Identification of malate dehydrogenase 2 as a target protein of the HIF-1 inhibitor LW6 using chemical probes

Abstract

Tracking the target: To identify a protein that binds directly to the HIF-1α inhibitor LW6, a series of new chemical probes were synthesized with a clickable tag and/or a photoactivatable moiety. LW6 was found to be localized to the mitochondria (see picture) and MDH2 was identified as a target protein of LW6. These results indicate that the HIF-1α inhibitory activity of LW6 is a consequence of MDH2 suppression.