NNGH (Synonyms: N-Isobutyl-N-(4-methoxyphenylsulfonyl)glycyl Hydroxamic Acid,​​Matrix Metalloproteinase-3 Inhibitor II,MMP-3 Inhibitor II)

Ki: 9, 2.6, 4.3, 3.1, and 17 nM for MMP-8, -9, -12, -13, and -20, respectively.

NNGH is an inhibitor of MMPs.

Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs), a large class of strictly-related zincdependent enzymes, belong to the family of proteolytic enzymes. MMPs are involved in various aspects of physiological cellular processes and pathologies, such as pulmonary emphysema, reumathoid arthritis, tumor growth and metastasis.

In vitro: Previous study found that NNGH was one of the most prominent representatives of a family of nanomolar inhibitors for some MMPs. In addition, the X-Ray structure of the NNGH-MMP-12 complex showed that the interaction of NNGH with the active site of the enzyme involved the binding of the hydroxamic functional group to the catalytic Zn ion and the binding of the aromatic group to the S1 subsite [1].

In vivo: Previous animal study found that the repeated administration of NNGH to WT mice was able to block the MMP-3 levels, which could reduce the number of adherent retinal leukocytes by 60% as compared to vehicle-treated mice. In addition, the administration of NNGH could even lead to a more pronounced decrease in leukocyte adhesion and the treatment of MMP-3-/- mice with NNGH showed a reduced hypothermic response as compared to vehicle-injected MMP-3-/- mice [2].

Clinical trial: Up to now, NNGH is still in the preclinical development stage.

References:
[1] E.  Attolino, V. Calderone, E. Dragoni, et al. Structure-based approach to nanomolar, water soluble matrix metalloproteinases inhibitors (MMPIs). European Journal of Medicinal Chemistry (2010).
[2] Inge Van Hove et al.  MMP-3 Deficiency Alleviates Endotoxin-Induced Acute Inflammation in the Posterior Eye SegmentInt J Mol Sci. 2016 Nov; 17(11): 1825.