No abstract

The Group IVA cytosolic phospholipase A2 (GIVA cPLA2) is a key provider of substrates for the production of eicosanoids and platelet-activating factor. We explored the structure-activity relationship of 2-oxoamide-based compounds and GIVA cPLA2 inhibition. The most potent inhibitors are derived from delta- and gamma-amino acid-based 2-oxoamides. The optimal side-chain moiety is a short nonpolar aliphatic chain. All of the newly developed 2-oxoamides as well as those previously described have now been tested with the human Group V secreted PLA2 (GV sPLA2) and the human Group VIA calcium-independent PLA2 (GVIA iPLA2). Only one 2-oxoamide compound had appreciable inhibition of GV sPLA2, and none of the potent GIVA cPLA2 inhibitors inhibited either GV sPLA2 or GVIA iPLA2. Two of these specific GIVA cPLA2 inhibitors were also found to have potent therapeutic effects in animal models of pain and inflammation at dosages well below the control nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs.

Group VIA calcium-independent phospholipase A2 (GVIA iPLA2) has recently emerged as a novel pharmaceutical target. We have now explored the structure-activity relationship between fluoroketones and GVIA iPLA2 inhibition. The presence of a naphthyl group proved to be of paramount importance. 1,1,1-Trifluoro-6-(naphthalen-2-yl)hexan-2-one (FKGK18) is the most potent inhibitor of GVIA iPLA2 (XI(50) 0.0002) ever reported. Being 195 and >455 times more potent for GVIA iPLA2 than for GIVA cPLA2 and GV sPLA2, respectively, makes it a valuable tool to explore the role of GVIA iPLA2 in cells and in vivo models. 1,1,1,2,2,3,3-Heptafluoro-8-(naphthalene-2-yl) octan-4-one inhibited GVIA iPLA2 with a XI(50) value of 0.001, while inhibiting the other intracellular GIVA cPLA2 and GV sPLA2 at least 90-times less potently. Hexa- and octa-fluoro ketones were also found to be potent inhibitors of GVIA iPLA2; however they are not selective.