Nuclear magnetic resonance fragment-based identification of novel FKBP12 inhibitors

Peptidyl-prolyl cis-trans isomerases are a group of cytosolic enzymes initially characterized by their ability to catalyze the cis-trans isomerization of peptidyl-prolyl bonds. This represents a significant event for protein folding because cis-proline introduces critical bends within the protein conformation. FK506-binding proteins (FKBPs) represent one of the three families of enzymes sharing peptidyl-prolyl cis-trans isomerase activity. Inhibitors of FKBP12, in particular, have potent neurotrophic properties both in vivo and in vitro. Here, we describe a fragment-based unbiased nuclear magnetic resonance drug discovery approach for the identification of novel classes of chemical inhibitors against FKBP12. Compared to FK506, the fragment-based FKBP12 inhibitors developed herein possess significant advantages as drug candidates.