Article ID | Journal | Published Year | Pages | File Type |
---|---|---|---|---|
1374655 | Bioorganic & Medicinal Chemistry Letters | 2010 | 4 Pages |
JNK2 and p38α are closely related mitogen-activated protein kinases that regulate various cellular activities and are considered drug targets for inflammatory diseases. We have determined the X-ray crystal structure of the clinical phase II p38α inhibitor BIRB796 bound to its off-target JNK2. This shows for the first time a JNK subfamily member in the DFG-out conformation. The fully resolved activation loop reveals that BIRB796 inhibits JNK2 activation by stabilizing the loop in a position that does not allow its phosphorylation by upstream kinases. The structure suggests that substituents at the BIRB796 morpholino group and modifications of the t-butyl moiety should further increase the p38α to JNK2 potency ratio. For the design of selective DFG-out binding JNK2 inhibitors, the binding pocket of the BIRB796 tolyl group may have the best potential.
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