TRAF6 Inhibitors Targeting Ubc13 Binding Interface

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current methods lack effective inhibitors for TRAF6 E3 ligase activity, particularly in disrupting the interaction with the E2 enzyme Ubc13, which contributes to various disorders such as autoimmune diseases and cancer.

Innovation Solution

Development of compounds according to Formula I, II, III, and IV that target the protein-protein interaction between TRAF6 and Ubc13, thereby inhibiting TRAF6's catalytic activity and reducing NF-κB activation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If TRAF6 activity is inhibited by disrupting TRAF6-Ubc13 binding, then NF-κB activation is reduced and disease symptoms are ameliorated, but no effective inhibitors were previously available

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveeffectiveness of TRAF6 inhibitionVSAvoidavailability of inhibitors
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs small molecule compounds as intermediaries that bind to the TRAF6-Ubc13 interface, disrupting the protein-protein interaction. These compounds act as mediators between the E3 ligase TRAF6 and E2 enzyme Ubc13, preventing their physiological interaction and thereby inhibiting TRAF6 catalytic activity and NF-κB activation without requiring direct modification of the protein structures themselves.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent utilizes structure-activity relationship (SAR) analysis to optimize compound parameters including molecular weight, logP, hydrogen bond donors/acceptors, and structural features (such as the core pyridazine-pyrazole-triazole scaffold). By systematically varying these physicochemical parameters, the inventors identified compounds with optimal binding affinity to the TRAF6-Ubc13 interface and improved pharmacological properties.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Adaptability or versatility

If broad TRAF6 inhibition is achieved, then multiple diseases including autoimmune disorders and cancer are treated, but selectivity among different TRAF family members must be maintained

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebreadth of disease treatmentVSAvoidselectivity for TRAF6
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent exploits the unique local structural features of the TRAF6-Ubc13 binding interface, particularly the specific arrangement of the RING domain, Zincfinger domains, and TRAF domain in TRAF6. The designed compounds target this specific local configuration, forming interactions that are geometrically and chemically complementary to TRAF6's interface but not to other TRAF family members, thereby achieving selectivity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The patent divides the TRAF6 protein into functional domains (RING domain, Zincfinger1-4 domains, TRAF domain with Coiled-Coil and MATH domain) and designs compounds that specifically target the interface formed by these segmented domains with Ubc13. This domain-specific targeting approach allows selective inhibition of TRAF6 while preserving the function of other TRAF family members that have different domain architectures.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentEP3512852B1TRAF 6 inhibitors
Publication Date: 2024.06.26 HELMHOLTZ ZENT MUENCHEN DEUT FORSCHUNGSZENTRUM FUER GESUNDHEIT & UMWELT (GMBH)
  • EP3512852B1 patent drawingFigure 1A~1C
  • EP3512852B1 patent drawingFigure 2A~2E
  • EP3512852B1 patent drawingFigure 3A~3E

AI summary

The invention relates to compounds which are suitable for the treatment of cancer, an immune disease, Parkinson's disease, Cardiac Hypertrophy or Type-2 diabetes and to pharmaceutical compositions containing such compounds. The invention further relates to a kit of parts comprising such compounds.