Download MendeleyStructure-based design, synthesis, and characterization of inhibitors of human and Plasmodium falciparum dihydroorotate dehydrogenases
Davies, M., Heikkila, T., McConkey, G.A., Fishwick, C.W.G., Parsons, M.R., Johnson, A.P.(2009) J Med Chem 52: 2683-2693
- PubMed: 19351152
- DOI: https://doi.org/10.1021/jm800963t
- Primary Citation of Related Structures:
3F1Q, 3FJ6, 3FJL, 3G0U, 3G0X - PubMed Abstract:
Pyrimidine biosynthesis is an attractive drug target in a variety of organisms, including humans and the malaria parasite Plasmodium falciparum. Dihydroorotate dehydrogenase, an enzyme catalyzing the only redox reaction of the pyrimidine biosynthesis pathway, is a well-characterized target for chemotherapeutical intervention. In this study, we have applied SPROUT-LeadOpt, a software package for structure-based drug discovery and lead optimization, to improve the binding of the active metabolite of the anti-inflammatory drug leflunomide to the target cavities of the P. falciparum and human dihydroorotate dehydrogenases. Following synthesis of a library of compounds based upon the SPROUT-optimized molecular scaffolds, a series of inhibitors generally showing good inhibitory activity was obtained, in keeping with the SPROUT-LeadOpt predictions. Furthermore, cocrystal structures of five of these SPROUT-designed inhibitors bound in the ubiquinone binding cavity of the human dihydroorotate dehydrogenase are also analyzed.
Organizational Affiliation:
School of Chemistry, Faculty of Biological Sciences, and Astbury Centre for Structural Molecular Biology, University of Leeds, Leeds LS2 9JT, UK.
