Structure-Based Discovery of a Series of NSD2-PWWP1 Inhibitors

Abstract

Overexpression, point mutations, or translocations of protein lysine methyltransferase NSD2 occur in many types of cancer cells. Therefore, it was recognized as onco-protein and considered as a promising anticancer drug target. NSD2 consists of multiple domains including a SET catalytic domain and two PWWP domains binding to methylated histone proteins. Here, we reported our efforts to develop a series of NSD2-PWWP1 inhibitors, and further structure-based optimization resulted in a potent inhibitor 38, which has high selectivity toward the NSD2-PWWP1 domain. The detailed biological evaluation revealed that compound 38 can bind to NSD2-PWWP1 and then affect the expression of genes regulated by NSD2. The current discovery will provide a useful chemical probe to the future research in understanding the specific regulation mode of NSD2 by PWWP1 recognition and pave the way to develop potential drugs targeting NSD2 protein.