Nutlin-3a-aa: Improving the Bioactivity of a p53/MDM2 Interaction Inhibitor by Introducing a Solvent-Exposed Methylene Group.
Nietzold, F., Rubner, S., Labuzek, B., Golik, P., Surmiak, E., Del Corte, X., Kitel, R., Protzel, C., Reppich-Sacher, R., Stichel, J., Magiera-Mularz, K., Holak, T.A., Berg, T.(2023) Chembiochem 24: e202300006-e202300006
- PubMed: 36602436 
- DOI: https://doi.org/10.1002/cbic.202300006
- Primary Citation of Related Structures:  
8AEU - PubMed Abstract: 
Nutlin-3a is a reversible inhibitor of the p53/MDM2 interaction. We have synthesized the derivative Nutlin-3a-aa bearing an additional exocyclic methylene group in the piperazinone moiety. Nutlin-3a-aa is more active than Nutlin-3a against purified wild-type MDM2, and is more effective at increasing p53 levels and releasing transcription of p53 target genes from MDM2-induced repression. X-ray analysis of wild-type MDM2-bound Nutlin-3a-aa indicated that the orientation of its modified piperazinone ring was altered in comparison to the piperazinone ring of MDM2-bound Nutlin-3a, with the exocyclic methylene group of Nutlin-3a-aa pointing away from the protein surface. Our data point to the introduction of exocyclic methylene groups as a useful approach by which to tailor the conformation of bioactive molecules for improved biological activity.
Organizational Affiliation: 
Institute of Organic Chemistry, Leipzig University, Johannisallee 29, 04103, Leipzig, Germany.