6 research outputs found
Lead Optimization of 1,4-Azaindoles as Antimycobacterial Agents
In a previous
report, we described the discovery of 1,4-azaindoles, a chemical series
with excellent in vitro and in vivo antimycobacterial potency through
noncovalent inhibition of decaprenylphosphoryl-β-d-ribose-2′-epimerase
(DprE1). Nevertheless, high mouse metabolic turnover and phosphodiesterase
6 (PDE6) off-target activity limited its advancement. Herein, we report
lead optimization of this series, culminating in potent, metabolically
stable compounds that have a robust pharmacokinetic profile without
any PDE6 liability. Furthermore, we demonstrate efficacy for 1,4-azaindoles
in a rat chronic TB infection model. We believe that compounds from
the 1,4-azaindole series are suitable for in vivo combination and
safety studies
Aminoazabenzimidazoles, a Novel Class of Orally Active Antimalarial Agents
Whole-cell high-throughput
screening of the AstraZeneca compound
library against the asexual blood stage of Plasmodium
falciparum (<i>Pf</i>) led to the identification
of amino imidazoles, a robust starting point for initiating a hit-to-lead
medicinal chemistry effort. Structure–activity relationship
studies followed by pharmacokinetics optimization resulted in the
identification of <b>23</b> as an attractive lead with good
oral bioavailability. Compound <b>23</b> was found to be efficacious
(ED<sub>90</sub> of 28.6 mg·kg<sup>–1</sup>) in the humanized P. falciparum mouse model of malaria (<i>Pf</i>/SCID model). Representative compounds displayed a moderate to fast
killing profile that is comparable to that of chloroquine. This series
demonstrates no cross-resistance against a panel of <i>Pf</i> strains with mutations to known antimalarial drugs, thereby suggesting
a novel mechanism of action for this chemical class
4‑Aminoquinolone Piperidine Amides: Noncovalent Inhibitors of DprE1 with Long Residence Time and Potent Antimycobacterial Activity
4-Aminoquinolone piperidine amides
(AQs) were identified as a novel
scaffold starting from a whole cell screen, with potent cidality on Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb). Evaluation of the
minimum inhibitory concentrations, followed by whole genome sequencing
of mutants raised against AQs, identified decaprenylphosphoryl-β-d-ribose 2′-epimerase (DprE1) as the primary target responsible
for the antitubercular activity. Mass spectrometry and enzyme kinetic
studies indicated that AQs are noncovalent, reversible inhibitors
of DprE1 with slow on rates and long residence times of ∼100
min on the enzyme. In general, AQs have excellent leadlike properties
and good in vitro secondary pharmacology profile. Although the scaffold
started off as a single active compound with moderate potency from
the whole cell screen, structure–activity relationship optimization
of the scaffold led to compounds with potent DprE1 inhibition (IC<sub>50</sub> < 10 nM) along with potent cellular activity (MIC = 60
nM) against Mtb
Discovery of Imidazo[1,2‑<i>a</i>]pyridine Ethers and Squaramides as Selective and Potent Inhibitors of Mycobacterial Adenosine Triphosphate (ATP) Synthesis
The approval of bedaquiline
to treat tuberculosis has validated
adenosine triphosphate (ATP) synthase as an attractive target to kill Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb). Herein, we report
the discovery of two diverse lead series imidazo[1,2-<i>a</i>]pyridine ethers (IPE) and squaramides (SQA) as inhibitors of mycobacterial
ATP synthesis. Through medicinal chemistry exploration, we established
a robust structure–activity relationship of these two scaffolds,
resulting in nanomolar potencies in an ATP synthesis inhibition assay.
A biochemical deconvolution cascade suggested cytochrome c oxidase
as the potential target of IPE class of molecules, whereas characterization
of spontaneous resistant mutants of SQAs unambiguously identified
ATP synthase as its molecular target. Absence of cross resistance
against bedaquiline resistant mutants suggested a different binding
site for SQAs on ATP synthase. Furthermore, SQAs were found to be
noncytotoxic and demonstrated efficacy in a mouse model of tuberculosis
infection