Novel PARP-1 inhibitors based on a 2-propanoyl-3H-quinazolin-4-one scaffold

Abstract

Poly(ADP-ribose)polymerase-I (PARP-1) enzyme is involved in maintaining DNA integrity and programmed cell death. A virtual screening of commercial libraries led to the identification of five novel scaffolds with inhibitory profile in the low nanomolar range. A hit-to-lead optimization led to the identification of a group of new potent PARP-1 inhibitors, acyl-piperazinylamides of 3-(4-oxo-3,4-dihydro-quinazolin-2-yl)-propionic acid. Molecular modeling studies highlighted the preponderant role of the propanoyl side chain.

Keywords: 3-(4-Oxo-3,4-dihydro-quinazolin-2-yl)-propionamides; Anticancer; Hit-to-lead optimization; Molecular modeling; PARP-1 inhibitors; Virtual screening of commercial libraries.