1
|
Nguyen W, Boulet C, Dans MG, Loi K, Jarman KE, Watson GM, Tham WH, Fairhurst KJ, Yeo T, Fidock DA, Wittlin S, Chowdury M, de Koning-Ward TF, Chen G, Yan D, Charman SA, Baud D, Brand S, Jackson PF, Cowman AF, Gilson PR, Sleebs BE. Activity refinement of aryl amino acetamides that target the P. falciparum STAR-related lipid transfer 1 protein. Eur J Med Chem 2024; 270:116354. [PMID: 38554474 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2024.116354] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2024] [Revised: 03/19/2024] [Accepted: 03/20/2024] [Indexed: 04/01/2024]
Abstract
Malaria is a devastating disease that causes significant morbidity worldwide. The development of new antimalarial chemotypes is urgently needed because of the emergence of resistance to frontline therapies. Independent phenotypic screening campaigns against the Plasmodium asexual parasite, including our own, identified the aryl amino acetamide hit scaffold. In a prior study, we identified the STAR-related lipid transfer protein (PfSTART1) as the molecular target of this antimalarial chemotype. In this study, we combined structural elements from the different aryl acetamide hit subtypes and explored the structure-activity relationship. It was shown that the inclusion of an endocyclic nitrogen, to generate the tool compound WJM-715, improved aqueous solubility and modestly improved metabolic stability in rat hepatocytes. Metabolic stability in human liver microsomes remains a challenge for future development of the aryl acetamide class, which was underscored by modest systemic exposure and a short half-life in mice. The optimized aryl acetamide analogs were cross resistant to parasites with mutations in PfSTART1, but not to other drug-resistant mutations, and showed potent binding to recombinant PfSTART1 by biophysical analysis, further supporting PfSTART1 as the likely molecular target. The optimized aryl acetamide analogue, WJM-715 will be a useful tool for further investigating the druggability of PfSTART1 across the lifecycle of the malaria parasite.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- William Nguyen
- The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Parkville, 3052, Australia; Department of Medical Biology, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, 3010, Australia
| | | | - Madeline G Dans
- The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Parkville, 3052, Australia; Department of Medical Biology, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, 3010, Australia
| | - Katie Loi
- The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Parkville, 3052, Australia; Department of Medical Biology, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, 3010, Australia
| | - Kate E Jarman
- The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Parkville, 3052, Australia; Department of Medical Biology, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, 3010, Australia
| | - Gabrielle M Watson
- The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Parkville, 3052, Australia; Department of Medical Biology, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, 3010, Australia
| | - Wai-Hong Tham
- The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Parkville, 3052, Australia; Department of Medical Biology, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, 3010, Australia
| | - Kate J Fairhurst
- Department of Microbiology & Immunology, Columbia University, Irving Medical Center, New York, 10032, NY, USA
| | - Tomas Yeo
- Department of Microbiology & Immunology, Columbia University, Irving Medical Center, New York, 10032, NY, USA
| | - David A Fidock
- Department of Microbiology & Immunology, Columbia University, Irving Medical Center, New York, 10032, NY, USA; Center for Malaria Therapeutics and Antimicrobial Resistance, Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, Columbia University, Irving Medical Center, New York, 10032, NY, USA
| | - Sergio Wittlin
- Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, Kreuzstrasse 2, 4123, Allschwi, Switzerland; University of Basel, 4003, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Mrittika Chowdury
- School of Medicine, Deakin University, Waurn Ponds, Victoria, 3216, Australia; Institute for Mental and Physical Health and Clinical Translation, Deakin University, Geelong, Victoria, 3216, Australia
| | - Tania F de Koning-Ward
- School of Medicine, Deakin University, Waurn Ponds, Victoria, 3216, Australia; Institute for Mental and Physical Health and Clinical Translation, Deakin University, Geelong, Victoria, 3216, Australia
| | - Gong Chen
- Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Monash University, Parkville, Victoria, 3052, Australia
| | - Dandan Yan
- Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Monash University, Parkville, Victoria, 3052, Australia
| | - Susan A Charman
- Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Monash University, Parkville, Victoria, 3052, Australia
| | - Delphine Baud
- Medicines for Malaria Venture, ICC, Route de Pré-Bois 20, 1215, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Stephen Brand
- Medicines for Malaria Venture, ICC, Route de Pré-Bois 20, 1215, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Paul F Jackson
- Global Public Health, Janssen R&D LLC, La Jolla, 92121, USA
| | - Alan F Cowman
- The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Parkville, 3052, Australia; Department of Medical Biology, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, 3010, Australia
| | - Paul R Gilson
- Burnet Institute, Melbourne, Victoria, 3004, Australia
| | - Brad E Sleebs
- The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Parkville, 3052, Australia; Department of Medical Biology, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, 3010, Australia.
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Garcia ML, de Oliveira AA, Bueno RV, Nogueira VHR, de Souza GE, Guido RVC. QSAR studies on benzothiophene derivatives as Plasmodium falciparum N-myristoyltransferase inhibitors: Molecular insights into affinity and selectivity. Drug Dev Res 2020; 83:264-284. [PMID: 32045013 DOI: 10.1002/ddr.21646] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/20/2019] [Revised: 12/16/2019] [Accepted: 01/20/2020] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Malaria is an infectious disease caused by protozoan parasites of the genus Plasmodium and transmitted by Anopheles spp. mosquitos. Due to the emerging resistance to currently available drugs, great efforts must be invested in discovering new molecular targets and drugs. N-myristoyltransferase (NMT) is an essential enzyme to parasites and has been validated as a chemically tractable target for the discovery of new drug candidates against malaria. In this work, 2D and 3D quantitative structure-activity relationship (QSAR) studies were conducted on a series of benzothiophene derivatives as P. falciparum NMT (PfNMT) and human NMT (HsNMT) inhibitors to shed light on the molecular requirements for inhibitor affinity and selectivity. A combination of Quantitative Structure-activity Relationship (QSAR) methods, including the hologram quantitative structure-activity relationship (HQSAR), comparative molecular field analysis (CoMFA), and comparative molecular similarity index analysis (CoMSIA) models, were used, and the impacts of the molecular alignment strategies (maximum common substructure and flexible ligand alignment) and atomic partial charge methods (Gasteiger-Hückel, MMFF94, AM1-BCC, CHELPG, and Mulliken) on the quality and reliability of the models were assessed. The best models exhibited internal consistency and could reasonably predict the inhibitory activity against both PfNMT (HQSAR: q2 /r2 /r2 pred = 0.83/0.98/0.81; CoMFA: q2 /r2 /r2 pred = 0.78/0.97/0.86; CoMSIA: q2 /r2 /r2 pred = 0.74/0.95/0.82) and HsNMT (HQSAR: q2 /r2 /r2 pred = 0.79/0.93/0.74; CoMFA: q2 /r2 /r2 pred = 0.82/0.98/0.60; CoMSIA: q2 /r2 /r2 pred = 0.62/0.95/0.56). The results enabled the identification of the polar interactions (electrostatic and hydrogen-bonding properties) as the major molecular features that affected the inhibitory activity and selectivity. These findings should be useful for the design of PfNMT inhibitors with high affinities and selectivities as antimalarial lead candidates.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Mariana L Garcia
- Sao Carlos Institute of Physics, University of Sao Paulo, São Carlos, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Andrew A de Oliveira
- Sao Carlos Institute of Physics, University of Sao Paulo, São Carlos, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Renata V Bueno
- Sao Carlos Institute of Physics, University of Sao Paulo, São Carlos, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Victor H R Nogueira
- Sao Carlos Institute of Physics, University of Sao Paulo, São Carlos, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Guilherme E de Souza
- Sao Carlos Institute of Physics, University of Sao Paulo, São Carlos, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Rafael V C Guido
- Sao Carlos Institute of Physics, University of Sao Paulo, São Carlos, São Paulo, Brazil
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Norcross NR, Wilson C, Baragaña B, Hallyburton I, Osuna‐Cabello M, Norval S, Riley J, Fletcher D, Sinden R, Delves M, Ruecker A, Duffy S, Meister S, Antonova‐Koch Y, Crespo B, de Cózar C, Sanz LM, Gamo FJ, Avery VM, Frearson JA, Gray DW, Fairlamb AH, Winzeler EA, Waterson D, Campbell SF, Willis PA, Read KD, Gilbert IH. Substituted Aminoacetamides as Novel Leads for Malaria Treatment. ChemMedChem 2019; 14:1329-1335. [PMID: 31188540 PMCID: PMC6899483 DOI: 10.1002/cmdc.201900329] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/01/2019] [Indexed: 01/29/2023]
Abstract
Herein we describe the optimization of a phenotypic hit against Plasmodium falciparum based on an aminoacetamide scaffold. This led to N-(3-chloro-4-fluorophenyl)-2-methyl-2-{[4-methyl-3-(morpholinosulfonyl)phenyl]amino}propanamide (compound 28) with low-nanomolar activity against the intraerythrocytic stages of the malaria parasite, and which was found to be inactive in a mammalian cell counter-screen up to 25 μm. Inhibition of gametes in the dual gamete activation assay suggests that this family of compounds may also have transmission blocking capabilities. Whilst we were unable to optimize the aqueous solubility and microsomal stability to a point at which the aminoacetamides would be suitable for in vivo pharmacokinetic and efficacy studies, compound 28 displayed excellent antimalarial potency and selectivity; it could therefore serve as a suitable chemical tool for drug target identification.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Neil R. Norcross
- Drug Discovery UnitDivision of Biological Chemistry and Drug DiscoverySchool of Life SciencesUniversity of DundeeDundeeDD1 5EHUK
| | - Caroline Wilson
- Drug Discovery UnitDivision of Biological Chemistry and Drug DiscoverySchool of Life SciencesUniversity of DundeeDundeeDD1 5EHUK
| | - Beatriz Baragaña
- Drug Discovery UnitDivision of Biological Chemistry and Drug DiscoverySchool of Life SciencesUniversity of DundeeDundeeDD1 5EHUK
| | - Irene Hallyburton
- Drug Discovery UnitDivision of Biological Chemistry and Drug DiscoverySchool of Life SciencesUniversity of DundeeDundeeDD1 5EHUK
| | - Maria Osuna‐Cabello
- Drug Discovery UnitDivision of Biological Chemistry and Drug DiscoverySchool of Life SciencesUniversity of DundeeDundeeDD1 5EHUK
| | - Suzanne Norval
- Drug Discovery UnitDivision of Biological Chemistry and Drug DiscoverySchool of Life SciencesUniversity of DundeeDundeeDD1 5EHUK
| | - Jennifer Riley
- Drug Discovery UnitDivision of Biological Chemistry and Drug DiscoverySchool of Life SciencesUniversity of DundeeDundeeDD1 5EHUK
| | - Daniel Fletcher
- Drug Discovery UnitDivision of Biological Chemistry and Drug DiscoverySchool of Life SciencesUniversity of DundeeDundeeDD1 5EHUK
| | | | | | | | - Sandra Duffy
- Discovery BiologyGriffith Institute for Drug DiscoveryGriffith UniversityNathanQueensland4111Australia
| | - Stephan Meister
- Department of PediatricsUniversity of California San Diego School of Medicine9500 Gilman Drive 0741La JollaCA92093USA
| | - Yevgeniya Antonova‐Koch
- Department of PediatricsUniversity of California San Diego School of Medicine9500 Gilman Drive 0741La JollaCA92093USA
| | - Benigno Crespo
- GlaxoSmithKline, Diseases of the Developing World – Tres Cantos Medicines Development Campusc/ Severo Ochoa 2, Tres Cantos28760MadridSpain
| | - Cristina de Cózar
- GlaxoSmithKline, Diseases of the Developing World – Tres Cantos Medicines Development Campusc/ Severo Ochoa 2, Tres Cantos28760MadridSpain
| | - Laura M. Sanz
- GlaxoSmithKline, Diseases of the Developing World – Tres Cantos Medicines Development Campusc/ Severo Ochoa 2, Tres Cantos28760MadridSpain
| | - Francisco Javier Gamo
- GlaxoSmithKline, Diseases of the Developing World – Tres Cantos Medicines Development Campusc/ Severo Ochoa 2, Tres Cantos28760MadridSpain
| | - Vicky M. Avery
- Discovery BiologyGriffith Institute for Drug DiscoveryGriffith UniversityNathanQueensland4111Australia
| | - Julie A. Frearson
- Drug Discovery UnitDivision of Biological Chemistry and Drug DiscoverySchool of Life SciencesUniversity of DundeeDundeeDD1 5EHUK
| | - David W. Gray
- Drug Discovery UnitDivision of Biological Chemistry and Drug DiscoverySchool of Life SciencesUniversity of DundeeDundeeDD1 5EHUK
| | - Alan H. Fairlamb
- Drug Discovery UnitDivision of Biological Chemistry and Drug DiscoverySchool of Life SciencesUniversity of DundeeDundeeDD1 5EHUK
| | - Elizabeth A. Winzeler
- Department of PediatricsUniversity of California San Diego School of Medicine9500 Gilman Drive 0741La JollaCA92093USA
| | - David Waterson
- Medicines for Malaria VentureInternational Centre, Cointrin, Entrance G, 3rd FloorRoute de Pré-Bois 20, PO Box 1826Geneva1215Switzerland
| | - Simon F. Campbell
- Medicines for Malaria VentureInternational Centre, Cointrin, Entrance G, 3rd FloorRoute de Pré-Bois 20, PO Box 1826Geneva1215Switzerland
| | - Paul A. Willis
- Medicines for Malaria VentureInternational Centre, Cointrin, Entrance G, 3rd FloorRoute de Pré-Bois 20, PO Box 1826Geneva1215Switzerland
| | - Kevin D. Read
- Drug Discovery UnitDivision of Biological Chemistry and Drug DiscoverySchool of Life SciencesUniversity of DundeeDundeeDD1 5EHUK
| | - Ian H. Gilbert
- Drug Discovery UnitDivision of Biological Chemistry and Drug DiscoverySchool of Life SciencesUniversity of DundeeDundeeDD1 5EHUK
| |
Collapse
|