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Tocco G, Canton S, Laus A, Caboni P, Le Grice SFJ, Tramontano E, Esposito F. Dihydroxyphenyl- and Heteroaromatic-Based Thienopyrimidinones to Tackle HIV-1 LEDGF/p75-Dependent IN Activity. Molecules 2023; 28:6700. [PMID: 37764476 PMCID: PMC10537185 DOI: 10.3390/molecules28186700] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/20/2023] [Revised: 09/16/2023] [Accepted: 09/17/2023] [Indexed: 09/29/2023] Open
Abstract
The spread of Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) still represents a global public health issue of major concern, and would benefit from unveiling unique viral features as targets for drug design. In this respect, HIV-1 integrase (IN), due to the absence of homologs in human cells, is a popular target for the synthesis of novel selective compounds. Moreover, as drug-resistant viral strains are rapidly evolving, the development of novel allosteric inhibitors is acutely required. Recently, we have observed that Kuwanon-L, quinazolinones and thienopyrimidinones containing at least one polyphenol unit, effectively inhibited HIV-1 IN activity. Thus, in the present research, novel dihydroxyphenyl-based thienopyrimidinone derivatives were investigated for their LEDGF/p75-dependent IN inhibitory activity. Our findings indicated a close correlation between the position of the OH group on the phenyl moiety and IN inhibitory activity of these compounds. As catechol may be involved in cytotoxicity, its replacement by other aromatic scaffolds was also exploited. As a result, compounds 21-23, 25 and 26 with enhanced IN inhibitory activity provided good lead candidates, with 25 being the most selective for IN. Lastly, UV spectrometric experiments suggested a plausible allosteric mode of action, as none of the thienopirimidinones showed Mg2+ chelation properties otherwise typical of IN strand transfer inhibitors (INSTIs).
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Affiliation(s)
- Graziella Tocco
- Department of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Cagliari, Cittadella Universitaria di Monserrato, 09042 Monserrato, Italy; (S.C.); (A.L.); (P.C.); (E.T.); (F.E.)
| | - Serena Canton
- Department of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Cagliari, Cittadella Universitaria di Monserrato, 09042 Monserrato, Italy; (S.C.); (A.L.); (P.C.); (E.T.); (F.E.)
| | - Antonio Laus
- Department of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Cagliari, Cittadella Universitaria di Monserrato, 09042 Monserrato, Italy; (S.C.); (A.L.); (P.C.); (E.T.); (F.E.)
| | - Pierluigi Caboni
- Department of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Cagliari, Cittadella Universitaria di Monserrato, 09042 Monserrato, Italy; (S.C.); (A.L.); (P.C.); (E.T.); (F.E.)
| | - Stuart F. J. Le Grice
- Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, Frederick, MD 21702-1201, USA;
| | - Enzo Tramontano
- Department of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Cagliari, Cittadella Universitaria di Monserrato, 09042 Monserrato, Italy; (S.C.); (A.L.); (P.C.); (E.T.); (F.E.)
| | - Francesca Esposito
- Department of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Cagliari, Cittadella Universitaria di Monserrato, 09042 Monserrato, Italy; (S.C.); (A.L.); (P.C.); (E.T.); (F.E.)
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2
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Laus A, Kumar A, Caboni P, De Luca MA, Baumann MH, Pieroni E, Tocco G. In silico characterization of ligand-receptor interactions for U-47700, N,N-didesmethyl-U-47700, U-50488 at mu- and kappa-opioid receptors. Arch Pharm (Weinheim) 2023; 356:e2300256. [PMID: 37452407 DOI: 10.1002/ardp.202300256] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/10/2023] [Revised: 06/22/2023] [Accepted: 06/26/2023] [Indexed: 07/18/2023]
Abstract
The increasing misuse of novel synthetic opioids (NSOs) represents a serious public health concern. In this regard, U-47700 (trans-3,4-dichloro-N-[2-(dimethylamino)cyclohexyl]-N-methylbenzamide) and related "U-compounds" emerged on recreational drug markets as synthetic substitutes for illicit heroin and constituents of counterfeit pain medications. While the pharmacology of U-compounds has been investigated using in vitro and in vivo methods, there is still a lack of understanding about the details of ligand-receptor interactions at the molecular level. To this end, we have developed a molecular modeling protocol based on docking and molecular dynamics simulations to assess the nature of ligand-receptor interactions for U-47700, N,N-didesmethyl U-47700, and U-50488 at the mu-opioid receptor (MOR) and kappa-opioid receptor (KOR). The evaluation of ligand-receptor and ligand-receptor-membrane interaction energies enabled the identification of subtle conformational shifts in the receptors induced by ligand binding. Interestingly, the removal of two key methyl groups from U-47700, to form N,N-didesmethyl U-47700, caused a loss of hydrogen bond contact with tryptophan (Trp)229, which may underlie the lower interaction energy and reduced MOR affinity for the compound. Taken together, our results are consistent with the reported biological findings for U-compounds and provide a molecular basis for the MOR selectivity of U-47700 and KOR selectivity of U-50488.
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MESH Headings
- Receptors, Opioid, kappa/chemistry
- Receptors, Opioid, kappa/metabolism
- 3,4-Dichloro-N-methyl-N-(2-(1-pyrrolidinyl)-cyclohexyl)-benzeneacetamide, (trans)-Isomer/pharmacology
- Ligands
- Structure-Activity Relationship
- Receptors, Opioid, mu/metabolism
- Analgesics, Opioid/pharmacology
- Analgesics, Opioid/chemistry
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Affiliation(s)
- Antonio Laus
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Cagliari, Cittadella Universitaria di Monserrato, Cagliari, Italy
| | - Amit Kumar
- Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering, University of Cagliari, Cagliari, Italy
| | - Pierluigi Caboni
- Department of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Cagliari, Cittadella Universitaria di Monserrato, Cagliari, Italy
| | - Maria A De Luca
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Cagliari, Cittadella Universitaria di Monserrato, Cagliari, Italy
| | - Michael H Baumann
- Designer Drug Research Unit, Intramural Research Program, National Institute on Drug Abuse, National Institutes of Health, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Enrico Pieroni
- CRS4, Modelling, Simulation and Data Analysis Program, Pula, Italy
| | - Graziella Tocco
- Department of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Cagliari, Cittadella Universitaria di Monserrato, Cagliari, Italy
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Deventer MH, Persson M, Laus A, Pottie E, Cannaert A, Tocco G, Gréen H, Stove CP. Off-target activity of NBOMes and NBOMe analogs at the µ opioid receptor. Arch Toxicol 2023; 97:1367-1384. [PMID: 36853332 DOI: 10.1007/s00204-023-03465-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/04/2023] [Accepted: 02/16/2023] [Indexed: 03/01/2023]
Abstract
New psychoactive substances (NPS) are introduced on the illicit drug market at a rapid pace. Their molecular targets are often inadequately elucidated, which contributes to the delayed characterization of their pharmacological effects. Inspired by earlier findings, this study set out to investigate the µ opioid receptor (MOR) activation potential of a large set of psychedelics, substances which typically activate the serotonin (5-HT2A) receptor as their target receptor. We observed that some substances carrying the N-benzyl phenethylamine (NBOMe) structure activated MOR, as confirmed by both the NanoBiT® βarr2 recruitment assay and the G protein-based AequoScreen® Ca2+ release assay. The use of two orthogonal systems proved beneficial as some aspecific, receptor independent effects were found for various analogs when using the Ca2+ release assay. The specific 'off-target' effects at MOR could be blocked by the opioid antagonist naloxone, suggesting that these NBOMes occupy the same common opioid binding pocket as conventional opioids. This was corroborated by molecular docking, which revealed the plausibility of multiple interactions of 25I-NBOMe with MOR, similar to those observed for opioids. Additionally, structure-activity relationship findings seen in vitro were rationalized in silico for two 25I-NBOMe isomers. Overall, as MOR activity of these psychedelics was only noticed at high concentrations, we consider it unlikely that for the tested compounds there will be a relevant opioid toxicity in vivo at physiologically relevant concentrations. However, small modifications to the original NBOMe structure may result in a panel of more efficacious and potent MOR agonists, potentially exhibiting a dual MOR/5-HT2A activation potential.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marie H Deventer
- Laboratory of Toxicology, Department of Bioanalysis, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Ghent University, Ottergemsesteenweg 460, 9000, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Mattias Persson
- Department of Forensic Genetic and Forensic Toxicology, National Board of Forensic Medicine, Linköping, Sweden
| | - Antonio Laus
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Cagliari, Cagliari, Italy
| | - Eline Pottie
- Laboratory of Toxicology, Department of Bioanalysis, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Ghent University, Ottergemsesteenweg 460, 9000, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Annelies Cannaert
- Laboratory of Toxicology, Department of Bioanalysis, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Ghent University, Ottergemsesteenweg 460, 9000, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Graziella Tocco
- Department of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Cagliari, Cagliari, Italy
| | - Henrik Gréen
- Department of Forensic Genetic and Forensic Toxicology, National Board of Forensic Medicine, Linköping, Sweden.,Division of Clinical Chemistry and Pharmacology, Department of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Linköping University, Linköping, Sweden
| | - Christophe P Stove
- Laboratory of Toxicology, Department of Bioanalysis, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Ghent University, Ottergemsesteenweg 460, 9000, Ghent, Belgium.
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Caboni P, Laus A, Eloh K, Ntalli NG, Casula M, Di Giorgi S, Tocco G. Structural Elucidation of Relevant Gibberellic Acid Impurities and In Silico Investigation of Their Interaction with Soluble Gibberellin Receptor GID1. ACS Omega 2023; 8:1957-1966. [PMID: 36687088 PMCID: PMC9850740 DOI: 10.1021/acsomega.2c04743] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/29/2022] [Accepted: 11/14/2022] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
Gibberellin derivatives are a family of tetracyclic diterpenoid plant hormones used in agriculture as plant growth regulators included in the European Directive 91/414. In the pesticide peer review process and to assess their toxicological relevance and product chemical equivalence, the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) highlighted data gaps such as the identification of hydrolysis products and unknown impurities. The aspect of impurity characterization and quantitation is challenging and requires the use of hyphenated analytical techniques. In this regard, we used an LC-QTOF/MS and NMR analysis for the characterization of gibberellic acid impurities found in technical products. Gibberellic acid impurities such as gibberellin A1 (GA 1 ), 3-isolactone gibberellic acid (iso-GA 3 ), gibberellenic acid, 1α,2α-epoxygibberellin A3 (2-epoxy- GA 3 ), and (1α,2β,3α,4bβ,10β)-2,3,7-trihydroxy-1-methyl-8-methylenegibb-4-ene-1,10-dicarboxylic acid were identified and successfully characterized. Moreover, an in silico investigation on selected gibberellic acid impurities and derivatives and their interactions with a gibberellin insensitive dwarf1 (GID1) receptor has been carried out by means of induced fit docking (IFD), generalized-Born surface area (MM-GBSA), and metadynamics (MTD) experiments. A direct HPLC method with DAD and MS for the detection of gibberellic acid and its impurities in a technical sample has been developed. Moreover, by means of the in silico characterization of the GID1 receptor-binding pocket, we investigated the receptor affinity of the selected gibberellins, identifying compounds (2) and (4) as the most promising hit to lead compounds.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pierluigi Caboni
- Department
of Life and Environmental Sciences, Cittadella
Universitaria di Monserrato, Blocco A, 09042, Monserrato, Italy
| | - Antonio Laus
- Department
of Biomedical Sciences, Cittadella Universitaria
di Monserrato, Blocco
A, 09042, Monserrato, Italy
| | - Kodjo Eloh
- University
of Kara, Po Box 404 Kara, Togo
| | - Nikoletta G. Ntalli
- Department
of Pesticides Control and Phytopharmacy, Benaki Phytopathological Institute, 8 S. Delta Str., 14561 Athens, Greece
| | - Mattia Casula
- Department
of Life and Environmental Sciences, Cittadella
Universitaria di Monserrato, Blocco A, 09042, Monserrato, Italy
| | - Sabrina Di Giorgi
- Ministero
della Salute, Direzione Generale per l’Igiene
e la Sicurezza degli Alimenti e della Nutrizione, Viale Giorgio Ribotta, 5, 00144 Roma, Italy
| | - Graziella Tocco
- Department
of Life and Environmental Sciences, Cittadella
Universitaria di Monserrato, Blocco A, 09042, Monserrato, Italy
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Tocco G, Laus A, Vanejevs M, Ture A, Mostallino R, Pintori N, De Luca MA, Castelli MP, Di Chiara G. 3-[3-(Phenalkylamino)cyclohexyl]phenols: Synthesis, biological activity, and in silico investigation of a naltrexone-derived novel class of MOR-antagonists. Arch Pharm (Weinheim) 2023; 356:e2200432. [PMID: 36328777 DOI: 10.1002/ardp.202200432] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/11/2022] [Revised: 09/06/2022] [Accepted: 09/07/2022] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
The development of novel μ-opioid receptor (MOR) antagonists is one of the main objectives of drug discovery and development. Based on a simplified version of the morphinan scaffold, 3-[3-(phenalkylamino)cyclohexyl]phenol analogs were designed, synthesized, and evaluated for their MOR antagonist activity in vitro and in silico. At the highest concentrations, the compounds decreased by 52% to 75% DAMGO-induced GTPγS stimulation, suggesting that they acted as antagonists. Moreover, Extra-Precision Glide and Generalized-Born Surface Area experiments provided useful information on the nature of the ligand-receptor interactions, indicating a peculiar combination of C-1 stereochemistry and N-substitutions as feasibly essential for MOR-ligand complex stability. Interestingly, compound 9 showed the best experimental binding affinity, the highest antagonist activity, and the finest MOR-ligand complex stability. In silico experiments also revealed that the most promising stereoisomer (1R, 3R, 5S) 9 retained 1,3-cis configuration with phenol ring equatorial oriented. Further studies are needed to better characterize the pharmacodynamics and pharmacokinetic properties of these compounds.
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Affiliation(s)
- Graziella Tocco
- Department of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Cagliari, Cittadella Universitaria di Monserrato, Monserrato, Cagliari, Italy
| | - Antonio Laus
- Department of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Cagliari, Cittadella Universitaria di Monserrato, Monserrato, Cagliari, Italy
| | - Maksims Vanejevs
- Laboratory of CNS Active Compounds, Latvian Institute of Organic Chemistry, Riga, Latvia
| | - Anastasija Ture
- Laboratory of CNS Active Compounds, Latvian Institute of Organic Chemistry, Riga, Latvia
| | - Rafaela Mostallino
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Cagliari, Cittadella Universitaria di Monserrato, Monserrato, Cagliari, Italy
| | - Nicholas Pintori
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Cagliari, Cittadella Universitaria di Monserrato, Monserrato, Cagliari, Italy
| | - Maria Antonietta De Luca
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Cagliari, Cittadella Universitaria di Monserrato, Monserrato, Cagliari, Italy
| | - M Paola Castelli
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Cagliari, Cittadella Universitaria di Monserrato, Monserrato, Cagliari, Italy
| | - Gaetano Di Chiara
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Cagliari, Cittadella Universitaria di Monserrato, Monserrato, Cagliari, Italy.,Neuroscience Institute, National Research Council of Italy (CNR), Cagliari, Italy
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6
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De Luca MA, Tocco G, Mostallino R, Laus A, Caria F, Musa A, Pintori N, Ucha M, Poza C, Ambrosio E, Di Chiara G, Castelli MP. Pharmacological characterization of novel synthetic opioids: Isotonitazene, metonitazene, and piperidylthiambutene as potent MU opioid receptor agonists. Neuropharmacology 2022; 221:109263. [PMID: 36154843 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuropharm.2022.109263] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/26/2022] [Revised: 09/07/2022] [Accepted: 09/17/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Recent trends of opioid abuse and related fatalities have highlighted the critical role of Novel Synthetic Opioids (NSOs). We studied the μ-opioid-like properties of isotonitazene (ITZ), metonitazene (MTZ), and piperidylthiambutene (PTB) using different approaches. In vitro studies showed that ITZ and MTZ displayed a higher potency in both rat membrane homogenates (EC50: 0.99 and 19.1 nM, respectively) and CHO-MOR (EC50: 0.71 and 10.0 nM, respectively) than [D-Ala2, NMe-Phe4, Gly-ol5]-enkephalin (DAMGO), with no difference in maximal efficacy (Emax) between DAMGO and NSOs. ITZ also has higher affinity (Ki: 0.06 and 0.05 nM) at the MOR than DAMGO in both systems, whilst MTZ has higher affinity in CHO-MOR (Ki = 0.23 nM) and similar affinity in rat cerebral cortex (Ki = 0.22 nM). PTB showed lower affinity and potency than DAMGO. In vivo, ITZ displayed higher analgesic potency than fentanyl and morphine (ED50: 0.00156, 0.00578, 2.35 mg/kg iv, respectively); ITZ (0.01 mg/kg iv) and MTZ (0.03 mg/kg iv) reduced behavioral activity and increased dialysate dopamine (DA) in the NAc shell (max. about 200% and 170% over basal value, respectively. Notably, ITZ elicited an increase in DA comparable to that of higher dose of morphine (1 mg/kg iv), but higher than the same dose of fentanyl (0.01 mg/kg iv). In silico, induced fit docking (IFD) and metadynamic simulations (MTD) showed that binding modes and structural changes at the receptor, ligand stability, and the overall energy score of NSOs were consistent with the results of the biological assays.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Graziella Tocco
- Department of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Cagliari, Italy
| | | | - Antonio Laus
- Department of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Cagliari, Italy
| | - Francesca Caria
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Cagliari, Italy
| | - Aurora Musa
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Cagliari, Italy
| | - Nicholas Pintori
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Cagliari, Italy
| | - Marcos Ucha
- Department of Psychobiology, National University for Distance Learning (UNED), Madrid, Spain
| | - Celia Poza
- Department of Psychobiology, National University for Distance Learning (UNED), Madrid, Spain
| | - Emilio Ambrosio
- Department of Psychobiology, National University for Distance Learning (UNED), Madrid, Spain
| | - Gaetano Di Chiara
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Cagliari, Italy; CNR Institute of Neuroscience, Cagliari Section, University of Cagliari, Italy.
| | - M Paola Castelli
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Cagliari, Italy.
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Tocco G, Laus A, Caboni P. Mukaiyama reagent: An efficient reaction mediator for rapid synthesis of 1,2-disubstituted-1H-benzo[d]imidazoles. Tetrahedron Lett 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.tetlet.2022.154045] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
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8
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Tocco G, Esposito F, Caboni P, Laus A, Beutler JA, Wilson JA, Corona A, Le Grice SFJ, Tramontano E. Scaffold hopping and optimisation of 3',4'-dihydroxyphenyl- containing thienopyrimidinones: synthesis of quinazolinone derivatives as novel allosteric inhibitors of HIV-1 reverse transcriptase-associated ribonuclease H. J Enzyme Inhib Med Chem 2020; 35:1953-1963. [PMID: 33143469 PMCID: PMC7646544 DOI: 10.1080/14756366.2020.1835884] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Bioisosteric replacement and scaffold hopping are powerful strategies in drug design useful for rationally modifying a hit compound towards novel lead therapeutic agents. Recently, we reported a series of thienopyrimidinones that compromise dynamics at the p66/p51 HIV-1 reverse transcriptase (RT)-associated Ribonuclease H (RNase H) dimer interface, thereby allosterically interrupting catalysis by altering the active site geometry. Although they exhibited good submicromolar activity, the isosteric replacement of the thiophene ring, a potential toxicophore, is warranted. Thus, in this article, the most active 2-(3,4-dihydroxyphenyl)-5,6-dimethylthieno[2,3-d]pyrimidin-4(3H)-one 1 was selected as the hit scaffold and several isosteric substitutions of the thiophene ring were performed. A novel series of highly active RNase H allosteric quinazolinone inhibitors was thus obtained. To determine their target selectivity, they were tested against RT-associated RNA-dependent DNA polymerase (RDDP) and integrase (IN). Interestingly, none of the compounds were particularly active on (RDDP) but many displayed micromolar to submicromolar activity against IN.
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Affiliation(s)
- Graziella Tocco
- Department of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Cagliari, Cittadella Universitaria di Monserrato, Cagliari, Italy
| | - Francesca Esposito
- Department of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Cagliari, Cittadella Universitaria di Monserrato, Cagliari, Italy
| | - Pierluigi Caboni
- Department of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Cagliari, Cittadella Universitaria di Monserrato, Cagliari, Italy
| | - Antonio Laus
- Department of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Cagliari, Cittadella Universitaria di Monserrato, Cagliari, Italy
| | - John A Beutler
- Molecular Targets Program, National Cancer Institute, Frederick, MD, USA
| | - Jennifer A Wilson
- Molecular Targets Program, National Cancer Institute, Frederick, MD, USA
| | - Angela Corona
- Department of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Cagliari, Cittadella Universitaria di Monserrato, Cagliari, Italy
| | | | - Enzo Tramontano
- Department of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Cagliari, Cittadella Universitaria di Monserrato, Cagliari, Italy
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9
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Tocco G, Eloh K, Laus A, Sasanelli N, Caboni P. Electron-Deficient Alkynes as Powerful Tools against Root-Knot Nematode Melodogyne incognita: Nematicidal Activity and Investigation on the Mode of Action. J Agric Food Chem 2020; 68:11088-11095. [PMID: 32924513 PMCID: PMC8011909 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jafc.0c00835] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/06/2020] [Revised: 08/20/2020] [Accepted: 09/14/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
The present study reports on the powerful nematicidal activity of a series of electron-deficient alkynes against the root-knot nematode Meloidogyne incognita (Kofoid and White) Chitwood. Interestingly, we found that the conjugation of electron-withdrawing carbonyl groups to an alkyne triple bond was extremely proficient in inducing nematode paralysis and death. In particular, dimethylacetylenedicarboxylate (10), 3-butyn-2-one (1), and methyl propiolate (4), with EC50/48 h of 1.54 ± 0.16, 2.38 ± 0.31, and 2.83 ± 0.28 mg/L, respectively, were shown to be the best tested compounds. Earlier studies reported on the ability of alkynoic esters and alkynones to induce a chemoselective cysteine modification of unprotected peptides. Thus, also following our previous findings on the impairment of vacuolar-type proton translocating ATPase functionality by activated carbonyl derivatives, we speculate that the formation of a vinyl sulfide linkage might be responsible for the nematicidal activity of the presented electron-deficient alkynes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Graziella Tocco
- Department
of Life and Environmental Sciences, University
of Cagliari, Cittadella Universitaria
di Monserrato, Via Ospedale 72, 09042 Monserrato, Cagliari, Italy
| | - Kodjo Eloh
- University
of Kara, Post Office Box 404, Kara, Togo
| | - Antonio Laus
- Department
of Life and Environmental Sciences, University
of Cagliari, Cittadella Universitaria
di Monserrato, Via Ospedale 72, 09042 Monserrato, Cagliari, Italy
| | - Nicola Sasanelli
- Istituto
per la Protezione delle Piante, Consiglio
Nazionale delle Ricerche, Via G. Amendola 122/D, 70126 Bari, Italia
| | - Pierluigi Caboni
- Department
of Life and Environmental Sciences, University
of Cagliari, Cittadella Universitaria
di Monserrato, Via Ospedale 72, 09042 Monserrato, Cagliari, Italy
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