Discovery of low nanomolar non-hydroxamate inhibitors of tumor necrosis factor-α converting enzyme (TACE)

Abstract Using a pyrimidine-2,4,6-trione motif as a zinc-binding group, a series of selective inhibitors of tumor necrosis factor-α converting enzyme (TACE) was discovered. Optimization of initial lead 1 resulted in a potent inhibitor ( 51 ), with an IC 50 of 2 nM in a porcine TACE assay. To the best of our knowledge, compound 51 and related analogues represent first examples of non-hydroxamate-based inhibitors of TACE with single digit nanomolar potency.