Development of alkyl glycerone phosphate synthase inhibitors: Structure-activity relationship and effects on ether lipids and epithelial-mesenchymal transition in cancer cells
In aggressive tumors, alkylglyceronephosphate synthase (AGPS) controls cellular ether phospholipid utilization and metabolism to promote cancer cell proliferation and motility. SAR studies on the first-in-class AGPS inhibitor 1, discovered by our group, led to the 2,6-difluoro analog 2i which showed higher binding affinity than 1in vitro. In 231MFP cancer cells, 2i reduced ether lipids levels and cell migration rate.