The polo-box domain (PBD) has critical roles in the mitotic functions of PLK1. The REPLACE strategy to develop inhibitors of protein-protein interactions has identified alternatives for the N-terminal tripeptide of a Cdc25C substrate. In addition, a peptide structure activity relationship described key determinants and novel information useful for drug design. Fragment ligated inhibitory peptides (FLIPs) were generated with comparable affinity to peptide PBD inhibitors and possessed anti-proliferative phenotypes in cells consistent with the observed decrease in PLK1 centrosomal localization. These FLIPs demonstrated evidence of enhanced PLK1 inhibition in cells relative to peptides and induced monopolar and multipolar spindles, which stands in contrast to previously reported small molecule PBD inhibitors that display phenotypes only partially representative of PLK1 knockdown. Progress obtained applying REPLACE validates this approach for identifying fragment alternatives for determinants of the Cdc25C binding motif and extends its applicability of the strategy for discovering protein-protein interaction inhibitors. In addition, the described PBD inhibitors retain high specificity for PLK1 over PLK3 and therefore show promise as isotype selective, non-ATP competitive kinase inhibitors that provide new impetus for the development of PLK1 selective anti-tumor therapeutics.

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