Development of a Novel Lead that Targets M. tuberculosis Polyketide Synthase 13

Widespread resistance to first-line TB drugs is a major problem that will likely only be resolved through the development of new drugs with novel mechanisms of action. We have used structure-guided methods to develop a lead molecule that targets the thioesterase activity of polyketide synthase Pks13, an essential enzyme that forms mycolic acids, required for the cell wall of Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Our lead, TAM16, is a benzofuran class inhibitor of Pks13 with highly potent in vitro bactericidal activity against drug-susceptible and drug-resistant clinical isolates of M. tuberculosis. In multiple mouse models of TB infection, TAM16 showed in vivo efficacy equal to the first-line TB drug isoniazid, both as a monotherapy and in combination therapy with rifampicin. TAM16 has excellent pharmacological and safety profiles, and the frequency of resistance for TAM16 is ∼100-fold lower than INH, suggesting that it can be developed as a new antitubercular aimed at the acute infection. PAPERCLIP.

Conjugate addition reactions of N-carbamoyl-4-pyridones and 2,3-dihydropyridones with Grignard reagents in the absence of Cu(I) salts

N-Boc- and N-ethoxycarbonyl-4-pyridones and the resulting 2,3-dihydropyridones undergo 1,4-addition reactions with Grignard reagents in the presence of chlorotrimethylsilane (TMSCl) or BF3·Et2O in excellent yields. Copper catalysis is not required, and mechanistic considerations suggest that the reaction is proceeding by a conjugate addition pathway rather than by a pathway involving 1,2-addition to an intermediate pyridinium ion. TMSCl-mediated conjugate addition of Grignard reagents to 2-substituted-2,3-dihydropyridones gives the trans-2,6-disubstitued piperidinones stereoselectively, while cuprate reagents give either the trans or cis diastereomers or mixtures.