Document Report Card

ID: ALA4699413

Journal: RSC Med Chem

Title: Structure-guided discovery of selective methionyl-tRNA synthetase inhibitors with potent activity against Trypanosoma brucei

Authors: Zhang, Zhongsheng, Barros-Alvarez, Ximena, Gillespie, J. Robert, Ranade, Ranae M., Huang, Wenlin, Shibata, Sayaka, Molasky, Nora M. R., Faghih, Omeed, Mushtaq, Aisha, Choy, Robert K. M., de Hostos, Eugenio, Hol, Wim G. J., Verlinde, Christophe L. M. J., Buckner, Frederick S., Fan, Erkang

Abstract: Based on crystal structures of Trypanosoma brucei methionyl-tRNA synthetase (TbMetRS) bound to inhibitors, we designed, synthesized, and evaluated two series of novel TbMetRS inhibitors targeting this parasite enzyme. One series has a 1,3-dihydro-imidazol-2-one containing linker, the other has a rigid fused aromatic ring in the linker. For both series of compounds, potent inhibition of parasite growth was achieved with EC50 < 10 nM and most compounds exhibited low general toxicity to mammalian cells with CC50s > 20000 nM. Selectivity over human mitochondrial methionyl tRNA synthetase was also evaluated, using a cell-based mitochondrial protein synthesis assay, and selectivity in a range of 20-200-fold was achieved. The inhibitors exhibited poor permeability across the blood brain barrier, necessitating future efforts to optimize the compounds for use in late stage human African trypanosomiasis.

CiteXplore: 33479683

DOI: 10.1039/d0md00057d