Johan Gising

Functionalized 3-amino-imidazo[1,2-a]pyridines: A novel class of drug-like Mycobacterium tuberculosis glutamine synthetase inhibitors

3-Amino-imidazo[1,2-a]pyridines have been identified as a novel class of Mycobacterium tuberculosis glutamine synthetase inhibitors. Moreover, these compounds represent the first drug-like inhibitors of this enzyme. A series of compounds exploring structural diversity in the pyridine and phenyl rings have been synthesized and biologically evaluated. Compound 4n was found to be the most potent inhibitor (IC(50)=0.38+/-0.02 microM). This compound was significantly more potent than the known inhibitors, l-methionine-SR-sulfoximine and phosphinothricin.

Trisubstituted Imidazoles as Mycobacterium tuberculosis Glutamine Synthetase Inhibitors

Mycobacterium tuberculosis glutamine synthetase (MtGS) is a promising target for antituberculosis drug discovery. In a recent high-throughput screening study we identified several classes of MtGS inhibitors targeting the ATP-binding site. We now explore one of these classes, the 2-tert-butyl-4,5-diarylimidazoles, and present the design, synthesis, and X-ray crystallographic studies leading to the identification of MtGS inhibitors with submicromolar IC50 values and promising antituberculosis MIC values.

Microwave-assisted synthesis of small molecules targeting the infectious diseases tuberculosis, HIV/AIDS, malaria and hepatitis C

The unique properties of microwave in situ heating offer unparalleled opportunities for medicinal chemists to speed up lead optimisation processes in early drug discovery. The technology is ideal for small-scale discovery chemistry because it allows full reaction control, short reaction times, high safety and rapid feedback. To illustrate these advantages, we herein describe applications and approaches in the synthesis of small molecules to combat four of the most prevalent infectious diseases; tuberculosis, HIV/AIDS, malaria and hepatitis C, using dedicated microwave instrumentation.

Optimization and Evaluation of 5-Styryl-Oxathiazol-2-one Mycobacterium tuberculosis Proteasome Inhibitors as Potential Antitubercular Agents

This is the first report of 5-styryl-oxathiazol-2-ones as inhibitors of the Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) proteasome. As part of the study, the structure–activity relationship of oxathiazolones as Mtb proteasome inhibitors has been investigated. Furthermore, the prepared compounds displayed a good selectivity profile for Mtb compared to the human proteasome. The 5-styryl-oxathiazol-2-one inhibitors identified showed little activity against replicating Mtb, but were rapidly bactericidal against nonreplicating bacteria. (E)-5-(4-Chlorostyryl)-1,3,4-oxathiazol-2-one) was most effective, reducing the colony-forming units (CFU)/mL below the detection limit in only seven days at all concentrations tested. The results suggest that this new class of Mtb proteasome inhibitors has the potential to be further developed into novel antitubercular agents for synergistic combination therapies with existing drugs.

Structural features determining the intestinal epithelial permeability and efflux of novel HIV-1 protease inhibitors.

The primary aim of this study was to identify structural features that alter the intestinal epithelial permeability and efflux in a series of novel HIV-1 protease inhibitors (PIs). Eleven PIs were selected containing a tertiary alcohol in a transition-state mimicking scaffold, in which two substituents (R1 and R2) were varied systematically. Indinavir was selected as a reference compound. The apical-to-basolateral permeability was investigated in 2/4/A1 and Caco-2 monolayers. In addition, the basolateral-to-apical permeability was investigated in the Caco-2 monolayers and the efflux ratios were calculated. The absence of active drug transport processes in 2/4/A1 cells allowed identification and modeling of structural elements affecting the passive permeability. For instance, small aromatic R1 substituents and a small (bromo-) R2 substituent were associated with a high passive permeability. Efflux studies in Caco-2 cells indicated that amide-substituted neutral hydrophobic amino acids, such as valine and leucine, in the R1 position, reduced the apical-to-basolateral transport and enhanced the efflux. We conclude that our investigation revealed structural features that alter the intestinal epithelial permeability and efflux in the series of PIs and hope that these results can contribute to the synthesis of PIs with improved permeability and limited efflux properties.

Design, synthesis and in vitro biological evaluation of oligopeptides targeting E. coli type I signal peptidase (LepB).

Type I signal peptidases are potential targets for the development of new antibacterial agents. Here we report finding potent inhibitors of E. coli type I signal peptidase (LepB), by optimizing a previously reported hit compound, decanoyl-PTANA-CHO, through modifications at the N- and C-termini. Good improvements of inhibitory potency were obtained, with IC50s in the low nanomolar range. The best inhibitors also showed good antimicrobial activity, with MICs in the low μg/mL range for several bacterial species. The selection of resistant mutants provided strong support for LepB as the target of these compounds. The cytotoxicity and hemolytic profiles of these compounds are not optimal but the finding that minor structural changes cause the large effects on these properties suggests that there is potential for optimization in future studies.

Discovery of pyrazinone based compounds that potently inhibit the drug-resistant enzyme variant R155K of the hepatitis C virus NS3 protease

Herein, we present the design and synthesis of 2(1H)-pyrazinone based HCV NS3 protease inhibitors with variations in the C-terminus. Biochemical evaluation was performed using genotype 1a, both the wild-type and the drug resistant enzyme variant, R155K. Surprisingly, compounds without an acidic sulfonamide retained good inhibition, challenging our previous molecular docking model. Moreover, selected compounds in this series showed nanomolar potency against R155K NS3 protease; which generally confer resistance to all HCV NS3 protease inhibitors approved or in clinical trials. These results further strengthen the potential of this novel substance class, being very different to the approved drugs and clinical candidates, in the development of inhibitors less sensitive to drug resistance.

Syntheses of new tuberculosis inhibitors promoted by microwave irradiation

Abstract Tuberculosis (TB) represents a major public health problem. The growing number of (extensively) multi-drug resistance cases indicates that there is an urgent need for discovery of new anti-TB entities, addressed towards new and specific targets, and continuous development of fast and efficient synthetic strategies to access them easily. Microwave-assisted chemistry is well suited for small-scale laboratory synthetic work, allowing full control of reaction conditions, such as temperature, pressure, and time. Microwave-assisted high-speed organic synthesis is especially useful in the lead optimization phase of drug discovery. To illustrate the advantages of modern microwave heating technology, we herein describe applications and approaches that have been useful for the synthesis of new drug-like anti-TB compounds.