CECR2 (cat eye syndrome chromosome region, candidate 2) gene previously was identified as being in the chromosome 22q11 region, duplicated in the human disorder cat eye syndrome (1). This syndrome is characterized by defects of the eye, heart, anus, kidney, skeleton, face and mental development; however the neural tube develops normally. CECR2 deletion in mice causes neural tube defects including severe exencephaly and perinatal death (2). CECR2 is predominantly expressed in the nervous system and involved in neurulation. Chromatin remodelling complexes play critical roles in development and CECR2 has been shown to be part of the CERF complex with SNF2L forming an ATP-dependent chromatin remodeller (2). CECR2 shows complex alternative splicing, but all variants contain DDT and bromodomain motifs. CECR2 has also been suggested to play a role in DNA damage response by inhibiting γ-H2AX (3).
NVS-CECR2-1 (MW 495.7) is a highly potent and selective CECR2 inhibitor that has been developed in collaboration with Novartis. NVS-CECR2-1 binds to CECR2 with high affinity: IC50 = 0.047 µM in Alpha screen, KD = 0.080 µM in ITC, and demonstrates no cross reactivity in a BRD panel (48 targets). In the FRAP assay at 0.1 µM NVS-CECR2-1 shows robust activity in cells due to its slow off-rate, but no acute toxicity. No major activity is observed in kinase, protease and receptor panels.
NVS-CECR2-1 is poorly soluble but due to its high potency it may be safely used at low concentrations in cell biology applications. The structurally related NVS-CECR2-C is a suitable control compound that is inactive against CECR2.
In vivo activity: not tested
NVS-CECR2-1
