Small-molecule inhibitors of the MDM2-p53 protein-protein interaction based on an isoindolinone scaffold

From a set of weakly potent lead compounds, using in silico screening and small library synthesis, a series of 2-alkyl-3-aryl-3-alkoxyisoindolinones has been identified as inhibitors of the MDM2-p53 interaction. Two of the most potent compounds, 2-benzyl-3-(4-chlorophenyl)-3-(3-hydroxypropoxy)-2,3-dihydroisoindol-1-one (76; IC50 = 15.9 +/- 0.8 mu M) and 3-(4-chlorophenyl)-3-(4-hydroxy-3,5-dimethoxybenzyloxy)-2-propyl-2,3-dihydroisoindol-1-one (79; IC50) 5.3 (0.9 mu M), induced p53-dependent gene transcription, in a dose-dependent manner, in the MDM2 amplified, SJSA human sarcoma cell line.