Two-pronged attack: dual inhibition of Plasmodium falciparum M1 and M17 metalloaminopeptidases by a novel series of hydroxamic acid-based inhibitors

J Med Chem. 2014 Nov 13;57(21):9168-83. doi: 10.1021/jm501323a. Epub 2014 Oct 24.

Abstract

Plasmodium parasites, the causative agents of malaria, have developed resistance to most of our current antimalarial therapies, including artemisinin combination therapies which are widely described as our last line of defense. Antimalarial agents with a novel mode of action are urgently required. Two Plasmodium falciparum aminopeptidases, PfA-M1 and PfA-M17, play crucial roles in the erythrocytic stage of infection and have been validated as potential antimalarial targets. Using compound-bound crystal structures of both enzymes, we have used a structure-guided approach to develop a novel series of inhibitors capable of potent inhibition of both PfA-M1 and PfA-M17 activity and parasite growth in culture. Herein we describe the design, synthesis, and evaluation of a series of hydroxamic acid-based inhibitors and demonstrate the compounds to be exciting new leads for the development of novel antimalarial therapeutics.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Aminopeptidases / antagonists & inhibitors*
  • Antimalarials / chemical synthesis*
  • Antimalarials / pharmacology
  • Cell Survival / drug effects
  • HEK293 Cells / drug effects
  • Humans
  • Hydroxamic Acids / chemical synthesis*
  • Hydroxamic Acids / pharmacology*
  • Models, Molecular
  • Plasmodium falciparum / enzymology
  • Protease Inhibitors / chemical synthesis*
  • Protease Inhibitors / pharmacology
  • Protozoan Proteins / antagonists & inhibitors*
  • Structure-Activity Relationship

Substances

  • Antimalarials
  • Hydroxamic Acids
  • Protease Inhibitors
  • Protozoan Proteins
  • Aminopeptidases

Associated data

  • PDB/4R5T
  • PDB/4R5V
  • PDB/4R5X
  • PDB/4R6T
  • PDB/4R76
  • PDB/4R7M