The synthesis and inhibitory activity of dethiotrypanothione and analogues against trypanothione reductase

Trypanothione reductase (TR) catalyzes the NADPH-dependent reduction of trypanothione disulfide (1). TR plays a central role in the trypanosomatid parasite's defense against oxidative stress and has emerged as a promising target for antitrypanosomal drugs. We describe the synthesis and activity of dethiotrypanothione and analogues (2-4) as inhibitors of Trypanosoma cruzi TR. The syntheses of these macrocycles feature ring-closing olefin metathesis (RCM) reactions catalyzed by ruthenium catalyst 17. Derivative 4 is our most potent inhibitor with a Ki=16 microM.     

Inhibition of folylpolyglutamate synthetase by substrate analogues with an ornithine side chain

N^α-[4-[[(4-Aminopteridin-6-yl)methyl]amino]benzoyl]-L-ornithine (dAPA-Orn) was synthesized, and its ability to inhibit folylpolyglutamate synthetase from mouse liver was compared with that of the corresponding 2,4-diamino analogue APA-Orn. Also compared were the inhibitory activities of the deaza analogues 5-deazaAPA-Orn, 8-deazaAPA-Orn, and 5,8-dideazaAPA-Orn, as well as those of N^α-pteroyl-L-ornithine (PteOrn) and its deaza analogues 5-deazaPteOrn and 5,8-dideazaPteOrn. The inhibition constant K_i of dAPA-Orn was 7-fold greater than that of APA-Orn, indicating that the 2-amino group plays a role in binding to the active site. The binding affinity of the 2,4-diamino compounds increased in the order 5-deazaAPA < APA-Orn <5,8-dideazaAPA-Orn < 8-deazaAPA-Orn, and that of the 2-amino-4(3H)-oxo compounds increased in the order 5-deazaPteOrn < PteOrn < 5,8-dideazaPteOrn. The most potent inhibitor of both groups was 8-deazaAPA-Orn, with a K_i of 0.018 μM, coresponding to an 8-fold and 15-fold increase in affinity relative to APA-Orn and 5-deazaAPA-Orn, respectively. The results suggest (a) that the binding of Orn-containing folylpolyglutamate synthetase inhibitors is affected to a greater degree by replacement of N⁸ by a carbon atom than it is by the corresponding change at N⁵, (b) that the effect of carbon for nitrogen replacement is greater in the 2,4-diamino derivatives than in the 2-amino-4(3H)-oxo compounds, and (c) that the 2,4-diamines are the better inhibitors. Comparison of the K_i values of the Orn-containing inhibitors with the K_m values of the corresponding glutamate-containing substrates revealed that K_m/K_i ratio can vary as much as 100-fold depending on the nature of the heterocyclic moiety, suggesting that caution should be exercised in using K_m values of known substrates to predict K_i values of putative inhibitors.     

Theoretical studies on the mode of inhibition of ribonucleotide reductase by 2'-substituted substrate analogues

Several 2'-substituted-2'-deoxyribonucleotides are potent time-dependent inactivators of the enzyme ribonucleotide reductase (RNR), which function by destructing its essential tyrosil radical and/or by performing covalent addition to the enzyme. The former leads to inhibition of the R2 dimer of RNR and the latter to inhibition of the R1 dimer. Efforts to elucidate the mechanism of inhibition have been undertaken in the last decades, and a general mechanistic scheme has emerged. Accordingly, two alternative pathways lead either to the inhibition of R1 or R2, for which the 2'-chloro-2'-deoxynucleotides serve as the model for the inhibition of R1 and the 2'-azido-2'-deoxynucleotides the model for the inhibition of R2. However, the underlying reason for the different behavior of the inhibitors has remained unknown until now. Moreover, a fundamental mechanistic alternative has been proposed, based on results from biomimetic reactions, in which the 2'-substituents would be eliminated as radicals, and not as anions, as previously assumed. This would lead to further reactions not predicted by the existing mechanistic scheme. To gain a better understanding we have performed high-level theoretical calculations on the active site of RNR. Results from this work support the general Stubbe's paradigm, although some changes to that mechanism are necessary. In addition, a rational explanation of the factors that determine which of the dimers (R1 or R2) will be inactivated is provided for the first time. It has been demonstrated also that the 2'-substituents are indeed eliminated as anions, and not as radicals. Biomimetic experiments have led to different results because they lack a basic group capable of deprotonating the 3'-HO group of the substrate. It has been found here that the chemical character of the leaving group (radical or anionic) can be manipulated by controlling the protonation state of the 3'-HO group.     

Mycothiol disulfide reductase: solid phase synthesis and evaluation of alternative substrate analogues

A solid phase synthesis of des-myo-inositol mycothiol disulfide and its alpha-configured methyl- and benzyl-glycoside derivatives has been developed. Kinetic characterisation of these compounds has demonstrated their viability as alternative substrates for use in mycothiol disulfide reductase enzyme assays.     

Solid-phase synthesis of a focused library of trypanothione reductase inhibitors

A focused library of inhibitors of the enzyme trypanothione reductase was prepared using solid-phase synthesis. The inhibitors were based on a previously identified, non-competitive, lead compound comprising of two Pmc (2,2,5,7,8-pentamethylchroman-6-sulfonyl) side-chain protected, N-capped arginine residues linked by a spermidine bridge. In total six protecting groups and four capping groups were used to generate a 24-membered library. All compounds bearing the 5-methoxyindole-3-acetic acid capping group were found to have good activity. The most potent inhibitor was observed to contain the Mtr (4-methoxy-2,3,6-trimethylbenzenesulphonyl) protecting group on the arginine residue, terminated with tryptophan as the capping group.     

Druggable hot spots in trypanothione reductase: novel insights and opportunities for drug discovery revealed by DRUGpy

Journal of Computer-Aided Molecular Design - Assessment of target druggability guided by search and characterization of hot spots is a pivotal step in early stages of drug-discovery. The raw output...     

Exploring the potential of xanthene derivatives as trypanothione reductase inhibitors and chloroquine potentiating agents

Xanthene derivatives were synthesized and evaluated for their potential as trypanothione reductase (TryR) inhibitors and chloroquine (CQ) potentiating agents. Some derivatives displayed inhibitory activity against TryR comparable to known tricyclic anti-depressants. On the other hand a number of derivatives increased CQ accumulation and potentiating effects in a resistant strain of Plasmodium falciparum with one compound also displaying strong intrinsic antimalarial activity.     

Synthesis of phosphonocinnamic thioesters, substrate analogues of cinnamoyl-CoA reductase, a key enzyme in the lignification process

The one-pot transesterification of diethylarylvinylphosphonates with N-acetylcysteamine has been achieved using phosphonochloridates as intermediates. Reaction of phosphonodiesters with (COCl)₂ gave the corresponding chlorinated compounds, which were coupled with N-acetylcysteamine in presence of Et₃N.     

Inhibition of human placenta aldose reductase by tannic acid

Tannic acid was found to be a highly potent inhibitor of human placenta aldose reductase. The most potent inhibitory component of the tannic acid was isolated and identified as penta-O-galloyl-beta-D-glucose, which showed an IC50 value of 70 nM. The inhibition by the gallotannin was reversible and of mixed type with respect to DL-glyceraldehyde as the varied substrate.     

Identification of potential inhibitor and enzyme-inhibitor complex on trypanothione reductase to control Chagas disease

Chagas is a parasitic disease with major threat to public health due to its resistance against commonly available drugs. Trypanothione reductase (TryR) is the key enzyme to develop this disease. Though this enzyme is well thought-out as potential drug target, the accurate structure of enzyme-inhibitor complex is required to design a potential inhibitor which is less available for TryR. In this research, we aimed to investigate the advanced drug over the available existing drugs by designing inhibitors as well as to identify a new enzyme-inhibitor complex that may act as a template for drug design. A set of analogues were designed from a known inhibitor Quinacrine Mustard (QUM) to identify the effective inhibitor against this enzyme. Further, the pharmacoinformatics elucidation and structural properties of designed inhibitor proposed effective drug candidates against Chagas disease. Molecular docking study suggests that a designed inhibitor has higher binding affinity in both crystal and modeled TryR and also poses similar interacting residues as of crystal TryR-QUM complex structure. The comparative studies based on in silico prediction proposed an enzyme-inhibitor complex which could be effective to control the disease activity. So our in silico analysis based on TryR built model, Pharmacophore and docking analysis might play an important role for the development of novel therapy for Chagas disease. But both animal model experiments and clinical trials must be done to confirm the efficacy of the therapy.     

Molecular docking studies of selected tricyclic and quinone derivatives on trypanothione reductase of Leishmania infantum

Visceral leishmaniasis, most lethal form of Leishmaniasis, is caused by Leishmania infantum in the Old world. Current therapeutics for the disease is associated with a risk of high toxicity and development of drug resistant strains. Thiol‐redox metabolism involving trypanothione and trypanothione reductase, key for survival of Leishmania, is a validated target for rational drug design. Recently published structure of trypanothione reductase (TryR) from L. infantum, in oxidized and reduced form along with Sb(III), provides vital clues on active site of the enzyme. In continuation with our attempts to identify potent inhibitors of TryR, we have modeled binding modes of selected tricyclic compounds and quinone derivatives, using AutoDock4. Here, we report a unique binding mode for quinone derivatives and 9‐aminoacridine derivatives, at the FAD binding domain. A conserved hydrogen bonding pattern was observed in all these compounds with residues Thr335, Lys60, His461. With the fact that these residues aid in the orientation of FAD towards the active site forming the core of the FAD binding domain, designing selective and potent compounds that could replace FAD in vivo during the synthesis of Trypanothione reductase can be deployed as an effective strategy in designing new drugs towards Leishmaniasis. We also report the binding of Phenothiazine and 9‐aminoacridine derivatives at the Z site of the protein. The biological significance and possible mode of inhibition by quinone derivatives, which binds to FAD binding domain, along with other compounds are discussed. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Comput Chem, 2010     

Diaryl sulfide-based inhibitors of trypanothione reductase: inhibition potency, revised binding mode and antiprotozoal activities

Trypanothione reductase (TR) is an essential enzyme of trypanosomatids and therefore a promising target for the development of new drugs against African sleeping sickness and Chagas' disease. Diaryl sulfides with a central anilino moiety, decorated with a flexible N-alkyl side chain bearing a terminal ammonium ion, are a known class of inhibitors. Using computer modelling, we revised the binding model for this class of TR inhibitors predicting simultaneous interactions of the ammonium ion-terminated N-alkyl chain with Glu18 as well as Glu465'/Glu466' of the second subunit of the homodimer, whereas the hydrophobic substituent of the aniline ring occupies the "mepacrine binding site" near Trp21 and Met113. Systematic alteration of the carboxylate-binding fragments and the diaryl sulfide core of the inhibitor scaffold provided evidence for the proposed binding mode. In vitro studies showed IC(50) values in the low micromolar to submicromolar range against Trypanosoma brucei rhodesiense as well as the malaria parasite Plasmodium falciparum.     

Reductively activated nitrous oxide reductase reacts directly with substrate

In the terminal step of bacterial denitrification, N2O is converted to N2 at the mu4-sulfide bridged tetranuclear CuZ center of nitrous oxide reductase. The enzyme can be activated by reduced methyl viologen, with up to a 15-fold increase in specific activity. The reductively activated nitrous oxide reductase from Achromobacter cycloclastes was isolated and characterized by visible absorption and EPR spectroscopy, and both methods showed that the CuZ center can attain a [4Cu(I)] oxidation state. When N2O was added to the activated, reductant-free enzyme, distinct spectral changes were observed, indicating that this state of the enzyme interacts with substrate. This was further supported by the detection of 15N-labeled product in the absence of steady-state turnover conditions. A new absorption band around 970 nm appeared following reaction of activated nitrous oxide reductase with N2O, which may represent a catalytic intermediate state of the enzyme.     

姜黄素及其衍生物对醛糖还原酶的抑制作用

高血糖条件下,多元醇代谢通路（图1）被激活是糖尿病并发症发生与发展的重要原因之一。