In the cytoplasm of virtually all clear-cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC), speckle-type POZ protein (SPOP) is overexpressed and misallocated, which may induce proliferation and promote kidney tumorigenesis. In normal cells, however, SPOP is located in the nucleus and induces apoptosis. Here we show that a structure-based design and subsequent hit optimization yield small molecules that can inhibit the SPOP-substrate protein interaction and can suppress oncogenic SPOP-signaling pathways. These inhibitors kill human ccRCC cells that are dependent on oncogenic cytoplasmic SPOP. Notably, these inhibitors minimally affect the viability of other cells in which SPOP is not accumulated in the cytoplasm. Our findings validate the SPOP-substrate protein interaction as an attractive target specific to ccRCC that may yield novel drug discovery efforts.

The first Cu(i)-catalyzed cross-coupling reaction by hydrogen (H2) removal for the stereoselective synthesis of 3-phosphoindoles is reported. Going beyond the oxidative dehydrogenative coupling reactions reported recently, this reaction completely omits the oxidant and base, producing hydrogen (H2) as the only byproduct.

An efficient method for the synthesis of phosphoric fluoride via oxidative coupling between hydrophosphine oxide and NaF is reported. DDQ serves as the oxidizing reagent as well as the hydrogen acceptor. The process involves a Cu(II) catalysis and exhibits great functional group tolerance under mild reaction conditions.

A novel and convenient approach to the synthesis of various phosphorated indolines via a copper-catalyzed radical cascade cyclization reaction has been developed. The reaction employs cheap copper as the catalyst and K2S2O8 as the oxidant under mild conditions. Various alkenes and P-radical precursors are compatible with this transformation. Preliminary mechanistic studies reveal that the addition of the P-radical may initiate the reaction, and then oxidative cyclization may be achieved to afford the desired product.