems may provide a blueprint for identifying small molecules that target challenging PPIs and affecting molecular decision-making within multi-protein systems