Optimization of Hydantoins as Potent Antimycobacterial Decaprenylphosphoryl-β-d-Ribose Oxidase (DprE1) Inhibitors

J Med Chem. 2020 May 28;63(10):5367-5386. doi: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.0c00107. Epub 2020 May 13.

Abstract

In search of novel drugs against tuberculosis, we previously discovered and profiled a novel hydantoin-based family that demonstrated highly promising in vitro potency against Mycobacterium. tuberculosis. The compounds were found to be noncovalent inhibitors of DprE1, a subunit of decaprenylphosphoryl-β-d-ribose-2'-epimerase. This protein, localized in the periplasmic space of the mycobacterial cell wall, was shown to be an essential and vulnerable antimycobacterial drug target. Here, we report the further SAR exploration of this chemical family through more than 80 new analogues. Among these, the most active representatives combined submicromolar cellular potency and nanomolar target affinity with balanced physicochemical properties and low human cytotoxicity. Moreover, we demonstrate in vivo activity in an acute Mtb infection model and provide further proof of DprE1 being the target of the hydantoins. Overall, the hydantoin family of DprE1 inhibitors represents a promising noncovalent lead series for the discovery of novel antituberculosis agents.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Alcohol Oxidoreductases / antagonists & inhibitors*
  • Alcohol Oxidoreductases / metabolism
  • Animals
  • Antitubercular Agents / chemistry*
  • Antitubercular Agents / metabolism
  • Antitubercular Agents / pharmacology*
  • Bacterial Proteins / antagonists & inhibitors*
  • Bacterial Proteins / metabolism
  • Female
  • Hep G2 Cells
  • Humans
  • Hydantoins / chemistry*
  • Hydantoins / metabolism
  • Hydantoins / pharmacology*
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred C57BL
  • Mycobacterium tuberculosis / drug effects
  • Mycobacterium tuberculosis / metabolism
  • Nuclear Magnetic Resonance, Biomolecular / methods
  • Tuberculosis / drug therapy
  • Tuberculosis / metabolism

Substances

  • Antitubercular Agents
  • Bacterial Proteins
  • Hydantoins
  • Alcohol Oxidoreductases
  • DprE1 protein, Mycobacterium tuberculosis