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Alves ETM, Pernichelle FG, Nascimento LA, Ferreira GM, Ferreira EI. Covalent Inhibitors for Neglected Diseases: An Exploration of Novel Therapeutic Options. Pharmaceuticals (Basel) 2023; 16:1028. [PMID: 37513939 PMCID: PMC10385647 DOI: 10.3390/ph16071028] [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: 03/24/2023] [Revised: 06/19/2023] [Accepted: 06/27/2023] [Indexed: 07/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Neglected diseases, primarily found in tropical regions of the world, present a significant challenge for impoverished populations. Currently, there are 20 diseases considered neglected, which greatly impact the health of affected populations and result in difficult-to-control social and economic consequences. Unfortunately, for the majority of these diseases, there are few or no drugs available for patient treatment, and the few drugs that do exist often lack adequate safety and efficacy. As a result, there is a pressing need to discover and design new drugs to address these neglected diseases. This requires the identification of different targets and interactions to be studied. In recent years, there has been a growing focus on studying enzyme covalent inhibitors as a potential treatment for neglected diseases. In this review, we will explore examples of how these inhibitors have been used to target Human African Trypanosomiasis, Chagas disease, and Malaria, highlighting some of the most promising results so far. Ultimately, this review aims to inspire medicinal chemists to pursue the development of new drug candidates for these neglected diseases, and to encourage greater investment in research in this area.
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Affiliation(s)
- Erick Tavares Marcelino Alves
- Department of Pharmacy, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Sao Paulo, Av. Prof. Lineu Prestes, 580, Butantã, São Paulo 05508-000, Brazil
| | - Filipe Gomes Pernichelle
- Department of Pharmacy, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Sao Paulo, Av. Prof. Lineu Prestes, 580, Butantã, São Paulo 05508-000, Brazil
| | - Lucas Adriano Nascimento
- Department of Pharmacy, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Sao Paulo, Av. Prof. Lineu Prestes, 580, Butantã, São Paulo 05508-000, Brazil
| | - Glaucio Monteiro Ferreira
- Department of Clinical and Toxicological Analyses, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Sao Paulo, Av. Prof. Lineu Prestes, 580, Butantã, São Paulo 05508-000, Brazil
| | - Elizabeth Igne Ferreira
- Department of Pharmacy, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Sao Paulo, Av. Prof. Lineu Prestes, 580, Butantã, São Paulo 05508-000, Brazil
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2
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Ng R, Zhang G, Li JJ. An update on the discovery and development of reversible covalent inhibitors. Med Chem Res 2023; 32:1039-1062. [PMID: 37305209 PMCID: PMC10148018 DOI: 10.1007/s00044-023-03065-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/02/2023] [Accepted: 04/18/2023] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Small molecule drugs that covalently bind irreversibly to their target proteins have several advantages over conventional reversible inhibitors. They include increased duration of action, less-frequent drug dosing, reduced pharmacokinetic sensitivity, and the potential to target intractable shallow binding sites. Despite these advantages, the key challenges of irreversible covalent drugs are their potential for off-target toxicities and immunogenicity risks. Incorporating reversibility into covalent drugs would lead to less off-target toxicity by forming reversible adducts with off-target proteins and thus reducing the risk of idiosyncratic toxicities caused by the permanent modification of proteins, which leads to higher levels of potential haptens. Herein, we systematically review electrophilic warheads employed during the development of reversible covalent drugs. We hope the structural insights of electrophilic warheads would provide helpful information to medicinal chemists and aid in designing covalent drugs with better on-target selectivity and improved safety. Graphical Abstract
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Affiliation(s)
- Raymond Ng
- Olema Oncology, 512 2nd St., 4th Floor, San Francisco, 94107 CA USA
| | - Guiping Zhang
- Genhouse Bio, No.1 Xinze Road, Suzhou Industrial Park, Suzhou, Jiangsu Province 215123 PR China
| | - Jie Jack Li
- Genhouse Bio, No.1 Xinze Road, Suzhou Industrial Park, Suzhou, Jiangsu Province 215123 PR China
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3
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Drug Combination Studies of the Dipeptide Nitrile CD24 with Curcumin: A New Strategy to Synergistically Inhibit Rhodesain of Trypanosoma brucei rhodesiense. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms232214470. [PMID: 36430948 PMCID: PMC9698140 DOI: 10.3390/ijms232214470] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/21/2022] [Revised: 10/31/2022] [Accepted: 11/18/2022] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Rhodesain is a cysteine protease that is crucial for the life cycle of Trypanosoma brucei rhodesiense, a parasite causing the lethal form of Human African Trypanosomiasis. CD24 is a recently developed synthetic inhibitor of rhodesain, characterized by a nanomolar affinity towards the trypanosomal protease (Ki = 16 nM), and acting as a competitive inhibitor. In the present work, we carried out a combination study of CD24 with curcumin, the multitarget nutraceutical obtained from Curcuma longa L., which we demonstrated to inhibit rhodesain in a non-competitive manner. By applying the Chou and Talalay method, we obtained an initial additive effect at IC50 (fa = 0.5, Combination Index = 1), while for the most relevant fa values, ranging from 0.6 to 1, i.e., from 60% to 100% of rhodesain inhibition, we obtained a combination index < 1, thus suggesting that an increasingly synergistic action occurred for the combination of the synthetic inhibitor CD24 and curcumin. Furthermore, the combination of the two inhibitors showed an antitrypanosomal activity better than that of CD24 alone (EC50 = 4.85 µM and 10.1 µM for the combination and CD24, respectively), thus suggesting the use of the two inhibitors in combination is desirable.
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4
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Lemke C, Jílková A, Ferber D, Braune A, On A, Johe P, Zíková A, Schirmeister T, Mareš M, Horn M, Gütschow M. Two Tags in One Probe: Combining Fluorescence- and Biotin-based Detection of the Trypanosomal Cysteine Protease Rhodesain. Chemistry 2022; 28:e202201636. [PMID: 35852812 PMCID: PMC9826439 DOI: 10.1002/chem.202201636] [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: 05/26/2022] [Indexed: 01/11/2023]
Abstract
Rhodesain is the major cysteine protease of the protozoan parasite Trypanosoma brucei and a therapeutic target for sleeping sickness, a fatal neglected tropical disease. We designed, synthesized and characterized a bimodal activity-based probe that binds to and inactivates rhodesain. This probe exhibited an irreversible mode of action and extraordinary potency for the target protease with a kinac /Ki value of 37,000 M-1 s-1 . Two reporter tags, a fluorescent coumarin moiety and a biotin affinity label, were incorporated into the probe and enabled highly sensitive detection of rhodesain in a complex proteome by in-gel fluorescence and on-blot chemiluminescence. Furthermore, the probe was employed for microseparation and quantification of rhodesain and for inhibitor screening using a competition assay. The developed bimodal rhodesain probe represents a new proteomic tool for studying Trypanosoma pathobiochemistry and antitrypanosomal drug discovery.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carina Lemke
- Pharmaceutical InstituteDepartment of Pharmaceutical & Medicinal ChemistryUniversity of BonnAn der Immenburg 453121BonnGermany
| | - Adéla Jílková
- Institute of Organic Chemistry and BiochemistryCzech Academy of SciencesFlemingovo n. 216610PragueCzech Republic
| | - Dominic Ferber
- Pharmaceutical InstituteDepartment of Pharmaceutical & Medicinal ChemistryUniversity of BonnAn der Immenburg 453121BonnGermany
| | - Annett Braune
- Research Group Intestinal MicrobiologyGerman Institute of Human Nutrition Potsdam-RehbrueckeArthur-Scheunert-Allee 114–11614558NuthetalGermany
| | - Anja On
- Pharmaceutical InstituteDepartment of Pharmaceutical & Medicinal ChemistryUniversity of BonnAn der Immenburg 453121BonnGermany
| | - Patrick Johe
- Institute of Pharmaceutical and Biomedical Sciences (IPBS)Johannes Gutenberg University of MainzStaudingerweg 555128MainzGermany
| | - Alena Zíková
- Biology Centre CASInstitute of ParasitologyUniversity of South BohemiaFaculty of ScienceBranišovská 1160/3137005České BudějoviceCzech Republic
| | - Tanja Schirmeister
- Institute of Pharmaceutical and Biomedical Sciences (IPBS)Johannes Gutenberg University of MainzStaudingerweg 555128MainzGermany
| | - Michael Mareš
- Institute of Organic Chemistry and BiochemistryCzech Academy of SciencesFlemingovo n. 216610PragueCzech Republic
| | - Martin Horn
- Institute of Organic Chemistry and BiochemistryCzech Academy of SciencesFlemingovo n. 216610PragueCzech Republic
| | - Michael Gütschow
- Pharmaceutical InstituteDepartment of Pharmaceutical & Medicinal ChemistryUniversity of BonnAn der Immenburg 453121BonnGermany
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Mahgoub RE, Mohamed FE, Alzyoud L, Ali BR, Ferreira J, Rabeh WM, AlNeyadi SS, Atatreh N, Ghattas MA. The Discovery of Small Allosteric and Active Site Inhibitors of the SARS-CoV-2 Main Protease via Structure-Based Virtual Screening and Biological Evaluation. Molecules 2022; 27:molecules27196710. [PMID: 36235244 PMCID: PMC9572942 DOI: 10.3390/molecules27196710] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2022] [Revised: 10/05/2022] [Accepted: 10/07/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
The main protease enzyme (Mpro) of SARS-CoV-2 is one of the most promising targets for COVID-19 treatment. Accordingly, in this work, a structure-based virtual screening of 3.8 million ligand libraries was carried out. After rigorous filtering, docking, and post screening assessments, 78 compounds were selected for biological evaluation, 3 of which showed promising inhibition of the Mpro enzyme. The obtained hits (CB03, GR04, and GR20) had reasonable potencies with Ki values in the medium to high micromolar range. Interestingly, while our most potent hit, GR20, was suggested to act via a reversible covalent mechanism, GR04 was confirmed as a noncompetitive inhibitor that seems to be one of a kind when compared to the other allosteric inhibitors discovered so far. Moreover, all three compounds have small sizes (~300 Da) with interesting fittings in their relevant binding sites, and they possess lead-like characteristics that can introduce them as very attractive candidates for the future development of COVID-19 treatments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Radwa E. Mahgoub
- College of Pharmacy, Al Ain University, Abu Dhabi 64141, United Arab Emirates
- AAU Health and Biomedical Research Center, Al Ain University, Abu Dhabi 64141, United Arab Emirates
| | - Feda E. Mohamed
- Department of Genetics and Genomics, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, United Arab Emirates University, Al-Ain 15551, United Arab Emirates
| | - Lara Alzyoud
- College of Pharmacy, Al Ain University, Abu Dhabi 64141, United Arab Emirates
- AAU Health and Biomedical Research Center, Al Ain University, Abu Dhabi 64141, United Arab Emirates
| | - Bassam R. Ali
- Department of Genetics and Genomics, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, United Arab Emirates University, Al-Ain 15551, United Arab Emirates
- Zayed Centre for Health Sciences, United Arab Emirates University, Al-Ain 15551, United Arab Emirates
| | - Juliana Ferreira
- Science Division, New York University Abu Dhabi, Abu Dhabi 129188, United Arab Emirates
| | - Wael M. Rabeh
- Science Division, New York University Abu Dhabi, Abu Dhabi 129188, United Arab Emirates
| | - Shaikha S. AlNeyadi
- Department of Chemistry, College of Science, United Arab Emirates University, Al-Ain 15551, United Arab Emirates
| | - Noor Atatreh
- College of Pharmacy, Al Ain University, Abu Dhabi 64141, United Arab Emirates
- AAU Health and Biomedical Research Center, Al Ain University, Abu Dhabi 64141, United Arab Emirates
| | - Mohammad A. Ghattas
- College of Pharmacy, Al Ain University, Abu Dhabi 64141, United Arab Emirates
- AAU Health and Biomedical Research Center, Al Ain University, Abu Dhabi 64141, United Arab Emirates
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +971-26133275
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6
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Previti S, Ettari R, Calcaterra E, Di Chio C, Ravichandran R, Zimmer C, Hammerschmidt S, Wagner A, Bogacz M, Cosconati S, Schirmeister T, Zappalà M. Development of Urea-Bond-Containing Michael Acceptors as Antitrypanosomal Agents Targeting Rhodesain. ACS Med Chem Lett 2022; 13:1083-1090. [PMID: 35859868 PMCID: PMC9290002 DOI: 10.1021/acsmedchemlett.2c00084] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/15/2023] Open
Abstract
![]()
Human African Trypanosomiasis
(HAT) is a neglected tropical disease
widespread in sub-Saharan Africa. Rhodesain, a cysteine protease of Trypanosoma brucei rhodesiense, has been identified as a
valid target for the development of anti-HAT agents. Herein, we report
a series of urea-bond-containing Michael acceptors, which were demonstrated
to be potent rhodesain inhibitors with Ki values ranging from 0.15 to 2.51 nM, and five of them showed comparable k2nd values to that of K11777, a potent antitrypanosomal
agent. Moreover, most of the urea derivatives exhibited single-digit
micromolar activity against the protozoa, and the presence of substituents
at the P3 position appears to be essential for the antitrypanosomal
effect. Replacement of Phe with Leu at the P2 site kept unchanged
the inhibitory properties. Compound 7 (SPR7) showed the
best compromise in terms of rhodesain inhibition, selectivity, and
antiparasitic activity, thus representing a new lead compound for
future SAR studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Santo Previti
- Department of Chemical, Biological, Pharmaceutical and Environmental Sciences, University of Messina, Viale Ferdinando Stagno d’Alcontres 31, 98166 Messina, Italy
| | - Roberta Ettari
- Department of Chemical, Biological, Pharmaceutical and Environmental Sciences, University of Messina, Viale Ferdinando Stagno d’Alcontres 31, 98166 Messina, Italy
| | - Elsa Calcaterra
- Department of Chemical, Biological, Pharmaceutical and Environmental Sciences, University of Messina, Viale Ferdinando Stagno d’Alcontres 31, 98166 Messina, Italy
| | - Carla Di Chio
- Department of Chemical, Biological, Pharmaceutical and Environmental Sciences, University of Messina, Viale Ferdinando Stagno d’Alcontres 31, 98166 Messina, Italy
| | - Rahul Ravichandran
- DiSTABiF, University of Campania “Luigi Vanvitelli”, Via Vivaldi 43, 81100 Caserta, Italy
| | - Collin Zimmer
- Institute of Pharmaceutical and Biomedical Sciences, University of Mainz, Staudingerweg 5, 55128 Mainz, Germany
| | - Stefan Hammerschmidt
- Institute of Pharmaceutical and Biomedical Sciences, University of Mainz, Staudingerweg 5, 55128 Mainz, Germany
| | - Annika Wagner
- Institute of Organic Chemistry & Macromolecular Chemistry, Friedrich-Schiller-University of Jena, Humboldtstraße 10, 07743 Jena, Germany
| | - Marta Bogacz
- Institute of Organic Chemistry & Macromolecular Chemistry, Friedrich-Schiller-University of Jena, Humboldtstraße 10, 07743 Jena, Germany
| | - Sandro Cosconati
- DiSTABiF, University of Campania “Luigi Vanvitelli”, Via Vivaldi 43, 81100 Caserta, Italy
| | - Tanja Schirmeister
- Institute of Pharmaceutical and Biomedical Sciences, University of Mainz, Staudingerweg 5, 55128 Mainz, Germany
| | - Maria Zappalà
- Department of Chemical, Biological, Pharmaceutical and Environmental Sciences, University of Messina, Viale Ferdinando Stagno d’Alcontres 31, 98166 Messina, Italy
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7
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Elrufaie HA, Mohamed LM, Hamd AY, Bala NA, Elbadawi FA, Ghaboosh H, Alzain AA. Discovery of novel natural products as rhodesain inhibitors for human African trypanosomiasis using in silico techniques. J Biomol Struct Dyn 2022:1-13. [PMID: 35751127 DOI: 10.1080/07391102.2022.2092550] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/17/2022]
Abstract
Human African Trypanosomiasis (HAT) or sleeping sickness is caused by the Trypanosoma brucei rhodesiense, a subspecies of the Trypanosomatide family. The parasite is associated with high morbidity and mortality rate in both animals and humans, claimed to be more fatal than other vector-transmitted diseases such as malaria. The majority of existing medications are highly toxic, not effective in the late chronic phase of the disease, and require maximum dosages to fully eradicate the parasite. In this study, we used computational methods to find out natural products that inhibit the Rhodesain, a parasitic enzyme that plays an important role in the parasite's pathogenicity, multiplication, and ability to pass through the host's blood-brain barrier. A library of 270540 natural products from ZINC databases was processed by using e-pharmacophore hypnosis and screening procedures, molecular docking, ADMET processes, and MM-GBSA calculations. This led to the identification of 3 compounds (ZINC000096269390, ZINC000035485292, and ZINC000035485242) which were then subjected to molecular dynamics. The findings of this study showed excellent binding affinity and stability toward the Rhodesain and suggest they may be a hopeful treatment for HAT in the future if further clinical trials were performed.Communicated by Ramaswamy H. Sarma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hisham A Elrufaie
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Gezira, Gezira, Sudan
| | - Linda M Mohamed
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Gezira, Gezira, Sudan
| | - Aya Y Hamd
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Gezira, Gezira, Sudan
| | - Noor A Bala
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Gezira, Gezira, Sudan
| | | | - Hiba Ghaboosh
- Department of Pharmaceutics, University of Gezira, Wad Madani, Sudan
| | - Abdulrahim A Alzain
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Gezira, Gezira, Sudan
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8
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Previti S, Ettari R, Di Chio C, Ravichandran R, Bogacz M, Hellmich UA, Schirmeister T, Cosconati S, Zappalà M. Development of Reduced Peptide Bond Pseudopeptide Michael Acceptors for the Treatment of Human African Trypanosomiasis. MOLECULES (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2022; 27:molecules27123765. [PMID: 35744891 PMCID: PMC9229991 DOI: 10.3390/molecules27123765] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/29/2022] [Revised: 05/27/2022] [Accepted: 06/09/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Human African Trypanosomiasis (HAT) is an endemic protozoan disease widespread in the sub-Saharan region that is caused by T. b. gambiense and T. b. rhodesiense. The development of molecules targeting rhodesain, the main cysteine protease of T. b. rhodesiense, has led to a panel of inhibitors endowed with micro/sub-micromolar activity towards the protozoa. However, whilst impressive binding affinity against rhodesain has been observed, the limited selectivity towards the target still remains a hard challenge for the development of antitrypanosomal agents. In this paper, we report the synthesis, biological evaluation, as well as docking studies of a series of reduced peptide bond pseudopeptide Michael acceptors (SPR10–SPR19) as potential anti-HAT agents. The new molecules show Ki values in the low-micro/sub-micromolar range against rhodesain, coupled with k2nd values between 1314 and 6950 M−1 min−1. With a few exceptions, an appreciable selectivity over human cathepsin L was observed. In in vitro assays against T. b. brucei cultures, SPR16 and SPR18 exhibited single-digit micromolar activity against the protozoa, comparable to those reported for very potent rhodesain inhibitors, while no significant cytotoxicity up to 70 µM towards mammalian cells was observed. The discrepancy between rhodesain inhibition and the antitrypanosomal effect could suggest additional mechanisms of action. The biological characterization of peptide inhibitor SPR34 highlights the essential role played by the reduced bond for the antitrypanosomal effect. Overall, this series of molecules could represent the starting point for further investigations of reduced peptide bond-containing analogs as potential anti-HAT agents
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Affiliation(s)
- Santo Previti
- Department of Chemical, Biological, Pharmaceutical and Environmental Sciences, University of Messina, Viale Stagno d’Alcontres 31, 98166 Messina, Italy; (R.E.); (C.D.C.)
- Correspondence: (S.P.); (M.Z.); Tel.: +39-090-676-6411 (M.Z.)
| | - Roberta Ettari
- Department of Chemical, Biological, Pharmaceutical and Environmental Sciences, University of Messina, Viale Stagno d’Alcontres 31, 98166 Messina, Italy; (R.E.); (C.D.C.)
| | - Carla Di Chio
- Department of Chemical, Biological, Pharmaceutical and Environmental Sciences, University of Messina, Viale Stagno d’Alcontres 31, 98166 Messina, Italy; (R.E.); (C.D.C.)
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Messina, Via C. Valeria, 98125 Messina, Italy
| | - Rahul Ravichandran
- DiSTABiF, University of Campania Luigi Vanvitelli, Via Vivaldi 43, 81100 Caserta, Italy; (R.R.); (S.C.)
| | - Marta Bogacz
- Institute of Organic Chemistry & Macromolecular Chemistry, Friedrich-Schiller-University of Jena, Humboldtstraße 10, 07743 Jena, Germany; (M.B.); (U.A.H.)
| | - Ute A. Hellmich
- Institute of Organic Chemistry & Macromolecular Chemistry, Friedrich-Schiller-University of Jena, Humboldtstraße 10, 07743 Jena, Germany; (M.B.); (U.A.H.)
- Centre for Biomolecular Magnetic Resonance (BMRZ), Goethe University Frankfurt, Max von Laue Str. 9, 60438 Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Tanja Schirmeister
- Institute of Pharmaceutical and Biomedical Sciences, University of Mainz, Staudingerweg 5, 55128 Mainz, Germany;
| | - Sandro Cosconati
- DiSTABiF, University of Campania Luigi Vanvitelli, Via Vivaldi 43, 81100 Caserta, Italy; (R.R.); (S.C.)
| | - Maria Zappalà
- Department of Chemical, Biological, Pharmaceutical and Environmental Sciences, University of Messina, Viale Stagno d’Alcontres 31, 98166 Messina, Italy; (R.E.); (C.D.C.)
- Correspondence: (S.P.); (M.Z.); Tel.: +39-090-676-6411 (M.Z.)
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9
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Brogi S, Ibba R, Rossi S, Butini S, Calderone V, Gemma S, Campiani G. Covalent Reversible Inhibitors of Cysteine Proteases Containing the Nitrile Warhead: Recent Advancement in the Field of Viral and Parasitic Diseases. MOLECULES (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2022; 27:molecules27082561. [PMID: 35458759 PMCID: PMC9029279 DOI: 10.3390/molecules27082561] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/23/2022] [Revised: 04/08/2022] [Accepted: 04/13/2022] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
In the field of drug discovery, the nitrile group is well represented among drugs and biologically active compounds. It can form both non-covalent and covalent interactions with diverse biological targets, and it is amenable as an electrophilic warhead for covalent inhibition. The main advantage of the nitrile group as a warhead is mainly due to its milder electrophilic character relative to other more reactive groups (e.g., -CHO), reducing the possibility of unwanted reactions that would hinder the development of safe drugs, coupled to the ease of installation through different synthetic approaches. The covalent inhibition is a well-assessed design approach for serine, threonine, and cysteine protease inhibitors. The mechanism of hydrolysis of these enzymes involves the formation of a covalent acyl intermediate, and this mechanism can be exploited by introducing electrophilic warheads in order to mimic this covalent intermediate. Due to the relevant role played by the cysteine protease in the survival and replication of infective agents, spanning from viruses to protozoan parasites, we will review the most relevant and recent examples of protease inhibitors presenting a nitrile group that have been introduced to form or to facilitate the formation of a covalent bond with the catalytic cysteine active site residue.
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Affiliation(s)
- Simone Brogi
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Pisa, Via Bonanno 6, 56126 Pisa, Italy; (S.B.); (V.C.)
| | - Roberta Ibba
- Department of Biotechnology, Chemistry and Pharmacy, DoE Department of Excellence 2018-2022, University of Siena, Via Aldo Moro 2, 53100 Siena, Italy; (R.I.); (S.R.); (S.B.); (G.C.)
| | - Sara Rossi
- Department of Biotechnology, Chemistry and Pharmacy, DoE Department of Excellence 2018-2022, University of Siena, Via Aldo Moro 2, 53100 Siena, Italy; (R.I.); (S.R.); (S.B.); (G.C.)
| | - Stefania Butini
- Department of Biotechnology, Chemistry and Pharmacy, DoE Department of Excellence 2018-2022, University of Siena, Via Aldo Moro 2, 53100 Siena, Italy; (R.I.); (S.R.); (S.B.); (G.C.)
| | - Vincenzo Calderone
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Pisa, Via Bonanno 6, 56126 Pisa, Italy; (S.B.); (V.C.)
| | - Sandra Gemma
- Department of Biotechnology, Chemistry and Pharmacy, DoE Department of Excellence 2018-2022, University of Siena, Via Aldo Moro 2, 53100 Siena, Italy; (R.I.); (S.R.); (S.B.); (G.C.)
- Correspondence:
| | - Giuseppe Campiani
- Department of Biotechnology, Chemistry and Pharmacy, DoE Department of Excellence 2018-2022, University of Siena, Via Aldo Moro 2, 53100 Siena, Italy; (R.I.); (S.R.); (S.B.); (G.C.)
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10
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Development of novel dipeptide nitriles as inhibitors of rhodesain of Trypanosoma brucei rhodesiense. Eur J Med Chem 2022; 236:114328. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2022.114328] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/25/2022] [Revised: 03/25/2022] [Accepted: 03/26/2022] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
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11
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Jung S, Fuchs N, Johe P, Wagner A, Diehl E, Yuliani T, Zimmer C, Barthels F, Zimmermann RA, Klein P, Waigel W, Meyr J, Opatz T, Tenzer S, Distler U, Räder HJ, Kersten C, Engels B, Hellmich UA, Klein J, Schirmeister T. Fluorovinylsulfones and -Sulfonates as Potent Covalent Reversible Inhibitors of the Trypanosomal Cysteine Protease Rhodesain: Structure-Activity Relationship, Inhibition Mechanism, Metabolism, and In Vivo Studies. J Med Chem 2021; 64:12322-12358. [PMID: 34378914 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.1c01002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
Rhodesain is a major cysteine protease of Trypanosoma brucei rhodesiense, a pathogen causing Human African Trypanosomiasis, and a validated drug target. Recently, we reported the development of α-halovinylsulfones as a new class of covalent reversible cysteine protease inhibitors. Here, α-fluorovinylsulfones/-sulfonates were optimized for rhodesain based on molecular modeling approaches. 2d, the most potent and selective inhibitor in the series, shows a single-digit nanomolar affinity and high selectivity toward mammalian cathepsins B and L. Enzymatic dilution assays and MS experiments indicate that 2d is a slow-tight binder (Ki = 3 nM). Furthermore, the nonfluorinated 2d-(H) shows favorable metabolism and biodistribution by accumulation in mice brain tissue after intraperitoneal and oral administration. The highest antitrypanosomal activity was observed for inhibitors with an N-terminal 2,3-dihydrobenzo[b][1,4]dioxine group and a 4-Me-Phe residue in P2 (2e/4e) with nanomolar EC50 values (0.14/0.80 μM). The different mechanisms of reversible and irreversible inhibitors were explained using QM/MM calculations and MD simulations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sascha Jung
- Institute of Pharmaceutical and Biomedical Sciences (IPBS), Johannes Gutenberg University, Staudinger Weg 5, 55128 Mainz, Germany
| | - Natalie Fuchs
- Institute of Pharmaceutical and Biomedical Sciences (IPBS), Johannes Gutenberg University, Staudinger Weg 5, 55128 Mainz, Germany
| | - Patrick Johe
- Institute of Pharmaceutical and Biomedical Sciences (IPBS), Johannes Gutenberg University, Staudinger Weg 5, 55128 Mainz, Germany
| | - Annika Wagner
- Department of Chemistry, Biochemistry Section, Johannes Gutenberg University, Hanns-Dieter-Hüsch-Weg 17, 55128 Mainz, Germany
| | - Erika Diehl
- Department of Chemistry, Biochemistry Section, Johannes Gutenberg University, Hanns-Dieter-Hüsch-Weg 17, 55128 Mainz, Germany
| | - Tri Yuliani
- Institute for Pharmacology and Clinical Pharmacy, Goethe University, Max-von-Laue-Str. 9, 60439 Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Collin Zimmer
- Institute of Pharmaceutical and Biomedical Sciences (IPBS), Johannes Gutenberg University, Staudinger Weg 5, 55128 Mainz, Germany
| | - Fabian Barthels
- Institute of Pharmaceutical and Biomedical Sciences (IPBS), Johannes Gutenberg University, Staudinger Weg 5, 55128 Mainz, Germany
| | - Robert A Zimmermann
- Institute of Pharmaceutical and Biomedical Sciences (IPBS), Johannes Gutenberg University, Staudinger Weg 5, 55128 Mainz, Germany
| | - Philipp Klein
- Department of Chemistry, Organic Chemistry Section, Johannes Gutenberg University, Duesbergweg 10-14, 55128 Mainz, Germany
| | - Waldemar Waigel
- Department of Physical and Theoretical Chemistry, Julius-Maximilians-University, Emil-Fischer-Str. 42, 97074 Würzburg, Germany
| | - Jessica Meyr
- Department of Physical and Theoretical Chemistry, Julius-Maximilians-University, Emil-Fischer-Str. 42, 97074 Würzburg, Germany
| | - Till Opatz
- Department of Chemistry, Organic Chemistry Section, Johannes Gutenberg University, Duesbergweg 10-14, 55128 Mainz, Germany
| | - Stefan Tenzer
- Institute for Immunology, University Medical Center, Johannes Gutenberg University, Langenbeckstraße 1, 55131 Mainz, Germany
| | - Ute Distler
- Institute for Immunology, University Medical Center, Johannes Gutenberg University, Langenbeckstraße 1, 55131 Mainz, Germany
| | - Hans-Joachim Räder
- Max Planck Institute for Polymer Research, Ackermannweg 10, 55128 Mainz, Germany
| | - Christian Kersten
- Institute of Pharmaceutical and Biomedical Sciences (IPBS), Johannes Gutenberg University, Staudinger Weg 5, 55128 Mainz, Germany
| | - Bernd Engels
- Department of Physical and Theoretical Chemistry, Julius-Maximilians-University, Emil-Fischer-Str. 42, 97074 Würzburg, Germany
| | - Ute A Hellmich
- Department of Chemistry, Biochemistry Section, Johannes Gutenberg University, Hanns-Dieter-Hüsch-Weg 17, 55128 Mainz, Germany.,Center for Biomolecular Magnetic Resonance (BMRZ), Goethe University, Max-von-Laue-Str. 9, 60438 Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Jochen Klein
- Institute for Pharmacology and Clinical Pharmacy, Goethe University, Max-von-Laue-Str. 9, 60439 Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Tanja Schirmeister
- Institute of Pharmaceutical and Biomedical Sciences (IPBS), Johannes Gutenberg University, Staudinger Weg 5, 55128 Mainz, Germany
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Arafet K, González FV, Moliner V. Elucidating the Dual Mode of Action of Dipeptidyl Enoates in the Inhibition of Rhodesain Cysteine Proteases. Chemistry 2021; 27:10142-10150. [PMID: 33852187 DOI: 10.1002/chem.202100892] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/10/2021] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Abstract
A computational study of the two possible inhibition mechanisms of rhodesain cysteine protease by the dipeptidyl enoate Cbz-Phe-Leu-CH=CH-CO2 C2 H5 has been carried out by means of molecular dynamics simulations with hybrid QM/MM potentials. The low free energy barriers confirm that the Cys25 residue can attack both Cβ and C1 atoms of the inhibitor, confirming a dual mode of action in the inhibition of the rhodesain by enoates. According to the results, the inhibition process through the Cys25 attack on the Cβ atom of the inhibitor is an exergonic and irreversible process, while the inhibition process when Cys25 attacks on the C1 atom of the inhibitor is and exergonic but reversible process. The interactions between the inhibitor and rhodesain suggest that P2 is the most important fragment to consider in the design of new efficient inhibitors of rhodesain. These results may be useful for the design of new inhibitors of rhodesain and other related cysteine proteases based on dipeptidyl enoates scaffolds.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kemel Arafet
- Institute of Advanced Materials (INAM), Universitat Jaume I, 12071, Castelló, Spain
| | - Florenci V González
- Departament de Química Inorgànica i Orgànica, Universitat Jaume I, 12071, Castelló, Spain
| | - Vicent Moliner
- Institute of Advanced Materials (INAM), Universitat Jaume I, 12071, Castelló, Spain
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Alves L, Santos DA, Cendron R, Rocho FR, Matos TKB, Leitão A, Montanari CA. Nitrile-based peptoids as cysteine protease inhibitors. Bioorg Med Chem 2021; 41:116211. [PMID: 33991733 DOI: 10.1016/j.bmc.2021.116211] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/21/2021] [Revised: 04/28/2021] [Accepted: 04/30/2021] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Abstract
Peptidomimetics of the class of dipeptidyl nitrile analog peptoids were synthesized as inhibitors of mammalian cysteine proteases of the papain superfamily. The dipeptidyl nitrile side chains were attached to the peptide backbone's nitrogen atom, not to the α-carbons. Synthesized nitrile-based peptoid analogs that lack the hydrogen amide at P2-P3 are responsible for many of the secondary structure elements in peptides and proteins, making them resistant to proteolysis. The designed peptoids would lose a hydrogen bond with cruzain Asp161 decreasing the affinity toward the enzyme. A structure-activity relationship and matched molecular pair-based analysis between the dipeptidyl nitrile Neq0409 and its peptoid 4a yielded the following cruzain affinities: pKiNeq0409 = 6.5 and pKi4a = 5.2. respectively. A retrosynthetic matched molecular pair cliff (RMMP-cliff) analysis with a ΔpKiNeq0409-4a of 1.3 log is found for this transformation. These novel peptoids were then optimized, leading to compound 4i, with high cruzain inhibition (pKi = 6.8). Cross-class cathepsin activity was observed for some of these novel compounds against cathepsins K, L and S, while other compounds presented a selective inhibition of cathepsin K (4b, 4c, 4k) over ten times higher than the other enzymes. The putative mode of binding was determined by using covalent docking, which also aided to describe the structure-activity relationship (SAR). Interestingly, none of the peptoids inhibited CatB to any appreciable extent. These results provide guidance to identify novel bioactive nitrile-based peptoids.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luana Alves
- Medicinal and Biological Chemistry Group (NEQUIMED), Institute of Chemistry of São Carlos, University of São Paulo, São Carlos/SP, Brazil
| | - Deborah A Santos
- Medicinal and Biological Chemistry Group (NEQUIMED), Institute of Chemistry of São Carlos, University of São Paulo, São Carlos/SP, Brazil.
| | - Rodrigo Cendron
- Medicinal and Biological Chemistry Group (NEQUIMED), Institute of Chemistry of São Carlos, University of São Paulo, São Carlos/SP, Brazil
| | - Fernanda R Rocho
- Medicinal and Biological Chemistry Group (NEQUIMED), Institute of Chemistry of São Carlos, University of São Paulo, São Carlos/SP, Brazil
| | - Thiago K B Matos
- Medicinal and Biological Chemistry Group (NEQUIMED), Institute of Chemistry of São Carlos, University of São Paulo, São Carlos/SP, Brazil
| | - Andrei Leitão
- Medicinal and Biological Chemistry Group (NEQUIMED), Institute of Chemistry of São Carlos, University of São Paulo, São Carlos/SP, Brazil.
| | - Carlos A Montanari
- Medicinal and Biological Chemistry Group (NEQUIMED), Institute of Chemistry of São Carlos, University of São Paulo, São Carlos/SP, Brazil
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Modeling Covalent Protein-Ligand Interactions. SYSTEMS MEDICINE 2021. [DOI: 10.1016/b978-0-12-801238-3.11519-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
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Abstract
INTRODUCTION Molecular docking has been consolidated as one of the most important methods in the molecular modeling field. It has been recognized as a prominent tool in the study of protein-ligand complexes, to describe intermolecular interactions, to accurately predict poses of multiple ligands, to discover novel promising bioactive compounds. Molecular docking methods have evolved in terms of their accuracy and reliability; but there are pending issues to solve for improving the connection between the docking results and the experimental evidence. AREAS COVERED In this article, the author reviews very recent innovative molecular docking applications with special emphasis on reverse docking, treatment of protein flexibility, the use of experimental data to guide the selection of docking poses, the application of Quantum mechanics(QM) in docking, and covalent docking. EXPERT OPINION There are several issues being worked on in recent years that will lead to important breakthroughs in molecular docking methods in the near future These developments are related to more efficient exploration of large datasets and receptor conformations, advances in electronic description, and the use of structural information for guiding the selection of results.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julio Caballero
- Departamento De Bioinformática, Centro De Bioinformática, Simulación Y Modelado (CBSM), Facultad De Ingeniería, Universidad De Talca, Talca, Chile
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Maiorana S, Ettari R, Previti S, Amendola G, Wagner A, Cosconati S, Hellmich UA, Schirmeister T, Zappalà M. Peptidyl Vinyl Ketone Irreversible Inhibitors of Rhodesain: Modifications of the P2 Fragment. ChemMedChem 2020; 15:1552-1561. [DOI: 10.1002/cmdc.202000360] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/27/2020] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Santina Maiorana
- Department of Chemical, Biological, Pharmaceutical and Environmental SciencesUniversity of Messina Viale Annunziata 98168 Messina Italy
| | - Roberta Ettari
- Department of Chemical, Biological, Pharmaceutical and Environmental SciencesUniversity of Messina Viale Annunziata 98168 Messina Italy
| | - Santo Previti
- Department of Chemical, Biological, Pharmaceutical and Environmental SciencesUniversity of Messina Viale Annunziata 98168 Messina Italy
| | - Giorgio Amendola
- DiSTABiFUniversity of Campania Luigi Vanvitelli Via Vivaldi 43 81100 Caserta Italy
| | - Annika Wagner
- Department Centre for Biomolecular Magnetic Resonance (BMRZ) Max von Laue Str. 9 60438 Frankfurt Germany
- Department of Chemistry Section BiochemistryUniversity of Mainz Johann-Joachim-Becherweg 30 55128 Mainz Germany
| | - Sandro Cosconati
- DiSTABiFUniversity of Campania Luigi Vanvitelli Via Vivaldi 43 81100 Caserta Italy
| | - Ute A. Hellmich
- Department Centre for Biomolecular Magnetic Resonance (BMRZ) Max von Laue Str. 9 60438 Frankfurt Germany
- Department of Chemistry Section BiochemistryUniversity of Mainz Johann-Joachim-Becherweg 30 55128 Mainz Germany
| | - Tanja Schirmeister
- Institute of Pharmaceutical and Biomedical SciencesUniversity of Mainz Staudingerweg 5 55128 Mainz Germany
| | - Maria Zappalà
- Department of Chemical, Biological, Pharmaceutical and Environmental SciencesUniversity of Messina Viale Annunziata 98168 Messina Italy
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Klein P, Barthels F, Johe P, Wagner A, Tenzer S, Distler U, Le TA, Schmid P, Engel V, Engels B, Hellmich UA, Opatz T, Schirmeister T. Naphthoquinones as Covalent Reversible Inhibitors of Cysteine Proteases-Studies on Inhibition Mechanism and Kinetics. Molecules 2020; 25:molecules25092064. [PMID: 32354191 PMCID: PMC7248907 DOI: 10.3390/molecules25092064] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2020] [Revised: 04/16/2020] [Accepted: 04/21/2020] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
The facile synthesis and detailed investigation of a class of highly potent protease inhibitors based on 1,4-naphthoquinones with a dipeptidic recognition motif (HN-l-Phe-l-Leu-OR) in the 2-position and an electron-withdrawing group (EWG) in the 3-position is presented. One of the compound representatives, namely the acid with EWG = CN and with R = H proved to be a highly potent rhodesain inhibitor with nanomolar affinity. The respective benzyl ester (R = Bn) was found to be hydrolyzed by the target enzyme itself yielding the free acid. Detailed kinetic and mass spectrometry studies revealed a reversible covalent binding mode. Theoretical calculations with different density functionals (DFT) as well as wavefunction-based approaches were performed to elucidate the mode of action.
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Affiliation(s)
- Philipp Klein
- Department of Chemistry, Organic Chemistry Section, Johannes Gutenberg-Universität, Duesbergweg 10-14, 55128 Mainz, Germany;
| | - Fabian Barthels
- Institute of Pharmaceutical and Biomedical Sciences, Johannes Gutenberg-Universität, Staudingerweg 5, 55128 Mainz, Germany; (F.B.); (P.J.)
| | - Patrick Johe
- Institute of Pharmaceutical and Biomedical Sciences, Johannes Gutenberg-Universität, Staudingerweg 5, 55128 Mainz, Germany; (F.B.); (P.J.)
| | - Annika Wagner
- Department of Chemistry, Biochemistry Section, Johannes Gutenberg-Universität, Johann-Joachim Becherweg 30, 55128 Mainz, Germany; (A.W.); (U.A.H.)
| | - Stefan Tenzer
- Institute of Immunology, University Medical Center, Johannes Gutenberg-Universität Mainz, Langenbeckstr. 1, 55131 Mainz, Germany; (S.T.); (U.D.)
| | - Ute Distler
- Institute of Immunology, University Medical Center, Johannes Gutenberg-Universität Mainz, Langenbeckstr. 1, 55131 Mainz, Germany; (S.T.); (U.D.)
| | - Thien Anh Le
- Institute of Physical and Theoretical Chemistry, Universität Würzburg, Emil-Fischer-Straße 42, 97074 Würzburg, Germany; (T.A.L.); (P.S.); (V.E.); (B.E.)
| | - Paul Schmid
- Institute of Physical and Theoretical Chemistry, Universität Würzburg, Emil-Fischer-Straße 42, 97074 Würzburg, Germany; (T.A.L.); (P.S.); (V.E.); (B.E.)
| | - Volker Engel
- Institute of Physical and Theoretical Chemistry, Universität Würzburg, Emil-Fischer-Straße 42, 97074 Würzburg, Germany; (T.A.L.); (P.S.); (V.E.); (B.E.)
| | - Bernd Engels
- Institute of Physical and Theoretical Chemistry, Universität Würzburg, Emil-Fischer-Straße 42, 97074 Würzburg, Germany; (T.A.L.); (P.S.); (V.E.); (B.E.)
| | - Ute A. Hellmich
- Department of Chemistry, Biochemistry Section, Johannes Gutenberg-Universität, Johann-Joachim Becherweg 30, 55128 Mainz, Germany; (A.W.); (U.A.H.)
- Centre for Biomolecular Magnetic Resonance (BMRZ), Goethe-University Frankfurt, 60323 Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Till Opatz
- Department of Chemistry, Organic Chemistry Section, Johannes Gutenberg-Universität, Duesbergweg 10-14, 55128 Mainz, Germany;
- Correspondence: (T.O.); (T.S.); Tel.: +49-(0)6131-39-22272 (T.O.); +49-(0)6131-39-25742 (T.S.)
| | - Tanja Schirmeister
- Institute of Pharmaceutical and Biomedical Sciences, Johannes Gutenberg-Universität, Staudingerweg 5, 55128 Mainz, Germany; (F.B.); (P.J.)
- Correspondence: (T.O.); (T.S.); Tel.: +49-(0)6131-39-22272 (T.O.); +49-(0)6131-39-25742 (T.S.)
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New Cysteine Protease Inhibitors: Electrophilic (Het)arenes and Unexpected Prodrug Identification for the Trypanosoma Protease Rhodesain. Molecules 2020; 25:molecules25061451. [PMID: 32210166 PMCID: PMC7145299 DOI: 10.3390/molecules25061451] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/11/2020] [Revised: 03/07/2020] [Accepted: 03/13/2020] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Electrophilic (het)arenes can undergo reactions with nucleophiles yielding π- or Meisenheimer (σ-) complexes or the products of the SNAr addition/elimination reactions. Such building blocks have only rarely been employed for the design of enzyme inhibitors. Herein, we demonstrate the combination of a peptidic recognition sequence with such electrophilic (het)arenes to generate highly active inhibitors of disease-relevant proteases. We further elucidate an unexpected mode of action for the trypanosomal protease rhodesain using NMR spectroscopy and mass spectrometry, enzyme kinetics and various types of simulations. After hydrolysis of an ester function in the recognition sequence of a weakly active prodrug inhibitor, the liberated carboxylic acid represents a highly potent inhibitor of rhodesain (Ki = 4.0 nM). The simulations indicate that, after the cleavage of the ester, the carboxylic acid leaves the active site and re-binds to the enzyme in an orientation that allows the formation of a very stable π-complex between the catalytic dyad (Cys-25/His-162) of rhodesain and the electrophilic aromatic moiety. The reversible inhibition mode results because the SNAr reaction, which is found in an alkaline solvent containing a low molecular weight thiol, is hindered within the enzyme due to the presence of the positively charged imidazolium ring of His-162. Comparisons between measured and calculated NMR shifts support this interpretation.
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Cianni L, Feldmann CW, Gilberg E, Gütschow M, Juliano L, Leitão A, Bajorath J, Montanari CA. Can Cysteine Protease Cross-Class Inhibitors Achieve Selectivity? J Med Chem 2019; 62:10497-10525. [DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.9b00683] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Lorenzo Cianni
- Medicinal Chemistry Group, Institute of Chemistry of São Carlos, University of São Paulo, Avenue Trabalhador Sancarlense, 400, 23566-590 São Carlos, SP, Brazil
- Pharmaceutical Institute, Pharmaceutical Chemistry I, University of Bonn, An der Immenburg 4, D-53121 Bonn, Germany
- Department of Life Science Informatics, B-IT, LIMES Program Unit Chemical Biology and Medicinal Chemistry, Rheinische Friedrich-Wilhelms-Universität, Endenicher Allee 19c, D-53115 Bonn, Germany
| | - Christian Wolfgang Feldmann
- Department of Life Science Informatics, B-IT, LIMES Program Unit Chemical Biology and Medicinal Chemistry, Rheinische Friedrich-Wilhelms-Universität, Endenicher Allee 19c, D-53115 Bonn, Germany
| | - Erik Gilberg
- Pharmaceutical Institute, Pharmaceutical Chemistry I, University of Bonn, An der Immenburg 4, D-53121 Bonn, Germany
- Department of Life Science Informatics, B-IT, LIMES Program Unit Chemical Biology and Medicinal Chemistry, Rheinische Friedrich-Wilhelms-Universität, Endenicher Allee 19c, D-53115 Bonn, Germany
| | - Michael Gütschow
- Pharmaceutical Institute, Pharmaceutical Chemistry I, University of Bonn, An der Immenburg 4, D-53121 Bonn, Germany
| | - Luiz Juliano
- A. C. Camargo Cancer Center and São Paulo Medical School of Federal University of São Paulo, Rua Professor Antônio Prudente, 211, 01509-010 São Paulo, SP, Brazil
| | - Andrei Leitão
- Medicinal Chemistry Group, Institute of Chemistry of São Carlos, University of São Paulo, Avenue Trabalhador Sancarlense, 400, 23566-590 São Carlos, SP, Brazil
| | - Jürgen Bajorath
- Department of Life Science Informatics, B-IT, LIMES Program Unit Chemical Biology and Medicinal Chemistry, Rheinische Friedrich-Wilhelms-Universität, Endenicher Allee 19c, D-53115 Bonn, Germany
| | - Carlos A. Montanari
- Medicinal Chemistry Group, Institute of Chemistry of São Carlos, University of São Paulo, Avenue Trabalhador Sancarlense, 400, 23566-590 São Carlos, SP, Brazil
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Bensinger D, Stubba D, Cremer A, Kohl V, Waßmer T, Stuckert J, Engemann V, Stegmaier K, Schmitz K, Schmidt B. Virtual Screening Identifies Irreversible FMS-like Tyrosine Kinase 3 Inhibitors with Activity toward Resistance-Conferring Mutations. J Med Chem 2019; 62:2428-2446. [PMID: 30742435 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.8b01714] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
The use of covalent irreversible binding inhibitors is an established concept for drug development. Usually, the discovery of new irreversible kinase inhibitors occurs serendipitously, showing that efficient rational approaches for the rapid discovery of new drugs are needed. Herein, we report a virtual screening strategy that led to the discovery of irreversible inhibitors of FMS-like tyrosine kinase 3 (FLT3) involved in the pathogenesis of acute myeloid leukemia. A virtual screening library was designed to target the highly conserved Cys828 residue preceding the DFG motif by modification of reported reversible inhibitors with chemically reactive groups. Prospective covalent docking allowed the identification of two lead series, resulting in a massive increase in inhibition of kinase activity and cell viability by irreversible inhibitors compared to the corresponding reversible scaffolds. Lead compound 4b (BSc5371) displays superior cytotoxicity in FLT3-dependent cell lines to compounds in recent clinical trials and overcomes drug-resistant mutations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dennis Bensinger
- Clemens-Schöpf-Institute for Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry , Technische Universität Darmstadt , 64287 Darmstadt , Germany
| | - Daniel Stubba
- Clemens-Schöpf-Institute for Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry , Technische Universität Darmstadt , 64287 Darmstadt , Germany
| | - Anjali Cremer
- Department of Pediatric Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute , Harvard Medical School , Boston , Massachusetts 02215 , United States
| | - Vanessa Kohl
- Clemens-Schöpf-Institute for Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry , Technische Universität Darmstadt , 64287 Darmstadt , Germany
| | - Theresa Waßmer
- Clemens-Schöpf-Institute for Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry , Technische Universität Darmstadt , 64287 Darmstadt , Germany
| | - Johanna Stuckert
- Clemens-Schöpf-Institute for Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry , Technische Universität Darmstadt , 64287 Darmstadt , Germany
| | - Victoria Engemann
- Clemens-Schöpf-Institute for Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry , Technische Universität Darmstadt , 64287 Darmstadt , Germany
| | - Kimberly Stegmaier
- Department of Pediatric Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute , Harvard Medical School , Boston , Massachusetts 02215 , United States
| | - Katja Schmitz
- Clemens-Schöpf-Institute for Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry , Technische Universität Darmstadt , 64287 Darmstadt , Germany
| | - Boris Schmidt
- Clemens-Schöpf-Institute for Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry , Technische Universität Darmstadt , 64287 Darmstadt , Germany
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Royo S, Schirmeister T, Kaiser M, Jung S, Rodríguez S, Bautista JM, González FV. Antiprotozoal and cysteine proteases inhibitory activity of dipeptidyl enoates. Bioorg Med Chem 2018; 26:4624-4634. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bmc.2018.07.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/10/2018] [Revised: 07/02/2018] [Accepted: 07/07/2018] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
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Siqueira-Neto JL, Debnath A, McCall LI, Bernatchez JA, Ndao M, Reed SL, Rosenthal PJ. Cysteine proteases in protozoan parasites. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2018; 12:e0006512. [PMID: 30138453 PMCID: PMC6107107 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0006512] [Citation(s) in RCA: 71] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Cysteine proteases (CPs) play key roles in the pathogenesis of protozoan parasites, including cell/tissue penetration, hydrolysis of host or parasite proteins, autophagy, and evasion or modulation of the host immune response, making them attractive chemotherapeutic and vaccine targets. This review highlights current knowledge on clan CA cysteine proteases, the best-characterized group of cysteine proteases, from 7 protozoan organisms causing human diseases with significant impact: Entamoeba histolytica, Leishmania species (sp.), Trypanosoma brucei, T. cruzi, Cryptosporidium sp., Plasmodium sp., and Toxoplasma gondii. Clan CA proteases from three organisms (T. brucei, T. cruzi, and Plasmodium sp.) are well characterized as druggable targets based on in vitro and in vivo models. A number of candidate inhibitors are under development. CPs from these organisms and from other protozoan parasites should be further characterized to improve our understanding of their biological functions and identify novel targets for chemotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jair L. Siqueira-Neto
- Center for Discovery and Innovation in Parasitic Diseases, Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, California, United States of America
- * E-mail:
| | - Anjan Debnath
- Center for Discovery and Innovation in Parasitic Diseases, Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, California, United States of America
| | - Laura-Isobel McCall
- Center for Discovery and Innovation in Parasitic Diseases, Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, California, United States of America
| | - Jean A. Bernatchez
- Center for Discovery and Innovation in Parasitic Diseases, Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, California, United States of America
| | - Momar Ndao
- National Reference Centre for Parasitology, The Research Institute of the McGill University Health Center, Montreal, Canada
- Program in Infectious Diseases and Immunity in Global Health, The Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Sharon L. Reed
- Departments of Pathology and Medicine, University of California San Diego School of Medicine, La Jolla, California, United States of America
| | - Philip J. Rosenthal
- Department of Medicine, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, California, United States of America
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Sotriffer C. Docking of Covalent Ligands: Challenges and Approaches. Mol Inform 2018; 37:e1800062. [PMID: 29927068 DOI: 10.1002/minf.201800062] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/10/2018] [Accepted: 06/01/2018] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
Covalent ligands have recently regained considerable attention in drug discovery. The rational design of such ligands, however, is still faced with particular challenges, mostly related to the fact that covalent bond formation is a quantum mechanical phenomenon which cannot adequately be handled by the force fields or empirical approaches typically used for noncovalent protein-ligand interactions. Although the necessity for quantum chemical approaches is clear, they cannot yet routinely be applied on large data sets of ligands or for a broader exploration of binding modes in docking calculations. On the other hand, technical solutions for performing docking calculations with covalent ligands are available, but their scope is normally quite limited. Scoring functions typically neglect the contribution from covalent bond formation completely. In this situation, the question arises how to approach covalent ligands and which methods to choose for their docking and design.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christoph Sotriffer
- Institute of Pharmacy and Food Chemistry, Julius-Maximilians-Universität Würzburg, Am Hubland, D-, 97074, Würzburg, Germany
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Giroud M, Dietzel U, Anselm L, Banner D, Kuglstatter A, Benz J, Blanc JB, Gaufreteau D, Liu H, Lin X, Stich A, Kuhn B, Schuler F, Kaiser M, Brun R, Schirmeister T, Kisker C, Diederich F, Haap W. Repurposing a Library of Human Cathepsin L Ligands: Identification of Macrocyclic Lactams as Potent Rhodesain and Trypanosoma brucei Inhibitors. J Med Chem 2018; 61:3350-3369. [DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.7b01869] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Maude Giroud
- Laboratorium für Organische Chemie, ETH Zurich, Vladimir-Prelog-Weg 3, 8093 Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Uwe Dietzel
- Rudolf-Virchow Center for Experimental Biomedicine, University of Würzburg, Josef-Schneider-Strasse 2, 97080 Würzburg, Germany
| | - Lilli Anselm
- Roche Pharmaceutical Research and Early Development (pRED), Roche Innovation Center Basel, F. Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd., Grenzacherstrasse 124, 4070 Basel, Switzerland
| | - David Banner
- Roche Pharmaceutical Research and Early Development (pRED), Roche Innovation Center Basel, F. Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd., Grenzacherstrasse 124, 4070 Basel, Switzerland
| | - Andreas Kuglstatter
- Roche Pharmaceutical Research and Early Development (pRED), Roche Innovation Center Basel, F. Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd., Grenzacherstrasse 124, 4070 Basel, Switzerland
| | - Jörg Benz
- Roche Pharmaceutical Research and Early Development (pRED), Roche Innovation Center Basel, F. Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd., Grenzacherstrasse 124, 4070 Basel, Switzerland
| | - Jean-Baptiste Blanc
- Roche Pharmaceutical Research and Early Development (pRED), Roche Innovation Center Basel, F. Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd., Grenzacherstrasse 124, 4070 Basel, Switzerland
| | - Delphine Gaufreteau
- Roche Pharmaceutical Research and Early Development (pRED), Roche Innovation Center Basel, F. Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd., Grenzacherstrasse 124, 4070 Basel, Switzerland
| | - Haixia Liu
- Roche Pharma Research and Early Development, Roche Innovation Center Shanghai, 720 Cailun Road, Pudong, Shanghai 201203, China
| | - Xianfeng Lin
- Roche Pharma Research and Early Development, Roche Innovation Center Shanghai, 720 Cailun Road, Pudong, Shanghai 201203, China
| | - August Stich
- Department of Tropical Medicine, Medical Mission Institute, Salvatorstrasse 7, 97074 Würzburg, Germany
| | - Bernd Kuhn
- Roche Pharmaceutical Research and Early Development (pRED), Roche Innovation Center Basel, F. Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd., Grenzacherstrasse 124, 4070 Basel, Switzerland
| | - Franz Schuler
- Roche Pharmaceutical Research and Early Development (pRED), Roche Innovation Center Basel, F. Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd., Grenzacherstrasse 124, 4070 Basel, Switzerland
| | - Marcel Kaiser
- Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, Socinstrasse 57, 4051 Basel, Switzerland
- University of Basel, Petersplatz 1, 4003 Basel, Switzerland
| | - Reto Brun
- Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, Socinstrasse 57, 4051 Basel, Switzerland
- University of Basel, Petersplatz 1, 4003 Basel, Switzerland
| | - Tanja Schirmeister
- Institut für Pharmazie und Biochemie, Johannes Gutenberg-Universität Mainz, Staudinger Weg 5, 55128 Mainz, Germany
| | - Caroline Kisker
- Rudolf-Virchow Center for Experimental Biomedicine, University of Würzburg, Josef-Schneider-Strasse 2, 97080 Würzburg, Germany
| | - François Diederich
- Laboratorium für Organische Chemie, ETH Zurich, Vladimir-Prelog-Weg 3, 8093 Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Wolfgang Haap
- Roche Pharmaceutical Research and Early Development (pRED), Roche Innovation Center Basel, F. Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd., Grenzacherstrasse 124, 4070 Basel, Switzerland
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25
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Giroud M, Kuhn B, Saint-Auret S, Kuratli C, Martin RE, Schuler F, Diederich F, Kaiser M, Brun R, Schirmeister T, Haap W. 2H-1,2,3-Triazole-Based Dipeptidyl Nitriles: Potent, Selective, and Trypanocidal Rhodesain Inhibitors by Structure-Based Design. J Med Chem 2018; 61:3370-3388. [DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.7b01870] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Maude Giroud
- Laboratorium für Organische Chemie, ETH Zurich, Vladimir-Prelog-Weg 3, 8093 Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Bernd Kuhn
- Roche Pharma Research and Early Development (pRED), Roche Innovation Center Basel, F. Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd., Grenzacherstrasse 124, 4070 Basel, Switzerland
| | - Sarah Saint-Auret
- Roche Pharma Research and Early Development (pRED), Roche Innovation Center Basel, F. Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd., Grenzacherstrasse 124, 4070 Basel, Switzerland
| | - Christoph Kuratli
- Roche Pharma Research and Early Development (pRED), Roche Innovation Center Basel, F. Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd., Grenzacherstrasse 124, 4070 Basel, Switzerland
| | - Rainer E. Martin
- Roche Pharma Research and Early Development (pRED), Roche Innovation Center Basel, F. Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd., Grenzacherstrasse 124, 4070 Basel, Switzerland
| | - Franz Schuler
- Roche Pharma Research and Early Development (pRED), Roche Innovation Center Basel, F. Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd., Grenzacherstrasse 124, 4070 Basel, Switzerland
| | - François Diederich
- Laboratorium für Organische Chemie, ETH Zurich, Vladimir-Prelog-Weg 3, 8093 Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Marcel Kaiser
- Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, Socinstrasse 57, 4051 Basel, Switzerland
- University of Basel, Petersplatz 1, 4003 Basel, Switzerland
| | - Reto Brun
- Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, Socinstrasse 57, 4051 Basel, Switzerland
- University of Basel, Petersplatz 1, 4003 Basel, Switzerland
| | - Tanja Schirmeister
- Institut für Pharmazie und Biochemie, Johannes Gutenberg-Universität Mainz, Staudinger Weg 5, 55128 Mainz, Germany
| | - Wolfgang Haap
- Roche Pharma Research and Early Development (pRED), Roche Innovation Center Basel, F. Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd., Grenzacherstrasse 124, 4070 Basel, Switzerland
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26
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Recent advance in oxazole-based medicinal chemistry. Eur J Med Chem 2018; 144:444-492. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2017.12.044] [Citation(s) in RCA: 166] [Impact Index Per Article: 27.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/09/2017] [Revised: 12/04/2017] [Accepted: 12/13/2017] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
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27
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Previti S, Ettari R, Cosconati S, Amendola G, Chouchene K, Wagner A, Hellmich UA, Ulrich K, Krauth-Siegel RL, Wich PR, Schmid I, Schirmeister T, Gut J, Rosenthal PJ, Grasso S, Zappalà M. Development of Novel Peptide-Based Michael Acceptors Targeting Rhodesain and Falcipain-2 for the Treatment of Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs). J Med Chem 2017; 60:6911-6923. [PMID: 28763614 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.7b00405] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
This paper describes the development of a class of peptide-based inhibitors as novel antitrypanosomal and antimalarial agents. The inhibitors are based on a characteristic peptide sequence for the inhibition of the cysteine proteases rhodesain of Trypanosoma brucei rhodesiense and falcipain-2 of Plasmodium falciparum. We exploited the reactivity of novel unsaturated electrophilic functions such as vinyl-sulfones, -ketones, -esters, and -nitriles. The Michael acceptors inhibited both rhodesain and falcipain-2, at nanomolar and micromolar levels, respectively. In particular, the vinyl ketone 3b has emerged as a potent rhodesain inhibitor (k2nd = 67 × 106 M-1 min-1), endowed with a picomolar binding affinity (Ki = 38 pM), coupled with a single-digit micromolar activity against Trypanosoma brucei brucei (EC50 = 2.97 μM), thus being considered as a novel lead compound for the discovery of novel effective antitrypanosomal agents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Santo Previti
- Department of Chemical, Biological, Pharmaceutical and Environmental Sciences, University of Messina , Viale Annunziata, 98168 Messina, Italy
| | - Roberta Ettari
- Department of Chemical, Biological, Pharmaceutical and Environmental Sciences, University of Messina , Viale Annunziata, 98168 Messina, Italy
| | - Sandro Cosconati
- DiSTABiF, University of Campania Luigi Vanvitelli , Via Vivaldi 43, 81100 Caserta, Italy
| | - Giorgio Amendola
- DiSTABiF, University of Campania Luigi Vanvitelli , Via Vivaldi 43, 81100 Caserta, Italy
| | - Khawla Chouchene
- Laboratoire de Chimie des Substances Naturelles UR/11-ES-74, Faculté des Sciences de Sfax, Université de Sfax , Route de l'aeroport, 3000 Sfax, Tunisia
| | - Annika Wagner
- Institute of Pharmacy and Biochemistry, University of Mainz , Johann-Joachim-Becherweg 30, DE 55128 Mainz, Germany.,Centre for Biomolecular Magnetic Resonance (BMRZ), Goethe-University Frankfurt , Max-von-Laue-Strasse 9, DE 60438 Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Ute A Hellmich
- Institute of Pharmacy and Biochemistry, University of Mainz , Johann-Joachim-Becherweg 30, DE 55128 Mainz, Germany.,Centre for Biomolecular Magnetic Resonance (BMRZ), Goethe-University Frankfurt , Max-von-Laue-Strasse 9, DE 60438 Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Kathrin Ulrich
- Biochemistry Center, Heidelberg University , Im Neuenheimer Feld 328, DE 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
| | - R Luise Krauth-Siegel
- Biochemistry Center, Heidelberg University , Im Neuenheimer Feld 328, DE 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Peter R Wich
- Institute of Pharmacy and Biochemistry, University of Mainz , Staudingerweg 5, DE 55128 Mainz, Germany
| | - Ira Schmid
- Institute of Pharmacy and Biochemistry, University of Mainz , Staudingerweg 5, DE 55128 Mainz, Germany
| | - Tanja Schirmeister
- Institute of Pharmacy and Biochemistry, University of Mainz , Staudingerweg 5, DE 55128 Mainz, Germany
| | - Jiri Gut
- Department of Medicine, San Francisco General Hospital, University of California , 1001 Potrero Avenue, San Francisco, California 94110, United States
| | - Philip J Rosenthal
- Department of Medicine, San Francisco General Hospital, University of California , 1001 Potrero Avenue, San Francisco, California 94110, United States
| | - Silvana Grasso
- Department of Chemical, Biological, Pharmaceutical and Environmental Sciences, University of Messina , Viale Annunziata, 98168 Messina, Italy
| | - Maria Zappalà
- Department of Chemical, Biological, Pharmaceutical and Environmental Sciences, University of Messina , Viale Annunziata, 98168 Messina, Italy
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28
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Ferreira LG, Andricopulo AD. Targeting cysteine proteases in trypanosomatid disease drug discovery. Pharmacol Ther 2017; 180:49-61. [PMID: 28579388 DOI: 10.1016/j.pharmthera.2017.06.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
Abstract
Chagas disease and human African trypanosomiasis are endemic conditions in Latin America and Africa, respectively, for which no effective and safe therapy is available. Efforts in drug discovery have focused on several enzymes from these protozoans, among which cysteine proteases have been validated as molecular targets for pharmacological intervention. These enzymes are expressed during the entire life cycle of trypanosomatid parasites and are essential to many biological processes, including infectivity to the human host. As a result of advances in the knowledge of the structural aspects of cysteine proteases and their role in disease physiopathology, inhibition of these enzymes by small molecules has been demonstrated to be a worthwhile approach to trypanosomatid drug research. This review provides an update on drug discovery strategies targeting the cysteine peptidases cruzain from Trypanosoma cruzi and rhodesain and cathepsin B from Trypanosoma brucei. Given that current chemotherapy for Chagas disease and human African trypanosomiasis has several drawbacks, cysteine proteases will continue to be actively pursued as valuable molecular targets in trypanosomatid disease drug discovery efforts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leonardo G Ferreira
- Laboratório de Química Medicinal e Computacional, Centro de Pesquisa e Inovação em Biodiversidade e Fármacos, Instituto de Física de São Carlos, Universidade de São Paulo, Avenida João Dagnone 1100, São Carlos, SP 13563-120, Brazil
| | - Adriano D Andricopulo
- Laboratório de Química Medicinal e Computacional, Centro de Pesquisa e Inovação em Biodiversidade e Fármacos, Instituto de Física de São Carlos, Universidade de São Paulo, Avenida João Dagnone 1100, São Carlos, SP 13563-120, Brazil.
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29
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Modeling covalent-modifier drugs. BIOCHIMICA ET BIOPHYSICA ACTA-PROTEINS AND PROTEOMICS 2017; 1865:1664-1675. [PMID: 28528876 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbapap.2017.05.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 54] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/07/2017] [Revised: 05/10/2017] [Accepted: 05/12/2017] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
In this review, we present a summary of how computer modeling has been used in the development of covalent-modifier drugs. Covalent-modifier drugs bind by forming a chemical bond with their target. This covalent binding can improve the selectivity of the drug for a target with complementary reactivity and result in increased binding affinities due to the strength of the covalent bond formed. In some cases, this results in irreversible inhibition of the target, but some targeted covalent inhibitor (TCI) drugs bind covalently but reversibly. Computer modeling is widely used in drug discovery, but different computational methods must be used to model covalent modifiers because of the chemical bonds formed. Structural and bioinformatic analysis has identified sites of modification that could yield selectivity for a chosen target. Docking methods, which are used to rank binding poses of large sets of inhibitors, have been augmented to support the formation of protein-ligand bonds and are now capable of predicting the binding pose of covalent modifiers accurately. The pKa's of amino acids can be calculated in order to assess their reactivity towards electrophiles. QM/MM methods have been used to model the reaction mechanisms of covalent modification. The continued development of these tools will allow computation to aid in the development of new covalent-modifier drugs. This article is part of a Special Issue entitled: Biophysics in Canada, edited by Lewis Kay, John Baenziger, Albert Berghuis and Peter Tieleman.
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30
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Giroud M, Ivkovic J, Martignoni M, Fleuti M, Trapp N, Haap W, Kuglstatter A, Benz J, Kuhn B, Schirmeister T, Diederich F. Inhibition of the Cysteine Protease Human Cathepsin L by Triazine Nitriles: Amide⋅⋅⋅Heteroarene π-Stacking Interactions and Chalcogen Bonding in the S3 Pocket. ChemMedChem 2017; 12:257-270. [DOI: 10.1002/cmdc.201600563] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/08/2016] [Revised: 12/19/2016] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Maude Giroud
- Laboratorium für Organische Chemie; ETH Zurich; Vladimir-Prelog-Weg 3 8093 Zurich Switzerland
| | - Jakov Ivkovic
- Laboratorium für Organische Chemie; ETH Zurich; Vladimir-Prelog-Weg 3 8093 Zurich Switzerland
| | - Mara Martignoni
- Laboratorium für Organische Chemie; ETH Zurich; Vladimir-Prelog-Weg 3 8093 Zurich Switzerland
| | - Marianne Fleuti
- Laboratorium für Organische Chemie; ETH Zurich; Vladimir-Prelog-Weg 3 8093 Zurich Switzerland
| | - Nils Trapp
- Laboratorium für Organische Chemie; ETH Zurich; Vladimir-Prelog-Weg 3 8093 Zurich Switzerland
| | - Wolfgang Haap
- F. Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd.; Pharma Research and Early Development (pRED); Therapeutic Modalities; Roche Innovation Center Basel; Grenzacherstrasse 124 4070 Basel Switzerland
| | - Andreas Kuglstatter
- F. Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd.; Pharma Research and Early Development (pRED); Therapeutic Modalities; Roche Innovation Center Basel; Grenzacherstrasse 124 4070 Basel Switzerland
| | - Jörg Benz
- F. Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd.; Pharma Research and Early Development (pRED); Therapeutic Modalities; Roche Innovation Center Basel; Grenzacherstrasse 124 4070 Basel Switzerland
| | - Bernd Kuhn
- F. Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd.; Pharma Research and Early Development (pRED); Therapeutic Modalities; Roche Innovation Center Basel; Grenzacherstrasse 124 4070 Basel Switzerland
| | - Tanja Schirmeister
- Institut für Pharmazie und Biochemie; Johannes Gutenberg-Universität Mainz; Staudinger Weg 5 55128 Mainz Germany
| | - François Diederich
- Laboratorium für Organische Chemie; ETH Zurich; Vladimir-Prelog-Weg 3 8093 Zurich Switzerland
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