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  • We next focused our design building

    2019-08-28

    We next focused our design building into the ribose binding site, which had not been yet utilized in this effort. Compounds bearing a series of five-membered aromatic heterocycles (compound , ) showed reduced inhibition of the Gram-positive isozymes compared with compound , but a 20-fold improved potency for inhibition of a Gram-negative isozyme which was of more interest as such activity is more difficult and is where there is a larger medical need. Inhibition of bacterial growth was less potent and solubility was lower compared with compound . The loss in cellular activity could be attributed to weaker penetration into the KC7F2 or more efficient efflux by pump systems. The ligand efficiency (LE) for Sau was maintained through this effort, there was a loss in ligand lipophilicity Efficiency (LLE) which is not uncommon as inhibitors are built up. Additional analogs to better understand the impact of properties and cellular activity are in progress. Compounds were also profiled for additional Gram-negative antimicrobial activity in (wild type and pump mutant strains), , and . No activity was observed in the wild type stains, but activity was seen in the pump mutant strain for compound , similar to what was observed for . Protein interactions for the active site with compound are illustrated below in two views, a, based on the 3D structure of the active site and then graphically as a MOE diagram. The inhibitor is in general ligand efficient and maintains multiple interactions with the active site: Leu117, Glu114, Lys291. In addition the aromatic core π-stacks with the Tyr 226 residue. The -butyl in this case efficiently fills the flexible lipophilic pocket and the pyrrole fills the entry to the ribose pocket. The ribose pocket also provides opportunities for additional hydrogen bond interactions and improvements to physical properties such as greater solubility and lower plasma binding. The general synthetic route to analogs such as compound is shown below, . A condensation of the -butyl amidine with the ethylmalonate provides the right hand side of the core. The pyrimidine is then extended through simultaneous conversion of the phenolic groups to chlorides and the addition of an aldehyde. One of the chlorides is then converted to an aniline by treatment with 2M ammonia followed by Suzuki coupling to bring in the pyrrole. Condensation with cyanoacetamide in piperidine results in the protected product. The Boc group is then removed upon treatment with HCl in dioxane.
    Introduction DNA non-homologous end-joining (NHEJ) is the major mechanism for the rejoining of DNA double-strand breaks (DSBs) in mammalian cells [1]. Five proteins have been identified that function in NHEJ. The heterodimeric protein, Ku, binds to double-stranded DNA ends, recruits and activates the catalytic subunit of the DNA-dependent protein kinase, DNA-PKcs. Together this complex constitutes the DNA-dependent protein kinase (DNA-PK). DNA-PK then recruits Xrcc4 and DNA ligase IV, which tightly co-associate. DNA ligase IV carries out the final rejoining step of NHEJ. In addition to playing a major role in the rejoining of radiation and endogenously induced DSBs, NHEJ also effects the rejoining step during V(D)J recombination [2]. Although Xrcc4 and DNA ligase IV are essential in mice, LIG4 syndrome has been identified as a human disorder conferred by hypomorphic mutations in DNA ligase IV [3], [4], [5], [6]. The disorder is associated with clinical radiosensitivity and immunodeficiency, consistent with the known functions of DNA ligase IV. LIG4 syndrome patients also display developmental delay and microcephaly suggesting that DNA ligase IV plays an important role during development. DNA ligase IV contains a conserved ligase domain at its N-terminus and a tandem BRCT domain at its C-terminus (Fig. 1a) [7]. Interaction with Xrcc4 requires the region between the BRCT domains and likely part of the BRCT domain [8], [9]. The DNA ligase IV/Xrcc4 complex is large and its crystal structure has not yet been solved. Structural analysis has relied in part on the use of a range of other ATP-dependent DNA ligases as model systems [10], [11], [12], [13], [14], [15]. The first step of ligation involves the formation of a covalent AMP-enzyme intermediate with AMP being attached to the enzyme via a highly conserved lysine residue. The second step involves the formation of a DNA-adenylate complex followed finally by rejoining. All ATP-dependent DNA ligases have a modular structure of two domains, an adenylation domain (AdD or Domain 1) and an oligo-binding domain (OBD or Domain 2) [12]. Six conserved motifs, designated motifs I, III, IIIa, IV, V and VI, have been identified among covalent nucleotide transferases, of which five are found in the AdD (Fig. 1a). Motifs I, III, IIIa, IV and V are essential for ATP binding and the auto-adenylation reaction. Motif I, encompassing the conserved lysine residue, forms the active site loop of the enzyme and constitutes part of the ATP binding pocket. Based on the crystal structures of a number of DNA ligase complexes, it has been proposed that ligases undergo profound conformational changes upon ATP binding and/or DNA binding [10], [12], [13], [16], [17]. This is exemplified by the rotation of the OBD. Motif VI lies within the OBD, distant from the active site on AdD [10]. However, upon ATP-binding this face of OBD moves towards the active site and residues, including those from motif VI, participate in the adenylation reaction [13], [14], [16], [17]. Subsequently, the OBD moves away from the active site and swivels around placing motif VI far from the AdD, orientating the DNA-binding surface of OBD towards the now adenylated AdD [12], [13], [16], [17]. This switching is essential for the catalytic cycle as it most likely prevents the formation of non-productive complexes between non-adenylated ligase and unnicked/unbroken DNA.