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Dihydrofolate Reductase Inhibitors: The Pharmacophore as a Guide for Co-Crystal Screening. Molecules 2021; 26:molecules26216721. [PMID: 34771128 PMCID: PMC8587188 DOI: 10.3390/molecules26216721] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/04/2021] [Revised: 10/27/2021] [Accepted: 11/02/2021] [Indexed: 12/04/2022] Open
Abstract
In this work, co-crystal screening was carried out for two important dihydrofolate reductase (DHFR) inhibitors, trimethoprim (TMP) and pyrimethamine (PMA), and for 2,4-diaminopyrimidine (DAP), which is the pharmacophore of these active pharmaceutical ingredients (API). The isomeric pyridinecarboxamides and two xanthines, theophylline (THEO) and caffeine (CAF), were used as co-formers in the same experimental conditions, in order to evaluate the potential for the pharmacophore to be used as a guide in the screening process. In silico co-crystal screening was carried out using BIOVIA COSMOquick and experimental screening was performed by mechanochemistry and supported by (solid + liquid) binary phase diagrams, infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and X-ray powder diffraction (XRPD). The in silico prediction of low propensities for DAP, TMP and PMA to co-crystallize with pyridinecarboxamides was confirmed: a successful outcome was only observed for DAP + nicotinamide. Successful synthesis of multicomponent solid forms was achieved for all three target molecules with theophylline, with DAP co-crystals revealing a greater variety of stoichiometries. The crystalline structures of a (1:2) TMP:THEO co-crystal and of a (1:2:1) DAP:THEO:ethyl acetate solvate were solved. This work demonstrated the possible use of the pharmacophore of DHFR inhibitors as a guide for co-crystal screening, recognizing some similar trends in the outcome of association in the solid state and in the molecular aggregation in the co-crystals, characterized by the same supramolecular synthons.
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Wróbel A, Drozdowska D. Recent Design and Structure-Activity Relationship Studies on the Modifications of DHFR Inhibitors as Anticancer Agents. Curr Med Chem 2021; 28:910-939. [PMID: 31622199 DOI: 10.2174/0929867326666191016151018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/01/2019] [Revised: 09/25/2019] [Accepted: 09/27/2019] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Dihydrofolate reductase (DHFR) has been known for decades as a molecular target for antibacterial, antifungal and anti-malarial treatments. This enzyme is becoming increasingly important in the design of new anticancer drugs, which is confirmed by numerous studies including modelling, synthesis and in vitro biological research. This review aims to present and discuss some remarkable recent advances in the research of new DHFR inhibitors with potential anticancer activity. METHODS The scientific literature of the last decade on the different types of DHFR inhibitors has been searched. The studies on design, synthesis and investigation structure-activity relationships were summarized and divided into several subsections depending on the leading molecule and its structural modification. Various methods of synthesis, potential anticancer activity and possible practical applications as DHFR inhibitors of new chemical compounds were described and discussed. RESULTS This review presents the current state of knowledge on the modification of known DHFR inhibitors and the structures and searches for about eighty new molecules, designed as potential anticancer drugs. In addition, DHFR inhibitors acting on thymidylate synthase (TS), carbon anhydrase (CA) and even DNA-binding are presented in this paper. CONCLUSION Thorough physicochemical characterization and biological investigations highlight the structure-activity relationship of DHFR inhibitors. This will enable even better design and synthesis of active compounds, which would have the expected mechanism of action and the desired activity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Agnieszka Wróbel
- Department of Organic Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, Medical University, Białystok, Poland
| | - Danuta Drozdowska
- Department of Organic Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, Medical University, Białystok, Poland
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Muddala NP, White JC, Nammalwar B, Pratt I, Thomas LM, Bunce RA, Berlin KD, Bourne CR. Inhibitor design to target a unique feature in the folate pocket of Staphylococcus aureus dihydrofolate reductase. Eur J Med Chem 2020; 200:112412. [PMID: 32502861 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2020.112412] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/24/2020] [Revised: 04/28/2020] [Accepted: 04/28/2020] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
Abstract
Staphylococcus aureus (Sa) is a serious concern due to increasing resistance to antibiotics. The bacterial dihydrofolate reductase enzyme is effectively inhibited by trimethoprim, a compound with antibacterial activity. Previously, we reported a trimethoprim derivative containing an acryloyl linker and a dihydophthalazine moiety demonstrating increased potency against S. aureus. We have expanded this series and assessed in vitro enzyme inhibition (Ki) and whole cell growth inhibition properties (MIC). Modifications were focused at a chiral carbon within the phthalazine heterocycle, as well as simultaneous modification at positions on the dihydrophthalazine. MIC values increased from 0.0626-0.5 μg/mL into the 0.5-1 μg/mL range when the edge positions were modified with either methyl or methoxy groups. Changes at the chiral carbon affected Ki measurements but with little impact on MIC values. Our structural data revealed accommodation of predominantly the S-enantiomer of the inhibitors within the folate-binding pocket. Longer modifications at the chiral carbon, such as p-methylbenzyl, protrude from the pocket into solvent and result in poorer Ki values, as do modifications with greater torsional freedom, such as 1-ethylpropyl. The most efficacious Ki was 0.7 ± 0.3 nM, obtained with a cyclopropyl derivative containing dimethoxy modifications at the dihydrophthalazine edge. The co-crystal structure revealed an alternative placement of the phthalazine moiety into a shallow surface at the edge of the site that can accommodate either enantiomer of the inhibitor. The current design, therefore, highlights how to engineer specific placement of the inhibitor within this alternative pocket, which in turn maximizes the enzyme inhibitory properties of racemic mixtures.
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Affiliation(s)
- N Prasad Muddala
- Department of Chemistry, Oklahoma State University, 107 Physical Sciences I, Stillwater, OK, 74078, USA
| | - John C White
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Oklahoma, 101 Stephenson Parkway, Norman, OK, 73019, USA
| | - Baskar Nammalwar
- Department of Chemistry, Oklahoma State University, 107 Physical Sciences I, Stillwater, OK, 74078, USA
| | - Ian Pratt
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Oklahoma, 101 Stephenson Parkway, Norman, OK, 73019, USA
| | - Leonard M Thomas
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Oklahoma, 101 Stephenson Parkway, Norman, OK, 73019, USA
| | - Richard A Bunce
- Department of Chemistry, Oklahoma State University, 107 Physical Sciences I, Stillwater, OK, 74078, USA
| | - K Darrell Berlin
- Department of Chemistry, Oklahoma State University, 107 Physical Sciences I, Stillwater, OK, 74078, USA
| | - Christina R Bourne
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Oklahoma, 101 Stephenson Parkway, Norman, OK, 73019, USA.
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Wróbel A, Maliszewski D, Baradyn M, Drozdowska D. Trimethoprim: An Old Antibacterial Drug as a Template to Search for New Targets. Synthesis, Biological Activity and Molecular Modeling Study of Novel Trimethoprim Analogs. Molecules 2019; 25:molecules25010116. [PMID: 31892256 PMCID: PMC6983048 DOI: 10.3390/molecules25010116] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/03/2019] [Revised: 12/21/2019] [Accepted: 12/24/2019] [Indexed: 01/15/2023] Open
Abstract
A new series of trimethoprim (TMP) analogs containing amide bonds (1–6) have been synthesized. Molecular docking, as well as dihydrofolate reductase (DHFR) inhibition assay were used to confirm their affinity to bind dihydrofolate reductase enzyme. Data from the ethidium displacement test showed their DNA-binding capacity. Tests confirming the possibility of DNA binding in a minor groove as well as determination of the association constants were performed using calf thymus DNA, T4 coliphage DNA, poly (dA-dT)2 and poly (dG-dC)2. Additionally, the mechanism of action of the new compounds was studied. In conclusion, some of our new analogs inhibited DHFR activity more strongly than TMP did, which confirms, that the addition of amide bonds into the analogs of TMP increases their affinity towards DHFR.
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Affiliation(s)
- Agnieszka Wróbel
- Department of Organic Chemistry, Medical University of Bialystok, 15222 Bialystok, Poland; (D.M.); (D.D.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +50-253-3188
| | - Dawid Maliszewski
- Department of Organic Chemistry, Medical University of Bialystok, 15222 Bialystok, Poland; (D.M.); (D.D.)
| | - Maciej Baradyn
- Department of Physical Chemistry, University of Bialystok, Institute of Chemistry, 15245 Bialystok, Poland;
| | - Danuta Drozdowska
- Department of Organic Chemistry, Medical University of Bialystok, 15222 Bialystok, Poland; (D.M.); (D.D.)
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Trimethoprim and other nonclassical antifolates an excellent template for searching modifications of dihydrofolate reductase enzyme inhibitors. J Antibiot (Tokyo) 2019; 73:5-27. [PMID: 31578455 PMCID: PMC7102388 DOI: 10.1038/s41429-019-0240-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 70] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2019] [Revised: 08/07/2019] [Accepted: 08/22/2019] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
The development of new mechanisms of resistance among pathogens, the occurrence and transmission of genes responsible for antibiotic insensitivity, as well as cancer diseases have been a serious clinical problem around the world for over 50 years. Therefore, intense searching of new leading structures and active substances, which may be used as new drugs, especially against strain resistant to all available therapeutics, is very important. Dihydrofolate reductase (DHFR) has attracted a lot of attention as a molecular target for bacterial resistance over several decades, resulting in a number of useful agents. Trimethoprim (TMP), (2,4-diamino-5-(3′,4′,5′-trimethoxybenzyl)pyrimidine) is the well-known dihydrofolate reductase inhibitor and one of the standard antibiotics used in urinary tract infections (UTIs). This review highlights advances in design, synthesis, and biological evaluations in structural modifications of TMP as DHFR inhibitors. In addition, this report presents the differences in the active site of human and pathogen DHFR. Moreover, an excellent review of DHFR inhibition and their relevance to antimicrobial and parasitic chemotherapy was presented.
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Srinivasan B, Tonddast-Navaei S, Roy A, Zhou H, Skolnick J. Chemical space of Escherichia coli dihydrofolate reductase inhibitors: New approaches for discovering novel drugs for old bugs. Med Res Rev 2018; 39:684-705. [PMID: 30192413 DOI: 10.1002/med.21538] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2018] [Revised: 07/16/2018] [Accepted: 08/09/2018] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Escherichia coli Dihydrofolate reductase is an important enzyme that is essential for the survival of the Gram-negative microorganism. Inhibitors designed against this enzyme have demonstrated application as antibiotics. However, either because of poor bioavailability of the small-molecules resulting from their inability to cross the double membrane in Gram-negative bacteria or because the microorganism develops resistance to the antibiotics by mutating the DHFR target, discovery of new antibiotics against the enzyme is mandatory to overcome drug-resistance. This review summarizes the field of DHFR inhibition with special focus on recent efforts to effectively interface computational and experimental efforts to discover novel classes of inhibitors that target allosteric and active-sites in drug-resistant variants of EcDHFR.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bharath Srinivasan
- Center for the Study of Systems Biology, School of Biology, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, Georgia
| | - Sam Tonddast-Navaei
- Center for the Study of Systems Biology, School of Biology, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, Georgia
| | - Ambrish Roy
- Center for the Study of Systems Biology, School of Biology, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, Georgia
| | - Hongyi Zhou
- Center for the Study of Systems Biology, School of Biology, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, Georgia
| | - Jeffrey Skolnick
- Center for the Study of Systems Biology, School of Biology, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, Georgia
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Synthesis and evaluation of new 2,6-diamino-5-hetarylpyrimidines as inhibitors of dihydrofolate reductase. MONATSHEFTE FUR CHEMIE 2018. [DOI: 10.1007/s00706-017-2032-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
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Kim Y, Park H, Lee J, Tae J, Kim HJ, Min SJ, Rhim H, Choo H. 5-HT 7 receptor modulators: Amino groups attached to biphenyl scaffold determine functional activity. Eur J Med Chem 2016; 123:180-190. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2016.07.029] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/06/2016] [Revised: 07/13/2016] [Accepted: 07/14/2016] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
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Nyíri K, Vértessy BG. Perturbation of genome integrity to fight pathogenic microorganisms. Biochim Biophys Acta Gen Subj 2016; 1861:3593-3612. [PMID: 27217086 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbagen.2016.05.024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/03/2016] [Revised: 05/05/2016] [Accepted: 05/18/2016] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Resistance against antibiotics is unfortunately still a major biomedical challenge for a wide range of pathogens responsible for potentially fatal diseases. SCOPE OF REVIEW In this study, we aim at providing a critical assessment of the recent advances in design and use of drugs targeting genome integrity by perturbation of thymidylate biosynthesis. MAJOR CONCLUSION We find that research efforts from several independent laboratories resulted in chemically highly distinct classes of inhibitors of key enzymes within the routes of thymidylate biosynthesis. The present article covers numerous studies describing perturbation of this metabolic pathway in some of the most challenging pathogens like Mycobacterium tuberculosis, Plasmodium falciparum, and Staphylococcus aureus. GENERAL SIGNIFICANCE Our comparative analysis allows a thorough summary of the current approaches to target thymidylate biosynthesis enzymes and also include an outlook suggesting novel ways of inhibitory strategies. This article is part of a Special Issue entitled "Science for Life" Guest Editor: Dr. Austen Angell, Dr. Salvatore Magazù and Dr. Federica Migliardo.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kinga Nyíri
- Dept. Biotechnology, Budapest University of Technology and Economics, 4 Szent Gellért tér, Budapest HU 1111, Hungary; Institute of Enzymology, RCNS, Hungarian Academy of Sciences, 2 Magyar tudósok körútja, Budapest HU 1117, Hungary.
| | - Beáta G Vértessy
- Dept. Biotechnology, Budapest University of Technology and Economics, 4 Szent Gellért tér, Budapest HU 1111, Hungary; Institute of Enzymology, RCNS, Hungarian Academy of Sciences, 2 Magyar tudósok körútja, Budapest HU 1117, Hungary.
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Muddala NP, Nammalwar B, Selvaraju S, Bourne CR, Henry M, Bunce RA, Berlin KD, Barrow EW, Barrow WW. Evaluation of New Dihydrophthalazine-Appended 2,4-Diaminopyrimidines against Bacillus anthracis: Improved Syntheses Using a New Pincer Complex. Molecules 2015; 20:7222-44. [PMID: 25905602 PMCID: PMC4445145 DOI: 10.3390/molecules20047222] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/20/2015] [Revised: 04/14/2015] [Accepted: 04/15/2015] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
The synthesis and evaluation of ten new dihydrophthalazine-appended 2,4-diaminopyrimidines as potential drugs to treat Bacillus anthracis is reported. An improved synthesis utilizing a new pincer catalyst, dichlorobis[1-(dicyclohexylphosphanyl)-piperidine]palladium(II), allows the final Heck coupling to be performed at 90 °C using triethylamine as the base. These milder conditions have been used to achieve improved yields for new and previously reported substrates with functional groups that degrade or react at the normal 140 °C reaction temperature. An analytical protocol for separating the S and R enantiomers of two of the most active compounds is also disclosed. Finally, the X-ray structure for the most active enantiomer of the lead compound, (S)-RAB1, is given.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nagendra Prasad Muddala
- Department of Chemistry, Oklahoma State University, 107 Physical Sciences, Stillwater, OK 74078, USA.
| | - Baskar Nammalwar
- Department of Chemistry, Oklahoma State University, 107 Physical Sciences, Stillwater, OK 74078, USA.
| | - Subhashini Selvaraju
- Department of Chemistry, Oklahoma State University, 107 Physical Sciences, Stillwater, OK 74078, USA.
| | - Christina R Bourne
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Oklahoma, 101 Stephenson Parkway, Norman, OK 73019, USA.
| | - Mary Henry
- Department of Veterinary Pathobiology, Oklahoma State University, 250 McElroy Hall, Stillwater, OK 74078, USA.
| | - Richard A Bunce
- Department of Chemistry, Oklahoma State University, 107 Physical Sciences, Stillwater, OK 74078, USA.
| | - K Darrell Berlin
- Department of Chemistry, Oklahoma State University, 107 Physical Sciences, Stillwater, OK 74078, USA.
| | - Esther W Barrow
- Department of Veterinary Pathobiology, Oklahoma State University, 250 McElroy Hall, Stillwater, OK 74078, USA.
| | - William W Barrow
- Department of Veterinary Pathobiology, Oklahoma State University, 250 McElroy Hall, Stillwater, OK 74078, USA.
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