Discovery of low nanomolar non-hydroxamate inhibitors of tumor necrosis factor-α converting enzyme (TACE)

Using a pyrimidine-2,4,6-trione motif as a zinc-binding group, a series of selective inhibitors of tumor necrosis factor-α converting enzyme (TACE) was discovered. Optimization of initial lead 1 resulted in a potent inhibitor (51), with an IC50 of 2 nM in a porcine TACE assay. To the best of our knowledge, compound 51 and related analogues represent first examples of non-hydroxamate-based inhibitors of TACE with single digit nanomolar potency.

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