Reversible and Photolabile Inhibitors for Human Tissue Transglutaminase

Abstract

Tissue transglutaminase (TG2) is a calcium-dependent enzyme that natively catalyses the formation of isopeptidic bonds between protein- or peptide-bound glutamine and lysine residues. Physiologically, it is ubiquitously expressed in tissues, with roles in cellular differentiation, extracellular matrix stabilisation, and apoptosis, among others. However, its unregulated activity has been associated with various pathologies including fibrosis, cancer and celiac disease. Since most pathologies are associated with an increased transamidation activity, efforts have been directed towards the development of TG2 inhibitors. In this context, the work described in this thesis is centred on reversible inhibitors, building on recent work done within the Keillor group in two directions, namely localisation and potency. In a localisation-driven approach, we developed a photolabile derivative of a known reversible inhibitor, in order to form a covalent bond with the enzyme and determine the inhibitor’s binding site. In tandem, we optimised a protocol for the expression of TG2 incorporating ArgΔ10 and LysΔ8, amino acids that are 13C- and 15N-labelled to provide a mass shift of 10 and 8 Da, respectively, compared to the corresponding unlabelled amino acids. This “heavy” TG2 was developed as a tool for reference in the analysis of the tryptic digest of labelled protein. In a potency-driven approach, based on the observation that previous trans cinnamoyl inhibitor scaffolds were susceptible to nucleophilic attack by glutathione, we developed a bis(triazole) scaffold with reduced electrophilicity. The preparation of a small library of compounds showed that this scaffold demonstrates a preference for electron-withdrawing substituents, such as nitro groups. Continuing in a potency-driven approach, and inspired by work done in the identification of glutathione-resistant scaffolds, we studied a new alkynyl scaffold. While still susceptible to glutathione addition, these compounds showed a marked improvement in potency, with the lead compound having an IC50 of 930 nM and being established as a competitive inhibitor with a Ki of 420 nM, our most potent reversible inhibitor to date. Furthermore, this scaffold also produced an inhibitor lacking nitro groups (to limit eventual cellular toxicity), but maintaining good potency, with an IC50 value of 3.03 μM.