Substituted pyrrolo[2,3-d]pyrimidines as Cryptosporidium hominis thymidylate synthase inhibitors

Bioorg Med Chem Lett. 2013 Oct 1;23(19):5426-8. doi: 10.1016/j.bmcl.2013.07.037. Epub 2013 Jul 24.

Abstract

Cryptosporidiosis, a gastrointestinal disease caused by a protozoan Cryptosporidium hominis is often fatal in immunocompromised individuals. There is little clinical data to show that the existing treatment by nitazoxanide and paromomycin is effective in immunocompromised individuals. Thymidylate synthase (TS) and dihydrofolate reductase (DHFR) are essential enzymes in the folate biosynthesis pathway and are well established as drug targets in cancer and malaria. A novel series of classical antifolates, 2-amino-4-oxo-5-substituted pyrrolo[2,3-d]pyrimidines have been evaluated as Cryptosporidium hominis thymidylate synthase (ChTS) inhibitors. Crystal structure in complex with the most potent compound, a 2'-chlorophenyl with a sulfur bridge with a Ki of 8.83±0.67 nM is discussed in terms of several Van der Waals, hydrophobic and hydrogen bond interactions with the protein residues and the substrate analog 5-fluorodeoxyuridine monophosphate. Of these interactions, two interactions with the non-conserved residues (A287 and S290) offer an opportunity to develop ChTS specific inhibitors. Compound 6 serves as a lead compound for analog design and its crystal structure provides clues for the design of ChTS specific inhibitors.

Keywords: Cryptosporidium hominis; Dihydrofolate reductase; Pyrrolo[2,3-d]pyrimidines; Thymidylate synthase.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Antiprotozoal Agents / chemistry
  • Antiprotozoal Agents / pharmacology
  • Cryptosporidium / enzymology*
  • Crystallography, X-Ray
  • Enzyme Activation / drug effects
  • Enzyme Inhibitors / chemical synthesis
  • Enzyme Inhibitors / chemistry
  • Enzyme Inhibitors / pharmacology
  • Hydrophobic and Hydrophilic Interactions
  • Inhibitory Concentration 50
  • Models, Molecular
  • Molecular Structure
  • Pyrimidines / chemistry*
  • Pyrimidines / pharmacology
  • Pyrroles / chemistry*
  • Pyrroles / pharmacology
  • Thymidylate Synthase / antagonists & inhibitors*

Substances

  • Antiprotozoal Agents
  • Enzyme Inhibitors
  • Pyrimidines
  • Pyrroles
  • Pyrrolo(2,3-d)pyrimidine
  • Thymidylate Synthase