Christina Zimmer

Discovery of Antagonists of PqsR, a Key Player in 2-Alkyl-4-quinolone-Dependent Quorum Sensing in Pseudomonas aeruginosa

The pqs quorum sensing communication system of Pseudomonas aeruginosa controls virulence factor production and is involved in biofilm formation, therefore playing an important role for pathogenicity. In order to attenuate P. aeruginosa pathogenicity, we followed a ligand-based drug design approach and synthesized a series of compounds targeting PqsR, the receptor of the pqs system. In vitro evaluation using a reporter gene assay in Escherichia coli led to the discovery of the first competitive PqsR antagonists, which are highly potent (K(d,app) of compound 20: 7 nM). These antagonists are able to reduce the production of the virulence factor pyocyanin in P. aeruginosa. Our finding offers insights into the ligand-receptor interaction of PqsR and provides a promising starting point for further drug design.

Validation of PqsD as an Anti-biofilm Target in Pseudomonas aeruginosa by Development of Small-Molecule Inhibitors

2-Heptyl-4-hydroxyquinoline (HHQ) and Pseudomonas quinolone signal (PQS) are involved in the regulation of virulence factor production and biofilm formation in Pseudomonas aeruginosa. PqsD is a key enzyme in the biosynthesis of these signal molecules. Using a ligand-based approach, we have identified the first class of PqsD inhibitors. Simplification and rigidization led to fragments with high ligand efficiencies. These small molecules repress HHQ and PQS production and biofilm formation in P. aeruginosa. This validates PqsD as a target for the development of anti-infectives.

Design, Synthesis, and Biological Evaluation of Imidazolyl Derivatives of 4,7-Disubstituted Coumarins as Aromatase Inhibitors Selective over 17-α-Hydroxylase/C17-20 Lyase

The design, synthesis, and biological evaluation of a series of new aromatase (AR, CYP19) inhibitors bearing an imidazole ring linked to a 7-substituted coumarin scaffold at position 4 (or 3) are reported. Many compounds exhibited an aromatase inhibitory potency in the nanomolar range along with a high selectivity over 17-α-hydroxylase/C17-20 lyase (CYP17). The most potent AR inhibitor was the 7-(3,4-difluorophenoxy)-4-imidazolylmethyl coumarin 24 endowed with an IC(50) = 47 nM. Docking simulations on a selected number of coumarin derivatives allowed the identification of the most important interactions driving the binding and clearly indicated the allowed and disallowed regions for appropriate structural modifications of coumarins and closely related heterocyclic molecular scaffolds.

Fine-tuning the selectivity of aldosterone synthase inhibitors: structure-activity and structure-selectivity insights from studies of heteroaryl substituted 1,2,5,6-tetrahydropyrrolo[3,2,1-ij]quinolin-4-one derivatives.

Pyridine substituted 3,4-dihydro-1H-quinolin-2-ones (e.g., 1-3) constitute a class of highly potent and selective inhibitors of aldosterone synthase (CYP11B2), a promising target for the treatment of hyperaldosteronism, congestive heart failure, and myocardial fibrosis. Among these, ethyl-substituted 3 possesses high selectivity against CYP1A2. Rigidification of 3 by incorporation of the ethyl group into a 5- or 6-membered ring affords compounds with a pyrroloquinolinone or pyridoquinolinone molecular scaffold (e.g., 4 and 5). It was found that these molecules are even more potent and selective CYP11B2 inhibitors than their corresponding open-chain analogues. Moreover, pyrroloquinolinone 4 exhibits no inhibition of the six most important hepatic CYP enzymes as well as a bioavailability in the range of the marketed drug fadrozole. The SAR studies disclose that subtle changes in the heterocyclic moiety are responsible for either a strong or a weak inhibition of the highly homologous 11β-hydroxylase (CYP11B1). These results are not only important for fine-tuning the selectivity of CYP11B2 inhibitors but also for the development of selective CYP11B1 inhibitors that are of interest for the treatment of Cushings syndrome and metabolic syndrome.

Optimization of the First Selective Steroid-11β-hydroxylase (CYP11B1) Inhibitors for the Treatment of Cortisol Dependent Diseases.

CYP11B1 is the key enzyme in cortisol biosynthesis, and its inhibition with selective compounds is a promising strategy for the treatment of diseases associated with elevated cortisol levels, such as Cushings syndrome or metabolic disease. Expanding on a previous study from our group resulting in the first potent and rather selective inhibitor described so far (1, IC50 = 152 nM), we herein describe further optimizations of the imidazolylmethyl pyridine core. Five compounds among the 42 substances synthesized showed IC50 values below 50 nM. Most interesting was the naphth-1-yl compound 23 (IC50 = 42 nM), showing a 49-fold selectivity toward the highly homologous CYP11B2 (1: 18-fold) as well as selectivity toward the androgen and estrogen forming enzymes CYP17 and CYP19, respectively.

Novel highly potent and selective nonsteroidal aromatase inhibitors: synthesis, biological evaluation and structure-activity relationships investigation.

In further pursuing our search for potent and selective aromatase inhibitors, a new series of molecules was designed and synthesized, exploring possible structural modifications of a previously identified xanthone scaffold. Among them, highly potent compounds, with inhibitory activity in the low nanomolar range, were found. In particular, substitution of the heterocyclic oxygen atom in the xanthone core by a sulfur atom and/or increase in structure flexibility seemed to be favorable for the interaction with the enzyme.

Modulation of Cytochromes P450 with Xanthone-Based Molecules: From Aromatase to Aldosterone Synthase and Steroid 11β- Hydroxylase Inhibition

Imidazolylmethylflavones previously reported by us as aromatase inhibitors proved to be able to interact with aldosterone synthase (CYP11B2), a cytochrome P450 enzyme involved in the biosynthesis of the mineralcorticoid hormone aldosterone, and were used to obtain a pharmacophore model for this enzyme. Here, in the search for potential ligands for CYP11B2 and the related CYP11B1, a virtual screening of a small compounds library of our earlier synthesized aromatase inhibitors was performed and, according to the results and the corresponding biological data, led to the design and synthesis of a series of xanthones derivatives carrying an imidazolylmethyl substituent in position 1 and different substituents in position 4. Some very potent inhibitors were obtained; in particular, the 4-chlorine derivative was active in the low nanomolar or subnanomolar range on CYP11B2 and CYP11B1, respectively, proving that xanthone can be considered as an excellent scaffold, whose activity can be directed to different targets when appropriately functionalized.

Synthesis of some imidazolyl-substituted 2-benzylidene indanone derivatives as potent aromatase inhibitors for breast cancer therapy

The synthesis and aromatase inhibitory activity of a new series of 2-benzylidene indanones is presented. The imidazolyl-substituted indanones displayed potent aromatase inhibitory activity. The vanilloid-based derivative 2-[4-(3-imidazol-1-ylpropoxy)-3-methoxybenzylidene]-indan-1-one (26) exhibited maximum inhibition of human placental aromatase and was found to be 54 times more potent as compared to aminoglutethimide.

N-(Pyridin-3-yl)benzamides as selective inhibitors of human aldosterone synthase (CYP11B2).

A series of 23 N-(Pyridin-3-yl)benzamides was synthesized and evaluated for their potential to inhibit human steroid-11β-hydroxylase (CYP11B1) and human aldosterone synthase (CYP11B2). The most potent and selective CYP11B2 inhibitors (IC(50) values 53-166 nM) were further evaluated for their potential to inhibit human CYP17 and CYP19, and no inhibition was observed. Clear evidence was shown for N-(Pyridin-3-yl)benzamides to be a highly selective class of CYP11B2 inhibitors in vitro.

Synthesis of some novel androstanes as potential aromatase inhibitors

Novel pyrazole and isoxazole derivatives (6-9) were synthesized as a aromatase inhibitors. Pyrazole was synthesized from hydrazine hydrate and isoxazoles from hydroxylamine hydrochloride under different conditions. Molecular docking studies were carried out for the synthesized compounds. The best score was obtained for the compound (9) followed by compound (6) while compound (8) afforded poorest of the score. Aromatase inhibitory activity for compound (6) having pyrazole ring at 2,3 position showed highest activity followed by nitrile derivative (9). Isomeric forms of isoxazole (7 and 8) showed very poor activity compared to fadrozole and aminoglutethimide. Preliminary kinetic studies have shown that both of the active compounds (6 and 9) are reversible inhibitors of the enzyme.