Structural correlation between lipophilicity and lipopolysaccharide-sequestering activity in spermine-sulfonamide analogs

Bioorg Med Chem Lett. 2006 Dec 15;16(24):6209-12. doi: 10.1016/j.bmcl.2006.09.026. Epub 2006 Sep 28.

Abstract

Lipopolysaccharides (LPS), otherwise termed 'endotoxins', are outer-membrane constituents of Gram-negative bacteria, and play a key role in the pathogenesis of 'Septic Shock', a major cause of mortality in the critically ill patient. We had previously defined the pharmacophore necessary for small molecules to specifically bind and neutralize this complex carbohydrate. A series of aryl and aliphatic spermine-sulfonamide analogs were synthesized and tested in a series of binding and cell-based assays in order to probe the effect of lipophilicity on sequestration ability. A strong correlation was indeed found, supporting the hypothesis that endotoxin-neutralizing ability involves a lipophilic or membrane attachment event. The research discussed herein may be useful for the design of additional carbohydrate recognizing molecules and endotoxin-neutralizing drugs.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural

MeSH terms

  • Carbohydrate Conformation
  • Kinetics
  • Lipopolysaccharides / chemistry*
  • Lipopolysaccharides / isolation & purification*
  • Models, Molecular
  • Spermine / analogs & derivatives*
  • Spermine / chemistry*
  • Spermine / pharmacokinetics
  • Structure-Activity Relationship
  • Sulfonamides / chemistry*
  • Sulfonamides / pharmacokinetics

Substances

  • Lipopolysaccharides
  • Sulfonamides
  • Spermine