Download MendeleyStructure-based design of potent and selective inhibitors of the HECT ligase NEDD4.
Maspero, E., Cappa, A., Weber, J., Trifiro, P., Amici, R., Bruno, A., Faga, G., Cecatiello, V., Fattori, R., Leuzzi, B., Taibi, V., Meroni, G., Pasi, M., Romussi, A., Sartori, L., Villa, M., Vultaggio, S., Ciro, M., Soffientini, P., Lombardo, L., Dahe, S., Bachi, A., Varasi, M., Rossi, M., Pasqualato, S., Mercurio, C., Polo, S.(2025) Commun Chem 8: 164-164
- PubMed: 40437006
- DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/s42004-025-01557-4
- Primary Citation of Related Structures:
9H9O, 9H9T - PubMed Abstract:
Among the human E3 ubiquitin ligases, NEDD4 (Neural precursor cell expressed developmentally down-regulated 4) plays a critical role in development and cancer, making it a compelling therapeutic target. However, no specific NEDD4 inhibitors have advanced in drug development. In this study, we reveal the inhibitory mechanism of Norclomipramine, a tricyclic antidepressant, which inhibits NEDD4-mediated ubiquitin chain elongation by binding to a hydrophobic pocket in the Ub exosite of the N-lobe. Building on this mechanism, we conducted a focused medicinal chemistry campaign, resulting in the development of covalent inhibitors that specifically target the non-catalytic cysteine C627. These compounds exhibit selective binding to NEDD4 over other family members, effectively inhibiting NEDD4-mediated polyubiquitination while leaving monoubiquitinated substrates unaffected. Among these, compound 32 emerged as a potent lead (IC 50 = 0.12 µM) with favorable pharmacokinetic properties, including oral bioavailability, paving the way for future in vivo efficacy studies.
- IFOM ETS, The AIRC Institute of Molecular Oncology, Milan, Italy.
Organizational Affiliation:
