PMID: 24900854

Authors:

Choi JY, Calvet CM, Vieira DF, Gunatilleke SS, Cameron MD, McKerrow JH, Podust LM, Roush WR

Title:

R-Configuration of 4-Aminopyridyl-Based Inhibitors of CYP51 Confers Superior Efficacy Against Trypanosoma cruzi.

Journal:

ACS Med Chem Lett. 2014 Jan 22;5(4):434-9. doi: 10.1021/ml500010m. eCollection, 2014 Apr 10.

Abstract:

Sterol 14alpha-demethylase (CYP51) is an important therapeutic target for fungal and parasitic infections due to its key role in the biosynthesis of ergosterol, an essential component of the cell membranes of these pathogenic organisms. We report the development of potent and selective d-tryptophan-derived inhibitors of T. cruzi CYP51. Structural information obtained from the cocrystal structure of CYP51 and (R)-2, which is >1000-fold more potent than its enantiomer (S)-1, was used to guide design of additional analogues. The in vitro efficacy data presented here for (R)-2-(R)-8, together with preliminary in vitro pharmacokinetic data suggest that this new CYP51 inhibitor scaffold series has potential to deliver drug candidates for treatment of T. cruzi infections.