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Published on: August 5, 2022
Tumor suppression by a rationally designed reversible inhibitor of methionine aminopeptidase-2
Jieyi Wang1, George S Sheppard, Pingping Lou
1Cancer Research, Global Pharmaceutical R & D, Abbott Laboratories, Abbott Park, IL 60064, USA. Jieyi.Wang@abbott.com
Abstract:
Methionine aminopeptidase (MetAP)-2 has been suggested as a novel target for cancer therapy because the anticancer agent TNP-470 irreversibly inactivates the catalytic activity of this enzyme. However, the importance of MetAP2 in cell growth and tumor progression was uncertain because previous data were based on the chemically reactive TNP-470. Here we show that a rationally designed reversible MetAP2 inhibitor, A-357300, suppresses tumor growth preclinically without the toxicities observed with TNP-470. We have synthesized this bestatin-type MetAP2 inhibitor with the aid of crystal structures of the enzyme-inhibitor complexes and parallel synthesis. A-357300 induces cytostasis by cell cycle arrest at the G(1) phase selectively in endothelial cells and in a subset of tumor cells, but not in most primary cells of nonendothelial type. A-357300 inhibits angiogenesis both in vitro and in vivo and shows potent antitumor efficacy in carcinoma, sarcoma, and neuroblastoma murine models. These data affirm that MetAP2 plays a pivotal role in cell growth and establish that reversible MetAP2 inhibitors are promising novel cancer therapeutic agents.
Insights
A new reversible inhibitor of methionine aminopeptidase (MetAP)-2, A-357300, effectively suppresses tumor growth and angiogenesis. This novel cancer therapeutic agent shows promise without the toxicities associated with previous irreversible inhibitors.
Area of Science:
- Biochemistry
- Molecular Biology
- Cancer Research
Background:
- Methionine aminopeptidase (MetAP)-2 is a potential cancer therapy target, with TNP-470 being an irreversible inhibitor.
- The precise role of MetAP2 in tumor progression was unclear due to limitations of irreversible inhibitors.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the efficacy and safety of a novel, rationally designed reversible MetAP2 inhibitor, A-357300.
- To determine the therapeutic potential of reversible MetAP2 inhibition in preclinical cancer models.
Main Methods:
- Synthesis of a bestatin-type reversible MetAP2 inhibitor (A-357300) using crystal structure data and parallel synthesis.
- Evaluation of A-357300's effects on cell cycle, angiogenesis in vitro and in vivo, and antitumor efficacy in various murine cancer models.
Main Results:
- A-357300 selectively induces G(1) cell cycle arrest in endothelial and some tumor cells, but not most primary non-endothelial cells.
- The inhibitor demonstrated significant inhibition of angiogenesis both in vitro and in vivo.
- A-357300 exhibited potent antitumor efficacy across carcinoma, sarcoma, and neuroblastoma models.
Conclusions:
- Methionine aminopeptidase (MetAP)-2 plays a critical role in cell growth and tumor progression.
- Reversible MetAP2 inhibitors, exemplified by A-357300, represent a promising new class of cancer therapeutics with a potentially improved safety profile.
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