Targeting a Large Active Site: Structure-Based Design of Nanomolar Inhibitors of Trypanosoma brucei Trypanothione Reductase

Trypanothione reductase (TR) plays a key role in the unique redox metabolism of trypanosomatids, the causative agents of human African trypanosomiasis (HAT), Chagas’ disease, and leishmaniases. Introduction of a new, lean propargylic vector to a known class of TR inhibitors resulted in the strongest reported competitive inhibitor of Trypanosoma (T.) brucei TR, with an inhibition constant K_i of 73 nm , which is fully selective against human glutathione reductase (hGR). The best ligands exhibited in vitro IC₅₀ values (half-maximal inhibitory concentration) against the HAT pathogen, T. brucei rhodesiense, in the mid-nanomolar range, reaching down to 50 nm. X-Ray co-crystal structures confirmed the binding mode of the ligands and revealed the presence of a HEPES buffer molecule in the large active site. Extension of the propargylic vector, guided by structure-based design, to replace the HEPES buffer molecule should give inhibitors with low nanomolar K_i and IC₅₀ values for in vivo studies.