PMID: 23214944

Authors:

Saito R, Pruet JM, Manzano LA, Jasheway K, Monzingo AF, Wiget PA, Kamat I, Anslyn EV, Robertus JD

Title:

Peptide-Conjugated Pterins as Inhibitors of Ricin Toxin A.

Journal:

J Med Chem. 2012 Dec 19.

Abstract:

Several 7-peptide-substituted pterins were synthesized and tested as competitive active-site inhibitors of ricin toxin A (RTA). Focus began on dipeptide conjugates, and these results further guided the construction of several tripeptide conjugates. The binding of these compounds to RTA was studied via a luminescence-based kinetic assay, as well as through X-ray crystallography. Despite the relatively polar, solvent exposed active site, several hydrophobic interactions, most commonly pi-interactions not predicted by modeling programs, were identified in all of the best-performing inhibitors. Nearly all of these compounds provide IC(50) values in the low micromolar range.