Discovery of [1,2,3]Triazolo[4,5-<i>d</i>]pyrimidine Derivatives as Novel LSD1 Inhibitors

Abstract

Lysine specific demethylase 1 (LSD1) plays a pivotal role in regulating the lysine methylation. The aberrant overexpression of LSD1 has been reported to be involved in the progression of certain human malignant tumors. Abrogation of LSD1 with RNAi or small molecule inhibitors may lead to the inhibition of cancer proliferation and migration. Herein, a series of [1,2,3]triazolo[4,5-<i>d</i>]pyrimidine derivatives were synthesized and evaluated for their LSD1 inhibitory effects. The structure-activity relationship studies (SARs) were conducted by exploring three regions of this scaffold, leading to the discovery of compound <b>27</b> as potent LSD1 inhibitor (IC₅₀ = 0.564 μM). Compound <b>27</b> was identified as a reversible LSD1 inhibitor and showed certain selectivity to LSD1 over monoamine oxidase A/B (MAO-A/B). When MGC-803 cells were treated with compound <b>27</b>, the activity of LSD1 can be significantly inhibited, and the cell migration ability was also suppressed. Docking studies indicated that the hydrogen interaction between the nitrogen atom in the pyridine ring and Met332 could be responsible for the improved activity of 2-thiopyridine series. The [1,2,3]triazolo[4,5-<i>d</i>]pyrimidine scaffold can be used as the template for designing new LSD1 inhibitors.