Development of a lead inhibitor for the A16V+S108T mutant of dihydrofolate reductase from the cycloguanil-resistant strain (T9/94) of Plasmodium falciparum

J Med Chem. 2000 Jul 13;43(14):2738-44. doi: 10.1021/jm0009181.

Abstract

The Ala16Val+Ser108Thr (A16V+S108T) mutant of the Plasmodium falciparum dihydrofolate reductase (DHFR) is a key mutant responsible for cycloguanil-resistant malaria due to steric interaction between Val-16 and one of the C-2 methyl groups of cycloguanil. 4,6-Diamino-1,2-dihydrotriazines have been prepared, in which both methyl groups of cycloguanil are replaced by H or by H and an alkyl or phenyl group, and their inhibition constants against wild-type and mutant DHFR determined. The S108T mutation is considered to decrease cycloguanil binding further through the effect on the orientation of the p-chlorophenyl group. By moving the p-chloro-substituent to the m-position in the chlorophenyl group, the activity against the A16V+S108T mutant enzyme is improved, and this effect is reinforced by the p-chloro substituent in the 3, 4-dichlorophenyl group. A lead compound has been found with inhibitory activity similar to that of cycloguanil against the wild-type DHFR and about 120-fold more effective than cycloguanil against the A16V+S108T mutant enzyme. The activity of this compound against P. falciparum clone (T9/94 RC17) which harbors the A16V+S108T DHFR is about 85-fold greater than cycloguanil.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Amino Acid Substitution
  • Animals
  • Antimalarials / chemical synthesis*
  • Antimalarials / chemistry
  • Antimalarials / pharmacology
  • Drug Resistance
  • Folic Acid Antagonists / chemical synthesis*
  • Folic Acid Antagonists / chemistry
  • Folic Acid Antagonists / pharmacology
  • Mutation
  • Plasmodium falciparum / drug effects*
  • Plasmodium falciparum / enzymology*
  • Proguanil
  • Structure-Activity Relationship
  • Tetrahydrofolate Dehydrogenase / genetics
  • Tetrahydrofolate Dehydrogenase / metabolism*
  • Triazines / chemical synthesis*
  • Triazines / chemistry
  • Triazines / pharmacology*

Substances

  • Antimalarials
  • Folic Acid Antagonists
  • Triazines
  • cycloguanil
  • Tetrahydrofolate Dehydrogenase
  • Proguanil