Novel 1-(2-aminopyrazin-3-yl)methyl-2-thioureas as potent inhibitors of mitogen-activated protein kinase-activated protein kinase 2 (MK-2)

Novel 1-(2-aminopyrazin-3-yl)methyl-2-thioureas are described as inhibitors of mitogen-activated protein kinase-activated protein kinase 2 (MK-2). These compounds demonstrate potent in vitro activity against the enzyme with IC50 values as low as 15 nM, and suppress expression of TNFα in THP-1 cells and in vivo in an acute inflammation model in mice. The synthesis, structure–activity relationship (SAR), and biological evaluation of these compounds are discussed.

Graphical abstractNovel 1-(2-aminopyrazin-3-yl)methyl-2-thioureas are described as inhibitors of MK-2. These compounds demonstrate potent in vitro activity against the enzyme with IC50 values as low as 15 nM, and suppress expression of TNFα in THP-1 cells and in vivo in an acute inflammation model in mice.Figure optionsDownload full-size imageDownload as PowerPoint slide