Hydrophobic Pocket Occupation Design of Difluoro-Biphenyl-Diarylpyrimidines as Non-Nucleoside HIV-1 Reverse Transcriptase Inhibitors: from N-Alkylation to Methyl Hopping on the Pyrimidine Ring

J Med Chem. 2021 Apr 22;64(8):5067-5081. doi: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.1c00128. Epub 2021 Apr 14.

Abstract

Considering the nonideal metabolic stability of the difluoro-biphenyl-diarylpyrimidine lead compound 4, a series of novel alkylated difluoro-biphenyl-diarylpyrimidines were designed and synthesized based on their structure. Introducing alkyl or substituted alkyl groups on the linker region to block the potential metabolic sensitive sites generated 22 derivatives. Among them, compound 12a with an N-methyl group displayed excellent anti-HIV-1 activity and selectivity. The methyl group was hopped to the central pyrimidine to occupy the small linker region and maintain the water-mediated hydrogen bond observed in the binding of compound 4 with RT. The resulting compound 16y exhibited an improved anti-HIV-1 activity, much lower cytotoxicity, and nanomolar activity toward multiple mutants. In addition, 16y has a better stability in human liver microsomes than 4. Moreover, no apparent in vivo acute toxicity was observed in 16y-treated female, especially pregnant mice. This series of alkylated compounds with highly potency and safety represent a promising lead template for future discovery.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Alkylation
  • Animals
  • Binding Sites
  • Biphenyl Compounds / chemistry*
  • Cell Line
  • Cell Survival / drug effects
  • Drug Design*
  • Drug Stability
  • Female
  • HIV Reverse Transcriptase / antagonists & inhibitors*
  • HIV Reverse Transcriptase / genetics
  • HIV Reverse Transcriptase / metabolism
  • Half-Life
  • Humans
  • Hydrophobic and Hydrophilic Interactions
  • Mice
  • Microsomes, Liver / metabolism
  • Molecular Docking Simulation
  • Mutation
  • Pyrimidines / chemistry*
  • Pyrimidines / metabolism
  • Pyrimidines / pharmacology
  • Reverse Transcriptase Inhibitors / chemistry*
  • Reverse Transcriptase Inhibitors / metabolism
  • Reverse Transcriptase Inhibitors / pharmacology
  • Structure-Activity Relationship

Substances

  • Biphenyl Compounds
  • Pyrimidines
  • Reverse Transcriptase Inhibitors
  • diphenyl
  • HIV Reverse Transcriptase