Download MendeleySynthetic and Crystallographic Studies of a New Inhibitor Series Targeting Bacillus anthracis Dihydrofolate Reductase
Beierlein, J.M., Frey, K.M., Bolstad, D.B., Pelphrey, P.M., Joska, T.M., Smith, A.E., Priestley, N.D., Wright, D.L., Anderson, A.C.(2008) J Med Chem 51: 7532-7540
- PubMed: 19007108
- DOI: https://doi.org/10.1021/jm800776a
- Primary Citation of Related Structures:
3E0B - PubMed Abstract:
Bacillus anthracis, the causative agent of anthrax, poses a significant biodefense danger. Serious limitations in approved therapeutics and the generation of resistance have produced a compelling need for new therapeutic agents against this organism. Bacillus anthracis is known to be insensitive to the clinically used antifolate, trimethoprim, because of a lack of potency against the dihydrofolate reductase enzyme. Herein, we describe a novel lead series of B. anthracis dihydrofolate reductase inhibitors characterized by an extended trimethoprim-like scaffold. The best lead compound adds only 22 Da to the molecular weight and is 82-fold more potent than trimethoprim. An X-ray crystal structure of this lead compound bound to B. anthracis dihydrofolate reductase in the presence of NADPH was determined to 2.25 A resolution. The structure reveals several features that can be exploited for further development of this lead series.
Organizational Affiliation:
Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Connecticut, 69 N. Eagleville Road, Storrs, Connecticut 06269, USA.
