Different Amino Acid Replacements in CAAX-Tetrapeptide Based Peptidomimetic Farnesyltransferase Inhibitors

In a series of CAAX-tetrapeptide based farnesyltransferase inhibitors it has been shown that the central AA-dipeptide can be replaced by tranexamic acid, 4-aminobenzenesulfonic acid, and 3-amino-N-(2,3-dimethylphenyl)benzenesulfonamide, respectively, yielding inhibitors active in the low micromolar range. Lipophilic derivatives of these compounds showed moderate anti-proliferative activity against different tumor cell lines. A promising class of peptidomimetic farnesyltransferase inhibitors was discovered through the replacement of the terminal AAX motif of the CAAX-tetrapeptide by 2-acylamino-5-aminobenzophenones.