Development of Small Molecular Hyper-activators of Human Caseinolytic Peptidase P (hClpP) with a [1,8]-naphthyridinone Scaffold as Novel Anti-cancer Agents

Abstract

Based on a clinical staged small molecular hClpP activator ONC201, a class of novel hClpP agonists with a [1,8]naphthyridinone scaffold was designed, synthesized and evaluated in a series of biochemical and biological assays. Mechanism studies for the representative compound F20 indicated that it can potently bind to and activate hClpP, efficiently promote the degradation of hClpP substrates, robustly induce ATF4/CHOP regulated integrated stress responses, strongly inhibit cell growth and effectively induce apoptosis in a subset of cancer cell lines. F20 showed good PK profiles when dosed by intravenous injection and exhibited moderate oral bioavailability in mice.

Keywords: Activator; Cancer; Mitochondria; Protein Degradation; hClpP.