Captopril analogues as metallo-ß-lactamase inhibitors.

A number of captopril analogues were synthesised and tested as inhibitors of the metallo-ß-lactamase IMP-1. Structure-activity studies showed that the methyl group was unimportant for activity, and that the potencies of these inhibitors could be best improved by shortening the length of the mercaptoalkanoyl side-chain. Replacing the thiol group with a carboxylic acid led to complete loss of activity, and extending the length of the carboxylate group led to decreased potency. Good activity could be maintained by substituting the proline ring with pipecolic acid.

Structure-activity relationship study and optimisation of 2-aminopyrrole-1-benzyl-4,5-diphenyl-1H-pyrrole-3-carbonitrile as a broad spectrum metallo-ß-lactamase inhibitor.

A SAR study on derivatives of 2-amino-1-benzyl-4,5-diphenyl-1H-pyrrole-3-carbonitrile 5a revealed that the 3-carbonitrile group, vicinal 4,5-diphenyl and N-benzyl side chains of the pyrrole are important for the inhibitory potencies of these compounds against members representing the three main subclasses of metallo-ß-lactamases (MBLs), i.e. IMP-1 (representing the B1 subgroup), CphA (B2) and AIM-1 (B3). Coupling of 5a with a series of acyl chlorides and anhydrides led to the discovery of two N-acylamide derivatives, 10 and 11, as the two most potent IMP-1 inhibitors in this series. However, these compounds are less effective towards CphA and AIM-1. The N-benzoyl derivative of 5a retained potent in vitro activity against each of MBLs tested (with inhibition constants in the low µM range). Importantly, this compound also significantly enhanced the sensitivity of IMP-1, CphA- or AIM-1-producing cell cultures towards meropenem. This compound presents a promising starting point for the development of a universal MBL inhibitor, targeting members of each of the major subgroups of this family of enzymes.