Virtual screening, optimization, and identification of a novel specific PTP-MEG2 Inhibitor with potential therapy for T2DM

Megakaryocyte protein tyrosine phosphatase 2 (PTP-MEG2) is a tyrosine phosphatase expressed in megakaryocytic cells, and causes insulin sensitization when down regulated. Therefore, specific inhibitors of PTP-MEG2 are potential candidates for novel Type 2 Diabetes (T2DM) therapy. In this study, we discovered PTP-MEG2 inhibitors using high throughput and virtual screening (HTS/VS) and structural optimization in silicon. Eight compound-candidates were identified from the interactions with PTP-MEG2, protein tyrosine phosphatase 1B (PTP1B) and T cell protein tyrosine phosphatase (TCPTP). Results from enzymatic assays show compounds 4a and 4b inhibited PTP-MEG2 activity with an IC50 of 3.2 μM and 4.3 μM, respectively. Further, they showed a 7.5 and 5.5 fold change against PTP1B and TCPTP, respectively. We propose compounds 4a and 4b are PTP-MEG2 inhibitors with potential therapeutic use in T2DM treatment.