• adam 10
• adams
• inhibitor
• ligands
• mdm2
• p53

ADAMs (a disintegrin and metalloproteinase) are a family of type I transmembrane glycoproteins emerging as the major proteinase family that mediates ectodomain shedding of various cell surface proteins such as growth factors, receptors and their ligands, cytokines, and cell adhesion molecules. Recently, specific ADAMs were implicated in a number of diseases and in particular ADAM-10 overexpression was found to be involved in cancer. The pharmaceutical research has dedicated many efforts to the discovery of potent and selective inhibitors of this enzyme. Incyte Corporation in 2008 disclosed INCB 3619, a potent, selective and orally bioavailable ADAM-10 small molecule inhibitor able to block the shedding of HER ligands. In the first part of my thesis project I have synthesized new sulfonamide hydroxamate compounds, analogues of INCB3619 to be studied for their inhibitory properties (selectivity profile and potency of action) on Metzincin family (MMPs and ADAMs). In the second part of my thesis, I have developed a study on ligands active as inhibitors on MDM2-p53 interaction. P53 plays a protective roles in normal somatic tissues, constantly monitors cell integrity and homeostasis. MDM2 (murine double minute 2) regulates p53 through an autoregulatory feedback loop in which both proteins control mutually their cellular level. Low molecolar weight compounds which interacts with the deep cavity on the surface of the MDM2 molecule were designed.