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Pinheiro PDSM, Franco LS, Fraga CAM. The Magic Methyl and Its Tricks in Drug Discovery and Development. Pharmaceuticals (Basel) 2023; 16:1157. [PMID: 37631072 PMCID: PMC10457765 DOI: 10.3390/ph16081157] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/19/2023] [Revised: 08/06/2023] [Accepted: 08/12/2023] [Indexed: 08/27/2023] Open
Abstract
One of the key scientific aspects of small-molecule drug discovery and development is the analysis of the relationship between its chemical structure and biological activity. Understanding the effects that lead to significant changes in biological activity is of paramount importance for the rational design and optimization of bioactive molecules. The "methylation effect", or the "magic methyl" effect, is a factor that stands out due to the number of examples that demonstrate profound changes in either pharmacodynamic or pharmacokinetic properties. In many cases, this has been carried out rationally, but in others it has been the product of serendipitous observations. This paper summarizes recent examples that provide an overview of the current state of the art and contribute to a better understanding of the methylation effect in bioactive small-molecule drug candidates.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pedro de Sena Murteira Pinheiro
- Laboratório de Avaliação e Síntese de Substâncias Bioativas (LASSBio), Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro 21941-902, RJ, Brazil; (P.d.S.M.P.); (L.S.F.)
| | - Lucas Silva Franco
- Laboratório de Avaliação e Síntese de Substâncias Bioativas (LASSBio), Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro 21941-902, RJ, Brazil; (P.d.S.M.P.); (L.S.F.)
- Instituto Nacional de Ciência e Tecnologia de Fármacos e Medicamentos (INCT-INOFAR), CCS, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Cidade Universitária, Rio de Janeiro 21941-902, RJ, Brazil
| | - Carlos Alberto Manssour Fraga
- Laboratório de Avaliação e Síntese de Substâncias Bioativas (LASSBio), Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro 21941-902, RJ, Brazil; (P.d.S.M.P.); (L.S.F.)
- Instituto Nacional de Ciência e Tecnologia de Fármacos e Medicamentos (INCT-INOFAR), CCS, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Cidade Universitária, Rio de Janeiro 21941-902, RJ, Brazil
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Farmacologia e Química Medicinal, Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Cidade Universitária, Rio de Janeiro 21941-902, RJ, Brazil
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Han S, Li H, Chen W, Yang L, Tong X, Zuo J, Hu Y. Discovery of potent ebola entry inhibitors with (3S,4aS,8aS)-2-(3-amino-2-hydroxypropyl) decahydroisoquinoline-3-carboxamide scaffold. Eur J Med Chem 2022; 240:114608. [PMID: 35872393 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2022.114608] [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: 06/07/2022] [Revised: 07/03/2022] [Accepted: 07/10/2022] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
Ebola virus (EBOV), one member of the family Filoviridae, can causes hemorrhagic fever and other severe diseases in humans with a high mortality rate (25-90%). Until recently, there were no approved drugs and very limited treatment method for Ebola virus disease. In this study, we discovered a series of potent Ebola entry inhibitors with the (3S,4aS,8aS)-2-(3-amino-2-hydroxypropyl)decahydroisoquinoline-3-carboxamide scaffold from high-throughput screening in reported pseudotyped virus system. Further optimization resulted a most potent compound 28 (IC50= 0.05 μM, SI = 98), which displayed 3-fold potency compared to the known inhibitor Toremifene (IC50= 0.17 μM, SI = 55). Moreover, compound 28 exhibited the remarkable selectivity between EBOV-GP and VSV-G (Spec. Index = 58), thus could exclude nonspecific effects. Structure-activity relationship and molecular docking analysis of the new chemical scaffold provided more information on the binding modes and the spare volume at the binding cavity, thus can guide the design of the further potent compounds.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sheng Han
- State Key Laboratory of Drug Research, Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 555 Zuchongzhi Road, Shanghai, 201203, China
| | - Heng Li
- Immunological Disease Research Center, State Key Laboratory of Drug Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, 201203, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
| | - Weixiong Chen
- School of Chinese Materia Medica, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, 210023, China
| | - Li Yang
- Immunological Disease Research Center, State Key Laboratory of Drug Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, 201203, China
| | - Xiankun Tong
- Immunological Disease Research Center, State Key Laboratory of Drug Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, 201203, China.
| | - Jianping Zuo
- Immunological Disease Research Center, State Key Laboratory of Drug Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, 201203, China; Laboratory of Immunology and Virology, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, 201203, China.
| | - Youhong Hu
- State Key Laboratory of Drug Research, Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 555 Zuchongzhi Road, Shanghai, 201203, China; School of Chinese Materia Medica, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, 210023, China; School of Pharmaceutical Science and Technology, Hangzhou Institute for Advanced Study, UCAS, 1 Xiangshanzhi Road, Hangzhou, 310024, China.
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3
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Moriyama K, Kuramochi M, Tsuzuki S, Fujii K, Morita T. Nitroxyl Catalysts for Six-Membered Ring Bromolactonization and Intermolecular Bromoesterification of Alkenes with Carboxylic Acids. Org Lett 2021; 23:268-273. [PMID: 33300800 DOI: 10.1021/acs.orglett.0c03546] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
We developed a nitroxyl-catalyzed bromoesterification of alkenes with bromo reagents, which includes a six-membered ring bromolactonization of alkenyl carboxylic acids catalyzed by AZADO as the nitroxyl radical catalyst, and an intermolecular bromoesterification of alkenes with carboxylic acids using NMO as the N-oxide catalyst. We also accomplished a remote diastereoselective bromohydroxylation via an AZADO-catalyzed six-membered ring bromolactonization and a subsequent ring cleavage reaction with alkylamines to furnish ε-bromo-δ-hydroxy amides with high diastereoselectivity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katsuhiko Moriyama
- Department of Chemistry, Graduate School of Science and Soft Molecular Activation Research Center, Chiba University 1-33 Yayoi-cho, Inage-ku, Chiba 263-8522, Japan
| | - Masako Kuramochi
- Department of Chemistry, Graduate School of Science and Soft Molecular Activation Research Center, Chiba University 1-33 Yayoi-cho, Inage-ku, Chiba 263-8522, Japan
| | - Seiji Tsuzuki
- Research Initiative of Computational Sciences (RICS), Nanosystem Research Institute (NRI), National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST), 1-1-1 Umezono, Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305-8568, Japan
| | - Kozo Fujii
- Department of Chemistry, Graduate School of Science and Soft Molecular Activation Research Center, Chiba University 1-33 Yayoi-cho, Inage-ku, Chiba 263-8522, Japan
| | - Takeshi Morita
- Department of Chemistry, Graduate School of Science and Soft Molecular Activation Research Center, Chiba University 1-33 Yayoi-cho, Inage-ku, Chiba 263-8522, Japan
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Gopi C, Dhanaraju MD. Synthesis and antioxidant properties of 2-(3-(hydroxyimino)methyl)-1H-indol-1-yl)acetamide derivatives. FUTURE JOURNAL OF PHARMACEUTICAL SCIENCES 2020. [DOI: 10.1186/s43094-020-00090-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Abstract
Background
The main aim of this work was to synthesise a novel N-(substituted phenyl)-2-(3-(hydroxyimino) methyl)-1H-indol-1-yl) acetamide derivatives and evaluate their antioxidant activity. These compounds were prepared by a condensation reaction between 1H-indole carbaldehyde oxime and 2-chloro acetamide derivatives. The newly synthesised compound structures were characterised by FT-IR, 1H-NMR, mass spectroscopy and elemental analysis. Furthermore, the above-mentioned compounds were screened for antioxidant activity by using ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) and 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) methods.
Result
The antioxidant activity result reveals that most of the compounds were exhibiting considerable activity in both methods and the values are very closer to the standards. Among the synthesised compounds, compound 3j, 3a and 3k were shown remarkable activity at low concentration.
Conclusion
Compounds 3j, 3a and 3k were shown highest activity among the prepared analogues due to the attachment of halogens connected at the appropriate place in the phenyl ring. Hence, these substituted phenyl rings considered as a perfect side chain for the indole nucleus for the development of the new antioxidant agents.
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Howard KC, Dennis EK, Watt DS, Garneau-Tsodikova S. A comprehensive overview of the medicinal chemistry of antifungal drugs: perspectives and promise. Chem Soc Rev 2020; 49:2426-2480. [PMID: 32140691 DOI: 10.1039/c9cs00556k] [Citation(s) in RCA: 59] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
The emergence of new fungal pathogens makes the development of new antifungal drugs a medical imperative that in recent years motivates the talents of numerous investigators across the world. Understanding not only the structural families of these drugs but also their biological targets provides a rational means for evaluating the merits and selectivity of new agents for fungal pathogens and normal cells. An equally important aspect of modern antifungal drug development takes a balanced look at the problems of drug potency and drug resistance. The future development of new antifungal agents will rest with those who employ synthetic and semisynthetic methodology as well as natural product isolation to tackle these problems and with those who possess a clear understanding of fungal cell architecture and drug resistance mechanisms. This review endeavors to provide an introduction to a growing and increasingly important literature, including coverage of the new developments in medicinal chemistry since 2015, and also endeavors to spark the curiosity of investigators who might enter this fascinatingly complex fungal landscape.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kaitlind C Howard
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY 40536-0596, USA.
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Rullich CC, Kiefer J. Chemometric analysis of enantioselective Raman spectroscopy data enables enantiomeric ratio determination. Analyst 2019; 144:5368-5372. [PMID: 31414107 DOI: 10.1039/c9an01205b] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
In-line determination of the enantiomeric ratio is still a challenge in process analytical technology (PAT). This study combines enantioselective Raman (esR) spectroscopy with partial least-squares regression (PLSR) to determine the enantiomeric fraction of the chiral molecule (5,6)-diphenyl-morpholin-2-one diluted in dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) as a proof-of-concept. Morpholinone derivates are potential candidates for pharmaceutical applications. The PLS weights were carefully analyzed in order to avoid misleading regression results, e.g. caused by sample impurities. A suitable PLSR model was found with two components and it was validated by a leave-one-out cross-validation. The enantiomeric fraction ef(+) could be calculated with deviations from the prepared ef(+) in the range of -0.031 and +0.052 from the esR spectra recorded at a half-wave retarder angle of 30.0°.
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Affiliation(s)
- Claudia C Rullich
- Technische Thermodynamik, Universität Bremen, Badgasteiner Str. 1, 28359 Bremen, Germany.
| | - Johannes Kiefer
- Technische Thermodynamik, Universität Bremen, Badgasteiner Str. 1, 28359 Bremen, Germany. and MAPEX Center for Materials and Processes, Universität Bremen, Bibliothekstr. 1, 28359 Bremen, Germany
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Gurubasavaraj PM, Charantimath JS. Recent Advances in Azole Based Scaffolds as Anticandidal Agents. LETT DRUG DES DISCOV 2019. [DOI: 10.2174/1570180815666180917125916] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Aim:The present review aims to explore the development of novel antifungal agents, such as pharmacology, pharmacokinetics, spectrum of activity, safety, toxicity and other aspects that involve drug-drug interactions of the azole antifungal agents.Introduction:Fungal infections in critically ill and immune-compromised patients are increasing at alarming rates, caused mainly by Candida albicans an opportunistic fungus. Despite antifungal annihilators like amphotericin B, azoles and caspofungin, these infections are enormously increasing. The unconventional increase in such patients is a challenging task for the management of antifungal infections especially Candidiasis. Moreover, problem of toxicity associated with antifungal drugs on hosts and rise of drug-resistance in primary and opportunistic fungal pathogens has obstructed the success of antifungal therapy.Conclusion:Hence, to conflict these problems new antifungal agents with advanced efficacy, new formulations of drug delivery and novel compounds which can interact with fungal virulence are developed and used to treat antifungal infections.
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Jin Y, Yu B, Qin S, Tian S. Epoxide‐Mediated Stevens Rearrangements of α‐Amino‐Acid‐Derived Tertiary Allylic, Propargylic, and Benzylic Amines: Convenient Access to Polysubstituted Morpholin‐2‐ones. Chemistry 2019; 25:5169-5172. [DOI: 10.1002/chem.201900635] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/10/2019] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- You‐Xiang Jin
- Hefei National Laboratory for Physical Sciences at the Microscale, Center for Excellence in Molecular Synthesis, and Department of ChemistryUniversity of Science and Technology of China Hefei Anhui 230026 China
| | - Bang‐Kui Yu
- Hefei National Laboratory for Physical Sciences at the Microscale, Center for Excellence in Molecular Synthesis, and Department of ChemistryUniversity of Science and Technology of China Hefei Anhui 230026 China
| | - Si‐Ping Qin
- Hefei National Laboratory for Physical Sciences at the Microscale, Center for Excellence in Molecular Synthesis, and Department of ChemistryUniversity of Science and Technology of China Hefei Anhui 230026 China
| | - Shi‐Kai Tian
- Hefei National Laboratory for Physical Sciences at the Microscale, Center for Excellence in Molecular Synthesis, and Department of ChemistryUniversity of Science and Technology of China Hefei Anhui 230026 China
- Key Laboratory of Synthetic Chemistry of Natural SubstancesShanghai Institute of Organic Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences Shanghai 200032 China
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Talele TT. Natural-Products-Inspired Use of the gem-Dimethyl Group in Medicinal Chemistry. J Med Chem 2017; 61:2166-2210. [DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.7b00315] [Citation(s) in RCA: 67] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Tanaji T. Talele
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, St. John’s University, Queens, New York 11439, United States
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10
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Synthesis and biological evaluation of novel 2-imino-4-thiazolidinone derivatives as potent anti-cancer agents. Bioorg Med Chem Lett 2016; 26:5361-5368. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bmcl.2016.08.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/08/2016] [Revised: 07/14/2016] [Accepted: 08/06/2016] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
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Abstract
The development of next-generation antifungal agents with novel chemical scaffolds and new mechanisms of action is vital due to increased incidence and mortality of invasive fungal infections and severe drug resistance. This review will summarize current strategies to discover novel antifungal scaffolds. In particular, high-throughput screening, drug repurposing, antifungal natural products and new antifungal targets are focused on. New scaffolds with validated antifungal activity, their discovery and optimization process as well as structure–activity relationships are discussed in detail. Perspectives that could inspire future antifungal drug discovery are provided.
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Gowri M, Sofi Beaula W, Biswal J, Dhamodharan P, Saiharish R, Rohan prasad S, Pitani R, Kandaswamy D, Raghunathan R, Jeyakanthan J, Rayala SK, Venkatraman G. β-lactam substituted polycyclic fused pyrrolidine/pyrrolizidine derivatives eradicate C. albicans in an ex vivo human dentinal tubule model by inhibiting sterol 14-α demethylase and cAMP pathway. Biochim Biophys Acta Gen Subj 2015; 1860:636-47. [PMID: 26723175 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbagen.2015.12.020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/02/2015] [Revised: 12/17/2015] [Accepted: 12/22/2015] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Further quest for new anti-fungal compounds with proven mechanisms of action arises due to resistance and dose limiting toxicity of existing agents. Among the human fungal pathogens C. albicans predominate by infecting several sites in the body and in particular oral cavity and root canals of human tooth. METHODS In the present study, we screened a library of β-lactam substituted polycyclic fused pyrrolidine/pyrrolizidine compounds against Candida sp. Detailed molecular studies were carried out with the active compound 3 on C. albicans. Morphological damage and antibiofilm activity of compound 3 on C. albicans was studied using scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Biochemical evidence for membrane damage was studied using flow cytometry. In silico docking studies were carried out to elucidate the mechanism of action of compound 3. Further, the antifungal activity of compound 3 was evaluated in an ex vivo dentinal tubule infection model. RESULTS Screening data showed that several new compounds were active against Candida sp. Among them, Compound 3 was most potent and exerted time kill effect at 4h, post antifungal effect up to 6h. When used in combination with fluconazole or nystatin, compound 3 revealed an minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) decrease by 4 fold for both drugs used. In-depth molecular studies with compound 3 on C. albicans showed that this compound inhibited yeast to hyphae (Y-H) conversion and this involved the cAMP pathway. Further, SEM images of C. albicans showed that compound 3 caused membrane damage and inhibited biofilm formation. Biochemical evidence for membrane damage was confirmed by increased propidium iodide (PI) uptake in flow cytometry. Further, in silico studies revealed that compound 3 docks with the active site of the key enzyme 14-α-demethylase and this might inhibit ergosterol synthesis. In support of this, ergosterol levels were found to be decreased by 32 fold in compound 3 treated samples as analyzed by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Further, the antifungal activity of compound 3 was evaluated in an ex vivo dentinal tubule infection model, which mimics human tooth root canal infection. Confocal laser scanning microscopy studies showed 83% eradication of C. albicans and a 6 log reduction in colony forming unit (CFU) after 24h treatment in the infected tooth samples in this model. CONCLUSION Compound 3 was found to be very effective in eradicating C. albicans by inhibiting cAMP pathway and ergosterol biosynthesis. GENERAL SIGNIFICANCE The results of this study can pave the way for developing new antifungal agents with well deciphered mechanisms of action and can be a promising antifungal agent or medicament against root canal infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Meiyazhagan Gowri
- Department of Human Genetics, College of Biomedical Sciences, Technology & Research, Sri Ramachandra University, Porur, Chennai- 600 116, India
| | - Winfred Sofi Beaula
- Department of Human Genetics, College of Biomedical Sciences, Technology & Research, Sri Ramachandra University, Porur, Chennai- 600 116, India
| | - Jayashree Biswal
- Department of Bioinformatics, Alagappa University, Karaikudi- 630003, India
| | - Prabhu Dhamodharan
- Department of Bioinformatics, Alagappa University, Karaikudi- 630003, India
| | - Raghavan Saiharish
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, College of Biomedical Sciences, Technology & Research,Sri Ramachandra University, Porur, Chennai- 600 116, India
| | - Surabi Rohan prasad
- Department of Biotechnology, Indian Institute of Technology, Madras (IIT M), Chennai- 600 025, India
| | - Ravishankar Pitani
- Department of Community Medicine, Sri Ramachandra Medical College & Research Institute, Sri Ramachandra University, Porur, Chennai-600 116, India
| | - Deivanayagam Kandaswamy
- Department of Conservative Dentistry and Endodontics, College of Dental Sciences, Sri Ramachandra University, Porur, Chennai-600 116, India
| | - Ragavachary Raghunathan
- Department of Organic Chemistry, University of Madras, Guindy Campus, Chennai- 600 025, India
| | | | - Suresh K Rayala
- Department of Biotechnology, Indian Institute of Technology, Madras (IIT M), Chennai- 600 025, India.
| | - Ganesh Venkatraman
- Department of Human Genetics, College of Biomedical Sciences, Technology & Research, Sri Ramachandra University, Porur, Chennai- 600 116, India.
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Pouliot M, Jeanmart S. Pan Assay Interference Compounds (PAINS) and Other Promiscuous Compounds in Antifungal Research. J Med Chem 2015; 59:497-503. [DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.5b00361] [Citation(s) in RCA: 88] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/28/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Martin Pouliot
- Syngenta Crop Protection Research, Schaffhauserstrasse, 4332 Stein, Switzerland
| | - Stephane Jeanmart
- Syngenta Crop Protection Research, Schaffhauserstrasse, 4332 Stein, Switzerland
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