Discovery of Inhibitors by Combinatorial-Chemistry Approaches

This thesis describes our efforts to develop inhibitors using combinatorial-chemistry approaches. These approaches can potentially speed-up the drug discovery trajectory and the discovered molecules could be used as starting points for future drug development projects targeting 15-LOX-1, MIF and/or MDM2. The aforementioned targets are all proteins that play an important role in common diseases

Low-dimensional metal-organic coordination structures on graphene

We report the formation of one- and two-dimensional metal-organic coordination structures from para-hexaphenyl-dicarbonitrile (NC-Ph-6-CN) molecules and Cu atoms on graphene epitaxially grown on Ir(111). By varying the stoichiometry between the NC-Ph-6-CN molecules and Cu atoms, the dimensionality of the metal-organic coordination structures could be tuned: for a 3:2 ratio, a two-dimensional hexagonal porous network based on threefold Cu coordination was observed, while for a 1:1 ratio, one-dimensional chains based on twofold Cu coordination were formed. The formation of metal-ligand bonds was supported by imaging the Cu atoms within the metal-organic coordination structures with scanning tunneling microscopy. Scanning tunneling spectroscopy measurements demonstrated that the electronic properties of NC-Ph-6-CN molecules and Cu atoms were different between the two-dimensional porous network and one-dimensional molecular chains

Optimized Inhibitors of MDM2 via an Attempted Protein-Templated Reductive Amination

Innovative and efficient hit-identification techniques are required to accelerate drug discovery. Protein-templated fragment ligations represent a promising strategy in early drug discovery, enabling the target to assemble and select its binders from a pool of building blocks. Development of new protein-templated reactions to access a larger structural diversity and expansion of the variety of targets to demonstrate the scope of the technique are of prime interest for medicinal chemists. Herein, we present our attempts to use a protein-templated reductive amination to target protein-protein interactions (PPIs), a challenging class of drug targets. We address a flexible pocket, which is difficult to achieve by structure-based drug design. After careful analysis we did not find one of the possible products in the kinetic target-guided synthesis (KTGS) approach, however subsequent synthesis and biochemical evaluation of each library member demonstrated that all the obtained molecules inhibit MDM2. The most potent library member (Ki=0.095 μm) identified is almost as active as Nutlin-3, a potent inhibitor of the p53-MDM2 PPI

Discovery of novel drug-like antitubercular hits targeting the MEP pathway enzyme DXPS by strategic application of ligand-based virtual screening.

In the present manuscript, we describe how we successfully used ligand-based virtual screening (LBVS) to identify two small-molecule, drug-like hit classes with excellent ADMET profiles against the difficult to address microbial enzyme 1-deoxy-d-xylulose-5-phosphate synthase (DXPS). In the fight against antimicrobial resistance (AMR), it has become increasingly important to address novel targets such as DXPS, the first enzyme of the 2-C-methyl-d-erythritol-4-phosphate (MEP) pathway, which affords the universal isoprenoid precursors. This pathway is absent in humans but essential for pathogens such as Mycobacterium tuberculosis, making it a rich source of drug targets for the development of novel anti-infectives. Standard computer-aided drug-design tools, frequently applied in other areas of drug development, often fail for targets with large, hydrophilic binding sites such as DXPS. Therefore, we introduce the concept of pseudo-inhibitors, combining the benefits of pseudo-ligands (defining a pharmacophore) and pseudo-receptors (defining anchor points in the binding site), for providing the basis to perform a LBVS against M. tuberculosis DXPS. Starting from a diverse set of reference ligands showing weak inhibition of the orthologue from Deinococcus radiodurans DXPS, we identified three structurally unrelated classes with promising in vitro (against M. tuberculosis DXPS) and whole-cell activity including extensively drug-resistant strains of M. tuberculosis. The hits were validated to be specific inhibitors of DXPS and to have a unique mechanism of inhibition. Furthermore, two of the hits have a balanced profile in terms of metabolic and plasma stability and display a low frequency of resistance development, making them ideal starting points for hit-to-lead optimization of antibiotics with an unprecedented mode of action

Discovery of novel drug-like antitubercular hits targeting the MEP pathway enzyme DXPS by strategic application of ligand-based virtual screening

In the present manuscript, we describe how we successfully used ligand-based virtual screening (LBVS) to identify two small-molecule, drug-like hit classes with excellent ADMET profiles against the difficult to address microbial enzyme 1-deoxy-D-xylulose-5-phosphate synthase (DXPS). In the fight against antimicrobial resistance (AMR), it has become increasingly important to address novel targets such as DXPS, the first enzyme of the 2-C-methyl-D-erythritol-4-phosphate (MEP) pathway, which affords the universal isoprenoid precursors. This pathway is absent in humans but essential for pathogens such as Mycobacterium tuberculosis, making it a rich source of drug targets for the development of novel anti-infectives. Standard computer-aided drug-design tools, frequently applied in other areas of drug development, often fail for targets with large, hydrophilic binding sites such as DXPS. Therefore, we introduce the concept of pseudo-inhibitors, combining the benefits of pseudo-ligands (defining a pharmacophore) and pseudo-receptors (defining anchor points in the binding site), for providing the basis to perform a LBVS against M. tuberculosis DXPS. Starting from a diverse set of reference ligands showing weak inhibition of the orthologue from Deinococcus radiodurans DXPS, we identified three structurally unrelated classes with promising in vitro (against M. tuberculosis DXPS) and whole-cell activity including extensively drug-resistant strains of M. tuberculosis. The hits were validated to be specific inhibitors of DXPS and to have a unique mechanism of inhibition. Furthermore, two of the hits have a balanced profile in terms of metabolic and plasma stability and display a low frequency of resistance development, making them ideal starting points for hit-to-lead optimization of antibiotics with an unprecedented mode of action

Replacement of an Indole Scaffold Targeting Human 15-Lipoxygenase-1 Using Combinatorial Chemistry.

Human 15-lipoxygenase-1 (15-LOX-1) belongs to the class of lipoxygenases, which catalyze oxygenation of polyunsaturated fatty acids, such as arachidonic and linoleic acid. Recent studies have shown that 15-LOX-1 plays an important role in physiological processes linked to several diseases such as airway inflammation disease, coronary artery disease, and several types of cancer such as rectal, colon, breast and prostate cancer. In this study, we aimed to extend the structural diversity of 15-LOX-1 inhibitors, starting from the recently identified indolyl core. In order to find new scaffolds, we employed a combinatorial approach using various aromatic aldehydes and an aliphatic hydrazide tail. This scaffold-hopping study resulted in the identification of the 3-pyridylring as a suitable replacement of the indolyl core with an inhibitory activity in the micromolar range (IC50=16±6 μm) and a rapid and efficient structure-activity relationship investigation

An in situ combinatorial methodology to synthesize and screen chemical probes

Chemical probes that label proteins of interest in the context of complex biological samples are useful research tools. The reactive group that forms the covalent bond with the target protein has a large effect on the selectivity and selecting the appropriate group determines the success of a probe. We here report the development of a combinatorial methodology based on imine chemistry that enables straightforward in situ synthesis and screening of different reactive groups and thereby simplifies identification of probe leads. Using our methodology, we found chemical probes targeting BirA and chloramphenicol acetyl transferase, two proteins associated with antibacterial activity and resistance

A combinatorial approach for the discovery of drug-like inhibitors of 15-lipoxygenase-1

Human 15-lipoxygenase-1 (15-LOX-1) is a mammalian lipoxygenase which plays an important regulatory role in several CNS and inflammatory lung diseases. To further explore the role of this enzyme in drug discovery, novel potent inhibitors with favorable physicochemical properties are required. In order to identify such new inhibitors, we established a combinatorial screening method based on acylhydrazone chemistry. This represents a novel application of combinatorial chemistry focusing on the improvement of physicochemical properties, rather than on potency. This strategy allowed us to efficiently screen 44 reaction mixtures of different hydrazides and our previously reported indole aldehyde core structure, without the need for individual synthesis of all possible combinations of building blocks. Our approach afforded three new inhibitors with IC50 values in the nanomolar range and improved lipophilic ligand efficiency

Novel 15-Lipoxygenase-1 Inhibitor Protects Macrophages from Lipopolysaccharide-Induced Cytotoxicity.

Various mechanisms for regulated cell death include the formation of oxidative mediators such as lipid peroxides and nitric oxide (NO). In this respect, 15-lipoxygenase-1 (15-LOX-1) is a key enzyme that catalyzes the formation of lipid peroxides. The actions of these peroxides are interconnected with nuclear factor-κB signaling and NO production. Inhibition of 15-LOX-1 holds promise to interfere with regulated cell death in inflammatory conditions. In this study, a novel potent 15-LOX-1 inhibitor, 9c (i472), was developed and structure-activity relationships were explored. In vitro, this inhibitor protected cells from lipopolysaccharide-induced cell death, inhibiting NO formation and lipid peroxidation. Thus, we provide a novel 15-LOX-1 inhibitor that inhibits cellular NO production and lipid peroxidation, which set the stage for further exploration of these mechanisms

IL-1beta Promotes a New Function of DNase I as a Transcription Factor for the Fas Receptor Gene

Contains fulltext : 191059.pdf (publisher's version ) (Open Access)Recently we described that endonuclease inactive DNase I translocated into the nucleus in response to increased endogenous IL-1beta expression. Here, we demonstrate impact and function of translocated DNase I in tubular cells. Effect of cytokines on expression level and nuclear localisation of DNase I and corresponding levels of Fas receptor (FasR) and IL-1beta were determined by confocal microscopy, qPCR and western blot analyses, in presence or absence of siRNA against IL-1beta and DNase I mRNA. Nuclear DNase I bound to the FAS promotor region as determined by chromatin immuno-precipitation analysis. Data demonstrate that; (i) translocation of DNase I depended on endogenous de novo-expressed IL-1beta, (ii) nuclear DNase I bound FAS DNA, (iii) FasR expression increased after translocation of DNase I, (iv) interaction of exogenous Fas ligand (FasL) with upregulated FasR induced apoptosis in human tubular cells stimulated with TNFalpha. Thus, translocated DNase I most probably binds the promoter region of the FAS gene and function as a transcription factor for FasR. In conclusion, DNase I not only executes chromatin degradation during apoptosis and necrosis, but also primes the cells for apoptosis by enhancing FasR expression