Clicking 3′-Azidothymidine into Novel Potent Inhibitors of Human Immunodeficiency Virus

3′-Azidothymidine (AZT) was the first approved antiviral for the treatment of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). Reported efforts in clicking the 3′-azido group of AZT have not yielded 1,2,3-triazoles active against HIV or any other viruses. We report herein the first AZT-derived 1,2,3-triazoles with submicromolar potencies against HIV-1. The observed antiviral activities from the cytopathic effect (CPE) based assay were confirmed through a single replication cycle assay. Structure–activity-relationship (SAR) studies revealed two structural features key to antiviral activity: a bulky aromatic ring and the 1,5-substitution pattern on the triazole. Biochemical analysis of the corresponding triphosphates showed lower ATP-mediated nucleotide excision efficiency compared to AZT, which along with molecular modeling suggests a mechanism of preferred translocation of triazoles into the P-site of HIV reverse transcriptase (RT). This mechanism is corroborated with the observed reduction of fold resistance of the triazole analogue to an AZT-resistant HIV variant (9-fold compared to 56-fold with AZT)

Toward Biophysical Probes for the 5-HT₃ Receptor: Structure−Activity Relationship Study of Granisetron Derivatives

This report describes the synthesis and biological characterization of novel granisetron derivatives that are antagonists of the human serotonin (5-HT₃A) receptor. Some of these substituted granisetron derivatives showed low nanomolar binding affinity and allowed the identification of positions on the granisetron core that might be used as attachment points for biophysical tags. A BODIPY fluorophore was appended to one such position and specifically bound to 5-HT₃A receptors in mammalian cells

Toward Biophysical Probes for the 5-HT₃ Receptor: Structure−Activity Relationship Study of Granisetron Derivatives

This report describes the synthesis and biological characterization of novel granisetron derivatives that are antagonists of the human serotonin (5-HT₃A) receptor. Some of these substituted granisetron derivatives showed low nanomolar binding affinity and allowed the identification of positions on the granisetron core that might be used as attachment points for biophysical tags. A BODIPY fluorophore was appended to one such position and specifically bound to 5-HT₃A receptors in mammalian cells

Design, Synthesis, Biochemical, and Antiviral Evaluations of C6 Benzyl and C6 Biarylmethyl Substituted 2‑Hydroxylisoquinoline-1,3-diones: Dual Inhibition against HIV Reverse Transcriptase-Associated RNase H and Polymerase with Antiviral Activities

Reverse transcriptase (RT) associated ribonuclease H (RNase H) remains the only virally encoded enzymatic function not targeted by current chemotherapy against human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). Although numerous chemotypes have been reported to inhibit HIV RNase H biochemically, few show significant antiviral activity against HIV. We report herein the design, synthesis, and biological evaluations of a novel variant of 2-hydroxyisoquinoline-1,3-dione (HID) scaffold featuring a crucial C-6 benzyl or biarylmethyl moiety. The synthesis involved a recently reported metal-free direct benzylation between tosylhydrazone and boronic acid, which allowed the generation of structural diversity for the hydrophobic aromatic region. Biochemical studies showed that the C-6 benzyl and biarylmethyl HID analogues, previously unknown chemotypes, consistently inhibited HIV RT-associated RNase H and polymerase with IC₅₀s in low to submicromolar range. The observed dual inhibitory activity remained uncompromised against RT mutants resistant to non-nucleoside RT inhibitors (NNRTIs), suggesting the involvement of binding site(s) other than the NNRTI binding pocket. Intriguingly, these same compounds inhibited the polymerase, but not the RNase H function of Moloney Murine Leukemia Virus (MoMLV) RT and also inhibited Escherichia coli RNase H. Additional biochemical testing revealed a substantially reduced level of inhibition against HIV integrase. Molecular docking corroborates favorable binding of these analogues to the active site of HIV RNase H. Finally, a number of these analogues also demonstrated antiviral activity at low micromolar concentrations

5‑Arylidenethioxothiazolidinones as Inhibitors of Tyrosyl–DNA Phosphodiesterase I

Tyrosyl–DNA phosphodiesterase I (Tdp1) is a cellular enzyme that repairs the irreversible topoisomerase I (Top1)–DNA complexes and confers chemotherapeutic resistance to Top1 inhibitors. Inhibiting Tdp1 provides an attractive approach to potentiating clinically used Top1 inhibitors. However, despite recent efforts in studying Tdp1 as a therapeutic target, its inhibition remains poorly understood and largely underexplored. We describe herein the discovery of arylidene thioxothiazolidinone as a scaffold for potent Tdp1 inhibitors based on an initial tyrphostin lead compound <b>8</b>. Through structure–activity relationship (SAR) studies we demonstrated that arylidene thioxothiazolidinones inhibit Tdp1 and identified compound <b>50</b> as a submicromolar inhibitor of Tdp1 (IC₅₀ = 0.87 μM). Molecular modeling provided insight into key interactions essential for observed activities. Some derivatives were also active against endogenous Tdp1 in whole cell extracts. These findings contribute to advancing the understanding on Tdp1 inhibition