PMID: 25166285

Authors:

Galdeano C, Gadd MS, Soares P, Scaffidi S, Van Molle I, Birced I, Hewitt S, Dias DM, Ciulli A

Title:

Structure-Guided Design and Optimization of Small Molecules Targeting the Protein-Protein Interaction between the von Hippel-Lindau (VHL) E3 Ubiquitin Ligase and the Hypoxia Inducible Factor (HIF) Alpha Subunit with In Vitro Nanomolar Affinities.

Journal:

J Med Chem. 2014 Aug 28.

Abstract:

E3 ubiquitin ligases are attractive targets in the ubiquitin-proteasome system, however the development of small molecule ligands has been rewarded with limited success. The von Hippel-Lindau protein (pVHL) is the substrate recognition subunit of the VHL E3 ligase that targets HIF-1alpha for degradation. We recently reported inhibitors of the pVHL:HIF-1alpha interaction that however exhibited moderate potency. Herein, we report the design and optimization, guided by X-ray crystal structures, of a ligand series with nanomolar binding affinities.