3-([4-(Acetylamino)phenyl]methoxy-1-carbonyl)-7-oxabicyclo[2.2.1]heptane-2-carboxylic Acid

Overexpression of protein phosphatase 5 (PP5) is linked to tumor cell growth, making it a candidate for small-molecule drug therapy. Since the PP2A domain has been selectively inhibited using functionalized scaffolds that maximize contacts, a similar approach is proposed to work for PP5. As cantharidin’s demethylated cousin, norcantharidin, is a potent but unselective phosphatase inhibitor that can be prepared in just two synthetic steps, the bicyclic scaffold holds promise as an attractive target upon functionalization. Our hypothesis targets PP5 selectivity through derivatives of norcantharidin with functionalized attachments for optimal active-site binding. The methodology offers a promising platform for developing PP5-selective anticancer therapeutics. The approach reported herein exploits anhydride reactivity to yield a carboxylic acid derivative as our next-generation inhibitor of PP5. The methodology offers groundwork for future optimization of norcantharidin-based drug candidates with improved tumor selectivity, potency, and synthetic feasibility.