Computational Fragment-Based Design Facilitates Discovery of Potent and Selective Monoamine Oxidase-B (MAO-B) Inhibitor

J Med Chem. 2020 Dec 10;63(23):15021-15036. doi: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.0c01663. Epub 2020 Nov 19.

Abstract

Parkinson's disease (PD) is one of the most common age-related neurodegenerative diseases. Inhibition of monoamine oxidase-B (MAO-B), which is mainly found in the glial cells of the brain, may lead to an elevated level of dopamine (DA) in patients. MAO-B inhibitors have been used extensively for patients with PD. However, the discovery of the selective MAO-B inhibitor is still a challenge. In this study, a computational strategy was designed for the rapid discovery of selective MAO-B inhibitors. A series of (S)-2-(benzylamino)propanamide derivatives were designed. In vitro biological evaluations revealed that (S)-1-(4-((3-fluorobenzyl)oxy)benzyl)azetidine-2-carboxamide (C3) was more potent and selective than safinamide, a promising drug for regulating MAO-B. Further studies revealed that the selectivity mechanism of C3 was due to the steric clash caused by the residue difference of Phe208 (MAO-A) and Ile199 (MAO-B). Animal studies showed that compound C3 could inhibit cerebral MAO-B activity and alleviate 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP)-induced dopaminergic neuronal loss.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • 1-Methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine
  • Alanine / analogs & derivatives
  • Alanine / metabolism
  • Amides / chemical synthesis
  • Amides / metabolism
  • Amides / therapeutic use*
  • Animals
  • Benzylamines / chemical synthesis
  • Benzylamines / metabolism
  • Benzylamines / therapeutic use*
  • Binding Sites
  • Dopaminergic Neurons / drug effects
  • Drug Design
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Mice, Inbred ICR
  • Molecular Docking Simulation
  • Molecular Structure
  • Monoamine Oxidase / chemistry
  • Monoamine Oxidase / metabolism*
  • Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitors / chemical synthesis
  • Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitors / metabolism
  • Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitors / therapeutic use*
  • Parkinson Disease, Secondary / chemically induced
  • Parkinson Disease, Secondary / drug therapy*
  • Protein Binding
  • Structure-Activity Relationship

Substances

  • Amides
  • Benzylamines
  • Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitors
  • safinamide
  • 1-Methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine
  • Monoamine Oxidase
  • Alanine