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Updated: Jun 16, 2026

Identification of Mediators of T-cell Receptor Signaling via the Screening of Chemical Inhibitor Libraries
Published on: January 22, 2019
NSC114792, a novel small molecule identified through structure-based computational database screening, selectively
Byung-Hak Kim1, Jun-Goo Jee, Chang-Hong Yin
1Department of Pediatrics, Division of Hematology/Oncology, New York Medical College, Valhalla, New York 10595, USA.
Background:
Human or animals lacking either JAK3 or the common gamma chain (gammac) expression display severe combined immunodeficiency disease, indicating the crucial role of JAK3 in T-cell development and the homeostasis of the immune system. JAK3 has also been suggested to contribute to the pathogenesis of tumorigenesis. Recent studies identified activating JAK3 mutations in patients with various hematopoietic malignancies, including acute megakaryoblastic leukemia. Importantly, functional analyses of some of those JAK3 mutations have been shown to cause lethal hematopoietic malignancies in animal models. These observations make JAK3 an ideal therapeutic target for the treatment of various human diseases. To identify novel small molecule inhibitors of JAK3, we performed structure-based virtual screen using the 3D structure of JAK3 kinase domain and the NCI diversity set of compounds.
Results:
We identified NSC114792 as a lead compound. This compound directly blocked the catalytic activity of JAK3 but not that of other JAK family members in vitro. In addition, treatment of 32D/IL-2Rbeta cells with the compound led to a block in IL-2-dependent activation of JAK3/STAT5 but not IL-3-dependent activation of JAK2/STAT5. Consistent with the specificity of NSC114792 for JAK3, it selectively inhibited persistently-activated JAK3, but failed to affect the activity of other JAK family members and other oncogenic kinases in various cancer cell lines. Finally, we showed that NSC114792 decreases cell viability by inducing apoptosis through down-regulating anti-apoptotic gene expression only in cancer cells harboring persistently-active JAK3.
Conclusions:
NSC114792 is a lead compound that selectively inhibits JAK3 activity. Therefore, our study suggests that this small molecule inhibitor of JAK3 can be used as a starting point to develop a new class of drugs targeting JAK3 activity, and may have therapeutic potential in various diseases that are caused by aberrant JAK3 activity.
Insights
We identified NSC114792, a novel small molecule, that selectively inhibits Janus Kinase 3 (JAK3) activity. This compound shows therapeutic potential for diseases driven by aberrant JAK3 signaling, including certain cancers.
Area of Science:
- Biochemistry
- Molecular Biology
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Janus Kinase 3 (JAK3) is crucial for T-cell development and immune homeostasis.
- Aberrant JAK3 signaling and mutations are implicated in hematopoietic malignancies and tumorigenesis.
- JAK3 represents a promising therapeutic target for various human diseases.
Purpose of the Study:
- To identify novel small molecule inhibitors of JAK3.
- To evaluate the therapeutic potential of identified inhibitors in diseases driven by aberrant JAK3 activity.
Main Methods:
- Structure-based virtual screening of the NCI diversity set against the JAK3 kinase domain.
- In vitro biochemical assays to assess catalytic activity inhibition.
- Cell-based assays to evaluate signaling pathway modulation and anti-cancer effects.
Main Results:
- NSC114792 was identified as a lead compound that selectively inhibits JAK3 catalytic activity in vitro.
- NSC114792 blocked IL-2-dependent JAK3/STAT5 activation but not IL-3-dependent JAK2/STAT5 activation.
- NSC114792 selectively inhibited persistently-activated JAK3 in cancer cell lines and decreased cell viability by inducing apoptosis in relevant cancer cells.
Conclusions:
- NSC114792 is a potent and selective JAK3 inhibitor.
- This compound serves as a valuable starting point for developing novel therapeutics targeting JAK3.
- Targeting aberrant JAK3 activity with small molecule inhibitors holds significant therapeutic potential for various diseases.
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