Salvatore Alfonso

MmpL3 is the cellular target of the antitubercular pyrrole derivative BM212

ABSTRACT The 1,5-diarylpyrrole derivative BM212 was previously shown to be active against multidrug-resistant clinical isolates and Mycobacterium tuberculosis residing within macrophages as well as against Mycobacterium avium and other atypical mycobacteria. To determine its mechanism of action, we identified the cellular target. Spontaneous Mycobacterium smegmatis, Mycobacterium bovis BCG, and M. tuberculosis H37Rv mutants that were resistant to BM212 were isolated. By the screening of genomic libraries and by whole-genome sequencing, we found that all the characterized mutants showed mutations in the mmpL3 gene, allowing us to conclude that resistance to BM212 maps to the MmpL3 protein, a member of the MmpL (mycobacterial membrane protein, large) family. Susceptibility was unaffected by the efflux pump inhibitors reserpine, carbonylcyanide m-chlorophenylhydrazone, and verapamil. Uptake/efflux experiments with [14C]BM212 demonstrated that resistance is not driven by the efflux of BM212. Together, these data strongly suggest that the MmpL3 protein is the cellular target of BM212.

Improved BM212 MmpL3 Inhibitor Analogue Shows Efficacy in Acute Murine Model of Tuberculosis Infection

1,5-Diphenyl pyrroles were previously identified as a class of compounds endowed with high in vitro efficacy against M. tuberculosis. To improve the physical chemical properties and drug-like parameters of this class of compounds, a medicinal chemistry effort was undertaken. By selecting the optimal substitution patterns for the phenyl rings at N1 and C5 and by replacing the thiomorpholine moiety with a morpholine one, a new series of compounds was produced. The replacement of the sulfur with oxygen gave compounds with lower lipophilicity and improved in vitro microsomal stability. Moreover, since the parent compound of this family has been shown to target MmpL3, mycobacterial mutants resistant to two compounds have been isolated and characterized by sequencing the mmpL3 gene; all the mutants showed point mutations in this gene. The best compound identified to date was progressed to dose-response studies in an acute murine TB infection model. The resulting ED99 of 49 mg/Kg is within the range of commonly employed tuberculosis drugs, demonstrating the potential of this chemical series. The in vitro and in vivo target validation evidence presented here adds further weight to MmpL3 as a druggable target of interest for anti-tubercular drug discovery.

A class of pyrrole derivatives endowed with analgesic/anti-inflammatory activity

We report the synthesis and bio-pharmacological evaluation of a class of pyrrole derivatives featuring a small appendage fragment (carbaldehyde, oxime, nitrile) on the central core. Compound 1c proved to be extremely effective in vivo, showing an interesting anti-nociceptic profile that is comparable to reference compounds already marketed, hence representing a great stimulus for a further improvement of this class of molecules.

Identification of a novel pyrrole derivative endowed with antimycobacterial activity and protection index comparable to that of the current antitubercular drugs streptomycin and rifampin

A hit optimization procedure based on isosteric and bioisosteric replacement of decorating groups at both the N1 and the C5 phenyl rings of 1,5-diarylpyrroles led to identification of 4-((1-(4-fluorophenyl)-2-methyl-5-(4-(methylthio)phenyl)-1H-pyrrol-3-yl)methyl)thiomorpholine that is characterized by a very high activity toward both Mycobacterium tuberculosis 103471 and H37Rv strains (MIC values of 0.125μg/mL), and a safe profile in terms of cytotoxicity (CC(50) of >128μg/mL) and protection index (>1000). Antitubercular activity and protection index of the new compound are comparable to those found for the current antitubercular drugs streptomycin and rifampin.

Inhibition of Leishmania infantum trypanothione reductase by azole-based compounds: A comparative analysis with its physiological substrate by x-ray crystallography

Herein we report a study aimed at discovering a new class of compounds that are able to inhibit Leishmania donovani cell growth. Evaluation of an in‐house library of compounds in a whole‐cell screening assay highlighted 4‐((1‐(4‐ethylphenyl)‐2‐methyl‐5‐(4‐(methylthio)phenyl)‐1H‐pyrrol‐3‐yl)methyl)thiomorpholine (compound 1) as the most active. Enzymatic assays on Leishmania infantum trypanothione reductase (LiTR, belonging to the Leishmania donovani complex) shed light on both the interaction with, and the nature of inhibition by, compound 1. A molecular modeling approach based on docking studies and on the estimation of the binding free energy aided our rationalization of the biological data. Moreover, X‐ray crystal structure determination of LiTR in complex with compound 1 confirmed all our results: compound 1 binds to the T(SH)2 binding site, lined by hydrophobic residues such as Trp21 and Met113, as well as residues Glu18 and Tyr110. Analysis of the structure of LiTR in complex with trypanothione shows that Glu18 and Tyr110 are also involved in substrate binding, according to a competitive inhibition mechanism.

Novel analgesic/anti-inflammatory agents: diarylpyrrole acetic esters endowed with nitric oxide releasing properties.

The design of compounds that are able to inhibit cyclooxygenase (COX) and to release nitric oxide (NO) should give rise to drugs endowed with an overall safer profile for the gastrointestinal and cardiovascular systems. Herein we report a new class of pyrrole-derived nitrooxy esters (11a-j), cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) selective inhibitors endowed with NO releasing properties, with the goal of generating new molecules able to both strongly inhibit this isoform and reduce the related adverse side effects. Taking into account the metabolic conversion of nitrooxy esters into corresponding alcohols, we also studied derivatives 12a-j. All compounds proved to be very potent and selective COX-2 inhibitors; nitrooxy derivatives displayed interesting ex vivo NO-dependent vasorelaxing properties. Compounds 11c, 11d, 12c, and 12d were selected for further in vivo studies that highlited good anti-inflammatory and antinociceptive activities. Finally, two selected compounds (11c and 12c) tested in human whole blood (HWB) assay proved to be preferential inhibitors of COX-2.

Developing Pyrrole-Derived Antimycobacterial Agents: A Rational Lead Optimization Approach

Tuberculosis (TB) represents a never‐ending challenge toward which research efforts are needed. Drug resistance is the key problem that scientists in the field need to fight. The development of new drugs endowed with novel modes of action against different biological targets is of extreme importance; these new agents should also exhibit lower toxicity compared with the anti‐TB drugs currently available. Furthermore, new drugs should be inexpensive since most of the TB‐infected population lives in developing nations. In the last few years, numerous researchers have focused their attention on TB, leading to the discovery of some interesting compounds. Among these, the pyrrole‐derived compounds we developed can be considered very promising antimycobacterial agents. Aided by molecular modeling studies, we synthesized numerous compounds characterized by the same 1,5‐diarylpyrrole scaffold and elucidated very interesting antitubercular/antimycobacterial properties. Some compounds identified are extremely promising and represent a step towards the design of novel lead structures in the fight against TB. Our efforts to this end are reviewed here.

Enhancing the pharmacodynamic profile of a class of selective COX-2 inhibiting nitric oxide donors.

We report herein the development, synthesis, physicochemical and pharmacological characterization of a novel class of pharmacodynamic hybrids that selectively inhibit cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) isoform and present suitable nitric oxide releasing properties. The replacement of the ester moiety with the amide group gave access to in vivo more stable and active derivatives that highlighted outstanding pharmacological properties. In particular, the glycine derivative proved to be extremely active in suppressing hyperalgesia and edema.

Synthesis, biological evaluation and docking analysis of a new series of methylsulfonyl and sulfamoyl acetamides and ethyl acetates as potent COX-2 inhibitors

We report herein the synthesis, biological evaluation and docking analysis of a new series of methylsulfonyl, sulfamoyl acetamides and ethyl acetates that selectively inhibit cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) isoform. Among the newly synthesized compounds, some of them were endowed with a good activity against COX-2 and a good selectivity COX-2/COX-1 in vitro as well as a desirable analgesic activity in vivo, proving that replacement of the ester moiety with an amide group gave access to more stable derivatives, characterized by a good COX-inhibition.

Improving the solubility of a new class of antiinflammatory pharmacodynamic hybrids, that release nitric oxide and inhibit cycloxygenase-2 isoenzyme

The development of a novel class of pharmacodynamic hybrids that inhibits COX-2 isoform is reported. These molecules display enhanced nitric oxide releasing properties due to the presence of an ionisable moiety. The in vivo analgesic/anti-inflammatory activity was maintained in relation to the parent compounds.