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DeRatt LG, Zhang Z, Pietsch EC, Cisar J, Wang A, Wang CY, Tanner A, Shaffer P, Jacoby E, Kazmi F, Shukla N, Philippar U, Attar RM, Edwards JP, Kuduk SD. Identification of isoquinolinone DHODH inhibitor isosteres. Bioorg Med Chem Lett 2024; 113:129965. [PMID: 39284456 DOI: 10.1016/j.bmcl.2024.129965] [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: 07/12/2024] [Revised: 09/06/2024] [Accepted: 09/11/2024] [Indexed: 10/07/2024]
Abstract
DHODH inhibition represents an attractive approach to overcome differentiation blockade for the treatment of AML. In a previous communication, we described our efforts leading to the discovery of compound 3 (JNJ-74856665), an orally bioavailable, potent, and selective DHODH inhibitor for clinical development. Guided by the co-crystal structures bound to human DHODH, other fused six-membered constructs were explored as isosteric replacements of the isoquinolinone central core. The correct positioning of the nitrogen in these core systems proved to be essential in modulating potency. Herein is described the synthesis of these complexly functionalized cores and their profiling, leading to DHODH inhibitors that possess favorable properties suitable for further development.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Zhuming Zhang
- Janssen Research and Development, Spring House, PA 19477, USA
| | | | - Justin Cisar
- Janssen Research and Development, Spring House, PA 19477, USA
| | - Aihua Wang
- Janssen Research and Development, Spring House, PA 19477, USA
| | - Chao-Yuan Wang
- Janssen Research and Development, Spring House, PA 19477, USA
| | | | - Paul Shaffer
- Janssen Research and Development, Spring House, PA 19477, USA
| | - Edgar Jacoby
- Janssen Research and Development, Turnhoutseweg 30, B-2340 Beerse, Belgium
| | - Faraz Kazmi
- Janssen Research and Development, Spring House, PA 19477, USA
| | - Neetu Shukla
- Janssen Research and Development, Spring House, PA 19477, USA
| | - Ulrike Philippar
- Janssen Research and Development, Turnhoutseweg 30, B-2340 Beerse, Belgium
| | - Ricardo M Attar
- Janssen Research and Development, Spring House, PA 19477, USA
| | - James P Edwards
- Janssen Research and Development, Spring House, PA 19477, USA
| | - Scott D Kuduk
- Janssen Research and Development, Spring House, PA 19477, USA.
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2
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Gallego RA, Edwards MP, Montgomery TP. An update on lipophilic efficiency as an important metric in drug design. Expert Opin Drug Discov 2024; 19:917-931. [PMID: 38919130 DOI: 10.1080/17460441.2024.2368744] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/10/2024] [Accepted: 06/12/2024] [Indexed: 06/27/2024]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Lipophilic efficiency (LipE) and lipophilic metabolic efficiency (LipMetE) are valuable tools that can be utilized as part of a multiparameter optimization process to advance a hit to a clinical quality compound. AREAS COVERED This review covers recent, effective use cases of LipE and LipMetE that have been published in the literature over the past 5 years. These use cases resulted in the delivery of high-quality molecules that were brought forward to in vivo work and/or to clinical studies. The authors discuss best-practices for using LipE and LipMetE analysis, combined with lipophilicity-focused compound design strategies, to increase the speed and effectiveness of the hit to clinical quality compound optimization process. EXPERT OPINION It has become well established that increasing LipE and LipMetE within a series of analogs facilitates the improvement of broad selectivity, clearance, solubility, and permeability and, through this optimization, also facilitates the achievement of desired pharmacokinetic properties, efficacy, and tolerability. Within this article, we discuss lipophilic efficiency-focused optimization as a tool to yield high-quality potential clinical candidates. It is suggested that LipE/LipMetE-focused optimization can facilitate and accelerate the drug-discovery process.
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3
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DeRatt LG, Zhang Z, Pietsch C, Cisar JS, Zhang X, Wang W, Tanner A, Matico R, Shaffer P, Jacoby E, Kazmi F, Shukla N, Bush TL, Patrick A, Philippar U, Attar R, Edwards JP, Kuduk SD. Discovery of JNJ-74856665: A Novel Isoquinolinone DHODH Inhibitor for the Treatment of AML. J Med Chem 2024; 67:11254-11272. [PMID: 38889244 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.4c00809] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/20/2024]
Abstract
Acute myelogenous leukemia (AML), a heterogeneous disease of the blood and bone marrow, is characterized by the inability of myeloblasts to differentiate into mature cell types. Dihydroorotate dehydrogenase (DHODH) is an enzyme well-known in the pyrimidine biosynthesis pathway and preclinical findings demonstrated that DHODH is a metabolic vulnerability in AML as inhibitors can induce differentiation across multiple AML subtypes. As a result of virtual screening and structure-based drug design approaches, a novel series of isoquinolinone DHODH inhibitors was identified. Further lead optimization afforded JNJ-74856665 as an orally bioavailable, potent, and selective DHODH inhibitor with favorable physicochemical properties selected for clinical development in patients with AML and myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS).
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Affiliation(s)
- Lindsey G DeRatt
- Janssen Research and Development, Spring House, Pennsylvania 19477, United States
| | - Zhuming Zhang
- Janssen Research and Development, Spring House, Pennsylvania 19477, United States
| | - Christine Pietsch
- Janssen Research and Development, Spring House, Pennsylvania 19477, United States
| | - Justin S Cisar
- Janssen Research and Development, Spring House, Pennsylvania 19477, United States
| | - Xiaochun Zhang
- Janssen Research and Development, Spring House, Pennsylvania 19477, United States
| | - Weixue Wang
- Janssen Research and Development, Spring House, Pennsylvania 19477, United States
| | - Alexandra Tanner
- Janssen Research and Development, Spring House, Pennsylvania 19477, United States
| | - Rosalie Matico
- Janssen Research and Development, Spring House, Pennsylvania 19477, United States
| | - Paul Shaffer
- Janssen Research and Development, Spring House, Pennsylvania 19477, United States
| | - Edgar Jacoby
- Janssen Research and Development, Turnhoutseweg 30, B-2340 Beerse, Belgium
| | - Faraz Kazmi
- Janssen Research and Development, Spring House, Pennsylvania 19477, United States
| | - Neetu Shukla
- Janssen Research and Development, Spring House, Pennsylvania 19477, United States
| | - Tammy L Bush
- Janssen Research and Development, Spring House, Pennsylvania 19477, United States
| | - Aaron Patrick
- Janssen Research and Development, Spring House, Pennsylvania 19477, United States
| | - Ulrike Philippar
- Janssen Research and Development, Turnhoutseweg 30, B-2340 Beerse, Belgium
| | - Ricardo Attar
- Janssen Research and Development, Spring House, Pennsylvania 19477, United States
| | - James P Edwards
- Janssen Research and Development, Spring House, Pennsylvania 19477, United States
| | - Scott D Kuduk
- Janssen Research and Development, Spring House, Pennsylvania 19477, United States
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4
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Alberti M, Poli G, Broggini L, Sainas S, Rizzi M, Boschi D, Ferraris DM, Martino E, Ricagno S, Tuccinardi T, Lolli ML, Miggiano R. An alternative conformation of the N-terminal loop of human dihydroorotate dehydrogenase drives binding to a potent antiproliferative agent. Acta Crystallogr D Struct Biol 2024; 80:386-396. [PMID: 38805244 DOI: 10.1107/s2059798324004066] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2024] [Accepted: 05/02/2024] [Indexed: 05/29/2024] Open
Abstract
Over the years, human dihydroorotate dehydrogenase (hDHODH), which is a key player in the de novo pyrimidine-biosynthesis pathway, has been targeted in the treatment of several conditions, including autoimmune disorders and acute myelogenous leukaemia, as well as in host-targeted antiviral therapy. A molecular exploration of its inhibitor-binding behaviours yielded promising candidates for innovative drug design. A detailed description of the enzymatic pharmacophore drove the decoration of well-established inhibitory scaffolds, thus gaining further in vitro and in vivo efficacy. In the present work, using X-ray crystallography, an atypical rearrangement was identified in the binding pose of a potent inhibitor characterized by a polar pyridine-based moiety (compound 18). The crystal structure shows that upon binding compound 18 the dynamics of a protein loop involved in a gating mechanism at the cofactor-binding site is modulated by the presence of three water molecules, thus fine-tuning the polarity/hydrophobicity of the binding pocket. These solvent molecules are engaged in the formation of a hydrogen-bond mesh in which one of them establishes a direct contact with the pyridine moiety of compound 18, thus paving the way for a reappraisal of the inhibition of hDHODH. Using an integrated approach, the thermodynamics of such a modulation is described by means of isothermal titration calorimetry coupled with molecular modelling. These structural insights will guide future drug design to obtain a finer Kd/logD7.4 balance and identify membrane-permeable molecules with a drug-like profile in terms of water solubility.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marta Alberti
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Piemonte Orientale, Via G. Bovio 6, 28100 Novara, Italy
| | - Giulio Poli
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Pisa, Via Bonanno 6, 56126 Pisa, Italy
| | - Luca Broggini
- Institute of Molecular and Translational Cardiology, IRCCS Policlinico San Donato, Piazza Malan, 20097 San Donato Milanese, Italy
| | - Stefano Sainas
- Department of Sciences and Drug Technology, University of Torino, Via P. Giuria 9, 10125 Torino, Italy
| | - Menico Rizzi
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Piemonte Orientale, Via G. Bovio 6, 28100 Novara, Italy
| | - Donatella Boschi
- Department of Sciences and Drug Technology, University of Torino, Via P. Giuria 9, 10125 Torino, Italy
| | - Davide M Ferraris
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Piemonte Orientale, Via G. Bovio 6, 28100 Novara, Italy
| | - Elena Martino
- Department of Sciences and Drug Technology, University of Torino, Via P. Giuria 9, 10125 Torino, Italy
| | - Stefano Ricagno
- Institute of Molecular and Translational Cardiology, IRCCS Policlinico San Donato, Piazza Malan, 20097 San Donato Milanese, Italy
| | - Tiziano Tuccinardi
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Pisa, Via Bonanno 6, 56126 Pisa, Italy
| | - Marco L Lolli
- Department of Sciences and Drug Technology, University of Torino, Via P. Giuria 9, 10125 Torino, Italy
| | - Riccardo Miggiano
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Piemonte Orientale, Via G. Bovio 6, 28100 Novara, Italy
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DeRatt LG, Pietsch EC, Cisar JS, Jacoby E, Kazmi F, Matico R, Shaffer P, Tanner A, Wang W, Attar R, Edwards JP, Kuduk SD. Discovery of Alternative Binding Poses through Fragment-Based Identification of DHODH Inhibitors. ACS Med Chem Lett 2024; 15:381-387. [PMID: 38505861 PMCID: PMC10945543 DOI: 10.1021/acsmedchemlett.3c00543] [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: 12/01/2023] [Revised: 01/18/2024] [Accepted: 01/23/2024] [Indexed: 03/21/2024] Open
Abstract
Dihydroorotate dehydrogenase (DHODH) is a mitochondrial enzyme that affects many aspects essential to cell proliferation and survival. Recently, DHODH has been identified as a potential target for acute myeloid leukemia therapy. Herein, we describe the identification of potent DHODH inhibitors through a scaffold hopping approach emanating from a fragment screen followed by structure-based drug design to further improve the overall profile and reveal an unexpected novel binding mode. Additionally, these compounds had low P-gp efflux ratios, allowing for applications where exposure to the brain would be required.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lindsey G. DeRatt
- Janssen
Pharmaceutical Research and Development, 1400 McKean Rd., Spring
House, Pennsylvania 19477, United States
| | - E. Christine Pietsch
- Janssen
Pharmaceutical Research and Development, 1400 McKean Rd., Spring
House, Pennsylvania 19477, United States
| | - Justin S. Cisar
- Janssen
Pharmaceutical Research and Development, 1400 McKean Rd., Spring
House, Pennsylvania 19477, United States
| | - Edgar Jacoby
- Janssen
Pharmaceutical Research and Development, Turnhoutseweg 30, 2340 Beerse, Belgium
| | - Faraz Kazmi
- Janssen
Pharmaceutical Research and Development, 1400 McKean Rd., Spring
House, Pennsylvania 19477, United States
| | - Rosalie Matico
- Janssen
Pharmaceutical Research and Development, 1400 McKean Rd., Spring
House, Pennsylvania 19477, United States
| | - Paul Shaffer
- Janssen
Pharmaceutical Research and Development, 1400 McKean Rd., Spring
House, Pennsylvania 19477, United States
| | - Alexandra Tanner
- Janssen
Pharmaceutical Research and Development, 1400 McKean Rd., Spring
House, Pennsylvania 19477, United States
| | - Weixue Wang
- Janssen
Pharmaceutical Research and Development, 1400 McKean Rd., Spring
House, Pennsylvania 19477, United States
| | - Ricardo Attar
- Janssen
Pharmaceutical Research and Development, 1400 McKean Rd., Spring
House, Pennsylvania 19477, United States
| | - James P. Edwards
- Janssen
Pharmaceutical Research and Development, 1400 McKean Rd., Spring
House, Pennsylvania 19477, United States
| | - Scott D. Kuduk
- Janssen
Pharmaceutical Research and Development, 1400 McKean Rd., Spring
House, Pennsylvania 19477, United States
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6
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Higgins WT, Vibhute S, Bennett C, Lindert S. Discovery of Nanomolar Inhibitors for Human Dihydroorotate Dehydrogenase Using Structure-Based Drug Discovery Methods. J Chem Inf Model 2024; 64:435-448. [PMID: 38175956 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jcim.3c01358] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/06/2024]
Abstract
We used a structure-based drug discovery approach to identify novel inhibitors of human dihydroorotate dehydrogenase (DHODH), which is a therapeutic target for treating cancer and autoimmune and inflammatory diseases. In the case of acute myeloid leukemia, no previously discovered DHODH inhibitors have yet succeeded in this clinical application. Thus, there remains a strong need for new inhibitors that could be used as alternatives to the current standard-of-care. Our goal was to identify novel inhibitors of DHODH. We implemented prefiltering steps to omit PAINS and Lipinski violators at the earliest stages of this project. This enriched compounds in the data set that had a higher potential of favorable oral druggability. Guided by Glide SP docking scores, we found 20 structurally unique compounds from the ChemBridge EXPRESS-pick library that inhibited DHODH with IC50, DHODH values between 91 nM and 2.7 μM. Ten of these compounds reduced MOLM-13 cell viability with IC50, MOLM-13 values between 2.3 and 50.6 μM. Compound 16 (IC50, DHODH = 91 nM) inhibited DHODH more potently than the known DHODH inhibitor, teriflunomide (IC50, DHODH = 130 nM), during biochemical characterizations and presented a promising scaffold for future hit-to-lead optimization efforts. Compound 17 (IC50, MOLM-13 = 2.3 μM) was most successful at reducing survival in MOLM-13 cell lines compared with our other hits. The discovered compounds represent excellent starting points for the development and optimization of novel DHODH inhibitors.
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Affiliation(s)
- William T Higgins
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio 43210, United States
| | - Sandip Vibhute
- Medicinal Chemistry Shared Resource, Comprehensive Cancer Center, Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio 43210, United States
| | - Chad Bennett
- Medicinal Chemistry Shared Resource, Comprehensive Cancer Center, Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio 43210, United States
- Drug Development Institute, Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio 43210, United States
| | - Steffen Lindert
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio 43210, United States
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7
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Kumar G, Kumar R, Mazumder A, Salahuddin, Kumar U. 1,3,4-Oxadiazoles as Anticancer Agents: A Review. Recent Pat Anticancer Drug Discov 2024; 19:257-267. [PMID: 37497702 DOI: 10.2174/1574892818666230727102928] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/03/2023] [Revised: 05/01/2023] [Accepted: 06/09/2023] [Indexed: 07/28/2023]
Abstract
Among the deadliest diseases, cancer is characterized by tumors or an increased number of a specific type of cell because of uncontrolled divisions during mitosis. Researchers in the current era concentrated on the development of highly selective anticancer medications due to the substantial toxicities of conventional cytotoxic drugs. Several marketed drug molecules have provided resistance against cancer through interaction with certain targets/growth factors/enzymes, such as Telomerase, Histone Deacetylase (HDAC), Methionine Aminopeptidase (MetAP II), Thymidylate Synthase (TS), Glycogen Synthase Kinase-3 (GSK), Epidermal Growth Factor (EGF), Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor (VEGF), Focal Adhesion Kinase (FAK), STAT3, Thymidine phosphorylase, and Alkaline phosphatase. The molecular structure of these drug molecules contains various heterocyclic moieties that act as pharmacophores. Recently, 1,3,4- oxadiazole (five-membered heterocyclic moiety) and its derivatives attracted researchers as these have been reported with a wide range of pharmacological activities, including anti-cancer. 1,3,4- oxadiazoles have exhibited anti-cancer potential via acting on any of the above targets. The presented study highlights the synthesis of anti-cancer 1,3,4-oxadiazoles, their mechanism of interactions with targets, along with structure-activity relationship concerning anti-cancer potential.
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Affiliation(s)
- Greesh Kumar
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Noida Institute of Engineering and Technology (Pharmacy Institute), Greater Noida, India
| | - Rajnish Kumar
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Noida Institute of Engineering and Technology (Pharmacy Institute), Greater Noida, India
| | - Avijit Mazumder
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Noida Institute of Engineering and Technology (Pharmacy Institute), Greater Noida, India
| | - Salahuddin
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Noida Institute of Engineering and Technology (Pharmacy Institute), Greater Noida, India
| | - Upendra Kumar
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Noida Institute of Engineering and Technology (Pharmacy Institute), Greater Noida, India
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Sexauer AN, Alexe G, Gustafsson K, Zanetakos E, Milosevic J, Ayres M, Gandhi V, Pikman Y, Stegmaier K, Sykes DB. DHODH: a promising target in the treatment of T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia. Blood Adv 2023; 7:6685-6701. [PMID: 37648673 PMCID: PMC10641474 DOI: 10.1182/bloodadvances.2023010337] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2023] [Revised: 07/17/2023] [Accepted: 08/09/2023] [Indexed: 09/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Patients with relapsed or refractory T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (T-ALL) have a poor prognosis with few therapeutic options. With the goal of identifying novel therapeutic targets, we used data from the Dependency Map project to identify dihydroorotate dehydrogenase (DHODH) as one of the top metabolic dependencies in T-ALL. DHODH catalyzes the fourth step of de novo pyrimidine nucleotide synthesis. Small molecule inhibition of DHODH rapidly leads to the depletion of intracellular pyrimidine pools and forces cells to rely on extracellular salvage. In the absence of sufficient salvage, this intracellular nucleotide starvation results in the inhibition of DNA and RNA synthesis, cell cycle arrest, and, ultimately, death. T lymphoblasts appear to be specifically and exquisitely sensitive to nucleotide starvation after DHODH inhibition. We have confirmed this sensitivity in vitro and in vivo in 3 murine models of T-ALL. We identified that certain subsets of T-ALL seem to have an increased reliance on oxidative phosphorylation when treated with DHODH inhibitors. Through a series of metabolic assays, we show that leukemia cells, in the setting of nucleotide starvation, undergo changes in their mitochondrial membrane potential and may be more highly dependent on alternative fuel sources. The effect on normal T-cell development in young mice was also examined to show that DHODH inhibition does not permanently damage the developing thymus. These changes suggest a new metabolic vulnerability that may distinguish these cells from normal T cells and other normal hematopoietic cells and offer an exploitable therapeutic opportunity. The availability of clinical-grade DHODH inhibitors currently in human clinical trials suggests a potential for rapidly advancing this work into the clinic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amy N. Sexauer
- Department of Pediatric Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA
- Division of Hematology/Oncology, Boston Children’s Hospital, Boston, MA
- Center for Regenerative Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA
| | - Gabriela Alexe
- Department of Pediatric Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA
- Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA
| | - Karin Gustafsson
- Center for Regenerative Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA
- Harvard Stem Cell Institute, Cambridge, MA
- Department of Stem Cell and Regenerative Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA
| | - Elizabeth Zanetakos
- Center for Regenerative Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA
| | - Jelena Milosevic
- Center for Regenerative Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA
| | - Mary Ayres
- Department of Experimental Therapeutics, MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX
| | - Varsha Gandhi
- Department of Experimental Therapeutics, MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX
| | - Yana Pikman
- Department of Pediatric Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA
- Division of Hematology/Oncology, Boston Children’s Hospital, Boston, MA
| | - Kimberly Stegmaier
- Department of Pediatric Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA
- Division of Hematology/Oncology, Boston Children’s Hospital, Boston, MA
- Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA
| | - David B. Sykes
- Center for Regenerative Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA
- Harvard Stem Cell Institute, Cambridge, MA
- Massachusetts General Hospital Cancer Center, Boston, MA
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9
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Ibba R, Corona P, Nonne F, Caria P, Serreli G, Palmas V, Riu F, Sestito S, Nieddu M, Loddo R, Sanna G, Piras S, Carta A. Design, Synthesis, and Antiviral Activities of New Benzotriazole-Based Derivatives. Pharmaceuticals (Basel) 2023; 16:ph16030429. [PMID: 36986528 PMCID: PMC10054465 DOI: 10.3390/ph16030429] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/10/2023] [Revised: 03/03/2023] [Accepted: 03/07/2023] [Indexed: 03/16/2023] Open
Abstract
Several human diseases are caused by enteroviruses and are currently clinically untreatable, pushing the research to identify new antivirals. A notable number of benzo[d][1,2,3]triazol-1(2)-yl derivatives were designed, synthesized, and in vitro evaluated for cytotoxicity and antiviral activity against a wide spectrum of RNA positive- and negative-sense viruses. Five of them (11b, 18e, 41a, 43a, 99b) emerged for their selective antiviral activity against Coxsackievirus B5, a human enteroviruses member among the Picornaviridae family. The EC50 values ranged between 6 and 18.5 μM. Among all derivatives, compounds 18e and 43a were interestingly active against CVB5 and were selected to better define the safety profile on cell monolayers by transepithelial resistance test (TEER). Results indicated compound 18e as the hit compound to investigate the potential mechanism of action by apoptosis assay, virucidal activity test, and the time of addition assay. CVB5 is known to be cytotoxic by inducing apoptosis in infected cells; in this study, compound 18e was proved to protect cells from viral infection. Notably, cells were mostly protected when pre-treated with derivative 18e, which had, however, no virucidal activity. From the performed biological assays, compound 18e turned out to be non-cytotoxic as well as cell protective against CVB5 infection, with a mechanism of action ascribable to an interaction on the early phase of infection, by hijacking the viral attachment process.
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Affiliation(s)
- Roberta Ibba
- Department of Medicine, Surgery and Pharmacy, University of Sassari, Via Muroni, 23/A, 07100 Sassari, Italy; (R.I.); (P.C.); (F.R.); (M.N.)
| | - Paola Corona
- Department of Medicine, Surgery and Pharmacy, University of Sassari, Via Muroni, 23/A, 07100 Sassari, Italy; (R.I.); (P.C.); (F.R.); (M.N.)
| | - Francesca Nonne
- GSK Vaccine Institute for Global Health GSK, Via Fiorentina, 1, 53100 Siena, Italy;
| | - Paola Caria
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Section of Microbiology and Virology, University of Cagliari, Cittadella Universitaria, 09042 Monserrato, Italy; (P.C.); (G.S.); (V.P.); (R.L.)
| | - Gabriele Serreli
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Section of Microbiology and Virology, University of Cagliari, Cittadella Universitaria, 09042 Monserrato, Italy; (P.C.); (G.S.); (V.P.); (R.L.)
| | - Vanessa Palmas
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Section of Microbiology and Virology, University of Cagliari, Cittadella Universitaria, 09042 Monserrato, Italy; (P.C.); (G.S.); (V.P.); (R.L.)
| | - Federico Riu
- Department of Medicine, Surgery and Pharmacy, University of Sassari, Via Muroni, 23/A, 07100 Sassari, Italy; (R.I.); (P.C.); (F.R.); (M.N.)
- Department of Chemistry, Biomedicinskt Centrum, BMC, Uppsala University, Box 576, 75123 Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Simona Sestito
- Department of Chemical, Physical, Mathematical and Natural Sciences, University of Sassari, Via Vienna 2, 07100 Sassari, Italy;
| | - Maria Nieddu
- Department of Medicine, Surgery and Pharmacy, University of Sassari, Via Muroni, 23/A, 07100 Sassari, Italy; (R.I.); (P.C.); (F.R.); (M.N.)
| | - Roberta Loddo
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Section of Microbiology and Virology, University of Cagliari, Cittadella Universitaria, 09042 Monserrato, Italy; (P.C.); (G.S.); (V.P.); (R.L.)
| | - Giuseppina Sanna
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Section of Microbiology and Virology, University of Cagliari, Cittadella Universitaria, 09042 Monserrato, Italy; (P.C.); (G.S.); (V.P.); (R.L.)
- Correspondence: (G.S.); (S.P.)
| | - Sandra Piras
- Department of Medicine, Surgery and Pharmacy, University of Sassari, Via Muroni, 23/A, 07100 Sassari, Italy; (R.I.); (P.C.); (F.R.); (M.N.)
- Correspondence: (G.S.); (S.P.)
| | - Antonio Carta
- Department of Medicine, Surgery and Pharmacy, University of Sassari, Via Muroni, 23/A, 07100 Sassari, Italy; (R.I.); (P.C.); (F.R.); (M.N.)
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