Potent Uncompetitive Inhibitors of Nicotinamide N-Methyltransferase (NNMT) as In Vivo Chemical Probes

Journal of Medicinal Chemistry
2022.0

Abstract

NNMT uses SAM as a cofactor to catalyze the methylation of nicotinamide, producing 1-methylnicotinamide. Recent studies have shown that NNMT upregulation in cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) is required to maintain the CAF phenotype in high-grade serous carcinoma. These observations suggest that NNMT should be evaluated as a therapeutic target, especially in cancer. Although several small-molecule inhibitors of NNMT have been identified, there remains a need for highly potent and selective inhibitors with excellent in vivo activity and ADME properties that can be used as reliable chemical probes. We have identified azaindoline carboxamide <b>38</b> as a selective and potent NNMT inhibitor with favorable PK/PD and safety profiles as well as excellent oral bioavailability and pharmaceutical properties. Our mechanistic studies indicate that <b>38</b> binds uncompetitively with SAM but competitively with nicotinamide consistent with its binding in the nicotinamide binding site and likely forming a positive interaction with SAM.

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