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© 2023. This work is licensed under https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/3.0/ (the “License”). Notwithstanding the ProQuest Terms and Conditions, you may use this content in accordance with the terms of the License.

Abstract

Introduction: WNK [with no lysine (K)] kinases are serine/threonine kinases associated with familial hyperkalemic hypertension (FHHt). WNKs are therapeutic targets for blood pressure regulation, stroke and several cancers including triple negative breast cancer and glioblastoma. Here, we searched for and characterized novel WNK kinase inhibitors.

Methods: We used a ~210,000-compound library in a high-throughput screen, re-acquisition and assay, commercial specificity screens and crystallography to identify WNK-isoform-selective inhibitors.

Results: We identified five classes of compounds that inhibit the kinase activity of WNK1: quinoline compounds, halo-sulfones, cyclopropane-containing thiazoles, piperazine-containing compounds, and nitrophenol-derived compounds. The compounds are strongly pan-WNK selective, inhibiting all four WNK isoforms. A class of quinoline compounds was identified that further shows selectivity among the WNK isoforms, being more potent toward WNK3 than WNK1. The crystal structure of the quinoline-derived SW120619 bound to the kinase domain of WNK3 reveals active site binding, and comparison to the WNK1 structure reveals the potential origin of isoform specificity.

Discussion: The newly discovered classes of compounds may be starting points for generating pharmacological tools and potential drugs treating hypertension and cancer.

Graphical Abstract:

Details

Title
Identification of a Class of WNK Isoform-Specific Inhibitors Through High-Throughput Screening
Author
Chlebowicz, J  VIAFID ORCID Logo  ; Akella, R  VIAFID ORCID Logo  ; Humphreys, J M  VIAFID ORCID Logo  ; He H  VIAFID ORCID Logo  ; Kannangara, A R; Wei, S; Posner, B; Goldsmith, E J  VIAFID ORCID Logo 
Pages
93-105
Section
Original Research
Publication year
2023
Publication date
2023
Publisher
Taylor & Francis Ltd.
e-ISSN
1177-8881
Source type
Scholarly Journal
Language of publication
English
ProQuest document ID
2777487194
Copyright
© 2023. This work is licensed under https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/3.0/ (the “License”). Notwithstanding the ProQuest Terms and Conditions, you may use this content in accordance with the terms of the License.