Design, synthesis and evaluation of novel uracil acetamide derivatives as potential inhibitors of Plasmodium falciparum dUTP nucleotidohydrolase

Eur J Med Chem. 2009 Feb;44(2):678-88. doi: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2008.05.018. Epub 2008 Jul 10.

Abstract

The ubiquitous enzyme dUTP nucleotidohydrolase (dUTPase) catalyses the hydrolysis of dUTP to dUMP and can be considered as the first line of defence against incorporation of uracil into DNA. Inhibition of this enzyme results in over-incorporation of uracil into DNA, leading to DNA fragmentation and cell death and is therefore lethal. By taking advantage of structural differences between the human and Plasmodium dUTPase, selective inhibitors of the enzyme can be designed and synthesised with the aim of being developed into novel anti-parasitic drugs. Analogue based design was used to target the Plasmodium falciparum dUTPase (PfdUTPase). The structures of previously discovered selective inhibitors of the PfdUTPase were modified by insertion of an amide bond. A series of tritylated uracil acetamide derivatives were synthesised and assessed for inhibition of the enzyme and parasite growth in vitro. These compounds were weak inhibitors of the PfdUTPase.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Acetamides
  • Animals
  • Drug Design
  • Enzyme Inhibitors / chemical synthesis
  • Enzyme Inhibitors / pharmacology
  • Plasmodium falciparum / drug effects
  • Plasmodium falciparum / enzymology*
  • Plasmodium falciparum / growth & development
  • Pyrophosphatases / antagonists & inhibitors*
  • Structure-Activity Relationship
  • Uracil / analogs & derivatives*
  • Uracil / chemical synthesis
  • Uracil / pharmacology

Substances

  • Acetamides
  • Enzyme Inhibitors
  • Uracil
  • Pyrophosphatases
  • dUTP pyrophosphatase