New pyrido[3,4-g]quinazoline derivatives as CLK1 and DYRK1A inhibitors: synthesis, biological evaluation and binding mode analysis

Cdc2-like kinase 1 (CLK1) and dual specificity tyrosine phosphorylation-regulated kinase 1A (DYRK1A) are involved in the regulation of alternative pre-mRNA splicing. Dysregulation of this process has been linked to cancer progression and neurodegenerative diseases, making CLK1 and DYRK1A important therapeutic targets. Here we describe the synthesis of new pyrido[3,4-g]quinazoline derivatives and the evaluation of the inhibitory potencies of these compounds toward CDK5, CK1, GSK3, CLK1 and DYRK1A. Introduction of aminoalkylamino groups at the 2-position resulted in several compounds with low nanomolar affinity and selective inhibition of CLK1 and/or DYRK1A. Their evaluation on several immortalized or cancerous cell lines showed varying degree of cell viability reduction. Co-crystal structures of CLK1 with two of the most potent compounds revealed two alternative binding modes of the pyrido[3,4-g]quinazoline scaffold that can be exploited for future inhibitor design.