Structural Optimization of Benzyl-5-methyl‑1 H‑Imidazole Derivatives as Human Glutaminyl Cyclase Inhibitors
- ACS Med Chem Lett. 2026 Feb 19;17(3):733-743. doi: 10.1021/acsmedchemlett.6c00028.
- 1. Key Laboratory of Drug-Targeting and Drug Delivery System of the Education Ministry and Sichuan Province, Department of Medicinal Chemistry, West China School of Pharmacy, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China.
- 2. Department of Clinical Oncology, The University of Hong Kong-Shenzhen Hospital, Shenzhen, Guangdong 518053, China.
- 3. Children's Medicine Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan 610041, China.
Human secretory glutaminyl cyclase (sQC) and Golgi-resident glutaminyl cyclase (gQC) catalyze the conversion of protein N-terminal glutamine into pyroglutamate (pE), a modification implicated in human diseases including Cancer. Small-molecule inhibitors targeting sQC/gQC represent a promising therapeutic strategy. Here, we report a series of benzyl-5-methyl-1H-imidazole derivatives as inhibitors of sQC/gQC. Through structural optimization, we identified CL121, a nanomolar potent inhibitor of both Enzymes. Thermal shift assays revealed that CL121 enhances the thermal stability of both sQC (ΔT m = 5.9 °C) and gQC (ΔT m = 6.0 °C), indicating strong binding interactions. Cellular assays revealed that CL121 substantially reduced the level of pE-CD47 modification on the surface of MDA-MB-231 and KYSE30 cells. Furthermore, CL121 exhibited antitumor activity in a mouse xenograft tumor model. The results highlight the potential of CL121 as a lead compound for developing drugs targeting sQC/gQC-mediated diseases.